ithaca has a poo ton of really cheap bars. one place does two for one drinks, and an average drink is $3.50. i went to school there and i visited some people at the law school...let me assure you that they drink more than a fish. cornell is the definition of a work hard play harder place.
I also go to school at Cornell and grew up in Ithaca. You can find places that sell two for one drinks almost anywhere (BTW, Moonshadow's used to do 3 for 1, which I'll admit was awesome). I also notice that you say you visited some people "at" the law school. I mention this because in 20+ years living in Ithaca, I have never run into a Cornell Law student outside of the law school.