Brunch was fantastic! We sat outside on the covered patio and enjoyed our meals. The service was very friendly and when the food took awhile to come out they checked in on multiple occasions. The food was cooked to PERFECTION the eggs on the egg sandwich in particular were absolutely delicious. Can't wait to come back!! read more

Cardinal Spirits - Egg sandwich, French toast, espresso martini, pumpkin spice espresso martini - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Bloomington, Indiana

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We have enjoyed time at Cardinal Spirits twice recently. The first visit was fantastic (and prompted us to make reservations for Mother's Day for the second visit). The second visit was okay. First, the best parts: the cocktails were delicious and I loved trying a few of the different spirits when our server brought us samples to try. Also, the patio atmosphere was lovely as the weather was perfect for both visits. The bingo was also a lot of fun! Overall, the food was good, but on our second visit the service was incredibly slow. Our server told us that the kitchen was running behind, but our friends were at the table next to us (with a different server) and they ordered when we did and had finished eating before our food even arrived - and I had to go find someone to inquire about it as our server never returned after dropping off drinks. She did apologize and take an item off the bill and hand us a few drink coupons which was appreciated, but the experience had put a damper on our enthusiasm (especially after we told the rest of our party how awesome the place was). Will I go back? Yes, but maybe with tempered expectations. read more

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Friendly service, excellent grilled cheese sandwich. Music is a little loud, making conversation difficult.

Pretty impressed! Decided to come here for Saturday lunch with my family and made a reservation online at the last minute, but we would have been able to get in without. Without the patio open though, I can see it filling up easily. The atmosphere is fun (board games!) and bright but somewhat industrial with the distillery next door. The staff was friendly and very enthusiastic but just a little overbearing for me. The samples they brought around of two of their spirits (a gin and amaro) were very good and much appreciated. As appealing as the cocktails sounded, I didn't feel like drinking, so I got the Last Call mocktail. I couldn't pick up much 5 spice, but it was still a pleasant and refreshing light drink. I had a sip of my parents' old fashioned and Smokin' in the Girls' Room, and those were both really good - I was really into the lapsang souchong tea-infused rum in the Smokin' in the Girls' Room and would've ordered it for myself if I'd been drinking. To eat, I had a mushroom melt (the veganized version with vegan cheese) with the OMG fries. I really liked the sandwich; I loved the giardiniera and the jus, and you usually can't get that sort of thing in a vegetarian or vegan sandwich, so I was really happy to have it here and thought it was done well. The OMG fries were also really good. I don't like fries if they're plain, but these were heavily seasoned with a delicious spice blend. The vegan version of the fries omits the truffle aioli that they normally come with, but they were plenty flavorful with just ketchup. We shared a Thai tea creme brulee for dessert. I am crazy about Thai tea so I expected to like this, and it was everything I hoped for. The tea flavour was nice and strong, and the tapioca pearls were a nice little enhancement. They do an auto-gratuity of 20% no matter the party size, which I'm not completely opposed to, but I think if you're doing that you at least need to have a note on the menu rather than have the waiter tell you as they're giving you the bill, or better (in my opinion) to just raise the prices by 20% and sell yourself as a no-tipping restaurant. But it wasn't a huge deal in this situation; our waitress was good and we would've left a good tip anyway. read more

Cardinal Spirits - Thai tea creme brulee - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Bloomington, Indiana

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I absolutely loved this place! I went with my best friend and we got the meatballs, deviled eggs, OMG fries, crème brûlée, steak sandwich and chicken piccata. We had such a great time and the staff was amazing. It was really cute inside and we had an absolute blast. They even offer mocktails for people who don't drink, aka: us!! read more

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I went to Cardinal Spirits for a Galentine's dinner and it had something for everyone! It's a smaller space but still cozy and inviting. The parking lot situation is also a little crowded, especially when they are busy - carpooling definitely helps. Our waitress was great and very aware of all allergens on the menu. The drinks are almost always a hit (but we didn't love the flavor of the seasonal take home cocktail we got). I got the Handsome Devil and would highly recommend, coffee and lemon - who knew!? I finished with the Penicillin and it was good, but not the best I've had. For dinner I split the Mela flatbread and Steak sandwich with a friend. We both LOVED the steak sandwich, it was very good and I would get it again. The flatbread was disappointing - sounded great on the menu but was dry and felt like there wasn't enough cheese. We ended with Thai Tea crème brûlée and the campfire tart, was not personally a fan of the crème brûlée. Didn't love the flavor or texture. The campfire tart was delicious though! All in all will continue to go back from time to time! read more

