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

My girlfriend used to love The Bishop when she was in school, but after her experience a few weeks ago, 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. read more

Bar tender was rude and pretentious asf, scoffed at me when I didn't order their 15$ ipa bs. If you're going to a show here I recommend pregaming and dealing with the staff as little as possible. Also pay with cash so you don't have to pay the ridiculous service fee. read more

1 star is generous. One of the worst bars I have ever been to in Bloomington. It genuinely was bad service for a bar that was the size of a peanut. I seriously would not recommend to anyone and I hope that management sells the business or closes outright. read more

This place is horrible. Walked in and the tender refused to serve me. It was empty!!!

Giving this shitty bar 1 star is an understatement, the employment staff of this establishment provided my friends and myself the worst service we could ever imagine. Never provide this bar any service as they do not care about their customers. Worst bar in Bloomington by a long shot!! read more

Me and about 7-8 friends came in shortly after graduation, looking to celebrate our final nights in Bloomington. The staff at the bishop was nothing but rude to us and refused to serve us at all because we looked like we were having a "bar crawl." No one was causing trouble or any issues but this bartender went out of his way to profile and judge us simply because we did not look like the typical crowd. I've never experienced worse service in my life, nor have I ever had service refused on me because of how I look. I hope this business is shut down for their lack of regard for basic decency. Don't support this business if you value good service! read more

Had never been there before. Menu wasn't super clear to me so I was trying to get a recommendation from the bartender. He didn't like that, was incredibly rude. Got a random drink i could think of, tipped and left. If you're not a regular or not coming with a regular. I wouldn't recommend. The crowd was very kind and welcoming though. Wish the staff matched. read more

Not too many beers on tap, buy the selection is awesome and off the beaten path. Courteous staff.

Yo last night on thanksgivings in Bloomington Indiana I personally experienced the most disrespectful and racist bullshit at The Bishop! I Was carded twice and still was let in the building and then quickly I was denied service for some weird reason that I truly don't understand! and I highly do not tolerate the way that I was discriminated and treated as a black man that is also a resident here in Bloomington Indiana! I I also been living here for eight years and I do a lot for the Bloomington community and I am a community activist and I never in my life been treated like this until yesterday and I will be following up with legal actions on my behalf of this serious situation sincerely. Sauce God read more

The Bishop is a bar with character, and there's a lot to be said for that. But it's also a cool venue for shows, including some that take place during the Limestone Comedy Festival. So this is a cool bar in a cool town. Tough to beat that. read more

Its a beer and wine only establishment which is cool. For a while, there was a large following and it was a hip pace to go. Since some other bars opened in the same area, the business has died off a bit. This place does typically support local music, which boosted the score a star. If you're looking for some off the trail music, this is an alright spot. Venue is huge as it used to be a movie rental place with a huge screening room. (I miss the Cinemat) For me, this particular bar doesnt feature my normal crowd. It is "hipster" and usually dead....even on the weekends. Some people would absolutely love this total dive. I love dive bars, but this just has an off feel for me personally. Try it for yourself! read more

Damn Jordan is so mean wtf can we remove him immediately. His drinks are pretty good but jeez at what cost!

After an evening here I saw that the concert stage was visible from the street with windows and I asked myself, "would I still have paid the cover and went in?" Would I ride a mechanical bull in the middle of Times Square if it meant being able to have a beer summit with President Obama? Yes, indeed. It didn't take seeing a band from Portland here to remind me of a well designed live music bar in Portland, the Doug Fir -- where the bar is separate from the stage hall creating a casual repreive from soon to be earringing. Wide ranging beer choices. Was there wine or liquor? Hmmm...well it doesn't matter because beer from $2 PBR to $4 Dogfish Head on tap is where we come together to cozy up and have spirited collegetown conversation. Seems their booking manager is on it when it comes to getting lowkey acts, where Indy usually never finds itself getting. I embraced the vicarious live concert camera feed on the bar screen but I could see someone deeming it too kitsch-y. Something to ponder! O, the profundity! I'd make a weeknight trip from Indy again for this venue, and they're on my concert radar searching. The sound mix was crisp. SRO and cozy. Get near he front or the sides if you don't Chatterboxes over the shoulder. The kind of venue where you're having a beer next to the headlining leadsinger. Bathrooms: no signs! Blue for Boys & Pink for Girls. read more

