Being a college town, Bloomington has a lot to offer in the way of drinking establishments. This is a rundown of all the places I enjoy as a townie of 17 years. I offer a disclaimer in advance for the personal bias of this guide. My list does not include undergraduate party spots (I know you’re disappointed) or extremely loud sports-oriented bars with lots of TVs. Bloomington is a great place for trivia nights, drag performances, karaoke, DJs, pop-up film screenings, and live music. Where possible, I’ve included recurring weekly events that take place at some of these venues. Many of these places have more information on their social media than on their websites so check there for the latest events.
Atlas Ballroom (townie bar) Called a ballroom but really one step up from a dive bar. The window shades are roll-down classroom-style maps and there is a lot of taxidermy on display. Tap #1 is always a cider and the other taps rotate frequently, except for Modelo and PBR which are always on draft. All of the bartenders are seasoned pros, and many can fix a great mocktail. They rarely have events, and they turn away bar crawls so it’s a nice quiet place to chat with friends or colleagues. They have a little bit of outdoor standing and seating area, nothing fancy. The Skee-Ball machines have exactly two balls and the score keeping mechanism is broken. My second favorite bar in town.
The Back Door (LGBTQ+ bar). Bloomington’s best as well as only LGBTQ+ bar, located in the alley behind the Atlas. If lost, ask at the Atlas. Delightful cocktails, roomy dance floor, and a strong theme of unicorns and zebra print. The patio is spacious and dog-friendly and hosts the Munch Box food truck all summer long. The Back Door offers events most nights ranging from trivia, to drag and burlesque performances, to film screenings, to DJs.
o Trivia on Mondays and open stage on Wednesdays
The Bishop Bar (music venue & townie bar). As it says on their sign, they serve “Craft beer, fine spirits, and both kinds of wine.” One side is a bar with a few booths and tables, the other side is a music venue. Outdoor seating is utilitarian but popular. Pili’s Party Taco is close by if you need a snack. Landlocked Music is also right next door if you’re into vinyl, cassettes, or yes even CDs!
o Pint night on Wednesdays with $1 off all pints
Blockhouse Bar (music venue & townie bar) This bar is hidden enough that you might need someone to explain how to get there. Go down the alley behind the Atlas and you’ll find the large and colorful patio of the Back Door. To the right of the patio, tucked away, is a nondescript door. That is the Blockhouse entrance. The Blockhouse has a nice listening room, a separate bar area (beer only), and another quiet sitting area.
o Open mic followed by Honky Tonk band on Tuesdays, Call & Response Jazz Night Wednesdays, bands and/or karaoke on the weekends.
Lennie’s (brewpub) Lennie’s is home to the Bloomington Brewing Co., Indiana’s first craft brewery. Their beers are reliably tasty, they make delicious root beer, and they have a full food menu as well. Lennie’s has some good outdoor seating options and a cozy interior with plenty of seating for larger groups.
Nick’s English Hut (sporty & nostalgic) Open since 1927, Nick’s is the IU sports bar, with lots of memorabilia on the walls and traditional pub food. I recommend the grilled portobello sandwich. Although it looks tiny from the outside, the restaurant expands back and up and is actually massive inside. Even though I said I would avoid sports bars on this list, Nick’s is a rare exception because a) it is historic and gets a pass b) their food is pretty good and c) the space works well for larger groups.
Orbit Room (chill lounge vibes) Vegan and meat hotdogs and sides, beer, wine, and a selection of interesting non-alcoholic beverages. They have a dedicated pinball room in the front, and they host events nearly every night in the main/back room, but it’s never too raucous. Make sure to check out the hotdog mural in the bathroom on the left and the outer space mural in the bathroom on the right. All ages until 8PM. A little bit of outdoor seating.
o Trivia night, pinball league, and karaoke on Tuesdays
Root Cellar (lounge with dancing) This bar is in the basement of FARM Bloomington. The cellar part of the name is accurate, but mostly in a good way. It has several small rooms for conversation. They often host DJs, dance nights, and karaoke.
o Karaoke on Wednesdays and Thursdays in the summer
Small Favors (upscale) Great wine list as well as wine-based cocktails. Menu featuring locally sourced ingredients in a rotating menu of delicious small plates. Open bar seating, reservations recommended for dining.