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I really enjoy the atmosphere in Cardinal Spirits. They have indoor and patio seating along the b-line. Everything they make is quality. I really loved their Cobb salad. It is super filling. They also have some board games and do some fun weekly events I believe. read more

Creative and delicious cocktail menu and wonderful food. Service is always great and the vibe is lively.

My partner and I decided to drive down to Bloomington for the day to explore another restaurant we have never tried. We decided to check out Cardinal Spirits - the ambience is nice - casual and nice. They serve cocktails - the alcohol is from their own distillery from what we were told. Their food menu is not necessarily expansive so we settled on the citrus salad and the charcuterie board. Salad was tasty and the charcuterie board was yummy - we were not disappointed and we left the place feeling satisfied. The staff was friendly and courteous- no complaints! This was a good experience. I think this is a good place to get together with friends - have drinks and have small bites to eat. read more

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My family and I found this place after our usual spot, Farm, was too busy! Cardinal was perfect, variety of dishes and delicious cocktails. The ambiance I felt was a blend of fancy and casual at the same time, provided by the new age industrial theme of the establishment and the semi-gloss concrete floors. The place is also dog friendly so that was a good thing to note! read more

Very gluten friendly restaurant! Lots of great options the portions are smaller but worth it!

Cute little spot in Bloomington, IN. Distillery, cocktails. Light spirits, I was in town for the eclipse and stopped by. Light fresh cocktails. Food was meh. Flatbread needs some work. Mostly bread, crispy, lacking toppings. Cute patio! read more

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Very fun and Classy. Very refreshing Drinks and tasty fries. Very nice staff and fast service. 1/2 Price Flights on Friday. My favorite drink was the Passion Fruit Mojito. It was sweet with a slightly bitter undertone. read more

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I honestly don't understand the hype. The appetizers are way overpriced and portion size doesn't match the cost. I've had a meal or two in the past and they were tasty,but, again, super pricey. I'm not a drinker so maybe that's why it's not for me. The actual bar/dining room is quirky and cozy. The covered patio is a lot of fun in the summer. Staff is friendly and efficient. The bathroom is lovely but it's one toilet and you lock the door behind you (one at a time use) which can be rough if you have an urgent need. Overall a great gathering spot,but be prepared to pay extra. read more

It's been a minute since I've been to Cardinal Spirits and I was blown away by the menu selection, outdoor patio, and delicious drinks! Seasonal curated dishes with Vegan & Gluten Free options - so many good options Food highlights of my favorites: Burrata: Baby spinach, shaved fennel, toasted almond, lemon + white balsamic vinaigrette, crostini Steak Frites: 8oz steak, chimichurri, OMG fries Best Cocktails in Bloomington - my favorite is... Apple of My Eye: Bramble Black Raspberry Vodka, La Boîte American Amaro, apple, rosemary, lemon, smoke bitters I can never convince my husband to come here because he claims "they don't have Bourbon" but yes, they do - only at the restaurant. Looks like I'll be planning us a date night soon! Great to visit year round but especially in the summer/fall on the outdoor patio which is kid/dog friendly. Pro Tip: 15% off Carry Out Bottles & Cans when you Dine In read more

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We only came for drinks, so I cannot speak on the food. We did have great service, and the vibe is relaxed and comfortable inside. Drinks were unique and delicious. Appreciated their 15% off any purchases; nice way to stock up on their regional spirits! read more

Cardinal Spirits - (L to R) Boulevardier, Laverne & Shirley, Crimson and Clover, Warmed Spiced Cider with bourbon - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Bloomington, Indiana

The service was good, their menu has expanded quite a bit but we just went for drinks. Automatic 20% is added to the bill. I found this spot on Facebook events when I was looking for live Christmas music, it was so fun and cozy! read more

