BEST BAR • 1. Kilroy's Sports

The bar scene at IU is a staple in the life of an undergraduate student, whether serving as a reason to celebrate or a way to forget about the week's problems. As students flock to the bars for homecomings, Little 500 races and the ends of finals weeks, one bar comes through as the best of the best bars in Bloomington: Kilroy's Sports Bar. \nA bar that is a favorite for both current students and alumni, Sports has been open and running for 10 years. Considered one of the largest bars in Bloomington, it sees about 2,500 people walk through the doors on a busy night. \n"We are the only place in Bloomington that you can enjoy so many different atmospheres," boasts manager Kathleen Hancock. \nHancock is talking about the selection of locations you can find students at throughout the bar. With two floors, Sports offers a garden patio, pool tables, bars on the first and the second floor, along with a deck that is used during the warm weather, which makes Sports especially popular during the summer and the beginning of the academic year. During the first weekend of October when the weather was still bearable, Sports served as a venue for Mellenbash, an event that raised money for Farm-Aid as well as the New York chapter of the American Red Cross.\n"We had a total of 16 bands for Mellenbash," Hancock says. "The event helped raise money for charity and celebrated Mellencamp's birthday." \nEvents like these separate Sports from the handful of bars found in Bloomington. Besides large special events the bar also offers weekly Casino night on Mondays where students have a chance to gamble and win prizes. Aside from special events both large and small, students can always expect a variety of music each weekend, which is one of the main reasons senior Brooke Williams considers Sports one of her favorite spots. \n"In one night you can hear a live band on one floor and a DJ on another," Williams says. "You can go from one extreme to another just by going downstairs." \nThe music at Sports ranges from reggae to the familiar sounds of local Rich Hardesty (voted second place best male singer). Bands and DJs come from all over the Midwest to play at Sports, and for the average price of $2 students can get a bargain for their money. \nAside from the theme nights, bands and ample amount of square feet, Sports offers students a chance to unwind during the weekend -- or in the case of some students -- unwind during the week. The laid back atmosphere gives students a place to feel comfortable and relaxed. \n"I love that I can walk into Sports and easily see five people (I know) as soon as I walk through the door," senior Mosmi Biscuitwala says. "I don't have to worry about fighting massive crowds. I just go in, find a table and hang out with my friends." \nWith so many things to offer, Sports can be a new experience each time a student walks through the doors. A selection of drinks, bands and even locations to hang out gives reason for Sports to have been voted the best bar in Bloomington, but Hancock claims the best aspect of Sports would have to be, "The bartenders -- it's definitely our bartenders"