My days of going to the Bluebird 2-3 times a week are long behind me, but as I was attending a show…read morethis weekend, I realized I have never done a Yelp review, and since it's potentially the best bar on the planet, I decided I needed to correct that oversight. During my college years, a good portion of my Bloomington memories are from the Bluebird. Fantastic bands, good friends and a somewhat aggressive number of drinks were the common theme multiple nights a week. Now that I'm OLD(er) the visits are less frequent, but when the right bands are in town and my calendar isn't slammed with adulting, I still find the Bird to be my favorite place in town. The original Bluebird was about half the size it is today. Several years ago, they bought out the restaurant next door and added a large additional space, leading to a pretty big bar/nightclub with a 'bar area' that includes a nice full bar, booths and tables, and the 'live music' portion which has a big stage, plenty of room for big crowds, and a warehouse vibe that is second to none. When you arrive, you'll start to see pictures of the amazing acts that run thru the Bluebird when they're just on the cusp of being 'huge' - from REM to Miranda Lambert to Gryffin, just about every genre is represented and it's nice to say 'I saw them with a few hundred of my friends' after you give ticketmaster your kidney to pay for their giant stadium shows. Reasonable drink prices, good people behind the bar, and the best bands currently playing the area, you can't go wrong with a night at the Bluebird. I wish I was still young and able to do multiple shows every week, but for now I'll just appreciate having it in my backyard so I can attend with the mood hits . Best bar in Bloomington. Probably anywhere.

A classic IU and Bloomington live music tradition since 1973! Gotta check it out if you're ever in…read moreB-town. Such greats as John Cougar Mellencamp to Bill Monroe & The Blue Grass Boys have played there. If the walls of the place could only speak... and check out the walls for photos of the many famous bands that have played there. #TheBluebird

Great little club with good cocktails and excellent service. We enjoyed playing here. Would…read morereturn, would recommend.

My girlfriend used to love The Bishop when she was in school, but after her experience a few weeks…read moreago, she won't be back. She and four friends (a group of five) walked in on a Thursday night and were told by the bartender she wouldn't serve them as a group of five because she was "the only one working." Oddly, she said she would have served them if they were a group of three and a group of two. They offered to come up one by one to order instead. They did just that--individually bought beers--but when one of her friends (a Black man) walked back outside within the rails of the establishment, the bartender followed him, grabbed the beer out of his hand, and poured it in the street. She claimed it was "past the rail," even though other groups in the exact same spot were drinking without issue. When they asked for clarification, she eventually handed another friend ~$7 cash to give back to him. The whole situation felt discriminatory, especially since the group was diverse (including Black, Arab, and LGBTQ+ friends), respectful, and well-dressed professionals. Meanwhile, other patrons were not treated this way. To make it worse, when one of them asked a simple question about whether the former owner still ran the place, another customer started yelling at her, saying "everyone knows [owner's name], that doesn't make you special" and the bartender did nothing. What should have been a normal, fun night out turned into an incredibly uncomfortable experience.

I attended Gnaw Brew 2017 this past month (Sept 2017) for the 3rd year in a row. If you're a fan…read moreof local live music, local breweries, primitive camping and a cool vibe, this is one of the best beer festivals in southern Indiana. A couple of food vendors were available on site along with 6 - 7 home brewers on Friday night offering samples of their brews while Saturday brought in about 10 - 12 local breweries. About 10 bands play on Friday night and Sat all day offering a various selection of rock, jam band, hip hop, country and folk. Buy your tix early (starting in Feb) and bring a tent, a few camp chairs and some good friends to a good time year after year.

I love the Hi-Fi and its Annex for all kinds of concerts! This is probably my favorite concert…read morevenue in the city because it's so intimate and you can get a great view of the stage. They have multiple bars between the permanent fixtures in the Hi-Fi and the old Easy Rider space. As of late they've been using the old Easy Rider diner space for merch sales and food concessions as well. When Easy Rider is open and will be open again, you can order food from there and bring it in to the Hi-Fi. They have a few non-alcoholic drinks and a specialty non-alcoholic counter in the Easy Rider space. I recommend arriving around the time doors open to get the best view of the stage!

