Sports Pavilion Lawrence – Bar Crawl

Sports Pavilion Lawrence in Lawrence, Kansas, is an expansive arena with the ability to host almost any event. The 181,000-square-foot facility features a weight room, cardio room, an indoor turf field, a gymnastics room, indoor and outdoor tracks, basketball courts, and tennis courts. There’s even more to see at Sports Pavilion Lawrence, but while you’re in the area, you should take a trip to downtown Lawrence.

The city is home to the University of Kansas, resulting in a lively downtown area filled with college students and, more importantly, bars. Once you’re done with your visit to Sports Pavilion Lawrence, you’ll have the chance to visit all types of bars in the downtown area. From upscale cocktail lounges to tropical-themed bars to dive joints, there’s something for everyone in Lawrence. Follow the guide below to get a taste for downtown while visiting Sports Pavilion Lawrence!

Merchants Pub & Plate

It’s a 15-minute ride to your first stop, so take a Lyft or Uber on over and get ready to crawl. The first bar on our list is Merchants Pub & Plate, an establishment known for its hospitality. This bar and restaurant is both a nice place to enjoy a sit-down dinner, and a relaxed place to grab a beer.

The drink selection at Merchants Pub & Plate is truly top notch. There are 30 beers on tap, so consider trying a flight. They also feature a satisfying wine list and unique cocktails. Get the best of both worlds by trying Everything Happens for a Riesling, a drink consisting of chamomile gin, Riesling syrup, and lemon.

After your visit to Merchants Pub & Plate, your next stop is right across the street.

The Sandbar

The Sandbar is a tropical-themed bar with a summer atmosphere no matter the time of year. They’ve been an establishment in Lawrence for many years and beloved by college students for their funky and colorful cocktails.

You’ll be amazed by the drinks that The Sandbar creates. The Bahama Mama is what put the bar on the map. This signature drink is served with a rubber duck and Mardi Gras-style beaded necklace on top. The Pink Flamingo tastes like pink lemonade and comes with an inflatable flamingo coaster. The Sandbar’s best-selling drink by far is the Shark Attack, which comes with a plastic shark dunked into it. The Sandbar exudes the bright energy of summer all year-round, so enjoy a warm welcome from this college favorite.

The Bourgeois Pig

A three-minute walk from The Sandbar is The Bourgeois Pig, a much different bar from your last stop. The Bourgeois Pig is both a coffee house and an upscale cocktail bar, and features an outstanding beer selection. If you’re interested in inventive cocktails made by masterful mixologists, this is going to be one of your favorite stops along the bar crawl.

Try one of their expertly crafted drinks, such as The Queen is Dead, which contains gin, CH Rubin, and lemon. If it’s cold outside, order the award-winning Grandpa’s Cider, which contains apple cider, whiskey, bourbon, and Angostura bitters. USA Today voted this drink one of the most festive winter cocktails in the country.

While you’re visiting The Bourgeois Pig, make sure to can grab some espresso to keep you going on your bar crawl! You’ll need it, as you still have four more stops to go.

Red Lyon Tavern

Take a three-minute walk from The Bourgeois Pig until you see a bar with big, red double doors. That’s how you’ll know you’ve arrived at Red Lyon Tavern, your next stop. Red Lyon Tavern has an Irish pub vibe, with the flag of Ireland hanging from the ceiling and European football playing on the televisions. Order a Magners or a Guinness, and if you’re lucky, you’ll get a shamrock drawn in the foam of your beer!

Red Lyon Tavern is a relaxed watering hole, where everyone is welcome to simply have a great time. After you’ve enjoyed the classic pub atmosphere, take a walk right down the street to your next bar.

Replay Lounge

Replay Lounge, just around the corner from Red Lyon Tavern, has been in the Lawrence area for more than 20 years. They call themselves a “rock and roll pinball bar,” and feature live music almost daily. Inside the venue, their rock and roll shows light up the night, while the patio features daytime acoustic performances.

In addition to live music, Replay Lounge features plenty of pinball machines, bumper stickers covering the wall, and blacklights that illuminate the bar. Replay Lounge is the place to enjoy some live music and a classic beer. You can easily spend an entire night here, but you have two stops left on your bar crawl!

Lucia Beer Garden + Grill

Down the street from Replay Lounge is Lucia Beer Garden + Grill. The founders of the bar wanted to create a place where people could casually gather for any occasion. Whether you’re a visitor grabbing lunch, enjoying happy hour with a few friends, or looking to hang out all night, Lucia Beer Garden + Grill will make you feel welcome. Beer lovers will enjoy Lucia Beer Garden + Grill, since there are over 90 beers available.

Grab a drink and head to their beer garden, the main attraction at Lucia Beer Garden + Grill. Sit under string lights at a high top table, or play one of their oversized bar games, such as Connect Four and Jenga.

You can enjoy some food at Lucia Beer Garden + Grill as well, like wings, tacos, and more. This casual neighborhood bar is filled with friendly faces, and you’ll enjoy the good vibes before you head out to your final stop.

Harbour Lights

Harbour Lights, the oldest bar in Lawrence, is just across the street. This classic bar has an inviting environment where people can gather and enjoy a drink.

Harbour Lights offers tons of specials to enjoy, such as $2 well drinks, and beers under $3. They serve their draft beers in cold, frosted steins. The bar also features two pool tables, a giant television to watch local sports teams, and live music.

Harbour Lights doesn’t take themselves too seriously and proudly identifies as a dive bar. Celebrate the completion of your bar crawl with a cold beer and an afternoon spent in the oldest bar in Lawrence.

At this point, you’ve gotten a feel for downtown Lawrence and all the unique bars it has to offer. There are so many other spots to visit in Lawrence that you can easily spend an entire day there. So consider sticking around after your time at Sports Pavilion Lawrence.