Hallie (spelling?) was a fabulous mixologist and host. We made this discovery on our own (we try to visit 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. read more

Got surprised with a reservation this weekend w/ the family. It's a crazy dichotomy between "drunk college 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. read more

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Made a reservation for my wife's birthday, and once again it was awesome! We absolutely love this place. The drinks are on point, and the atmosphere is great. Highly recommend! read more

The Dunnkirk Library - Raven's Blood - Bars Near Me - Bloomington, Indiana

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I went to this place with a couple of friends one night and it definitely exceeded my expectations! There are not a ton of places that you can get a good craft cocktail in Bloomington but this is definitely one of them. You do have to make sure you get a reservation, which can be tricky but if you do it's worth it. There is a time limit on the reservation, but there's plenty of time for you to enjoy a couple drinks and take in the atmosphere. It's a really small spot, but the vibes are strong. They give you popcorn to munch on while you sip your drinks and the noise of the upstairs is completely drowned out. I highly recommend checking this place out. read more

The Dunnkirk Library - Bars Near Me - Bloomington, Indiana

Hidden gem. I had no idea this place existed till I heard about it from a coworker, and now I take every visitor! You have to reserve and book ahead. Amazing atmosphere, literary themed cocktails, and service! read more

Awesome cocktails! The service is exemplary. The bartenders masters of their craft. Definitely on the go-to list for Bloomington. read more

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This is by far the best cocktail bar in Bloomington. The only downside is it is difficult to get reservations because they are so good!! It is a speak easy, so a little difficult to find. But if you just go through the upstairs bar and make a left you'll see it. Ask the bartender at upstairs if you're still having problems. All in all, great place! And very romantic! read more

A great and knowledgeable staff! The drinks are phenomenal and the vibes are unbeatable!

This was a wonderful speakeasy! The ambience is nice and they were decorated for Halloween when we went. They offered popcorn, carmel and cheddar flavored, which I loved! They also provided a lemonade kind of drink along with our water which was a nice surprise. Our bartender was quick and the presentation for our drinks were excellent! I went for the bubble drinks (a large bubble that pops releasing smoke) and they have quite a few options. They're pretty strict about your 2 hr reservation, which was unfortunate, but understandable as there is limited space. read more

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Reception woman greeted us with a warm smile and introduced soft rules to let us know about the Library. Once in the restaurant, Jake (bartender) was happy to serve us. Chase was also behind bar and gave great suggestions and whipped up cocktails with substituted liquors if we didn't like the spirits on the menu. Star of the show.... Hallie / Halle was AMAZING! She listened to my request about the complementary snack and was very attentive and gave great recommendations for drinks that did not disappoint. Overall atmosphere was very polite and cute. Can't wait to go back and try their spring menu soon! read more

The Dunnkirk Library - Gin rose petal seasonal menu drink - Bars Near Me - Bloomington, Indiana

Amazing and quiet video that is great for enjoying conversations with friends. Great list of specialty cocktails which includes both the classics, some house specialties, and seasonal drinks. The complementary kettle corn is also a great to snack on! read more

The Dunnkirk Library - Bars Near Me - Bloomington, Indiana

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What a fantastic spot in Bloomington. Being big fans of speakeasy-style establishments, I was eager to try The Dunnkirk Library. My better half and her daughter have visited before and the descriptions just piqued my interest. Tucked away within a popular college bar you make your way to the hallway leading to the hidden entrance. This is a popular spot, be sure to make a reservation. The space is small and intimate, with several tables along the wall and great bar seating, which is where you want to be. The ambiance is welcoming and fun. Watching the talented bartenders craft the myriad delicious cocktails is, in itself, worth the visit. Friendly and more than happy to recommend something if you're not sure what you'd like. There are way too many choices to sample in just one 90-minute visit. The menu is fun to peruse while making your choices. You are bound to find a concoction to suit your fancy and it will be pretty amazing. The Dunnkirk Library is high up on my list of cocktail spots and I will make it a priority to spend some time here any time I return to Bloomington. Awesome and very highly recommended. read more

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I don't want to give too many spoilers out, but we had a fantastic time celebrating my partner's birthday ! Going through the secret entrance to get into the lounge was the most fun for me. Our bartender was well versed in the drinks he was making for us and our hostess was super sweet ! It was really like going back in time - they even had silent movies playing ! The names of the drinks are fun and whimsical. But I ended up getting a pina colada to be safe. I'm glad I did, because getting it was quite a show ! read more

The Dunnkirk Library - Pina colada - Bars Near Me - Bloomington, Indiana

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Truly the secret cocktail bar in Bloomington. A well kept gem hidden away from a lot of wannabe high end cocktail bars. The drinks are unbelievably great. They are well crafted and delicious. The staff is great Jake Waples is the man. read more

