You're not missing a lot now, but in its heyday and at the original location/old ownership, it was a great spot for pool, sports, beer and good (bar) food.
Buffalouie's, Yogi's, Social Cantina, and Aver's Pizza coming to Memorial Stadium
- Thread starter Fro
- Start date
Yeah, it was our Thursday night spot when I was down there. The girls in our friend group liked the $3 or $4 Long Island pitcher deals they ran on Thursdays.
I always thought it cool that Yogi Ferrel was escorted to Yogi’s during his official recruiting visit. Management was given a “heads up” on his arrival, so needless to say, he received a warm Hoosier welcome upon entry. What a great recruiting move that was, one that even a mental midget…excuse me, mental person of short stature could have anticipated. I like to think the deal was sealed after a few beers and a bucket of wings. Yogi…there’s just something about this name for a point guard or baseball catcher that envelops me with warm fuzzies.
I've never found anything to dislike in regards to our visits to The Tap. As a matter of fact, I'd say it's actually improved in the last year. Social is decent, Smoke Works and Yogis, meh.
We haven't been to Yogis in over a year. We were actually discussing whether it was time to give them another shot.
Yeah, I loved the old Yogi's. The number of beers they had on tap was awesome and I loved how certain days they would have specials on states. For example, one day beers from Colorado and Michigan would be discounted.
The amount and quality of food you get from Avers for the price always seemed like a good deal as it’s geared for college students
with budgets, You are correct - they have a north location at Kinser Pike in front of the Kroger. They also have 3 other locations and as far as I know, there is no sit-down stores except one called Public House? It’s all takeout or delivery.
Edit: 2 of their locations closed in 2023. They have just North and South locations.
https://averspizza.com/
I saw in another post you mentioned it took the b-dubs spot. That's over around Indiana & 10th?
They BW3 used to have a killer deal on Tuesday nights, 10 cent wings and 50 cent molsons. We used to roll in their after softball in the summer and go nuts for $4.
That was the spot. Building sat empty for a few years after IU bought it and then it was razed probably 2 years ago.
Sound like my kind of girls 😄
Long Island Iced Teas damn near ended my college career prematurely…
The one and only time I saw the calliope was at a Homecoming parade about 5-6 years ago as it was being pulled down the street
If IU wants to keep students in the stands, they need to bring in the Upstairs Lounge to MS! Problem is getting them out though since they’d all be passed out from drinking them AMF’s!
I had a very bad experience at The Tap during COVID and have not been back since. Maybe I should give them another try.
Went to the Social Cantina when it first opened and it was a mess. Have not been back there either. They kind of have a bad reputation around town, at least with my friends.
But I always liked The Tap before that one time.
Thursday night tradition in the late-80’s was Peanut Barrel. Then Bear’s Place for Long Islands!!
Friday’s 4-8, $1 Dos Equis with a free Nacho Bar at the old Holiday Inn on College, now the Scholar’s Inn. That was the pre-game before hitting Varsity Villas, Dunhill, or the best place, Walnut Knolls!!!
Friday’s 4-8, $1 Dos Equis with a free Nacho Bar at the old Holiday Inn on College, now the Scholar’s Inn. That was the pre-game before hitting Varsity Villas, Dunhill, or the best place, Walnut Knolls!!!
I keep feeling older. Now Hooligans is the Upstairs Lounge!
My friend, I have no doubt you and I have rubbed shoulders at the peanut barrel. You may have even visited our keg in building C at some point.
I was sitting in the bar at a TX Roadhouse a decade ago maybe St Louis...can't recall. A guy across calls out my IU golf shirt. Turns out he owned the Barrel during that time.
Probably so!! I was a “C” bldg alum myself. Good times.
Yeah, was going to say, I went to the "new" Yogi's once when I was back there a couple summers ago, and it definitely isn't the old Yogi's. That was my favorite place when I was down there. Liked the food and hanging out there. The last year I was down there, in a masters program, I lived in the apartments that are essentially in Yogi's parking lot that have the parking on the ground level with the apartments above. Perfect set-up. I had an old jeep and I didn't have to worry about dealing with the top for much of the year, and I was less than a minute walk to my favorite bar and restaurant.
I haven't been to the new one, but I've seen it a few times. The original was maybe my 6th to 8th favorite bar in Bloomington, but that was mainly because it was a long walk from south of campus where I lived. I probably woulda preferred it over everything but Nick's if I lived closer.
Just thinking back, when my son was about 10 walking around the stadium with
New Additions, Opportunities at Memorial Stadium This Fall Designed to Dramatically Enhance Fan Experience - Indiana University Athletics
Bloomington, Indiana – Hoosier football fans can expect a very different experience when they arrive at Memorial Stadium this fall.iuhoosiers.com
a giant turkey leg and was very happy, no need for fancy food. lol
It is good to see IU getting more serious about football games. Do things to keep fans in the stadium because football is getting better with this staff.
They've done the grab n go stations at the Bart. I like it. Moves pretty quick.
Ugh , have been to Nicks a few times recently,have 2 boys in school, their pizza still rocks- always order the large to take some home as well - still going strong
The Upstairs PUB (not Lounge) is the new, de facto King of sports bars in Bloomington.
They're blowing everybody else out of the water.
Just added the old AH scoreboard into the "newer" bar on the west side, with HUGE flat screens. They said they were going to get the old board working, and synching with the live IU games score/time.
The old side updated their kitchen, and has pretty damn solid food options now.
Most important though - their Manager knows his shit. Want to watch Texas State vs VMI lacrosse (fake obviously) on a Tuesday afternoon? He'll find it and get it on. Sound for IU games? No problem. Champions League with sound? Done.
