Both of Milwaukee's major universities are well integrated into the city. Marquette is nestled downtown, while UWM is right in the middle of the beautiful east side. It's natural, then, that when UWM students hit the bars, they frequent the hot spots on and near North Avenue. For students of legal drinking age, there's no shortage of college-friendly clubs and taverns within a short bus or cab ride.

So for all those thirsty students (and students of life), here is a UWM bar guide, guaranteed to represent the best of the East Side.

Axel's Inn
2859 N. Oakland Ave.
(414) 962-2122
Axel's location is key since it is the closest bar to campus. The atmosphere is low key, with a small U-shaped bar and a couple of pool tables, dartboards, video games and a great jukebox. Drink specials are for the true beer drinkers: Monday gets you $1.50 bottles; Tuesdays are $2 micros and $1.75 Leinies; Wednesdays get $2 micro bottles; Thursday is pitcher night; Fridays get Busch for only a buck; and Saturdays it's domestic pints for only a $1.50.

For the true Panther: Venture out to Axel's on a Sunday when you can get $1.50 rail drinks. For the hungry Panthers, there is a door that leads directly to Oakland Gyros.

Cans Bar and Canteen
1815 E. Kenilworth Pl.
(414) 225-0421
cansbar.com
This '80s-themed bar and restaurant specializes in, you guessed it, cans of beer, from Pabst to obscure Japanese imports. In fact, they have more than 30 different types of beers in aluminum jackets. But don't think this is a place to shotgun, belch loudly and smash your empty on your forehead. Cans also features Palm Pilots for ordering at tables, valet parking and personal washroom attendants.

Cush Lounge
1806 E. North Ave.
(414) 271-2874
This is a high-class establishment that's set up more like a living room than a tavern. There are two enormous TV screens and a DJ booth for the nightly DJs. The candle light illumination is remarkably soothing despite the fact that there's usually bumping techno music. Another unique feature of this bar are the retracting walls, eliminating the street-side wall. Thursday offers $1 martinis, $2 domestics and $3 blender drinks in honor of Ladies Night.

The Eastsider
1732 E. North Ave.
(414) 466-9836
The Eastsider, at the corner of Oakland and North, is a relatively small establishment, but it's a comfortable smallness because the entire front wall is a giant window. If it gets too packed, the bar is within easy walking distance of several other taverns.

G Daddy's BBC Bar and Grill
2022 E. North Ave.
(414) 272-7263
BBC is cheap grub, cheap beer, and a place to watch your local sports teams. They offer daily food and drink specials: Sundays are pizza and a pitcher of Miller for only $12 and $3 Bloody Marys; Monday is build-your-own-tacos for 50 cents and happy hour 4 p.m. until midnight; Tuesdays get a tenderloin sandwich for $6 and any microbrew tap for $2 after 7 p.m.; Wednesday is "Hamburger Hell" night with burgers and fries for less than $2 with $1 Pabst, $2 Captain & Cokes and $3 Dr. Cherry Bombs from 7 p.m. to midnight; Thursdays are 20 cent wings and $1 off pitchers of beer with student ID and $3 martinis; and Friday there is, of course, a fish fry. The BBC has coined itself Milwaukee's largest neighborhood corner joint and is a great place to enjoy pub food and drinks.

For the true Panther: Enjoy a Bucks game at BBC and get a pizza and pitcher of Milwaukee's fave beer (Miller) for only $12.

Hooligan's Super Bar
2017 E. North Ave.
(414) 273-5230
hooliganssuperbar.com
Grad students mix with business types, sports fans and everyone else at Hooligan's. An East Side landmark since 1936, Hooligan's serves the city's largest selection of micro beers, award-winning pub food and Bloody Mary's. Newly remodeled, Hooligan's is a great corner bar and an even better place to watch a Packers game. In their words, "Let our quasi competent and obsequious staff help make your visit something other than the usual."

Henry's Tavern
2523 E. Belleview Pl.
(414) 332-9690
Popular with a slightly older crowd -- perfect for grad students! -- Henry's has daily drink and shot specials and some tempting bar food, including the heavenly Naderburger, named for the bartender who invented the secret recipe. Late night pizzas also hit the spot.

Judge's Irish Pub
1431 E. North Ave.
(414) 224-0605
Judge's has a fun atmosphere with good music, two bars and a large area for pool tables. There is a great beer garden to hang out in during nice weather. There are drink specials every night. Wednesdays are the always-popular Ladies Night, where females drink free from 8 p.m.-midnight. On Thursdays, enjoy all-you-can-drink beer and dollar rails for a $5 cover.

For the true Panther: When the pool tables are covered at night, this is an invitation to get up and dance on them--it's allowed.

Paddy's Pub
2339 N. Murray Ave.
(414) 223-3496
paddyspub.net
Hanging out at Paddy's is like drinking in someone's living room. It's small and cramped -- though less now with a recent addition. The owners are kind and inviting, always quick to fill your bowl with peanuts or M&Ms. The beer is standard Irish fare: Guinness, Harp and the like. Their beer garden with big umbrellas is fun in the summer and home to occasional live music.

For the true Panther: Try to follow the movie being projected on the wall. It's tough without any sound.