This place is like wunderbar at San Mateo. Need reservation. strict rule about photography. You have to make a reservation first. There is also a time limit for you to be at the bar. The interior is nice, and the bartender was friendly. It takes a while for them to prepare the drink. This is the first time I see bartender take time to prepare the drink and so much stuff in the in the drink. It is so amazed how many ingredients to make a cocktail. Pretty much for 30 to 45 minutes, You might only get one drink. The drink was presented beautifully. If you are in the Bloomingtoon area, you should give it a try. read more

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Great atmosphere - no worries about noise from the outside. Drinks are great - take some time to read the menu and allow yourself to be surprised with something new. Only request - a little food beyond the popcorn. A small cheese tray or something would be nice... Jake was my server last time. Good dude! read more

The Dunnkirk Library - Guinness with printed pup on top. - Bars Near Me - Bloomington, Indiana

Here's what you need to know: outstanding mixology and service. Incredible ambience. Just fantastic, that would rivals elegant bar scenes in the mega cities of the US. Our mixologist (1 of only 2) , Heather was just awesome and made some of the most balanced and enjoyable cocktails for us. She was so knowledgeable and so generous with her thoughts and time to create perfect drinks. The spirits list is excellent and expansive and even had some extravagant offerings like pappy 10x which you would never find In a college town. The only thing I would say was a poor part of the experience was the hostess who had an awful demeanor, and was just plain unfriendly, stand offish and robotic. Even the bathroom is very elegant but needs better paper towels, rather than thin bi-fold restaurant napkins :) Just a fantastic experience overall. We'll priced at $15-$20 cocktails read more

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We are a group of alumni that come to Bloomington every summer for a reunion and to relive our college days. Sadly a few of our faves such as Irish Lion and Bears Place have closed, so we were looking for a new place to add to the itinerary. The service, ambiance and drinks were just what we needed. Can't wait to come back again. read more

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Hands down, best cocktail bar in town. It's literally a hidden gem. Make a reservation! And don't plan on picking your own seat. They're expecting you and know where they want you! The ambiance is the best in town. Don't let the location fool you. It's nothing like the space surrounding it! Don't go if you're trying to be cheap. It's pricey. And worth it. read more

Holy Dewey Decimal, those librarians know what they are doing behind the bar! ***it's inside the Upstairs Pub, so go on up*** When you make a reservation, you have a 2 hour slot. You can be late, but you can't stay late. When we were seated we were given a water and a complimentary non alcoholic cocktail to sip on while we waited to order. We were also offered cheddar and caramel popcorn or cheddar and jalapeño popcorn to snack on. The menu is extensive! It's also pretty dark, so old people like me should study the menu before arriving ;) Don't be That Guy who uses the flashlight on his phone! The rules are pretty fun - speak easy in the speakeasy, don't be a creep, and don't use a flash or take calls. The cocktails are delicious and the staff are friendly and knowledgeable. Highly recommend! read more

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The Dunnkirk Library is the best bar in Bloomington by a landslide. It's very intimate, yet welcoming, and the staff ensure that you have the best experience possible. The reservation notes that your stay is for an hour and a half, but no one is watching the clock, waiting to kick you out - which is both professional, and very appreciated! The bartenders are so friendly and provide you with complimentary popcorn, water, and mocktails, which really adds to the experience. There are book menus with so many pages of organized cocktails, and you can't go wrong. Service is quick, and the presentation is fantastic. Definitely book a reservation! read more

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Step into an alternate reality. This is a great location hidden inside the upstairs pub. The cocktails are works of art and reasonably priced. The "librarians" are very attentive and do a great job of suggesting what you might like. You also get complimentary popcorn mix. What brought us here though was the ability to get your picture printed in Guinness foam! (And then you drink the Guinness). There is a QR code that you scan and you upload a picture. Do make reservations as they have very few tables so they can fill up quickly. One good thing to know is that if you make a reservation at 5 but don't get there till 5:30 it just means they shorten your stay. You are reserving a two hour time slot. read more

The Dunnkirk Library - My face in a Guinness. - Bars Near Me - Bloomington, Indiana

Such a fun girls night or date night spot! Great decor and drinks were amazing and very fun to try. Got great popcorn and definitely a great nighttime activity to switch things up! read more

The Dunnkirk Library - Bars Near Me - Bloomington, Indiana

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Amazing cocktails and great atmosphere! I had their espresso martini and it was delicious. I love how the bartenders call themselves librarians. Just overall a great experience! read more

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This place is a real treat. Tucked away in one of my least favorite bars (crowded, smelly, gross) you will find this small, quaint oasis that is just the vibe you are looking for for a getaway with a lover or a special celebration. The experience was superior and the book of cocktails is extensive. There is a little something for everyone here. The best part might be that you are able to pick from three different types of complementary popcorns, which is amazing and every drink is an experience. I'm almost positive you have to make a reservation online because it's a small area with not too many seats. However, online it emphasizes the dress code and we saw many people in there in casual clothing so don't take that note too seriously. read more