We got tickets to attend the Hank FM Birthday Bash and hear Parmalee at their outdoor venue. Be…read moreprepared that an outdoor concert at this venue means that you will be standing the entire time. Got there early to be one of the first 15 people to enter so that we could stand close towards the stage, however, we were surprised at the small size of this venue. Being towards the front you are literally right at the performers, very close and personal. All around the perimeter of the lot where the outside concert was they had various vendors with food and drinks for sale. Security did a great job keeping us safe when a fight broke out near us!

Absolutely loved this venue. It is huge with ample seating, some of which cost an additional fee…read morebeyond the $5 cover charge we paid to see the band, Most Wanted preform. Band was excellent as always. It truly does look like an Enchanted Forest, with lots of trees, natural (stone seating) with a magical atmosphere. We had already eaten prior to our arrival and aren't big drinkers but they had water stations set up which was really handy. Spinellis Pizza is located in the front of the outdoor area so that is the food option. Full bar offerings located in several spots around the inside and outside areas. Street parking and a huge, free city located a block to the east. Highly recommend if only for the atmosphere.

Great venue, large selection of beers. The bands were amazing. The Enchanted forest was supporting…read morea local school for music, which is great for the community, but even more the bands were very good. Thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience.

My fiance and myself went here the first time, and just loved it, we had fun doing karaoke, the…read moreinside has a very cool vibe, pool tables, staff was amazing, they have a beautiful back lounge to relax in, and drinks are very reasonably priced.

I ordered a Sazerac, which is on their menu, and after trying to explain how to make the drink, the…read morebartender called the owner who told her to use lemon juice instead of absinthe because they didn't have any of that. Ridiculous.

This is a small local bar in a college town. I went to hear the Pat Harbison Quintet. The music…read morewas amazing. Parking is in the garage or on a lot. Be sure to use the app to pay for the parking. Patrons can bring food in to the bar to eat because they don't offer much in the way of munchies. Drinks were readily available and inexpensive. I enjoyed reading the graffiti in the bathroom!

Can't beat the blockhouse -- live music, kind & consistent community & staff, an awesome sense of…read moreplace, & $3 PBR! what more could you ask for?

I've been to two concerts. George Thorogood and Blues Traveler. Both were a lot of fun and great…read moremusic.

Absolutely awesome little place. I visited here for the 1st time last night to see Buddy Guy and…read morethe entire venue was so nice. The ladies working the concession area....were really nice! I didn't get names, but the lady that served me food wore a Vivtor Olidipo Pacers game jersey. Buddy Guy was INCREDIBLE and definitely did not disappoint, his opener, Dylan Triplett was on fire!!! The parking was very organized, and the venue was easy to find. As always I have to review the bathrooms...SUPER clean!! I was surprised at how big this small place was. I was very pleased at the venue, for my first visit....and the food was delicious and the drinks were very nice.

We recently moved to the area and found this AWESOME spot!!! It has quickly became our Sunday go to…read morefor stiff drinks and great pizzas!! Wood fired pizza is hard to beat and Bad Apple does not disappoint, FANTASTIC pizza! Pizza and great breadsticks are the only food they serve. Bad Apple is currently a seasonal (April-October) outdoor, ALL AGES, music venue.... How sweet is that??!! We have not had a chance to catch a show there yet, but plan too very soon. We've heard they do any excellent job putting on great music. The bartenders are wonderful! The Sunday locals are laid back, funny, and great conversations. The owners are hands on and very personable!! The Bad Apple Saloon has got it goin on!

My husband had a gig there. We got there early and shared a delicious pizza. Only counter service…read more Very cute bar separate from the food counter. Offered drink specials. Picnic like table seating. Large area for dancing. A little tricky parking. I wish they had indoor plumbing for the bathrooms. I'm not a huge fan of portable toilets.

Food was good. Typical bar food. Service was great!!!!! Really enjoyed the entertainment!!!! Will…read morego back!

Cool roadhouse. Drove from STL to see Ally Venable a few months ago. Very friendly staff. The only…read morething I hated was in the music venue they don't allow pics or videos. Real bummer when you're sitting in the front & could have gotten nice pics. I understand no flash but nothing?