Apparently, studying in bars is something students at this university do–there’s nothing like reading St. Augustine’s Confessions over a Long Island Iced Tea, right (we’re kidding)?? We sent one of our staff writers to 1020 this past Sunday to check out what the ambience is like for doing homework.

I made the icy trek to 1020 late Sunday evening after a vaguely unsuccessful Valentine’s Day, armed with a stack of Chinese flashcards. 1020 provides the perfect 1:30-3:00am study spot; replete with vague strangers offering an obviously studying girl the pleasant refreshment of a joint and a shot of tequila, free of charge. Note: if you actually want to study, it is wise to turn down these accoutrements.

Down to the nitty gritty: is 1020 a good bar to study in? In my experienced opinion, yes. There is no wifi, so be prepared and come with reading, an essay or like me, some light rote memorization. The lighting is dim and yellow in tone, perfect for calming down fevered eyeballs, but the mild buzz of other Sunday patrons will ensure you don’t fall asleep (unless you indulge in the aforementioned jay-and-tequila combination). The music is rather hit-or-miss but retains a pleasant background noise level that will suit dwellers of Butcaf and the other group study areas in Butler.

The general vibe is convivial to a good study session; vaguely pretentious, you will feel right at home reading the LitHum syllabus. Some patrons may overly involve themselves in your study; my good friend with the kind refreshments first admired my Chinese script before extending his (sadly rejected) offer. Given that most people don’t frequent bars at 1.30am on Sundays, it’s relatively empty, so you won’t have to jostle too hard for a booth, but you may be placed in less-than-optimal seating in the back. The booth style seating that lines the wall makes you feel enclosed, free from the prying eyes of potential professors who may be stopping by for a legal drink, and the bonus is that the seats are rather plush and comfortable. Plus, the service is always friendly and discreet; the bartender will be happy to distract you from midterms by discussing elections (and the general entitlement of Columbia students–an embarrassed and bemused nod will do in response to this).

Did I get work done? Surprisingly, yes. A note of caution: for fellow students, avoiding the alcoholic beverages is my key to success (if you know the bartender, they make them a little too strong for optimal coherence), but the general buzz of the environment and the eau-de-beer from the booth-style seating is sufficient in providing a relaxed environment.

Photo via Ad Meskens / Wikimedia Commons