Whether bar-goers are looking for a relaxed, quiet atmosphere or bustling night club scene, Ames offers bars with a variety of environments.

Specials like three-for-one drinks at Mickey’s Irish Pub, 109 Welch Ave., and Buck Burgers at Paddy’s, 124 Welch Ave., and People’s Bar and Grill, 2428 Lincoln Way, draw swarms of broke, hungry students thirsting for a good time. But it’s not all about fun — it’s about business.

Bar employees in Campustown and on Main Street in downtown Ames operate their businesses in different ways to draw in customers.

Stan Rivera, who owns MoJazz, 2518 Lincoln Way, Phuel, 116 Welch Ave., and 212 Main St. Pub and Grill, 212 Main St., with his brother Dwight, said his Campustown bars cater to a younger crowd by constantly updating their atmospheres.

The Riveras recently opened Phuel, formerly Santa Fe Expresso coffee shop, and are working with ISU architecture students on plans to redesign MoJazz this summer.

“We have a very young, hip market who is looking for new things,” Rivera said. “People get tired really easily. Whether it is with specials or advertisements, I want a good crowd.”

Campustown bars use specials to draw customers in Monday through Wednesday when fewer students go out, Rivera said.

“Specials are good, but I go out for more of the social aspect than the drinking aspect,” said Tahlia Beebe, senior in finance. “I want to go where there are people you know.”

Beebe said she usually goes to Cy’s Roost, 121 Welch Ave., because she likes the crowd there.

Mike Brown, general manager at People’s, said he thinks the competition between Campustown and Main Street bars is friendly.

“The bars run so evenly. There are always lines and they’re always packed,” Brown said.

“There’s enough bar space for everyone.”

Claudio Gianello, owner of Caf‚ Beaudelaire, 2504 Lincoln Way, said other bars’ specials do not influence his establishment.

After selling it in 1999, Gianello bought Caf‚ Beaudelaire back earlier this year.

“I couldn’t see it die,” he said. “It was turned into just a bar and I am trying to give it ethnic flavor by creating an alternative experience where people can chill.”

He said he does not feel threatened by the amount of business other bars in the area get.

Like Gianello, while Campustown establishments focus on drink specials for business, bar employees on Main Street said they draw customers in with quality and atmosphere.

Paul Sorensen, manager of The Corner Pocket, 125 Main St., said the Main Street bars base their businesses and distinguish themselves from Campustown bars as being a friendly neighborhood bar.

Sorensen said he goes out of his way to know his customers’ names, what they drink and what they do.

“I think I freak people out sometimes,” he said. “I want customers to feel at home and know that someone cares.”

Regulars refer to Sorensen as “Pauly” and invite him to join them in a game of video bowling.

“We don’t just have college kids or townies,” he said. “We have a nice variety.”

Rivera said 212 caters to an older crowd and serves more as a low-key town bar than a club.

“The atmosphere is laid back and the clientele is about 24 years old to middle age,” said bartender Brie van Roekel.

“The regulars are like my best friends. It’s like ‘Cheers,’ where everyone knows your name, your story and your life.”