Hallie (spelling?) was a fabulous mixologist and host. We made this discovery on our own (we try to…read morevisit local speakeasies when traveling), but local friends reinforced our desire to visit with their own recommendations. We will definitely be back! P.S. the Yelp police deleted my review in the Upstairs Bar (co-located) with the Dunnkirk Library. Of note, other Yelpers commented on the Library speakeasy in the Upstairs Bar listing without getting flagged.

Got surprised with a reservation this weekend w/ the family. It's a crazy dichotomy between "drunk…read morecollege bar" and Speakeasy. I was concerned the noise would be a problem, it was not. The atmosphere was great. I used it as an opportunity to try some Jamaican Rum drinks. If forget the name of the first one, it was on menu (something with a "Star" in the name). It was good, but I wasn't sure if I got a good feel for the rum. Second drink was a plain Jamaican Rum Daquiri. It really showcased the rum and in hindsight, so did the first cocktail. It was good for my first experience and you could really taste the JR "funk". We'll be back, the staff was very helpful and knowledgeable. Reservations have to be required, but it's a must do in Bloomington.

perfect Bloomington classic. go, get a great drink, support a local business. everyone is nice and…read morefriendly, if you don't fw it, perhaps get your head examined.

Yep, you're not imagining it. I too, quit going here when I was asked for my Covid vaccination card…read morein 2023 (have alwaus been vaxxed). Which was made sadly amusing by the fact that I sat there for 25 minutes trying to look for it before ordering anything -- at which point you'd think they would be anxious I spread the virus all over the bar. Ridiculous. Brainless America at its best.

Cool place for older crowd (40s and up) because you will enjoy the conversations and music your…read moreparents raised you on

The Alley is one of the better bars in Bloomington. I really like the overall vibe and atmosphere…read more-- it's a great place to hang out with friends. The location is convenient, and it has a fun, welcoming feel that keeps me coming back. Definitely a solid choice for a night out!

I am a millennial and probably too old to be here on a Saturday night, but there we were! DJ Bongo…read morewas lighting it up. It almost feels like a speak easy with the not-super-obvious entrance. I like that there are smaller, more intimate spaces for conversations in the Cellar in addition to a small dance floor. I loved the twinkly lights and the vibes. Also, coming from Indy my jaw was on the floor at drink prices -- amazing. What took the cake? A SLUSHIE machine that actually still had slushie drinks in it.

One of my favorite bars in town! Whenever we go out we always make a stop at the root cellar for…read morethe cheap drinks and lively atmosphere. I always suggest going on a dance party night or a themed night because it is always more fun that way. The bartenders are a little rude but that is to be expected from a packed bar on a Saturday night where you aren't trying to get good service just a quick cheap drink

One of the best bars in Bloomington. There is pool, darts, good drink deals, and strong drinks. The…read morebartenders are super fun and friendly! The bouncer can seem rude on your first encounter but he's hilarious. There's never cover (even last weekend for homecoming) and it's usually not very crowded. The SweetTart drink is a classic and literally tastes just like the candy. Chill vibes and super fun!

Door guy will kick you out for no reason, then bartenders will automatically altar your receipts to…read moretip theirselves. I was gonna tip, but ol Greg and his big ol dipshit bodyguard will kick you out before you have the chance. Me and my girlfriend were playing pool. I'm 33, the conduct from others was WAAAAAAAY worse than anything I had EVER done in the vid. Don't go here until old door guy is gone.ill attach screenshots. There's no physical receipt for these, they never gave them to me I was gonna tip the bartenders at the end of the night like I always do, but the door guy, and his henchman's attitude apparently made them take this upon himself. This is fraud. I know the guy well enough to know he was out of work for an illness a few years back. I am livid. Banned from a bar, that I did nothing at. I'll let EVERYONE I know to check their receipts. I'm charging back EVERY penny. If the nice lady who answered around 3pm earlier, wants to reach back out. Maybe I'll change my mind about never going again. I've known Mike for 12 years, and am pretty upset that he kicked me out for "bitching" I encourage you to watch the video from 2:50-3:00 tonight, my conduct wasn't the best tonight after it was obvious he wasn't gonna have a conversation, but I don't let people talk to me anyway they want. Mike, I'm saddened by your behavior and hope you find a different path.

