This 'Bird' knows how to build a nest

A simple formula won the Bluebird Nightclub  the "Bloomington’s Best  Place for Live Entertainment" award: hosting a variety of bands and having great drink specials.

Twenty-two-year-old journalism major Cal Condon wasn’t surprised the Bluebird won.
“The Bluebird is one of the only places around Bloomington that has the live-entertainment bar atmosphere,” he said.

Patrons can see a wide variety of artists, he said, even while the Bluebird looks and feels like a bar.

The Chicago native said he enjoys the Bluebird more than other venues in town or on campus because when he’s there he doesn’t feel the need to fit in with the cliques a place caters to.

“Both townies and college students – all types of people are welcome,” he said.

“Grunge, greek life, gay, straight, white, black, country, bluegrass, metal, acoustic ... anything goes.”

Condon has been going to the Bluebird for more than a year, especially when his favorite bands like Shaggy Wonda, AutoVaughn or the Funky Monks are playing. He said it has an “underground feel” and draws the best local and touring bands.
But that’s not all the Bluebird has to offer.

“I’ve spent 85 percent of my Wednesdays at the Bird for the cheap drink specials,” he said. “And 98 percent of the time I go out for a good time, the Bluebird is where you will find me.”

Junior Sammi Floyd also spends a lot of time at the Bluebird. The Washington, Ind., native said it is her favorite place in town to listen to live music.

“If I’m looking for a very low-key night where I can sit and talk to my friends I’ll go to the Vid, but even then I usually end up at the Bird for a little while.”

Floyd said the floor plan of the Bluebird also makes it a great live-entertainment venue. It has a spacious interior to accommodate large crowds and rambunctious dancers, and having a sunken stage makes it easy for everyone to watch shows.

“The acoustics always sound amazing, the staff is friendly and they have numerous bars, so it’s never long to get a drink.”

Like Condon, Floyd also enjoys the Bluebird’s laid back, inclusive atmosphere. She said they Bluebird patrons are always having a good time, and even when the place is packed – which is often – the crowd never gets to be too much to handle.

Dave Kubiak, owner of the Bluebird, said he thinks people like his bar because of its aura. He said the ambiance in the Bluebird is hard to duplicate.

“The building is very historic and has a lot of character.”

Kubiak said he seeks out some of the bands that play there, but most bands’ agents contact him to set up dates. He said the Bluebird consistently brings in some of the biggest national acts. The variety of acts the venue hosts makes it hard for Kubiak to pick a favorite.

“I enjoy all the acts that come.”