Odd-ish question: I'm going to Michigan at Purdue this year and have never been to Purdue, anywhere I should go Friday night or before/after the game? I've heard that some of the students get to the bars at 7am for what's called 'Breakfast Club', but nothing beyond that. Anyone who's been there care to help?
Let me handle this... ::takes deep breath::
Harry's has long been THE establishment although it is kinda tight quarters and gets packed quickly. It is also the closest bar to campus in the Chauncey Hill area where most of the bars are.
Jake's is another one in the Chauncey Hill area that I am not afraid to recommend. (Interesting side note - I did see Drew Brees making out with 2 chicks at the same time outside this establishment one weekend during my Junior year.)
Where Else was the traditional epicenter of Breakfast Club, although I think it may be gone now. Again, it would be in the Chauncey Hill area as well.
If you want to walk a little farther off campus, there are a couple bars down the hill in an area called The Levee. That is where you will find The Neon Cactus - a very deceiving name, as it only plays country music one night a week last I was there. It also contains the infamous Piano Bar inside it, where every visitor to West Lafayette should experience Bruce the Piano Man once in their lifetime. 9 Irish Brothers is a newer one down in the levee that is a bit more relaxed. Also, there is a BW3 in The Levee too.
You must eat at Triple *** diner. It is on Chauncey Hill and open 24 hours (at least it used to be), so it always made a great drunk meal stop on the way home from the bars. Also, Guy Fieri went there on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, so how could you go wrong? make sure you get a milk shake or their own brand of root beer (they do not serve alcohol though).
The best thing about it is that there are so many bars within short walking distance of campus and the hotels in downtown Lafayette as well. Oh yeah, you also used to be able to get a handout at halftime to go out and tailgate and then return to the stadium, but I don't know if they do that any more!
Feel free to PM me if you have any more questions.