Walk Three Downtown Bars After the Notre Dame Game
Start with tradition at Corby's, slow down at The Exchange, and finish with a game at Ivy Alley.
For a fall 2026 home weekend described in a guide published Sept. 30, one way to end Saturday is to stay downtown and walk. Whether Notre Dame wins or loses, the area gets busy after the game.
Make the first stop Corby's Irish Pub. The film Rudy shows its title character, the Notre Dame walk-on, drinking there.
Then try The Exchange. It serves whisky and craft cocktails in a historic bank building.
Finish at Ivy Alley Social House, which has lanes for duckpin bowling. Duckpin is played with smaller balls and smaller pins on a short lane.
The guide presents the three as walkable stops and describes Ivy Alley as sitting nearest the inn.
All three are within walking distance, so you can leave the car parked.
Questions people ask
What is duckpin bowling?
Duckpin bowling uses smaller balls without finger holes and shorter lanes than regular bowling. Games are quicker and use smaller pins.
Do I need a reservation for a postgame bar crawl?
Expect crowds, especially after night games when most fans head downtown at once. You usually do not need tickets for bars, but going earlier in the evening makes it easier to get seats together.
Where should I leave the car on game night?
If you are staying downtown, leave the car at your hotel and walk. Stadium-area parking often requires a pre-purchased pass, so walking downtown after you return avoids moving the car again.