As the school year gets going, you will undoubtedly generate some steam in need of blowing off. For our over-21 readers, here are five great bars all within biking distance from school to help you relax after a long day of hitting the books.

The 04 Lounge

3808 S. Congress Ave.

A south Austin local favorite, The 04 Lounge is the closest dive bar on the list. With a very local crowd, this bar gets down to basics with great happy hour drink prices and a pool table as well as cheaper drink prices all day when paying with cash. Come to this friendly joint to relax, and you’ll make a few buddies in the process.

Trophy’s

2008 S. Congress Ave.

Trophy’s is another grooving South Congress local dive bar with an interesting atmosphere. With a mixed-aged crowd and a lot of live musical acts, this bar will fill up and get you up on the dance floor. Go here to see local St. Edward’s bands that will blow you away with some serious talent.

The Warehouse

504 East Ben White Blvd.

One of two sports bars on the list, The Warehouse offers plenty of fun. With karaoke and a free happy hour buffet from 5-7 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, this bar will keep your stomach full while you sing and swing the night away. But if you’re not much of a singer or dancer, you can always sit in front of one of the numerous huge TVs in the building while you watch the game. Come here to root for the home team.

The G & S Lounge

2420 S. First St.

The G & S Lounge, the second sports bar on the list, offers patrons a unique twist on the normal sports bar. With an Elvis pinball machine and an air hockey table in addition to the owner’s dogs which roam around freely, this is a great local place to rediscover your inner child as a gamer. While the owner is infamous for being a little uptight with his drink prices, this is a bar that has a scene that is worth checking out at least once.

The Horseshoe Lounge

2034 S. Lamar Blvd.

Although it’s the farthest bar from campus on the list, The Horseshoe Lounge may be the best. A bar that still has a good, old fashioned ‘70s vibe, this is one of the only south Austin bars that has a shuffleboard as well as Pearl beer around the clock. Come here to get some historic brew and a feel for classic Austin.