Failing Linear Algebra a couple of times during your college years is permissible, but you’ll never forgive yourself if you flunk Fun 101. Of course, tuition fees are steep, so you’ll need to romp wisely. The Dance Cave (529 Bloor W., 416-532-1598) is a good start, offering free admission and freed inhibitions to anyone with a student ID. If sweaty rock clubs aren’t your trip, Andy Poolhall (489 College, 416-923-5300) spins everything from bouncing hip-hop to hypnotic house, with no cover on Mondays, Tuesdays and some Fridays before 11pm. For the beer-and-blather type, Squirly’s (807 Queen W., 416-703-0574) serves $3.95 domestic bottles daily, Einstein Café & Pub (229 College, 416-597-8346) has $10 pitchers and daily drink specials, and The Brunswick House (481 Bloor W., 416-964-2242) is always a safe bet for frosh-week fun. Or check out the 150 draft taps at the massive Madison Avenue Pub (14 Madison, 416-927-1722), which has several patios and a $5 Bar & Munchie menu from 4-8pm.
To keep your IQ level from matching your blood alcohol level, a trip to the Royal Ontario Museum (100 Queen’s Park, 416-586-8000) wouldn’t hurt, especially since Friday evenings are half price and Wednesdays are free one hour before closing. The Art Gallery of Ontario (317 Dundas W., 416-979-6648) is closed until Nov. 14, but prepare to Van Gogh the distance when it reopens; admission will be free for three days. If you’d rather view moccasins than Picasso, the Bata Shoe Museum (327 Bloor W., 416-979-7799) has PWYC admission on Thursdays from 5-8pm. And film buffs can catch a second-run or independent flick at the grand old Bloor Cinema (506 Bloor W., 416-516-2331) for $6 (plus $3 for a six-month membership).
No college experience is complete without indie-music shows; catch the pay-what-you-can Wavelength (www.wavelengthtoronto.com) music series every Sunday at Sneaky Dee’s (431 College, 416-603-3090). While at Sneak’s, skip class to hear real lectures by really unqualified individuals as part of Trampoline Hall (www.trampolinehall.net), which take place on Monday nights (check website for schedule) and costs $6 in advance or $5 rush.