I took a trip down to Bloomington to see The Last Bison at the Bishop in mid April. It was a relatively quick trip after work on a Friday night. We had dinner at a BBQ joint and then headed over to the Bishop. I haven't been to Bloomington but maybe 3 times in my life, so I don't know the area well. Parking seems like it'd be a pain in the ass, but we got lucky and got a spot right around back from the Bishop. It's relatively easy to miss, so keep a sharp eye when looking for it. This place is both a bar and a small music venue that is separated. So, you can just chill out at the bar if you don't want to see a show or grab some beer and head into the show. This is also helpful if you're seeing a heavier style of music and need a quick break from the intensity. The music venue part is relatively small, so chances are you'll be packed in a bit if more than 60-70 people are there. The beer selection at the bar is really good and reasonably priced. They have both local craft beers and a good selection from our friends across the country. The service was also very friendly, giving us "out of towners" some good advice for how to explore the area after the show. The only real downside to the Bishop is that it is located right below a comedy club, so the band couldn't play anything amplified once 1030 came around. The plus side to this, is if you want to see some stand up, its just a few steps away. Overall, I had a great experience and I would definitely come back here to see a band if they didn't make it to Indianapolis. I would probably be here relatively often if I lived in Bloomington. read more

Holy Macaroni Batman I love this place. Reasons why this place rules in 3....2........1....... The bar is awesome. Not a giant place but tons of local micro brews and awesome leather buttoned booths to sit and hold down the fort with a buddy or a fine lady before you seal the deal. And baby, I know you wanna seal the deal. The environment is just too cool. Then you step inside a magical perfectly sized room that can hold 200 at max and is oozing being part of the best show you have ever seen. Before the show however, you have to take a leak. The mens room is blue and the ladies is pink. Simple enough. However the show begins, and is the greatest rock n roll band on earth Nobunny and everyone and their mother begins to bop and twist like their life depends on it. So much so that if you are not sweating when you leave you clearly where a loser and refused to have a good time and instead had your arms across your chest like you where Joesph Stalin or something. Seriously, one of the best things about this place is the people who go there. I have yet to be part of a show that didn't have everyone ready to dance and just flat out not care about feelings anymore. Love the place. Also, they bring Nobunny in about once a year. Need I say more read more

The Bishop is Inherently Good. And now that they have a full bar I'd say they're even better -- though you need to choose your bartender carefully if you want any kind of remotely "fancy" drink. You might end up getting something rather different than what you ordered. That said, why are you coming here for fancy drinks? Lots of good shows come here, but my favorite part is that this is one of the few places in Bloomington where one can enjoy the rare and highly-sought after High-backed Wooden Bar Booth. Get there early with friends and commandeer one. There's also good people watching to be had in the little patio area. Between the Atlas and the Bishop I see no reason to go to any other bar in Bloomington. 4 stars for the Bish as opposed to 5 for the Atlas because, unlike the Atlas, the state of the bathroom at the Bishop is abysmal. read more

Small. Especially if you're looking for a seat. Not that the seat will be comfy...(Fair warning.) Not all "bartenders" can even pull a pint. And while they stock some craft beers, selection isn't great at any given time if you are at all particular with your beer tastes. The backroom has crappy service; frankly, if you're going to see a band, it's probably better if you aren't looking for a cold brew, because you're not going to find it. They used to get better bookings, but these days....mostly far too local to be any good, (unfortunately). I'm not against local bookings - not at all. I just care more about supporting good, independent artists over fra-fra local ego trips. And if you think this place serves wine...Um...*Hey, look at that zebra!!!!* I like zebras, don't you? I mean, they're all black and white...and...um...stripey...and...hey, look! A zebra!!! Honestly, every time I've gone here in the last three years, I've wound up providing assistance to completely obliterated kiddos staggering out the door alone. So, well, if you feel any level of social responsibility, be aware. read more

