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I've realized that the bar is the most unexpected networking place. When people ask me what I do for a living, I tell them nuclear physics.  70% of people say "Oh" and suddenly realize they left their keys in their car right next to their brain.  But the rest ask me about it and I start sounding like a lab brochure, explaining what we do, why it's great, and what outreach opportunities we have.
Last fall I was at Tripper's for an NMU alumni gathering and found myself chatting it up with the president of the university and his wife. I told him about the lab and how Northern's physics dept prepared me well for grad school.  
Last Friday I took out prospective graduate students to the bowling alley, which kinda has a bar.  That was a deliberate meeting, but I still find many people are more comfortable talking over a beer.  Sidenote: I was really impressed by most of the students who came to visit last week.  They seemed bright and mature, but not too tightly wound.  I hope to see many of them here in the fall.
Last night I was at the bar with my CPA buddies watching the hockey game.  One of their mom's was in town and although she'd heard about me, we'd never met.  Apparently, her daughter goes to some sweet math and science center for brilliant high school students.  So of course I told her they should come to the lab for at least a tour, and maybe catch a cosmic ray while they're here.  The poor accountants had to listen to half an hour of physics talk, but I set her up with some contact info and hopefully Zach will be getting an email soon.  
Some people network on the golf course, I like to talk shop with a mug in one hand a smoke in the other.