It was most McGill students’ worst nightmare: Aug. 14, the Student’s Society of McGill University (SSMU) announced that Gerts would be closed for the rest of the 2018-19 academic year due to prolonged construction on the Shatner building. Now, some McGill students are at a loss for where to get that cheap sangria and those tasty mac n’ cheese bites. With students’ weekday, late-night hub out of service, The McGill Tribune has a few alternative suggestions.

If you are in need of a good sangria

Sangria is a fruity beverage to have on warm evenings; it was also a Gerts staple. Near or far from the McGill bubble, sangria is a staple cocktail that can be found at most joints. If you are looking to stay close to campus, try out the sangria at Lola Rosa. The restaurant has three locations within walking distance: The closest to campus is on Rue Milton, while the other two are in the Mile End and in Old Port, respectively. For your late-night sangria fix, another option is  Terrasse Bonsecours in Old Port. While it is a bit of a trek from McGill’s downtown campus, the view is great and the venue stays open well past midnight. The bar’s best feature is the 11 different types of sangria on the menu. While on the pricier side, it’s a great spot to visit with a few friends and split a pitcher to satisfy the craving.

If you have an appetite for some greasy pub food

The closest pub for a burger or mouth-watering, beer-battered french fries is Les 3 Brasseurs. Just take a short walk out of Roddick Gates and down Avenue McGill College, and you will be surrounded by the luscious smell of grease and beer. If in search of something cheaper, stop by Le Warehouse for your fill of onion rings, potato skins, or wings. All of the food served at this budget-friendly spot is under six dollars. With locations in the Plateau and Ville-Marie, this bar has long been an essential spot for the skaters around McGill. With extreme sport documentaries playing non-stop, think of Warehouse as the ultimate pre for TRH-Bar just a couple blocks away.  

If you are looking for a weekly activity

We will all miss Gerts’ themed nights, but there are plenty of bars nearby to satisfy that yearning. Replace Gerts’ Wednesday sangria nights with Ye Old Orchard’s Wednesday trivia nights. Trivia starts at 8 p.m. and is on the corner of Prince-Arthur and St. Laurent. If school is hard enough to make your brain work, then try unwinding on the weekends at Les Trois Minots on St. Laurent. This spot is a karaoke bar, so grab some liquid courage and belt out you favourite tunes to your heart’s content. The venue is always packed on weekends and the beer is cheap, making it the perfect place to either start the night out or simply to unwind after a long day of school or work.

If you want to stay on campus

For those students who love the McGill vibes and just don’t want to leave, look no further than the campus—there are plenty of student-run bars to go around. On Thursdays, the Faculty of Management hosts 4à7 in the basement of Bronfman and the Faculty of Arts hosts Bar des Arts (BdA) in the basement of Leacock. Both provide affordable beverages and high spirits, along with BdA’s gooey grilled cheeses for one dollar. On Fridays, the Engineering Undergraduate Society hosts Blues Pub in the basement of the McConnell Engineering Building and lasts 4-9 p.m. All of these bars offer themed nights, so be ready to hear a lot of Nicki Minaj vs. Beyonce and celebrate the anniversary of McGill’s beloved Flood Girl.