I miss this place and have failed to find an adequate replacement for it in Indianapolis after I graduated from Indiana University. It is a great alternative to the other bars in Bloomington, with a cozy and relaxing atmosphere as well as a phenomenal rotation of craft beer at reasonable prices. I can't say anything bad about this place, except that it is small and is difficult to find a place to sit at times. read more

Best beer selection in Bloomington! Every time I'm been here, there's a new beer on tap that I've never tried before. I'm so sick of Upland Wheat. There, I said it. Also, when I say there's something new to try that something new is not an IPA! Yay for beer snobs that offer options other than IPAs! On the not a beer snob end, there's also $2 PBR. I like the concert space, and they are able to attract some good bands. They can have all ages shows here since the bar area is separate. The crowd typically includes people who dance around all giddy, which makes me feel at home. I have also been in the concert space for a Bloomington Storytelling Project event, very fun too. read more

I moved to Bloomington very recently and chose The Bishop for my first Friday night out on the town. I used Yelp reviews to help me decide--I was looking for a casual, down-to-earth place where I could chat with strangers while having a couple of beers. I was not disappointed. The place was a bit dead when I showed up around 8, and I was a bit intimidated by the row of quiet dudes watching the Simpsons on the tv--it felt like I was invading their territory. However, this did not last--I spent the remainder of the evening on the little patio making friends and having a good time. The patio gets really crowded and loud because of the crazy traffic coming through, but it didn't bother me because I really just went there to mingle. Most people are friendly, the bathrooms are clean, and though the music is a bit too loud for my taste I'll definitely go there again! read more

Bummer we had a bad experience cause they had decent beer selections and a nice place to relax. We came out for my friends birthday. The birthday guy was pretty drunk but we were sober and watching him. He made a call while we went in for a beer. (He could still talk and walk fine.) He hadn't been rejected at any other bar (and trust me, the other bars see more drunk people than here). We weren't gonna drink much more, but the door person wouldn't let him in. Claimed he was too drunk. We tried explaining our situation and that I've worked in emergency medicine and know a bit more about serious drunkenness than her...but she didn't care. So we left no tip and literally handed full beers back to the bartender as we left. Waste of money. Waste of time. Had no problem at the next bar and they got our money/service instead. Your own damn loss. read more

My favorite beer place in B-town in the last 4-5 years. As a poor graduate student I am a big fan of their $3/pint Wed and $10/pitcher Sunday. So, this is why I am so sad that they stopped doing the $10/pitcher on Sundays. I was told today that they only do $10/pitcher for the not expensive beers, and stops doing "$10/pitcher for anything on tap", as being shown on their website. It is understandable because $10/pitcher is a really good deal and I used to get pretty good beers at that price. But, still sad that they stopped doing that... lost a place for good beer at a good price. Hopefully they will still do $3/pint for all beers. Btw, it is also a good idea to update your website, since it is not $10/pitcher on Sunday for "anything on tap" any more... good days... read more

The Bishop I have been here a few times, once very recently. If you are not a regular, then upon walking in, you will probably feel unwelcome. The people there give off this self-entitled vibe--like you're weird for not having an over abundance of tattoos and hipster clothing. Make yourself a home, however, and order a seasonal beer from the copper- topped bar. If the bartender seems pretentious, do not let that bother you, let yourself relax. This is a very low-key lounge in which conversations are usually kept within the persons that are having them. There is live music, however, and even though you have to pay in order to see the live musicians in the next room, you can usually hear it anyway, if said conversations are kept at a minimum. On the other hand, it can get quite rowdy-that is, not college kid rowdy, but adults having a good time after a long week rowdy. And if you like to smoke while you drink, then be happy in knowing that you can do both right outside the bar. There are a good variety of drinks, but there are not any hard liquors, except I think a few whiskeys--I could be mistaken. The beers that they do have, are usually very good and different from many of the other bars that are in close proximity. I have not had one beer that I disliked. Enjoy the local art as well. Despite some of the stuffiness attitude, I still rate this five stars. read more

