Tag Page UICampus

Inside the wild world of UI campus bartenders

UI’s campus bars aren’t just packed with students—they’re practically run by them. Bartending here is less about mixing drinks and more about who you know and how many friends you can bring in. The real test? Surviving the grind: late nights, endless drink orders, and the pressure to be popular enough to keep your job. Some bartenders say it feels like joining a second fraternity, with tight-knit crews and wild shifts that pay off (sometimes $200 a night in tips!). But balancing 3 a.m. closings with early classes? That’s a whole different challenge. Would you take on this hustle? #Food #UICampus #BartenderLife