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Cardinal Spirits is a great hang out spot for a well-crafted cocktail and a small bite. The servers are very knowledgeable about the difference flavor profiles of their homemade spirits and l liked that they would let you taste whatever you wanted before you ordered it. I had a old fashioned and my husband the Space Cowboy and Paper Plane cocktails. We shared the Burata/salad small plate. I think this place is more if you want a small bite along with your cocktail, since the plates are on the pricey side (good tasting though). Also, we purchased a bottle of their bourbon for a friend we were visiting (which we got a small discount on since we dined there). The only thing I did not like was the fact that they automatically charge a 20% tip. The server did tell us about this while we were ordering, however I typically do not tip 20% (even for great service) on a $15 cocktail. I would have tipped nicely without a mandatory tip, and didn't think that was necessary. read more

My partner took me here for my birthday today ! We walked in and were told that it's reservation only. However, they let us sit since it wasn't very busy. It took them awhile to wait on us, but the server came over and apologized as she had forgotten our table was ours. Completely understandable since we hadn't made a reservation. I ordered the Ivory Tower, which was a spicy rum drink with pineapple and coconut. My partner ordered the Earth Song, which was a gin drink with beet juice. My drink was absolutely delicious ! I didn't quite care for my partners, I thought it tasted like dirt. But he liked it. We also ordered the OMG fries ! They were so good. Whatever the seasoning is on them, it was super tasty. They gave us three dipping sauces: some kind of BBQ, a Bloody Mary ketchup, and a truffle aioli. I could have used a gallon of the aioli because it was to die for ! Definitely worth the trip ! read more

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Intimate interior with twinkle lights & chill vibes. Servers & bartenders appear to be passionate and creative about their craft. I've met more than one who took a job here because they loved coming here and the quality of the product. That reminds me of Trader Joe's. I've been here alone, with friends and with my husband about four or five times. The food menu is limited, but the kitchen is small. Everything I've had so far, which is about everything, is well-made and delicious. *The everything deviled eggs are salty but delicious. The cheese and charcuterie board is probably the best choice to pair with the delicious cocktails. I highly recommend checking out the high proof laughs Comedy series in the spring. All of the proceeds go to good causes at local nonprofits. I also very much enjoyed the drink making classes. We have also recently invested (summer 2023) as Angel Investors! Whoo hoo! #staylocal #drinklocal read more

Cardinal Spirits - Burrata salad with Lakehouse, spiced rum apples, fennel, almonds, spinach, and Crostini - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Bloomington, Indiana

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Add this to your Bloomington Bookmark List. STAT. Cardinal Spirits is a shining gem of Indiana. The staff are friendly, bright, and creative, and the cocktails are out of this world. They just won Yelp's number one spot to eat in Bloomington and their ever-changing cocktail menu includes several drinks made from their own spirits. I haven't gotten to dine in yet, but I've enjoyed an always-great tiki Tuesday here. They do it every week to spice up your Tuesday with a drink topped with a flamingo, chunk of pineapple, mini umbrella - anything. They're super involved in the community and I always end up seeing them at local events. That says a lot about a business! They're also located along the B-Line trail in Bloomington, so you can even bike or walk here. They have a lot of seating inside, in addition to a beautiful bar and a fun, large patio. Bring all your friends!! OR - you can even buy their new canned cocktails at a local liquor store if you don't live in Bloomington. The Bramble Mule is my favorite! read more

Cardinal Spirits - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Bloomington, Indiana

