O'Malley's on Fourth
247 N. 4 th Ave.
Rating: 3

When they told me that I had to go out and cover some of Tucson's college bars, I was like, "No way, they're going to pay me to go out and drink!? I was going to do that anyway!"

But there I was, on a particularly nondescript Thursday night, waiting in line outside of O'Malley's on Fourth with a group of drinking buddies, dressed up in our finest bar-hopping attire (well, maybe that's pushing it).

Ah, the O'Malley's line. That bend around the corner. The desperate search for friends in more favorable positions in the line, peering over spiky heads and long manes of blonde and brunette locks trying to find out what in the hell is taking so long up there.

One interesting thing I noticed was that no one dared come alone. It's always in packs that people show up to the bar to ravenously gulp down their choice of two-for-ones on Thursdays, and why not? The more the merrier! Just about everyone in line was on a cell phone or was clutching one in hand. It's as if the coolest thing to do is talk to someone who's not there. I am no exception to this rule. Fumbling with my new color Ericsson, I too call a few friends to make sure they were on the way.

And then there's an awesome wave of relief when we get to the doorman. Grievously parting with the necessary $5 cover, we push our way inside.

The line outside is nothing compared to the frantic jockeying for key positions at the bar. Though O'Malley's has lots of space (enough for four pool tables and a full bar in the main room), it's reminiscent of some commodities trading pit at a stock exchange: knots of people are hanging around the outer rim, sometimes three or four deep, the foremost rank is holding out bills of all denominations trying to catch the eye of a passing bartender, while simultaneously watching the game on one of the monitors hanging overhead and still keeping and eye on that gorgeous girl or guy they're going to lay some game down on later.

Feeling in my pocket for that finski, I make my way past the main bar and the group of tables facing the street window and struggle to the side opposite the front door (I find this spot or the outdoor bar the most generous in terms of speedy service), and order a double Dewar's on the rocks.

The scene at O'Malley's on a Thursday night is basically all Greek, or if not, that part of the food chain at UA (I for one am definitely not Greek, and neither are my friends). If this is the scene you are into, then I don't need to tell you anything about O'Malley's on Thursday. You already know that you'll see a lot of people from class that you know. It is usually the social gathering of the week.

And two-for-one drinks to boot.

However, the two-for-ones aren't that much of a deal except if you stick to your domestic bottles or you're a straight hard-A like me.

One of the good features about O'Malley's is its back room complete with bar and band. Usually it's the Mockingbirds or 80's All-Stars who exude hackneyed 80's covers in punk-rock format. But hey, when you're drunk, hearing something like Boys of Summer just might be your cup of tea.

What I love about O'Malley's: There's lots of space, unlike some of its more claustrophobic counterparts up and down Fourth.

Maloney's on Fourth
213 N. 4th Ave.
Rating: 3.8

And then there's Maloney's on Saturdays. Having recently undergone a massive renovation, what was formerly 8-Traxx is now in fact part of Maloney's, which is now one of the largest bars on Fourth Avenue.

And for that I have just three and a half words: Sit-Down Ms. Pacman.

Having been to Maloney's many times since its renaissance, I have thrown myself in with some of the nay-sayers who argue that it's too loud and way too dark. I'll have to say that these were some points at issue when we all sat around Saturday and tried to make up our minds over what to do with the evening.

Although Maloney's old part is still unbelievably loud and dark, its new section is something entirely different.

Apart from the above-mentioned video game, there are also foosball tables and a few pool tables (although I should warn that these tables are less than regulation size).

High-backed leather benches, blood red walls, and a sweeping, curved bar area harken back to several midtown Manhattan bars and even Phoenix clubs like Axis and Radius.

As the old section of Maloney's features hundreds of black and white 8 x 10s of movie stars, so continues the theme in the new part. There are several oversized posters lining the far wall by the dance floor (that's right, there's a dance floor at Maloney's).

The patio section continues along the front of the building uninterrupted and is a peaceful haven from the overpowering tone of dance and classic rock tunes played within. The patio also offers a panoramic view of the parking lot, and the line of people waiting to get in. From what I have seen in the two times I have been there so far, at peak time (around 10 p.m.) the line stretches from the entrance and almost reaches the trolley yard behind O'Malley's.

Maloney's is also emerging as competition to O'Malley's on Thursday nights.

The crowd at Maloney's? It seems to be a mixture of the old Maloney's college kids and the former clientele at 8-Traxx. Ordinarily, the two might not mix well, but they seem to interplay just fine, equally sharing both sides of the bar. There is no Maloney's segregation.

As far as drinks are concerned, Saturday at Maloney's offers $2 you-call-its. Perfect for those fans of mixed drinks who are low on cash. My personal favorite however is the Viking mug, a liter of draft beer in a giant stein for the mere price of $5.50. Sure, it's a handful, but drink one of those and you'll be in good shape. What I love about Maloney's: No cover, and they play memorable scenes from random movies on the monitors and over the PA.