Chug on this: Proximity to campus is key to a great college bar, and in my day, as an undergrad at VCU in the '90s, the lower Fan was loaded with options.

• The Village Cafe, which is still going strong on the corner of Harrison and Grace, was a solid option.
• For live music with a side of way-too-heavy beer, I'd hit up Hole in the Wall on Laurel, or the OG Bandito's when it was on Cary (millennials will know it as MoJo's).
• But my go-to, fave college-era watering holes were Bidder's Suite (what became Ipanema Cafe, RIP), where I recall drinking coffee more often than beer (the '90s, man), and Chuggers, a classic, dark wood and smoke-filled Richmond institution on Franklin that's long since closed.

At all of them, the drinks were stiff and cheap, the dress code non-existent and the vibes entirely on point.

The bottom line: The college bar is an essential part of the college experience.

• I've told you mine, now share yours below to possibly be shared in our next Higher Ed edition.