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 by the green space, 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 often held in the Great Hall of McDowell spill out onto the Quad, and clubs will often set up tables to promote upcoming events and other initiatives.

Located in the basement of Edensword Hall, convergent with the campus bookstore, the Coffee Shop offers hot and iced drinks, snacks, sandwiches, and pastries. 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).

Tired of reading in your room? Head to 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 kitchenette with a microwave and sink, as well as some super-comfy couches—the perfect place to dig into Don Quixote.