The Bishop is, without a doubt, my favorite bar in town. Friends who've left Bloomington and moved to bigger cities have bemoaned the fact that they can't find a sufficient local substitute for The Bishop, which probably speaks for itself. It's cozy and laid-back, and the bartenders are welcoming and friendly. The beer selection is always excellent, and the taps are a constant rotation of brews you'll have a hard time finding anywhere else in town. Specials include $3 pints on Wednesdays, $10 pitchers on Sundays, and $2 off classic cocktails on Tuesdays (plus there's usually a unique and tasty specialty cocktail on Tuesday nights as well). The atmosphere definitely caters more to the grad-student/30-something/local crowd, which grad students, 30-somethings, and locals will definitely appreciate. read more

The Bishop just celebrated their 10th Anniversary yesterday and it's been a real privilege to have witnessed so many great shows and made so many memories. read more

I'm not sure about this place. I thought it was a bit weird and uninviting. They had an okay beer selection, which means I could drink cheap. They only have beer. The atmosphere was a little sterile and underwhelming. I think I would rather drive (more) out of my way to see a band than come here. read more

definitely a hipster bar (seems like there are many in bloomington). why hipster.... 1) tons of beards and sideburns 2) skinny jeans and strange hats 3) overheard while watching game one of 2012 nba finals...."who you votin for?", meaning, who do you want to win 4) small, skinny bearded man in jhorts to another man, "i feel sad today" 5) too many other examples to list as you can imagine they serve tons of craft beers, but the bartenders tend to server more pabst than any other beer. bartenders are tattooed and sometimes attentive. they aren't quite used to making their own change from a $20 and subsequent change left on the bar top, but this is a college town...most people i saw paid for each round with a credit card (and cashed out each time). bartenders will at least notice when you need a drink and may be friendly. bar is somewhat dark with red walls and a black ceiling. the actual bar is very nice with a square rail and copper hammered bartop. black leather padded bar stools and booths, that are opposite the bar on the north wall. wood flooring. classic bar back with shelves and a single 42" hdtv in the center, right above the indiana state flag. taps left to center, and a blackboard with specials/beers on the far left. the infamous bishop is now stuffed up in the top right corner and has been replaced by glassware and bottles. in general the bishop is very loud. the music in the bar varies, but the doors to the live music next door, when opened, blow away any conversation. fortunately they don't remain open, but since the restrooms require opening at least one of the doors, it will get loud on the east side fo the bar. decent place to grab a drink. read more

The aesthetics of the bar are dreary, the bartenders are unpleasant and lack knowledge about cocktails, and the music choice is very niche. Not worth the trip. Let the Bishop remain a sad bar for the ten people that go there. Ton of better options in Bloomington. For example Tap, uptown, or Cardinal spirits. read more

This is the punk crowd hang out on all accounts, but not being a technical "punk girl" I still love it here. They have shows in the back but if you want to just go to the bar you don't have to pay the cover. On Wednesdays they have $3 drafts and I am in love with it! Maudite on tap for $3...sign me up! The only reason for the 4 stars is the lack of seating. read more

By far my favorite bar in town. The Bishop has a great selection of microbrews and craft beers with enough daily specials to make it affordable. Great music, atmosphere and staff as well. read more

Saw Wil Butler (Arcade Fire) at this venue and it was awesome. Extremely small place for the music hall (like 100 people?) Tip: stand to the side of the stage and there is a railing/shelf for drinks and under neath a rack of coat hooks. Not rated a 5 b/c it was difficult to find, maybe this was our fault but we kept walking around with google gps and it seemed like the # was off. Parking wasn't great, but manageable. Looks like lots of good places to eat but don't eat at Malibu Grill as its best to leave the grilling to Malibu (CA) . If you have a band you love, don't miss this small venue. read more

