House bar serves friendly atmosphere with a side of alcohol

In 2000, David McNally’s “Coyote Ugly” forever branded bars as a place where the music is loud, the women are fast, and the booze is overflowing.

But House Bar – a new bar in an old house – turns this stereotype on its head.

While House Bar bartender Brian Stutsman said the bar definitely draws in regular customers night after night, co-owners and IU grads Andy Butler and Andy Aronis said it is more laid-back than the typical Bloomington bar.

Sitting around other bars in town, Butler and Aronis always talked about what they would do differently if they opened their own bar.

Both said they felt that many of the other bars in town had become too homogenized and that they wanted to create a different environment for Bloomington residents.

This idea became a reality last summer when the local restaurant Jazz at the Station closed, opening up the perfect venue at 12th and Walnut streets.

Butler and Aronis, who were roommates at the time, decided to take the plunge and opened their own bar in September 2009.

“The opportunity just sort of fell into our hands,” Aronis said.

Butler and Aronis said the building, which was originally the station master’s house when railways were a prominent part of Bloomington’s local economy, has been home to many local businesses in the past, including BLU Boy Chocolate.

Because of its history as a house the bar has several quirks, including a shower in the bar’s bathroom, Aronis said.

House Bar’s environment is part of the allure for some customers.

Frequent customer Kevin Jordan described the bar as a place with a relaxed and friendly atmosphere where everyone seems to know each other.

“You are part of the group after going once or twice,” he said.

Bloomington resident John Francis agrees. He said because the bar is on the smaller side he talks to almost everyone in the bar on any given night.

While some bars furnish darts and billiards for customers, Francis said House Bar lets customers create their own fun.

Francis said the bar staff once let him and his friends host an Australian celebration, just for fun.

Additionally, Apples to Apples and other board games are available for customers’ amusement.

“You can always challenge the bar staff to a game of chess, but they’ll probably beat you,” Francis said.