My husband and I went to Cardinal Spirits this past week to meet college friends. We did the tour, which I booked online. It ends up being $16.50 each for the tour, tasting, and 1 drink. It's a pretty good deal. It did seem like you could book the tour onsite and the day we went it wasn't very busy, but with the hour drive we may not have risked it anyway. The Tour/tasting was really just about 40 min. And 75% of the experience is the tasting. Next time we would eat first. It was a lot of alcohol. It can change on season, but there were 16 kids to try. My husband and I have had Cardinal Spirts before, bit it was knew for our 3 friends. We definitely found some favorites. Our tour guide was knowledgeable and fun. It was just our small group. I did think it would be more tour and then a tasting after. Our lunch reservation was after the tour. The menu is very limited. My friend who is a local also thought they would soon have any less. I had looked at the menu a few months ago when making the plans and it was larger. I now wish we had eaten elsewhere then done the tasting/tour. The food just wasn't good and it was pricey. 3 of my friends got the OMG fries, which were $15. I looked at those, but with the sandwich. All of us wanted burgers after all the alcohol. My sandwich came with chips. I opted to not get the OMG fries, because it came with BBQ. All 3 of my friends ordered the $15 fries, because all 3 of them thought it was topped with BBQ. But it turns out it was just BBQ sauce. So fries with 3 sauces and they only used the ketchup. They really need to update the misleading menu. I was really excited about checking out Cardinal Spirits and I really talked it up when we made the plans. But overall it was mostly disappointing. We did like our drinks. The bramble mule was very good. My friend also liked the coffee. My husband and I got ice cream and it was excellent. I got the coffee to go with it, but it could have used sugar. There was none on the table. I should have gotten a 2nd ice cream. There were 5 of us and they added a 20% tip, which wasn't pointed out. I also think our waiter could have been better about the menu. People should know that it's not BBQ meat on the fries. read more

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Great food, ambience and staff! I love the Rum, unique menu and atmosphere after a long work week.

Very delicious food, tasty beverages, friendly service, great atmosphere. One thing I appreciate: having non-alcoholic cocktails. With so many places those who don't drink alcohol are treated as second class citizens, relegated to the soda gun. But the non-alcoholic mixed drink was very nice. Really the only reason it doesn't get 5 is: the portion for the money isn't particularly good. If you're going primarily for drinks or you don't have a big appetite or just want a snack, this place is probably a 5 for you. read more

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Wonderful ambiance, low key, small, excellent drinks and prime rib sandwich was excellent! Well kept secret! Old fashioned was perfect!!! Servers were exceptional! I'll be back! read more

I was staying near campus for a work event and needed to find a leas fraternity style atmosphere. Found Cardinal Spirits here on Yelp and very glad I did food was yummy, staff was kind and their private label Bourbon is great. Thanks Cardinal Spirits! read more

We tried this and made a reservation. Not required! This is more of a tasting room than a full menu resteraunt. One enters at the end of a long narrow beautifully decorated rustic distillery vibed room with a handful of 4-seated tables on one side and a gorgeous bar area with bar seating to the other side. At the end of this narrow seating area a larger roomed area opens for another 20-30 seats at tables and booths. The menu is geared around pairings of the spirits with hopefully some food . Plan an Uber or Lyft if you plan to partake of their lovely liquors and mixed drinks. The food in my opinion and only my opinion which should not deter from trying this venue but, the food is an afterthought. Though lauded as having been made and menu designed by a known local chef, I'm not sure this Chef is being afforded their time to shine from the back of the house through their menu between the focal marketing of this distilleries spirits! I'd loved to have been offered more opportunity to imbibe within the culinary creativity of the Chef behind the walls. I was disappointed in the menu. As for alcohol, this was a unique and well marketed service! Merchandise littered around for purchase & carry, and offers to tour the distillery as well. Try it out! Local distillery! 3/5 only because we were lured in regards as a resteraunt and made reservations. I don't think this was accurate marketing. This is a tasting room of a refined spirit distillery! And, a beautifully crafted spirit at that! read more

