As the fall semester begins, there will be much mayhem. Buying books, adding and dropping classes and figuring out how to get all the way across campus in 10 minutes can take a lot out of you. If you are looking for an escape from the pell mell, breakneck pace of the beginning of another school year, try the Long Shot Bar and Grill.

Offering a variety of food, drink and live entertainment, but without long lines or expensive cover charges, the Long Shot may be just the place to spend what little money you have remaining after buying books.

With live music every Tuesday and Saturday night, the Long Shot strongly encourages and supports local musical acts. Tuesday night is Acoustic Night and admission is generally $1. Saturday night admission is seldom more than $3 and a wide variety of live music can be heard this fall. “We have really good bands every Saturday in September,” Dave White, Long Shot bartender and live music promoter, told me as I started in on a pound of Extra-crispy Chicken Wings.

Located at 3900 West St., only 2 blocks from the west edge of campus, the Long Shot is within walking distance from most residence halls and from Campustown. They open for lunch and food is served until closing time at 2 a.m.

Hence, the Long Shot can be a strategic and valuable place to indulge in a late-night munchie craving after most other eating establishments have closed.

The food menu at the Long Shot is simple and satisfying. I recommend the chicken wings, but they have sandwiches, snacks and much more. There are lunch specials every day and drink specials every night.

On Saturdays they offer the Burger and Bottle for $4. On Wednesdays, for $5, you can drink from a Bottomless Glass of Beer (provided, of course, that you’re over 21).

If seeing their 10 different beers on tap makes you thirsty, and you find yourself too inebriated to drive, Cy-ride usually sends out the Moonlight Express (a.k.a. “The Drunk Bus”) on weekend nights. You can stumble onto it right across the street from the Long Shot and arrive home safely.

Here is a list of what will be happening at the Long Shot during the first few weeks of the school term. On Tuesday, August 22, DDT, an acoustic group will perform. On Thursday, August 24, Great Big Freak will play a special bash ($4). Tuesday, August 29, will feature the Grittle Dogs, playing mostly acoustic originals. Saturday, September 2, is Torn Earlobe.

There are bands booked for every weekend this fall and with music ranging from blues to jazz, and classic rock to alternative, there should be something for everyone’s musical palette.

“We will also be sponsoring one or more International Dance Parties during the semester,” White added.