Which bars offer TVs and great atmosphere for watching Indiana University football games?
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Everybody knows the place to be before Indiana University home football games is in the parking lot of Memorial Stadium, but if you would rather go to a bar or restaurant to enjoy the game, the first of which is Friday, Sept, 2, at 8 p.m., check out these diverse options where other Hoosier fans will congregate.
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Downtown Bloomington bar Crawl:
BuffaLouie’s
You'll need to get there early to snag a seat at BuffaLouie's, an IU staple since 1987. The closer it gets to game time, expect longer lines. This wing restaurant across from campus serves up crispy wings with over 21 sauces including Coach Bobby Knight’s favorite, Sweet BBQ.
Shift lead Anna Wiegnard said, "(Knight) was obsessed with the Sweet BBQ wings."
Inside on game days “the staff dresses up in IU Apparel and they turn down all the ambient noise so you can focus on the game and it’s a really fun environment with great food,”Wiegnard said.
BuffaLouie’s opens at 10:30 a.m. and closes late on game nights. They also offer rewards cards for repeat customers to earn money off future purchases. BuffaLouie’s, at 114 S. Indiana Ave., has about 13 TVs with seating choices ranging from high tops to church pews. They also show IU women’s athletics throughout the year.
The Upstairs Pub
Next, stop is The Upstairs Pub, 430 E. Kirkwood Ave., Suite 18. This large venue has more than 30 TVs and serves up myriad drink specials on different days of the week, including mystery beers for $3.
On Fridays the specials include $6 double Deep Eddy’s, $5 24-ounce Bud Lights, and $4 domestic cans. The bar has newly acquired the Sunday Ticket, which includes all NFL games, Manager Michael Churilla said. The Upstairs Pub opens at noon on game days and stays open till 3 a.m.
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There are four separate bar areas including traditional, Speakeasy Dunkirk Library (open Wednesday through Saturday), a large patio overlooking Kirkwood and an additional bar area. The affordable kitchen menu has recently expanded assistant kitchen manager Heather Strong said. The giant $10 loaded nachos were featured on Barstool IU.
Nick's English Hut
End the night at another IU classic hangout, Nick’s English Hut, 423 E. Kirkwood Ave. Whether you are 21 or 51, Nick’s is a comfortable hangout. Gregg "Rags" Rago, owner and former IU wide receiver in 1977, said alumni have “fond memories of Nick’s” from its 95 years in business. Among those memories: "Sink the Biz Fries," a bucket of fries tossed in Romano cheese and Nick's spices served with garlic mayonnaise, and playing "Sink the Biz," a game involving a bucket and some beer. Customer favorites also include the strombolis, pizzas and burgers. You can watch the game on one of 43 large TVs from 10 to 2 a.m. They have extensive outdoor seating on Kirkwood Avenue.
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More bars in Bloomington
If you want to broaden your "IU Football Pub Crawl," venture down to Kilroy’s on Kirkwood or Brothers Bar and Grill, especially for early games. Students start lining up at those locations between 3-5 a.m. to join the popular "Breakfast Club" and get a T-shirt, which are hard to come by. Doors usually open around 7 a.m.
If you are looking for a slightly more mature scene to watch the game, check out The Tap or Village Pub downtown, The Office Lounge or BJs Brewhouse on the east side or BW3s on the west side.
Heading east on State Road 46 toward Nashville, is The Office Lounge and Liquor Store, 3900 E. Third St. This easy-to-miss bar also offers carryout and locals like it that way. You can watch IU games without the sticky sloshes from beer pong adhering you to the floor. Snacks include crispy fried pickles and there are several pool tables. Come for the townie adult vibes and reasonably priced food and drinks. Friday nights they offer a ribeye steak, baked potato, salad, and toast for $14.25. They even serve lean buffalo burgers! They have plenty of parking, which is at a premium this time of year in Bloomington. Only 21 and older at The Office Lounge. Kitchen will be open until 11 p.m. for the first IU football game with karaoke afterward.
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The Village Pub
The Village Pub downtown on the square, 206 N. Walnut St., serves curated pub food for a pickier pallet with four large TVs over the bar. You can also watch IU games from the balcony, nibbling on the culinary creations of Chef Bret Pafford, including fish-n-chips or Mediterranean lamb kabobs.
Yogi's Bar & Grill
Finally, if you are watching the game with kids or younger family members, check out the reimagined Yogi’s Bar & Grill at 302 N. Walnut St. All ages are welcome until 9 p.m.
Take a trip back to the 1980s the game room in the back. There’s a Superman-style phone booth, tape table, and various games and oddities. Yogi's is open from 11 to 2 a.m. Fridays with a generous mix of locals and students. There are 20 TVs and daily drink specials, including $2.50 16-ounce PBRs, $3 Jim Beam or Hornitos shots, and $4 Yogi shots. Popular food items include the Hoosier tenderloin, chicken velvet soup and mini corn dogs for kids. If you are feeling froggy, try the fried Dorito smash burger that comes with Cool Ranch Doritos, fried cheese, shredded lettuce, tomato and topped with Cajun ranch sauce.
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Bars in Bloomington: Best places to watch Indiana football in 2022
