In the film classic Casablanca, the customers at Rick's are clamoring to get out. But at the real-life Rick's American Café, located near Michigan State University, the rowdy student body waits in long lines just to get inside this humble dive. You must remember this: Behind the doors, a bevy of sexy Spartan coeds awaits.

The Scene: Laid back and located near campus, Rick's doesn't have to work hard to attract throngs of students seeking cheap drinks. The interior -- a few spartan bars and a dance floor ringed by arcade games and small tables -- belies that fact. But this place isn't about cutting-edge design; it's about having a good time. Six large TVs broadcast sports, a few pool tables rest in a back corner, and in case you forget where you are, plenty of MSU gear hangs from the walls. It may be formulaic, but the formula works and draws plenty of students for bar crawls.

Girls at the Bar: Finding hotties is rarely a problem anywhere near a Big 10 campus. Rick's is no exception. "There are plenty of prospects at this bar all the time," says Brandon, a junior accounting major. "The goal is to just get here early and watch them file in," he adds. Steve, a graduate student, agrees that Rick's is filled with the one commodity every college male desires. "As far as I am concerned, the only thing that truly matters is the females," he says. "And you never go wrong with the females here."

When to Go: A call to Rick's usually results in a recorded message of someone listing the endless specials and events at the bar with the enthusiasm of a professional wrestler. The Monday night dance party and Friday happy hour, which start at 3 p.m., are solid, but just about every night works, especially when the occasional concert hits the stage. The real trick to Rick's is figuring out what time of the night to head over. Get there before 9:30 if you don't want to sit in long lines. By 10 p.m. on a weekend night, a half-hour line has usually formed.

Dress Code: Don't roll in to Rick's looking like you just woke up, but keep things a little classy and casual. Jeans and a collared shirt will work for guys.

At the Bar: The Friday Night Happy Hour starts at 3 p.m. and features free pool and pizza. For those who don't want to swill cheap brew, Oberon and Blue Moon are only $2 on Tuesday. Well drinks are cheap on Saturday, but that's the busiest night and it's hard to make return trips to the bar. Your best bet may be the potent $3.75 Long Island Iced Teas.

Hours: Sunday through Thursday, 7 p.m.-2 a.m.; Friday, 3 p.m.-2 a.m.; Saturday, 5 p.m.-2 a.m.

Phone: 517-351-2285

Text and Images by Christopher Michael Barsotti

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