Bloomington was just waiting for this kind of place. Cool but unpretentious, the Bishop has something for everyone. This venue has become the destination for both up and coming and established artists who are making a stop in the Midwest. The crowd is a mix of regulars and first timers- most in their mid 20's and 30's-- all of whom are there to enjoy themselves and the music. Consider yourself a beer snob? I do, and I was impressed by the mix of more obvious choices like Upland Wheat side by side with more exotic selections like the delicious Maudite. The bottle selection brings even more options, but beers fresh from the faucet were as far as I got. They've even got the standard PBR for those hipsters who insist it's the gold standard. read more

My fave bar in Bloomington. They have a great beer selection and a nice little seating area outside, if you're lucky enough to find a table. Inside there is a cozy ambience and good music playing. They also have shows nearly every night in their music venue. Everything from local bands to nationally touring bands. Prices are reasonable. read more

Yesterday was my first experience at The Bishop and I can guarantee it will be my last due to the unfriendly bouncers that sh*t all over my time there. When I first arrived at the venue, the bouncer checked my ID and took my 5 dollars. Standard procedure. He then proceeded to talk down to me and my 19-20 year old friends and tell us how quickly we would be thrown out if they caught us drinking (which didn't initially bother me too much). The show was supposed to start at 9:30 PM and there wasn't any music until 11:00 PM. The music was literally horrendous (not exactly the fault of the venue). Here's where I start to really get annoyed with the venue. The *sshole bouncer wouldn't let my friends use the coat rack directly behind him because they weren't 21. When we decided to leave this rancid place early, the bouncer and his bouncer buddy were making unsavory/aggressive statements the whole time our party was exiting, such as "I just turned 18. Can't wait to have my 18th birthday party. Get the f*ck out of here". WE ARE PARTONS SUPPORTING YOUR VENUE. DON'T TRY TO TREAT ME AND MY FRIENDS LIKE 2ND RATE CUSTOMERS JUST BECAUSE WE ARE A FEW MONTHS BELOW THE LEGAL DRINKING AGE. I'M APALLED THAT I EVEN SPEND 500 CENTS ON SUPPLYING THESE F*CKERS PAYCHECKS AND I HOPE THEY ARE FIRED SOMEDAY. I will never be coming back to The Bishop, which is a shame because I love live music. read more

Wow bar staff are so self absorbed. Wanted a beer and these jerks made it a sad experience. Going to a bar should be an enjoyable experience. Sadly the Bishop was not. I love Bloomington and encourage people to not come here. read more

It was waaaay too hot in the band area for the Japanese Breakfast show. Even the band was complaining. Get adequate AC!

we stopped in here for a beer. i thought i was in n.e. portland. it was really weird. why do all bars in indiana have tv's? oh well. good beer. nice people. i liked it. read more

We were waiting on a comedy show to open its doors at The Comedy Attic and directly by the side of the venue there was this little bar called The Bishop. We went in to kill time and much to my surprise, this area was a real gem in terms of quality. A great crowd of people took up seats and standing space while the soft glow of a single flat screen television played a basketball game. There was no smoking and there was no overwhelming music drowning out our conversation. We had time for roughly one beer so I ordered an Upland Ard Ri, which comes at a whopping 10%+ alcohol content, and I couldn't have been more pleased with my order. Because of the alcohol content, it comes in a glass smaller than a pint but it's a great beer to sip on as you talk to your friends. What comes even better is that the beer was only $4. The bartender was extremely friendly in a quiet way and had the patience for people staring at the menu trying to decide on what they want since they do in fact have lots of beverages to choose from. I was really pleased with this bar. There is a neat area for outside sitting and I would love to sit out there and drink good beers and watch the world go by. Check this place out if you're in the Bloomington area! read more

The Bishop is my favorite bar in town. It's a good, relaxed atmosphere. Strong drinks, low prices. It's a great place to go to to see live music as well. I recommend it. read more