Situated in the middle of campus, the Quad is the default gathering place for Johnnies. At any given time, you’ll see students meeting there before grabbing dinner in dining hall, continuing conversations after coming out of class, hanging out at the tables clustered there, reading on the McDowell steps, or playing guitars and singing outside of Edensword. When the weather’s nice (as it is, for the most part, from August–October and March–May), Reality parties and Waltzes are often held there, and clubs will often set up tables in the Quad to promote upcoming events and other initiatives.

Located in the basement of McDowell Hall, the Coffee Shop offers hot and iced drinks, snacks, sandwiches, pastries, and—during select hours—grilled items like burgers and quesadillas. The coffee itself comes from Ceremony Coffee, a local roaster that’s well-known for its high-quality beans and brews. Johnnies use the space to read, write essays, talk with friends, play board games, or participate in Take a Tutor to Coffee, a program that lets students meet one-on-one with their tutors over a cup of joe (or tea—whatever strikes your fancy). In the winter, students light fires in the huge fireplaces, making the Coffee Shop an ultimately cozy spot to hang out.

Tired of reading in your room? Camp out in the Fishbowl, a lounge area in Mellon Hall formerly known as the Mellon Cafe. With its all-glass walls overlooking the lush Mellon courtyard, the Fishbowl is a beautiful, sunny place to study, read, or relax before class. It’s home to a healthy-snacks vending machine and a kitchenette with a microwave and sink, as well as some super-comfy couches—the perfect place to dig into Don Quixote.