There’s almost nothing more magical than turning 21 in Bloomington. It unlocks a whole new world for you, if you partake in drinking. While we students might have little experience in the fine art of Bloomington’s bars, we still have convictions. And here they are:
For a cocktail
ANDREW MILLER: My first ever drink at a bar was the Maliboobie at The Back Door. While the rum-grapefruit-cranberry concoction is great itself, the repertoire there is staggering. I can sip a Kitty Girl or a Thirst Trap and dance to Fergie there. That’s a beautiful thing.
MATEO FUENTES-ROHWER: I've never been much of a cocktail fan, especially when I venture outside of my home. However, as a fan of “The Big Lebowski,” The Root Cellar supplies canned White Russians that I’ve yet to try but I’m sure to like.
ALAYNA WILKENING: I recently discovered The Dunnkirk Library, which is an upscale bar inside The Upstairs Pub. While the drinks are pricier than I usually like to spend, they’re well worth it. I had the Eye Candy, which had gin, elderflower, ginger, lime and mint, and the Verbena, which included a flower that changed the taste of the drink when eaten. It’s definitely not a place I can afford to go more than a few times, but I’m already looking forward to my next visit. The bar requires reservations and fills up fast, so be sure to plan ahead.
For a beer
ANDREW: Now this is a shocker because it’s not a bar. But myself and Mia Hilkowitz — my co-editor-in-chief at the Indiana Daily Student — have a tradition of going to The Runcible Spoon on Fridays. And they have a surprising selection of beer. I’m not ashamed; I have on multiple occasions this year drank a Dragonfly IPA alongside some biscuits and gravy.
MATEO: Both Upland Brewing Co. and Big Woods provide excellent beer options that extend beyond the traditional domestic choices. If you’re at Upland, try a Bad Elmer’s, and if you’re at Big Woods, you might want a Busted Knuckle. My piece of advice — grab some food from both places as well. It pairs well with beer.
ALAYNA: Lennie’s Brewpub has a great selection of local beers and ciders, and there’s just something magical about eating outside on Kirkwood Avenue in the summer. I’ll admit I’m not the biggest fan of most beers, but I really enjoy the Kirkwood Cream Ale from Bloomington Brewing Co. and the Blood Orange Blonde from Four Day Ray Brewing.
Old reliable
ANDREW: It’s the Video Saloon for me. It has solid drinks; it’s right by mi amor Rockit’s Famous Pizza. Good location, close to my house. You’ll also always see someone you know there.
MATEO: I may not have had an answer for this a couple of weeks ago. But after multiple visits to Brothers Bar & Grill, it’s a great spot with plenty of beer options and solid Long Island Iced Teas, too.
ALAYNA: The Root Cellar was the first bar I went to when I turned 21, so I feel a certain loyalty to it. The drinks are good, there’s usually someone belting Adele for karaoke and it’s never too crowded. It’s not always my first choice when I’m going out, but it’s always there for a solid end to the night.
Overall pick
ANDREW: It’s always a good night when I can go to The Root Cellar. I love almost everything about it — looking past the space constraints. The karaoke, the atmosphere, the drinks: all beautiful. Nowhere else in the world have I seen a man dressed up as a Wizard DJing, much less one spinning Eddy Grant’s “Electric Avenue” to a dancing crowd. But the best thing about The Root Cellar is the people. Those are my people. I see the cool people from my classes there.
MATEO: This is a challenging pick, but at the end of the day, it has to be the Upstairs Pub. It was the first bar I ventured into once I turned 21, and it’s been my favorite ever since. Whether it's $2 Tuesday, $3 Thursday or just a weekend, Upstairs is my go-to place to visit at some point throughout the night. Sure, it can be crowded many nights, but with multiple bars, tons of television screens and wonderful outdoor seating for the warm nights, it’s my favorite bar in Bloomington.
ALAYNA: I have to agree with The Upstairs Pub. I truly am at my happiest at the patio on a $2 Tuesday with an AMF and free popcorn in hand. It’s a Bloomington staple for a reason.
This story was originally published in the Indiana Daily Student's spring 2026 Source Campus Visitor's Guide.
