thursday night birthday dinner

we are coming to lafayette this thursday night which happens to be my birthday with wife and 17 yr old son. he is doing a visit to purdue of friday morning. we are looking for a fun place to go thursday night. we like micro brews, pubs, steaks and maybe some place that would have some entertainment. also any suggested hotels would be good. thanks!!

thursday night birthday dinner

Here are some good choices for the type of food and drink you are looking for:

Lafayette Brewing Company...it%26#39;s downtown on main between 6th and 7th I think. They have great award winning ales (it is a brew pub) and a generally above average food.

Hunter%26#39;s Pub (downunder)... This is at, uhm, lets say 3rd and Ferry. It is a basement bar, similar to Cheers from the TV show. They have a decent selection of micro%26#39;s, probably 40 micros to choose from. Atmosphere is good and food is very good too.

You%26#39;ll find traditional american food and steaks at both places. I%26#39;ve seen thinks like swordfish on the chefs menu at both places at sometime in the past too. Either place is reasonably priced too.

I%26#39;m not seeing anything on the local papers website as far as live entertainment that night (except karoake at a few places). That doesn%26#39;t mean that there is nothing going on though.

After having food and a drink or 2 at one of the above places, if you want to venture to some other places there will likely be something going on or at least good ';people watching'; and conversation at:

knickerbocker saloon - 1/2 block north of main on 5th. This is the oldest bar in the state, has a great atmosphere and a good selection of micro%26#39;s (maybe 50 bottles).

Black Sparrow- This is on Main around 3rd street (by river, bus station, etc). It is a newer bar, but has a nice older atmosphere due to them keeping all of the old buildings original ceiling and other bits. They have a lot of micro bottles, but I%26#39;ve never made it past their rotating taps. They usually have around 8 beers on tap that you won%26#39;t find elsewhere. More esoteric brews from around the US and the world.

Around the corner from the black sparrow is ';Chumleys';. What this place lacks in atmosphere (due to the more %26#39;frat%26#39; type crowd) it makes up for in a dazzling display of beer prowess. They have 50 taps and 100 bottled beers. I don%26#39;t make it their often due to the crowds and the fact that I can get a very good selection of craft ales at a number of other places around the downtown area.

Lafayette is a great place for a micro brew lover. There are other bars downtown that are good too, but these are the ones that I know well.

If your 17 year old will be with you, the lafayette brewing company is the only one in the list that isn%26#39;t a 21+ establishment. Chumleys may also allow under 21, but may be 21+ after 9 or 10pm. I am unsure.