Campus bars KAMS and The Red Lion are spicing up campus nightlife with recent upgrades — KAMS added a new dance floor and The Red Lion upgraded its club lights.
At KAMS, the upgraded dance area replaced the familiar picnic-table seating area, transforming the space into a more open environment for students to let loose. Meanwhile, The Red Lion introduced vibrant club lights and a smoke machine that gave the bar a nightclub-like feel, far from its typical campus vibe.
“It was an interesting utilization of that space considering the picnic tables had to be moved out,” said Hugh McKee, sophomore in Media and doorman at KAMS.
The renovations came as a surprise and generated excitement among former and current students.
Penelope Gregory, University alum, appreciated the new atmosphere when she visited.
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“It was a $30 cover when I went in, so it was great that (The Red Lion) had the lights, the music and the smoke machine. It makes you feel like you got more of your money’s worth.”
For current students like Prajeet Tripathy, senior in Engineering, the upgrades brought a unique addition to the bars on campus.
“This is something that I have never seen before,” Tripathy said. “The fact that they are doing this now is kind of sad because I am graduating, but it is exciting to see.”
The upgrades are not only changing the in-person experience but also gaining traction on social media. Both Tripathy and Gregory shared their reactions in TikTok videos, which sparked plenty of feedback from fellow students and alumni.
“I received hundreds of comments,” Gregory said. “Majority positive comments … some people have even made plans saying we should go this weekend.”
However, despite the unique renovations, Tripathy felt the overall experience did not live up to his expectations.
“I made a TikTok because I love doing University of Illinois reviews,” Tripathy said. “We assumed that everyone would be moshing and busting moves on the dance floor… but it felt like a networking session. I was not a big fan of it.”
For Tripathy, it was not the physical changes that led to his disappointment but rather the atmosphere. He anticipated that the upgrades would boost the energy at KAMS, but instead, the atmosphere felt flat. “I do not know what it was, but it seemed like people were more focused on … talking with their friends rather than being engaged with the new disco dance floor.”
While the renovations have drawn in-person and online attention, reactions remain mixed. Whether these upgrades are a sign of more to come or simply a fresh twist on familiar hangouts, KAMS and The Red Lion have certainly gotten students talking — and for campus bars, that might be the ultimate goal.