I rang in the New Years at "The Back Door" and it was a hell of a time! I had never been to the…read more"Back Door" before but was delighted at the size of the venue and the fun crowd! Unfortunately, my friends and I arrived 5 minutes before the ball drop and were initially told that the bar was at capacity, so we ended up ringing in the New Years in the small waiting lobby. Not a big deal, as we were able to get in after 5-10 minutes of waiting ! We all ordered Long Island's which were $8 each, so a bit pricier than what I'm used to, but they were delicious! The dance floor is huge , the few tables were already crowded and the smoking area outside has several nice heaters as well, which was appreciated! This is the type of place you go to at the end of the night when you want to dance and have a few last drinks before heading home . I wouldn't come here if I'm just wanting a relaxing evening with friends and good conversation, but I'm sure I'll be back for the dancing the next time I'm in Bloomington! Also, coat check is only $2 so make sure you have a little bit of cash on you!

My girlfriend are on a quest to visit all the lesbian bars in the country, and luckily my sister…read moregoes to school in Bloomington. The weekend we went happened to be Bloomington Pride, so this place was packed. A fun mixture of college students, 20 something's, and older folks. You enter through a tall fence off of an alleyway, so I'm guessing it's challenging to find if you don't know where you're going, but that's part of the fun. Of the 4 lesbian bars we've been to, this place wins for best decor hands down. We're talking zebra print walls, stuffed unicorn heads, yonic art, glow in the dark paint. Great vibes. They have a super cute outdoor patio as well, and I loved the little food truck on the patio that opens at 9 pm! Great waffle fries and hot sandwiches. Nothing hits as right as hot cheese when you're drunk. They have tons of fun specialty drinks on a menu behind the bar! Also a great mocktail menu for the sober community! Everyone was super welcoming in this space. The one complaint I have is the Dj... we came here to dance the night away and barely made it to 11 pm because the DJ didn't play any recognizable songs or songs with a dancing beat. There were only around 10 people on the dance floor at a given time. On the other hand, this is the first lesbian bar I've been in that has had an operational dance floor with anyone on it, so that's a win. I can't wait to come back again the next time I visit Bloomington!

Hubby and I made a stop in for a beer. There is a huge tap beer selection, plenty of seating and…read morestaff is great. We did not stay for dinner, but there's a huge menu selection of food available.

The Tap was a good spot!!! They had tons of beer options that they brew in house. We loved the…read moremexican lager! We both ordered wraps and fries. These fries were AMAZING. I'm not a big fry lover, but I loved these. The wrap was just okay. They forgot to put dressing in it, so I had to ask for a side and then dip my wrap in it. The chicken in it came crispy and had a healthy amount of cheese which I was a fan of. We went on a Friday late afternoon & it wasn't busy at all but the service was not good. Our service was very nice but everything just took awhile.

This is a bar that is designed for mass consumption of cheap alcohol, black-out drunk undergrads…read moreand food that was cooked in a kitchen that has never been seen by a health inspector. And it is pure perfection. My wife and I stopped by after a campus tour to watch some World Cup footy. It was in the summer and during the week, so besides us, only the die-hard alcoholics were there. We ordered a quick beer and vodka tonic. When the bar tab came to an overwhelming $4.00, we were politely informed that it was $2.00 Tuesday. We then ordered another round. The staff was pleasant but were probably not at the university on scholarship. I wouldn't feed anything coming out of the kitchen to my dog, but I would go back again. Don't wear nice shoes, bring plenty of singles to tip your bartender, and watch out for the 20-year olds with their selfie sticks. Gonna be a fun one!

This location has been a popular spot in Bloomington since the late '90s. If you haven't been…read morethere, it's definitely worth checking out. There's always something going on.

We had a fantastic time at Upstairs Pub during our visit to Bloomington. The rooftop area was one…read moreof our favorite parts. It was a great place to take in the energy of the city. I also loved all of the Indiana University memorabilia throughout the pub. The karaoke was another highlight of the night. Everyone seemed to be having a great time. If you're looking for a fun spot with great vibes, IU spirit, and a rooftop setting, Upstairs Pub is definitely worth a visit.

Upstairs is a classic spot to go and have a good time with your friends. The vibe here is always…read moregreat especially if you are there early and able to get an outside seat. The food here was pretty good for bar and just in general. Drinks are a little more expensive than at Roy's, but they make up for in the atmosphere.

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.

I think it's discriminatory that international IDs aren't accepted, only passports are.read more