Cardinal Spirits has been on my radar for some time after first trying out their products at a Yelp Elite event in Louisville a while back. Their staff has always been very helpful and knowledgeable. I also follow them on Facebook and their posts are fantastic. All of this made me want to go see the homeland. Before setting off to Bloomington for an overnight trip on Good Friday (Easter weekend), a gorgeous, purple drink on their social media caught my eye. It was the Queen Beryl from their spring menu and it was debuting over Easter weekend. It had to be mine in all of its foamy, purple loveliness. A plan was made. Cardinal Spirits can be a little hard to find even for an IU alum with GPS. It's in a sort of industrial strip that I'd never been in before. The parking lot is small, but I managed to snag a spot as someone left. Not sure where you park if the lot is full. The building has a phenomenal deck outside strung with lights and an open, distillery vibe (go figure) in the main room. It can get fairly loud, so don't sit inside if you're looking to have a heart to heart talk. We were seated immediately, which impressed me for it being 7 pm on a Friday night. The menu presented was the winter one. What?!? It was the beginning of Easter weekend, where was the new menu as promised? I told our server of my dream of the Queen Beryl and she went to check to see if they could make it (new menu slated to start the next day. Is Friday no longer the weekend?). Alas, no. The6 didn't hav the ingredients yet. I was crestfallen. We both ordered Bananas Foster ($8) off the winter menu. It's one of my favorite desserts and, come on, it's mainly sugar, booze, and ice cream. The ramekin of warm dessert was luscious, but not on par with others I've had especially in NOLA. The rum flavor was wonderful, but there was no visible flambé and the fruit slices weren't caramelized as per usual. Banana might have been overly ripe. When the check came, the manager had graciously comped my dessert since my birthday trip didn't include my desired drink. I appreciated the staff's professionalism, and this kindness, which you should expect from Cardinal as they're classy people. I'll be back next time I'm in Btown and can set aside time to do a distillery tour. Hopefully, I'll also get to try out the dinner menu which is seasonal (like the drink menu) and featured several, interesting items. read more

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This was our first time here. We had such an excellent experience. Our waiter, Paulie, was such a blast and they were so kind to us. The food was DELICIOUS and the drinks were creative and divine. We highly suggest Cardinal Spirits! read more

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The service was great and so were the apps and drinks. There wasn't much to eat for a big dinner but the menu was perfect to order a bunch of great appetizers with some really good drinks made with the spirits at the place. A great local place outside of the college craziness for some chill drinks and great vibes. read more

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I've been to Cardinal Spirits a handful of times for cocktails, but I finally had the opportunity to try some food! I was thoroughly impressed. It's a small menu, but it's focused and tasty. I came for brunch and had the: *Rye Pork Chop (Rye-crusted pork chop with sunny side up eggs) - yum! it's like a play on steak & eggs in the morning. Flavors were good and I liked the crust on the pork chop. It was a big portion, but I ate it all and had no regrets. *Poblano Potato Hash (Fried potatoes, poblano peppers, sweet chili sauce, lime aioli, sunny side up eggs): Fantastic side! I shared this because the portion was so big! I liked the bit of heat. I wish the potatoes were just a smidge more crispy but still good! The menu is pretty specific on not making modifications, but they seem happy to make them if you have food allergies/religious restrictions! 61/365 read more

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Came back for second visit - HAD to have the Deviled Eggs - Creme Fraiche, Black Truffle Oil and Fried Shallots - These were INSANELY good - instant foodgasm - wow. This may be my death row last meal request..... read more

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Tried brunch at Cardinal Spirits for the first time today. WOW! Great service as usual and really delicious food. Our party ordered the Porchetta Benedict, the poblano hash, the rye pork chop and the trio of pastries. Everything was amazing! Our cocktail orders were Nocino, bloody Mary, and the Café Miele. The Bloody Mary was great, not overloaded with veggies, it was perfect. The Cafe Miele was just as described, creamy and subtle. As mentioned above, service was great. We have grown accustomed to excellent service at Cardinal and they did not disappoint. Looking forward to returning. read more

Cardinal Spirits - Porchetta Benedict, so delicious! - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Bloomington, Indiana

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Recently took the distillery tour and loved it! The $10 tour includes a cocktail of your choice and a tour of their distilling area. As well as, the ability to try any and all of their products! They have a lot of products, some of which I didn't even know they had, like triple sec! All of their spirits are made from natural ingredients and flavors. Their yeast is specially designed from IU. They use grapes from Argentina in their vodka, which is unique and gives the vodka a fantastic taste! They offer food but we didn't have any. The bar area had a great vibe and the staff was very friendly! If you've never been to Cardinal Spirits before, I'd highly recommend it! read more

