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Monday, November 13, 2023

Bloomington's Best Dive Bars

Categories: General, Live Music, Wine & Culinary

If you like to frequent dive bars while you travel, Bloomington has several to offer you. From the no fuss, no muss ambiance to your favorite drinks at a lower price point, B-Town's best dive bars will win you over as soon as you walk through the door. Kick back and enjoy a cold beer or stiff drink at each watering hole to determine which is the best of them all.
 

Alley Bar

The bar area inside the alley bar

The Alley Bar is a classic hole-in-the-wall establishment, located just a block west of The Square. It's a tiny bar with great quirks, a relaxed & friendly atmosphere, a robust drink selection, peanuts — plain and spicy — for snacking, old hardwood floors worn down by discarded peanut shells, and framed photos lining the walls that tell the hidden gem's history.

Snag a seat facing a TV to catch the latest game, grab a spot near their huge picture window to partake in some people-watching on Kirkwood Avenue, or hang out on the enclosed heated patio to experience both the Alley Bar and downtown Bloomington simultaneously.


Hoosier Bar & Grill

Exterior of the Hoosier Bar & Grill

The Hoosier Bar & Grill, located in neighboring Monroe County town, Ellettsville, is a classic dive bar establishment. It stands unassuming in a strip mall, offering a dim ambiance with generous seating, several TVs, and a large menu of classic bar grub. The walls are clad with wood paneling and metal signs, and there are two pool tables for customers to enjoy as they hang out and sip a few drinks.

If you're looking for a low-key watering hole with a full bar, a huge menu full of tasty food, and plenty of free parking, the Hoosier Bar & Grill is a great choice.
 

Hoppy Wobbles Pub

Exterior of Hoppy Wobbles

Located on the west side of Bloomington, Hoppy Wobbles is another unassuming strip mall dive bar that townies can't seem to get enough of. The small, locally-owned establishment offers a rotating selection of craft brews on draft, as well as weekly trivia, pop-up shops in collaboration with local artisans & businesses, chili cook-off contests, holiday parties, game nights, and much more. If you're looking for a dive bar with a great sense of community and a fun environment, check out Hoppy Wobbles during your next visit.


Kenny's Tavern

Exterior of Kenny's Tavern

Another Ellettsville dive bar, Kenny's Tavern offers a full bar, pub food, a spacious patio, pool tables, a jukebox, and events including live music, costume contests, holiday-themed activities, viewing parties for sports games & motor races, and more. The large bar offers plenty of seating, several TVs, and a ton of interesting decor, including signs and model cars, for patrons to check out. Kenny's isn't quite as crowded as some Bloomington bars, but they have a loyal customer base that frequents the establishment due to its laid-back and friendly staff.
 

​The Office Lounge

Exterior of the office lounge

Located on the east side of Bloomington, The Office Lounge offers the quintessential dive bar characteristics of low lighting, inexpensive furnishings, and beer in a can (and on draft, too). They also boast weekend karaoke, several pool tables and TVs, Texas Holdem' on Mondays and Thursdays, a robust menu of late-night bites, and tons of seating for groups of all sizes.
 

Orbit Room

Arcade games at Orbit Room

Live music, pinball, and an ever-changing menu of gourmet hotdogs make the Orbit Room a B-Town dive bar you'll want to come back to. While it puts a hip spin on the classic concept of a dive bar, the Orbit Room still offers all of the key elements: dim lighting, unglamorous decor, and an eclectic setting.

For those who are unfamiliar with the bar, it could be a bit confusing to figure out where exactly it's located — find the narrow cubby next to J.L. Waters & Co. on The Square, then head down the staircase into the hidden gem.  
 

Steve's Place

pool tables inside of Steve's Place
Photo by Steve's Place

Steve's Place is a billiards hall and bar on the west side of Bloomington that definitely qualifies as a dive bar due to its unassuming decor, low lighting, and unbeatable food & drink price point. The bar area is quite small, while the billiards hall takes the majority of the establishment's space — there are six pool tables for patrons to play on. Steve's hosts weekly billiards tournaments, as well as live music, trivia nights, karaoke, and Jeep nights.
 

The Video Saloon

People playing pool on a pool table

The Video Saloon, known by locals as "The Vid," stands on the corner of Walnut and 7th Streets above The Cade. A true dive bar, The Vid features metal wall signs and eclectic art, ultra-dim lighting, leather chairs that have seen better days but definitely add to the dive bar vibe, a mix of furniture that ranges from plastic tables to wood booths, and a slightly seedy staircase entry. Like we said: true dive bar. In fact, it's arguably the most popular, well-loved dive bar in B-Town.

A common draw to The Vid is their many pool tables and dartboards for patrons to enjoy while sipping their drinks. The drink selection is straightforward — both craft and macro beers, plus a full bar — and the general ambiance is unglamorous yet eclectic. It's a bar that's frequented by both students and locals, bringing together an interesting mish-mash of people who are all looking to have a good time in a relaxed setting.


Looking for more information about B-Town's nightlife scene? Check out these blogs:
Visit Bloomington Staff

Visit Bloomington Staff

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