From the South Florida Sun-Sentinel

The City Link back-to-school special

Whether you need a quiet space to hit the books or a crazy place to hit the booze, we've got you covered.

compiled by City Link staff

August 17 2005

With classes resuming next week at most South Florida colleges and universities, it's time to break out the ramen noodles and crack open the overpriced textbooks. But going back to school doesn't have to be a stress test. When your roommate won't let you get online because he or she has been chatting with hotties all day, you can always head for one of the many places that offer free Wi-Fi. Come exam time, if you're a procrastinator who has spent the semester complaining about your astronomy professor and downloading hip-hop ring tones to your cell phone, you'll need to find a quiet place for an all-night cram session. And when you really need a break from it all, you'll need to party your ass off.

This is where we come in. We went back to school ourselves recently to compile the following guide to places to get free Wi-Fi, study-friendly late-night venues, student-oriented Web sites, inexpensive campus fashions, and bars and clubs that cater to college students. We decided to forgo offering advice on weekend drinking binges, academic probation, student-professor affairs and other college rites of passage. We think it's best for you to figure those things out on your own.

CRAM IT!

Put off studying for that psych exam? The following venues are open late, generally quiet and friendly to procrastinators.

Books and Books
933 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach, 305/532-3222, www.booksandbooks.com
This Miami institution is open 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and till midnight Friday and Saturday. It's an excellent place to study with friends because in addition to indoor tables, a number of umbrella-covered tables have been set up outside. Order a snack and coffee or cappuccino from the full-service café.

Ernesto's Taco Shop
700 S.E. 17th St., Fort Lauderdale, 954/467-9788
Ernesto's management claims this restaurant that never closes (not even for a hurricane) will become the next Starbucks. Don't expect caramel lattés -- only regular coffee is served here -- but the Taco Shop does have a side room with four spacious booths perfect for studying. Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale students can often be found hitting the books here.

Flashback Diner
220 S. Federal Highway, Hallandale Beach, 954/454-8300
The 24-hour Flashback boasts delicious coleslaw, a great chili and rice and a decent variety of cakes and cookies. Best of all, customers can request a booth off to the side for a little privacy to study.

Howley's Restaurant
4700 S. Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach, 561/833-5691
This kitschy, comfort-food haven is open from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and 24 hours Friday and Saturday. You'll never feel weird about studying alone here, because someone else is usually sitting nearby reading a book or periodical while eating. Seating is available at the counter, in the booths and on the patio. Howley's menu is chock-full of brain food, including build-your-own omelets, Reubens and macaroni and cheese.

Jerry's Famous Deli
1450 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, 305/534-3244, www.jerrysfamousdeli.com
Open 24 hours, Jerry's serves everything from meatloaf to classic deli sandwiches to fettuccine Alfredo. It bakes its own pizza, and offers dozens of combinations. It's also noisy, so if you like to study among the clamor of a busy restaurant, complete with televisions, Jerry's is the spot. That said, it still might be quieter than your apartment or dorm room.

Moonlite Diner
6201 N. Andrews Ave., Fort Lauderdale, 954/938-1116; and 3500 Oakwood Blvd., Hollywood, 954/924-2012; www.moonlitediner.com
This 24-hour eatery offers standard diner fare such as hamburgers; hot open-faced, roast-beef sandwiches; and fried chicken. But the menu does include some surprising selections, including a blackened tuna cobb salad, a grilled ham and brie sandwich, and spring rolls. The Moonlite is seldom crowded, so the only sounds you'll hear while studying are of the server asking to refill your coffee and the 1950s and '60s pop classics playing on the sound system.

CHUG IT!

Your student ID isn't only good for getting discounts at the campus bookstore. At the following bars and nightclubs, it can be a passport to drink specials, reduced admission prices and imminent hangovers.

Cheers
941 N.E. 62nd St., Fort Lauderdale, 954/771-6337, www.cheersfoodandspirits.com
Cheers' college night officially begins 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, but this laid-back neighborhood bar usually doesn't get crowded until after 11. Admission costs $10 and women drink for free. Hip-hop plays throughout the night.

Club Boca
7000 W. Palmetto Park Road, Boca Raton, 561/392-3747
Every Thursday, Club Boca transforms into The Library, admitting everyone 21 or older for free until 11 p.m. After that, the door charge is $10. Women must be at least 18 to enter the club, while men must be 21 or older.

Delux
16 E. Atlantic Blvd., Delray Beach, 561/279-4792
Beat a case of the Mondays with hip-hop and old school music from DJ Shalomar at this club where South Beach meets Delray Beach. Cover is $5 before 11 p.m., $10 after.

Mr. Moe's Restaurant and Bar
3131 Commodore Plaza, Miami, 305/442-1114, www.mrmoes.com
Resembling a cabin in the country, Mr. Moe's boasts a mechanical bull and more than 35 different beers. At Thursday's college night, ladies get in for free, while guys pay $4 for admission and a free beer. The restaurant serves reasonably priced burgers, steaks, sandwiches and salads. Strong stomachs can try Moe's signature sloppy fries, which are covered with beef and melted cheese. The restaurant is open from 11 a.m. to 5 a.m. daily and features live entertainment on weekends.

Monkeyclub
219 Clematis St., Palm Beach, 561/833-6500
Hip-hop and R&B provide the soundtrack to Thursday's Life party, which offers free drinks from 9 to 11 p.m. and no cover all night.

Passion Nightclub
1 Seminole Way, Hollywood, 954/321-3443, www.passionnightclub.com
Located at the Seminole Paradise at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Passion hosts a college night every Thursday called Study Hall. Men pay $5 for admission with college ID while women get in for free. Half-price bottle specials are offered all night. Doors open at 10 p.m.

Surf Café
395 Spanish River Blvd., Boca Raton, 561/392-1965
Reggae night takes place every Wednesday at this surfing-themed bar and attracts a huge crowd from FAU and PBCC. Admission is $7, and $2 pitchers are served until 2 a.m.

WI-FI IT!

If you need to go wireless but don't want to pay for the service, you can log on for free at any of the following places.

Atlanta Bread Company
6041 W. Sample Road, Coral Springs, 954/335-3083; and 137 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables, 305/444-5320

Baja Smoothie Cafe
7750 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach, 561/736-0355

Bonjour de Paris
212 S. Olive Ave., West Palm Beach, 561/820-9281

The Coffee Beanery
7750 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach, 561/687-4146

Draft House
22191 Powerline Road, Boca Raton, 561/394-6699; and 201 W. Camino Real, Boca Raton, 561/368-3292

Easy Computing
9091 N. Military Trail, Suite 16, Palm Beach Gardens, 561/630-9949

Panera Bread
1762 N. Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale, 954/567-5925; 4540 PGA Blvd., Palm Beach Gardens, 561/775-3705; 222 Yamato Blvd., Boca Raton, 561/997-2515; and 2015 N. University Drive, Coral Springs, 954/757-9870

Roly Poly Sandwiches
2866 University Drive, Coral Springs, 954/341-6744

Urban Brew Café
209 S.W. Second Ave., Fort Lauderdale, 954/523-7191

Whole Foods Market
2000 N. Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale, 954/565-5655; and 810 University Drive, Coral Springs, 954/753-8000