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My husband and I did the distillery tour and, let me tell you, they have a lot of different spirits to choose from. I enjoyed the free Spiced Rum bottle we got right before Christmas. Last weekend we went there to have some apps and drinks. I had the KroGucci and it was so good! They put passion fruit juice in it and it has that refreshing bitterness, which I absolutely love. We ordered a cheese board ($14), and although it came with bread, crackers, and different types of cheeses and jams, I don't think it was completely worth it. There are better cheeses and jams they could've included, and there isn't enough of a portion for more than 2 people. read more

Cardinal Spirits - Cheese Board - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Bloomington, Indiana

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10/10 would recommend! They have speedy service! The French toast is my favorite on Saturdays for brunch! And the ambiance is chill yet sophisticated. read more

I've been going to and following the distillery for years and want to support them anyway I can!! They are always making thoughtful decisions and supporting others. Ordering incredible cocktails to go is a small gesture. One thing I love is they post on FB what they need to survive this and once those goals are met they tell everyone to support other local businesses! Awesome!!! read more

Cardinal Spirits - Cheers to staying safe and staying home! - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Bloomington, Indiana

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I have nothing but love for Cardinal Spirits. They've come to several of our Elite Events and when I saw on their Instagram that they were having free tours to celebrate their bar being two ON MY DAY OFF (!!!) I knew I had to round up some elites and go. We christened the day, "YelpLouINvasion" and it was more fun than I deserve. First off, the free tour is not their complete tour but I appreciated the enthusiasm of our tour guide (Sarah) as well as the depth of her knowledge in regard to the science of distilling spirits and the history of not only their business but of distilling in general and specifically in Indiana. I loved how excited she was about what she did. It was one of the best tours I've been on. Then, we transitioned to the bar. Yes, please. We each had a flight of tastings (three tastings for $5). I had the Flora vodka, Tiki Rum, and Terra gin. Each was fantastic and exactly as described. I really liked how they put laminated coasters under the flights to denote which spirit you were imbibing at the time. Fun fact, you can carry out booze from Cardinal Spirits on Sunday because that is the law. They offer their full line (since we can't get it in Indiana) and if you buy it by the case there is a generous discount as well. I want to sign off by thanking Alison for supporting Yelp in Louisville and Sarah for a great tour! read more

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I recently had my first visit to Cardinal Spirits while visiting Bloomington for a weekend trip, though I had tried many of their products before. I was excited to finally see their actual location, and I was not disappointed! We ate and drank with friends in the distillery, though I didn't have the chance for a tour. I hope to return sometime this year to experience that, but my initial visit was great! We visited during their winter/holiday menu, so I opted for a warm cocktail. The Cider House Yules is Lake House Spiced Rum, local Musgrave Orchard apple cider, Indiana maple syrup, orange and lemon peel, and mulling spices. And it was absolutely delicious! I also had the opportunity to try the Not your Grandma's Eggnog and Milk Punch, but The Cider House Yules was definitely my favorite of the night! The distillery and bar are beautiful. My only complaint is that the seating options are very uncomfortable. The chairs are very small, and the other options are backless stools, so if you're visiting for a while you'll probably reach some level of discomfort, as all eight members of our party did. Several members of our group actually had to switch out their seating for something different, and they received help from staff, which we all really appreciated. But, other than the seating, everything was really good. I am excited to make a return trip here with B sometime this year. I can't wait to experience the tour, and try some spring or summer cocktails, depending on when we make the trip. If you're in the area, I definitely think Cardinal Spirits is a cool place to check out! read more

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This place knocks my socks off every time - - from the creative spirit portfolio and beautiful interior to the friendly service and sleek branding, Cardinal Spirits has got it going on. Located along the B-line (similar to the Monon and Cultural Trails in Indy), Cardinal Spirits has a spacious outdoor patio over looking the trail as well as plentiful bar and table seating inside. The menu offers light eats that pair beautifully with cocktails. If its your first visit, I recommend going for the sampling (its generous!) for a taste of what Cardinal has to offer. I've never been a gin fan until I discovered their super smooth botanical gin. In addition to the gin, you can't go wrong with any of their flavored liqueurs (note: the coffee liqueur is made using coffee beans from neighboring Hopscotch Coffee). Cardinal is known for having visiting food trucks as well as leading the pack when it comes to tiki-inspired concoctions. read more

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