The Dunnkirk Library - a bar with a variety of drinks - Bars Near Me - Bloomington, Indiana

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This place is located inside Upstairs, but it is like going to a different world. You won't hear the gangsta rap or sports games blaring from Upstairs. It's Bloomington's take on the speakeasy trend. (ACTUAL speakeasies were more like serving moonshine from someone's bathtub vs fancy craft cocktails. . . but I digress). They have fun gimmicks like smoke machines and writing text on the foam on their drinks. Sit near the bar to watch the show. They ban taking photos of other patrons and talking too loud - you have to "speak easy!" They don't serve food but will give you some caramel and cheese popcorn. I would definitely recommend reservations on weekend nights. You can book it for a roughly two-hour time slot, after which you will be very tactfully booted out. It is a small place, so the max party size is four. This fills a unique niche in Bloomington - a craft cocktail bar for adults where the music is low enough to actually have a conversation! Great date spot. read more

The idea has potential. The staff and the drinks suck. For a full review, keep reading. Their staff was rude, pretentious, and unprofessional (bartender - Alex, hostess - possibly Daisy?, and manager - Austin). We went for a drink upon a recommendation. Arrived at 10:25. We were told at 10:32 that we could have a reservation at 11. So I looked on their system and there was a reservation at 10:45. Booked that. The hostess basically looked us up and down and said - I have to talk to my manager. Austin comes out and immediately tells us they can't seat us until 11. I show him our reservation for 10:45 (fine - maybe it wasn't the nicest to book a reservation in front of them, but then don't have slots open if you can't accommodate). Rather than being gracious and saying something like "we'll seat you as soon as possible. So sorry, we're slow and switching staff", he says "we just had a lot of people leave. The place is a mess and we need to switch over. You can't come in until 11. Plus, we have a group in front of you." If he had been professional, that would have been one thing. And if you want to let people go home because it's a slow night, totally understandable. But there's a way to be professional. We go in at 10:55. The original hostess so graciously seats us, "over there". The bartender was fine. Until my husband, who's first language is not English and works in the service industry, tried to talk to her about his drink. We heard her and her manager (again, Austin) discussing us. Cool, we're problematic and you don't like us, don't let us hear that, though... Then we try to find out who to talk to about all this and are brushed off. Told by Austin in a derisive and dismissive way that he's sorry but that he wanted us to have a good experience. I messaged on IG, which is how Austin told me to contact either the GM or owner, which is what I requested. They saw the message immediately and didn't respond. And to add insult to injury, the drinks weren't very good. Too sugary in my case, and too Smokey in my husband's. I know we're in Bloomington, IN. But that doesn't mean service or quality should suffer. We had an amazing dinner earlier tonight (I'll leave a 5 star review there after this). It's about knowing how to interact with people. We weren't expecting drinks from The Office here. But we were expecting at least the level of service that we received at Cracker Barrel on the drive in... apparently not. Save your money. There are better places (which I guess people know bc they were slow but the bar outside was packed...) read more

Unexpected little treasure among college hiatus! It was like being in a little sound proof vault. Highly recommend!! Drinks were reasonable for the quality of the drinks. The place holds 20 people max so make reservations!! read more

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Very enjoyable experience throughout. The Dunnkirk Library was able to accomodate us changing our reservation for 2 that we had made seamlessly online, although we changed only about two hours or so before arrival so we had to call directly to change. The barkeeps were very engaging and willing to share details of their ingredients and techniques to help a lowly home mixologist. I appreciated the low volume level of the music and low light intensity, enabling conversations without raising one's voice. And there was only one screen showing parts 'Night of the Living Dead' and other black-and- white area film clips, which was an interesting diversion. Reasonable pricing as well-all 3 of our cocktails were $12. read more

We love getting craft cocktails at the Dunkirk Library. Located in the Upstairs Pub, it's an adventure getting to and finding the door to get in. But once you're greeted, they explain the rules of the speakeasy and you already feel like rockstar mafiosos. The room is dark and lit by many Edison lights and the ambiance comes with a steady stream of old-timey music (Postmodern Jukebox mostly). The "librarians" (or bartenders) are courteous professionals when it comes to taking care of you. The craft cocktail list is expansive and sometimes hard to pick the one you want. However, they give you plenty of space and time to make a selection. They have a seasonal cocktails menu, classic cocktails (Old Fashion, Side Car, Manhattan), and their own creations. I recommend the Oaxaca Old Fashion or for a drink with some flair (and class) any of their smoked cocktails. They even have a Guinness machine (if cocktails aren't your thing) where you can send a photo and the Librarian can print your photo on the foam. read more

Me and my girlfriend came here and it was an absolutely amazing evening! The service was incredible, and the drinks were better than I possibly could have expected. I strongly recommend coming here with your significant other for a nice night out read more