If You’re Not Inn, You’re Out

Located on Haledon Ave in the shadow of nearby William Paterson College, the recently improved “New” Who’s Inn? fuses elements of a local watering hole with a veritable training ground for Beer Olympics. Upon entrance, appearances are deceiving; a small bar featuring only about 10 seats gives the impression of a “townie” bar spot, not usually appealing to the local college crowd. Further inspection would find a pool table -$1 per game - and an enclosed area for darts that separates patrons from the game, preventing anyone from having to yell “Dude, you got a f*#&ing dart in your neck!” (I like you man, but you’re crazy…)

But this location offers a secret for the college crowd that the casual passer-by would not easily discover. Through a small door beyond the pool table lies a former storage area converted to a beer pong/flip cup haven. Here, the hottest college drinking games can be played by amateurs and seasoned veterans alike, with enough elbow room to feel comfortable. This place isn’t fooling around — the bar holds monthly beer pong tournaments and hosted a Beer Olympics the weekend of April 20th.

Featuring three tables and enough space to spread out, the beer pong room is flooded with college students eager to test their skills or simply play a pick-up game of round ball (the drinking kind). With a purchase of a pitcher of beer, the bar supplies the cups and balls (make sure you ask the bartender if he has three balls. If he says yes, insert appropriate balls joke).

On my recent visit, the manager was quick to encourage beer pong play, and pitchers were reasonably priced. Many teams were male/female mixed and games seemed quite evenly matched. As the competition became more heated, a few elite teams emerged and began to challenge each other for supremacy. Of course, yours truly held his own and went undefeated for the evening.

Okay, I only played three games, but a win is a win. I also learned a valuable lesson: this area isn’t the most well-kept, so washing the balls is essential (insert appropriate joke about clean balls).

The music for the evening was strictly jukebox until 11pm, when the DJ Company “All Night Long” took over on the 1 and 2’s. Mixing mostly modern Top 40 with some bar classics, the music was the perfect compliment to the small bar/house party atmosphere of the beer pong and bar areas.

That no-frills vibe was fitting for the 21-30 age crowd, and dress was fun-casual (wear something cute, ladies) on a Wednesday evening – a big night for the college regulars, I found out. The manager told me that Thursdays feature a $20 open bar until midnight, with discounts for women and LP’s (little people). Weekends, he said, can be very busy. In fact, according to some of the regular patrons, it is the place to be in the North Haledon area. If you’re not at the Who’s Inn, you’re out!

Who’s Inn
465 Haledon Ave
Haledon
(973) 595-9852
www.myspace.com/whosinnbar

— by Jimi
A lifetime NJ resident and former Eagle Scout, this fun-loving, beer-chugging sports fan holds a Biology degree from The College of New Jersey in Trenton. A budding comedian, Jimi has done amateur performances at Caroline’s on Broadway. He's always looking for a new audience and a cold beer.

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