Swanky's

Swanky's was a legendary uptown Athens bar on the east side S. Court Street between Union and Washington streets. Opened in 1972, it was called “Swank’s” by the bell-bottom and mustachioed crowd who boogied there for the late-night partying and dancing. It was THE go-to late-night joint for ending a night out with a couple hundred other zonked-out students on the often-slippery dance floor. If you were lucky enough have a “Swanky’s Card”, you could skip the ever-present long line outside. Of course, being a 70s hot spot, there were toga parties in the downstairs area (thanks Animal House!). Swanky’s ended a 10 year run in 1982, but lives large in the Athens, Ohio bar memory.