Two Lawrence late-night institutions have been recognized by Complex.com as two of the best college bars in the country.

Complex.com, Marc Eckō’s self-proclaimed “premiere online destination for the most influential 20-something male consumers,” ranked Replay Lounge, 946 Massachusetts St., at 31st and The Wheel, 507 W. 14th St,, at 41st on its list of top 50 college bars. Complex.com is a men’s fashion and pop culture guide that regularly releases rankings on various subjects.

The Wheel opened in 1955 after being converted from an old book store. During the past 55 years only three people have owned the bar, with Rob Farha as the current owner.

“In most businesses you need to stay up with the times and change things,” Farha said about his time as the owner of The Wheel. “This is a pretty unique thing where people would be pretty upset if you changed anything.”

Farha has been running The Wheel for 14 years and said that besides adding some TVs, the only things he has changed are the table tops and the locks on the front door.

The history of The Wheel is evident on every square inch of every wall. There are signatures from thousands of students sketched into the wood work, portraits of basketball teams, sororities and fraternities, and murals of Jayhawks painted by art students from 1988.

Although Replay Lounge hasn’t been around as long as The Wheel, it has definitely made its mark on Lawrence, as shown by its ranking. Replay Lounge’s rich music history, playing host to the likes of The White Stripes and The Black Keys, as well as the welcoming atmosphere, is what makes the bar so popular, said bartender Aaron Strelow.

“It’s very eclectic,” Strelow said. “It has the ability to suit everybody and whatever they’re into.”

Strelow has worked at Replay Lounge since 1998, just four years after it opened. He said he watched Replay’s growth from opening night to its recognition now as one of the best college bars in the country. He attended a private party the night before Replay Lounge opened its doors in 1994 and said the bar has always been about welcoming anybody and everybody.

“It’s kind of like an anti-culture,” said Mike Sofis, a junior from Pittsburgh. “Not in a political sense, but it seems like a little haven for all types of people.”

Sofis went to Replay Lounge for the first time on Saturday and said the open-minded vibe really fostered a great environment for all types of people. He said other University students recommended that he go there.

Strelow also said Replay Lounge’s location on Massachusetts Street benefits the bar.

“This is obviously a good stopping point,” Strelow said. “If you don’t like it you can go just down the street to Louise’s Downtown, or Harbor Lights, or anywhere. It doesn’t matter.”

The location of The Wheel also contributes to its popularity, Farha said. The Wheel Pizza Company, also owned by Farha, is a separate entity despite being located on the first floor of the same building. Although Complex.com said the “pizza isn’t even that good, you’re just drunk,” Farha believes offering that pizza gives students in the area a great late night meal.

Students of the University have been going to The Wheel for generations, and Farha said the alumni support of The Wheel really makes the place unique. Being at The Wheel for tailgating before football games demonstrates what The Wheel is about, said Farha.

“It’s a great family environment,” said Anne Neil, a senior from Topeka. “Everyone who comes here knows everybody.”

Replay Lounge offers its own feeling of personality and family, said Strelow. He said it was the characters that ran the bar and made the bar what it is.

“You’re going to find your niche one way or another,” Strelow said.

Whether it is cheap beer that students and bar-goers are looking for or just a good atmosphere, Complex.com said Lawrence offers it all. Joe Watson, a senior from Milwaukee, said he knows this well.

“Lawrence is the epitome of a college town, and The Wheel is the epitome of a college town bar,” Watson said.

— Edited by Anna Nordling