Going to the bar 55 days in a row is an endurance event. There is no margin for error – attendance is mandatory. It puts a burden on both personal finances and academics. Not to mention, being in one place for that many days in a row can get dull. Very few establishments could pull off such an event, props Cafe 210 West and you’re welcome for the continuous business. My parents will be so proud to find out that I went to a bar 55 straight days before I graduated.

Café really has all the elements of a great bar covered: two areas for outside seating, Plenty of TV’s and a big enough space for bands to perform. Whether you want to enjoy the nice weather, watch the game, or rage to a local cover band; you can do it at Café. No other place in town can say that.

With that in mind, I got to thinking: what would the worst establishments be to hold such an event? Here’s my top 10:

10.) Mad Mex – Mad Mex comes in at No.10 because this really wouldn’t be a bad place to have a 55 days competition. It has a great atmosphere both inside and outside and those margaritas are tasty. Café has the spring on lock, but the fall is wide open to lay claim. I’m just saying.

9.) Bar Bleu – This year, I found out that Bar Bleu has a downstairs and it’s actually pretty cool; who knew? Well, actually, it turned out that a lot of people knew. But a two-story bar is a major plus: Bar Bleu is a definite front-runner for the 55 days of winter.

8.) Shandygaff – Easily one of my favorite bars in town, but 55 days in a row here would be a challenge. Shandygaff is great in small doses, but the overcrowding and boxed-sized bathrooms get old quick. Only if I wore goggles would my eyes be able to withstand the amount of cigarette smoke lingering in the air.

7.) The Deli – The Deli is a great place to go for a few drinks and their food is delicious. On the downside, there really isn’t anything to do inside except for listen to the occasional live band. However, I do love the amount of Dave Matthews I hear. I’ve never been in The Deli and not heard a DMB song. This is a plus. There is outside seating when it’s nice, but the area is small. I think after about a week straight I’d have to throw the towel in.

6.) Rathskeller – Not exactly the ideal location to spend 55 straight days, maybe not even two or three, but time spent at the Rathskeller is usually pretty interesting. Like the time I debated football with a 50-something for over a half-hour back in the fall. I’m sorry, but the Bills weren’t going to win the AFC East. He started it.

5.) Pickle’s – When I think Pickle’s I envision a few engineering majors discussing practice problems over lunch and a pitcher of Blue Moon. I’ve only been there a handful of times, but each time I feel like I come out more sophisticated. Well, not really. Pickle’s is definitely of one State College’s classier bars – I almost feel unworthy even being inside. They don’t need 55 days; they’re doing just fine.

4.) The Phyrst – Unless you or someone you know is turning 21, there really is no reason to go here. Granted, the Phyrst is usually poppin’ at night but I attribute that to the staggering kids in green hats and their friends who tried to keep up with them at the pregame. Also, the stench here is unbearable; there’s a price to pay for embracing all those birthdays.

3.) Sharkies – I like to play pool which is really the only benefit of going to Sharkies. I also grew up in a hick town so I tend to feel very at home inside. Other than that, this place doesn’t have much to offer for the college crowd.

2.) R U Hungry – Okay, I realize that R U Hungry doesn’t really go along with the theme here, but seriously, can you imagine? 55 days of consuming that “food” would probably cause irreversible health conditions. But, on the bright side, I’m sure it would translate well into a Morgan Spurlock documentary one day.

1.) The Brewery – The epitome of a dive bar. Dirt floors and draft beer out of a mason jar, need I say more? The Brewery is a basement that people drink in and it smells strikingly similar to The Phyrst. Their drinks aren’t bad and are pretty cheap but it can’t make up for the atmosphere. A few hours here can be a burden and in most cases, your first few hours tend to be your last.

I realize I did leave out some potentially obvious choices, but let’s face it, pretty much every place in town should be on this list. If Indigo was open every day, it would have surely made the cut. Levels was a shoe-in as well, but they aren’t open every day either. If they to happen open up every night, then there’s always next year.