Nightlife: Skybar
Since 2002, Auburn’s Skybar Cafe, usually referred to as "Skybar," is one of the most iconic bars in the SEC.
Skybar is a multi-story nightclub and bar, located on Magnolia Avenue in Downtown Auburn near Toomer’s Corner. The “sky” in Skybar refers to the signature rooftop deck found atop the building.
Skybar is the largest bar in Auburn by square-footage and is cited by patrons as one of the best club environments downtown. The nightclub is a gameday staple on football weekends and is also very popular during basketball season.
Skybar features frequent drink specials, theme nights, DJs and weekly live music performances. The establishment features, amongst other areas, a billiards room and central pit area, with plenty of drink stations.
The bar is frequently one of the most crowded places in Auburn after dark, especially on weekends. Skybar is popular amongst Auburn’s students due to its unique atmosphere and less traditional setup and environment.
Skybar is 19 and older, and cover can vary by day and time. Though it is usually close to $20 for those under 21, it's around $10 for those over. Expect long entrance lines on weekends, especially following football games and other large events.
For one of the most vibrant and essential nightlife experiences, Skybar is the place to be in Auburn.
Event: Auburn Rodeo
Often called the "rowdiest party in the SEC," the Auburn Rodeo has been a tradition since 1965 when Alpha Psi, the College of Veterinary Medicine's fraternity, first held a rodeo to benefit local nonprofits and to provide a space for veterinary students to unwind before finals. 61 years later, the Rodeo is an event all Auburn students look forward to each semester.
The Rodeo blends aspects of a rodeo, outdoor festival and live concert into a weekend-long event that has quickly become one of the most anticipated in Auburn. Its wide variety of activities, including tailgates, Western shows and concerts, attracts both Auburn residents and visitors across the Southeast.
Due to its popularity, the Rodeo is a bi-annual event, with the fall rodeo typically in October and the spring usually falling in late March or early April.
Many famous names in country music have headlined the Rodeo, including Tyler Childers, Treaty Oak Revival, Koe Wetzel, Zach Bryan and the Alabama-native Red Clay Strays to name a few.
In recent years, the Rodeo has been setting records, tracking between 15,000 and 27,000 attendees annually.
Looking ahead, the "rowdiest party in the SEC" will only get rowdier.
New business: Fizz N Fork
In November 2025, Fizz N Fork opened its doors to offer healthy, tasty food and drinks in Downtown Auburn. Owned and operated by Danielle Shaw, the dining spot aims to make healthy taste good.
Fizz N Fork's food menu offers plenty of options made with fresh ingredients, including customizable protein bowls and the customer-favorite croffles. These croffles are waffles made from croissant batter that are used as sandwich bread. They also have desserts, such as cheesecake and cookie fries.
What Fizz N Fork is most known for, however, is their dirty sodas, or sodas mixed with flavored syrups, creamers and sometimes fruit. Keeping with the healthy theme, Shaw makes her dirty sodas with better ingredients and a lot less sugar.
The drink menu is also extensive, with dozens of options for customization. They offer an extensive variety of teas and even Onyx Coffee, a brand from Bentonville, Arkansas; a roaster known for its high quality.
Fizz N Fork brings a new healthy option among fast food places in Downtown Auburn, making it a worthwhile trip for residents, students and out-of-town visitors.
Salon: 12K Salon
12K salon, located on 217 N. College St., has won the 2026 Plainsman's Choice for best beauty salon.
Ryan Wade, the owner, shared just how much the award means to him.
"[I'm] super proud, super happy for everybody and thrilled," Wade said. "I hope we can make it next year, and I'm just really happy to have a lot of younger stylists. I know this will mean a lot more to them."
Wade shares what he believes sets the salon apart from other salons in the Auburn area.
"It's a little louder," Wade said. "We don't like the same old thing that everybody else has. We just like a better vibe, and I don't like generic. I don't want anybody to confuse us with any other shop."
Around six years old now, 12K Salon has a particular atmosphere that it aims to create.
"I just think that it's a fun, lively group," Wade said. "Sometimes people will randomly listen to their favorite song and turn it up and decide they want to drag everybody to the middle and dance, and I'm fine with it. We like to poke fun at everybody."
According to Wade, client satisfaction is his priority at 12K Salon, which begins with comfort and professionalism.
Wade said his priority when it comes to the salon is client satisfaction, which, he shared, begins with professionalism and comfort.
"I want [clients] to be comfortable, and I found that the more comfortable that clients are, the happier they are with the outcome," Wade said. "And if they're educated with what we're doing, they also have a better understanding."
When hiring new stylists, Wade seeks individuals who bring a fresh and unique perspective to the shop.
In the fall, 12K Salon is expecting to double the space, taking over the store next door. Wade said that the stylist count should be between 16 and 18 stylists.
Boutique: Behind the Glass
Behind the Glass is a women-owned boutique nestled in Downtown Auburn. Established in 1987, the boutique has been serving the area for 39 years.
The mission of Behind the Glass is to empower women of all ages to express themselves and refine their style. Due to its size, the boutique's staff is able to cater to a wide demographic.
The back-half of the store is dedicated to the brand Free People. The front of the store usually adheres to a theme, like game day essentials for fall. It also has timeless pieces that can be styled with the most variety. The upstairs section has dresses for all occasions and a sale section.
Behind the Glass is known for keeping up with national, local and seasonal trends. Their team of buyers travels several times a year to markets across the country to find sustainable, high-quality, in-style items. The boutique is always looking for areas to grow so they can offer fashion to women of different heights, sizes and ages.
Customer input is another priority for Behind the Glass. If the boutique does not have a certain brand or size, guests can fill out a request form that the buyers take into account when searching for future products.
"We're here to be your friends while you're in the store, helping you find anything you want," said Dylan Toliver, floor manager.
This article is featured in The Auburn Plainsman's Summer 2026 print edition.
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Brychelle is a senior majoring in public and professional writing with a minor in information systems, from Huntsville, AL. She has been with The Auburn Plainsman since August 2023, previously serving as the Campus Reporter, Opinion Editor and Newsletter Editor. She is currently serving as the Editor-in-Chief.
Katelyn Smith, junior in journalism, has been with The Auburn Plainsman since Fall 2025. Smith previously served as a Lifestyle Writer and Lifestyle Editor. She is currently serving as the Assistant Lifestyle Editor.
