Inductee

South Dakota State University students have great memories of Friday’s in Brookings, a 3.2 beer bar that opened the fall of ‘77.  Previously the College Theatre, it was a great setting for live music.  The sloping floor accommodated the construction of three tiers: The U-shaped upper level with the bar and tables and chairs, the middle level with more tables and chairs, and the large dance floor another level down. The spacious stage allowed for plenty of equipment and was ideal for showcasing the larger light shows that many full-time bands carried in that era.  The combination of theatre acoustics and visual appeal created a concert-like feel, truly making it one of the best venues in the Upper Midwest.   

Bands played Wednesday through Saturday nights.  Ivory was considered the “House band” and many regional acts including Festival, The Johnny Holm Band, Britannia, Judd, Patriot, Nitro Brothers, The Flamin’ Oh’s, Aaron Baron, Willow Creek, and others drew big crowds.  In late ‘82, Friday’s was renamed Nasty Jack’s and in the fall of ‘83, it became The College, adding movies Sunday through Tuesday nights using the old projectors and a roll-down screen.  Over the next few years, the SD legal drinking age change from 18 to 19 to 21 spelled the end of the bar and numerous others of that era as well.  

Awards

2019Venues