The Tap (big beer selection) As with Nick’s, the Tap is a sports bar, but they make the list because they have (as their name suggests) an impressively large selection of beers on tap, both their own brews and from breweries around the world. Be prepared for the sheer number of televisions. The upside is that they have outdoor seating right on the courthouse square which offers primo people-watching. They have the weirdest live music setup I’ve ever seen but they rarely employ it so you will likely be spared.
Uptown Café Bar (upscale) The bar side of the Uptown Café is my favorite place in town to sit at the bar and watch the bartenders mix a cocktail or sit at a table by the window and watch the world go by. They usually have soccer or golf on TV, the ambiance is relaxing, and everyone who works there is very talented. They will mix you a good drink. Check out the seasonal cocktails.
The Video Saloon (dive bar) The Vid has been around forever. The door guy Mike has been working the door there forever and a day. The Vid has pool tables, darts, and lots of seating.
Further Afield but Worth It
C3 (upscale) This place is tucked away in a newer development on the east side, requiring a drive, but I’m a big fan of their cocktails and will go out of my way to get a drink at this bar. They also serve probably my favorite hamburger and fries in town, and they often have a butterscotch pudding on the dessert menu that is out of this world. Pleasant patio as well!
The Elm (upscale) Open Wed-Sat. Reservations are recommended for dinner, but the bar is walk-in friendly. The Elm is beautifully decorated and has a rotating menu of delicious food and drinks.
Friendly Beasts Cider Company (cider house) Open Wed-Sun. Take a walk south from downtown on the B-Line Trail to find this slightly hidden gem. It can be a little tricky to find, as it faces the walking trail, not a major road. This cidery is open to all ages and offers a range of ciders from dry to sweet. The cider flight is a fun introduction to their lineup. In good weather, the tasting room is open via garage door to a small patio overlooking the B-Line Trail. Another great people-watching location.
o Trivia night on Thursdays
Mike’s Music and Dance Barn (dancing) I would be remiss not to mention this roadhouse between Bloomington and Nashville (Indiana) because it’s a fun place to check out and very different from the rest of my selections. They have a huge (2,500 square ft.), well-maintained dance floor and host all kinds of country dance nights, including a line dancing night on Mondays. The eponymous Mike plays country saxophone (which I never knew was a thing before going there) and works in the kitchen. They serve extremely standard bar food and have maybe five beers to choose from. There also seems to be a volleyball league. It’s really all about the dancing!
Upland Brewing Co. (brewpub) Take the B-Line Trail north from downtown or drive to get to Upland which is northwest of downtown. Upland has been brewing beer in Bloomington since 1998 but now has locations throughout the state. They have a large patio and can accommodate larger groups inside or out. In addition to your standard beer varieties, Upland is known for their sour ales, which I realize are not for every palate, but I love them.
Honorable Mention
Big Woods (brewpub) is located right downtown, a half-block off Kirkwood. Pub fare featuring local Quaff ON! Brewing Co. ales, and a full spirits and cocktail menu largely featuring the work Brown County’s Hard Truth Distilling Co.
Cardinal Spirits (distillery) has award-winning spirits, a tasting room, and a restaurant with patio seating. On the B-Line Trail. Its canned cocktails are in most Bloomington liquor stores.
The Comedy Attic has an open mic night every Thursday at 8pm and has a great reputation as a club that touring comics enjoying playing. The folks that own the Comedy Attic are the new owners of used books store Caveat Emptor.
The Dunnkirk Library (speakeasy) Cocktail bars, reservations recommended. An attractive space where visits are subject to time limits. You enter through a noisy undergraduate bar, so take that into account.
Irish Lion (pub) Cozy Irish pub with a big bar and many, many whiskey options. This building has been a tavern since 1882. Warning: you will see taxidermy animals and ship models!
Switchyard Brewing (taproom) Great place for groups to drink beer and play board games or watch sports on TV. No menu but order on the kiosk from Estación D Sabor and pick up from the kitchen window around the corner from the bar (but still in the same building, it’s weird, we know).
Written by Isabel Planton, with Erika Dowell, Lilly Library