They're blowing everybody else out of the water.
Just added the old AH scoreboard into the "newer" bar on the west side, with HUGE flat screens. They said they were going to get the old board working, and synching with the live IU games score/time.
The old side updated their kitchen, and has pretty damn solid food options now.
Most important though - their Manager knows his shit. Want to watch Texas State vs VMI lacrosse (fake obviously) on a Tuesday afternoon? He'll find it and get it on. Sound for IU games? No problem. Champions League with sound? Done.
That's a far cry from what it was circa '88, which is the last time I went in there.The Upstairs PUB (not Lounge) is the new, de facto King of sports bars in Bloomington.
They're blowing everybody else out of the water.
Just added the old AH scoreboard into the "newer" bar on the west side, with HUGE flat screens. The old side updated their kitchen, and has pretty damn solid food options now.
Most important though - their Manager knows his shit. Want to watch Texas State vs VMI lacrosse (fake obviously) on a Tuesday afternoon? He'll find it and get it on. Sound for IU games? No problem. Champions League with sound? Done.
I was there opening weekend. It was just me my buddy and the bar tender.
Pretty sweet. This is a nice positive on Kirkwood after losing Pizzeria and Irish Lion.The Upstairs PUB (not Lounge) is the new, de facto King of sports bars in Bloomington.
They're blowing everybody else out of the water.
Just added the old AH scoreboard into the "newer" bar on the west side, with HUGE flat screens. They said they were going to get the old board working, and synching with the live IU games score/time.
The old side updated their kitchen, and has pretty damn solid food options now.
Most important though - their Manager knows his shit. Want to watch Texas State vs VMI lacrosse (fake obviously) on a Tuesday afternoon? He'll find it and get it on. Sound for IU games? No problem. Champions League with sound? Done.
Many good memories from Thursday night's at the Peanut Barrel, at least the ones I can remember...
So Nick’s gets the Upstair Pub’s overflow now?The Upstairs PUB (not Lounge) is the new, de facto King of sports bars in Bloomington.
They're blowing everybody else out of the water.
Just added the old AH scoreboard into the "newer" bar on the west side, with HUGE flat screens. They said they were going to get the old board working, and synching with the live IU games score/time.
The old side updated their kitchen, and has pretty damn solid food options now.
Most important though - their Manager knows his shit. Want to watch Texas State vs VMI lacrosse (fake obviously) on a Tuesday afternoon? He'll find it and get it on. Sound for IU games? No problem. Champions League with sound? Done.
Do they still have the OMF? Asking for a friend.The Upstairs PUB (not Lounge) is the new, de facto King of sports bars in Bloomington.
They're blowing everybody else out of the water.
Just added the old AH scoreboard into the "newer" bar on the west side, with HUGE flat screens. They said they were going to get the old board working, and synching with the live IU games score/time.
The old side updated their kitchen, and has pretty damn solid food options now.
Most important though - their Manager knows his shit. Want to watch Texas State vs VMI lacrosse (fake obviously) on a Tuesday afternoon? He'll find it and get it on. Sound for IU games? No problem. Champions League with sound? Done.
It only stands to reason then that 50 years from now the Upstairs Pub will have older people who patronize it for nostalgic reasons in recollection of good times hanging out there when younger, that is, the youth of today later wrinkled in time. Meanwhile, Nick’s goes out of business after the last of the old people with fond memories there when younger die off. Isn’t life strange!
I’m looking forward to having one of Ben’s. I ate my first big soft pretzel at this year’s IN State Fair, only because my neighbor told us to bring one home for him. I bought one for myself just to see what all the fuss was about. It proved damn good with cheese sauce. I have since tried Uplands and it was good, too. The secret is in the freshness and the dipping sauce.
Nick's got burned by their DirectTV dependence last year. Was during one of those spells where DirectTV and one of the local affiliates (I think FOX 59) were squabbling over fees, and they were blacked out. Had been going on for a month or so, and Nick's was so unaware they didn't prepare for a backup...they didn't even know. So oblivious.
So, Indiana/OSU season kickoff game at noon, people crowd into Nick's, and they can't get the game...and didn't even know it.
Upstairs was prepared, had the game, and a mass of people crossed the street, and haven't crossed back. The baton had been passed.
Excellent commentary! Thank you for the insightful analysis. This Spring (or was it last Spring sprung forward?) my wife and I were enjoying a cold frosty in buffalo embossed glass jars outside of Nick’s, beautiful afternoon that it was. There was a huge commotion across the street at the UP we speak of…long line of kids waiting to get in, one of the local news trucks, etc. Come to find out, one of the Kardashian gals was promoting her new line of vodka there. This inspired us to check it out. We went there several weeks later just for a drink on the outside porch. Did not see the big room in back with TV screens. What I did see was a junky, dirty stairwell leading up to it. Maybe that’s what kids expect to see these days, unfazed. The view overlooking Nick’s was nice.
Kirkwood is a great street, a good place to people watch. I hope it always stays that way and mimimizes the lower life forms hanging around “(Homeless) People’s Park”. Whose liberal idea was that? For every hot looking coed you see, there’s often a bum doing the “Thorazine shuffle” in follow of her.
All that needlessly said, I’ll have to go back to UP’s inside room, just to check out the big room vibe before a reunion across the street at Nick’s (no one’s passed ME the baton!) There, I always sit in the front room for the total feel. The expansion part wasn’t there when I was in school so that bigger section seems like some other place, less desirable to my liking. When at Nick’s, I make a point to visit the men’s room whether I really have to go or not, just to check out the scene (not in hand seen!). I love the steep, narrow stairway, providing easy support to the unsteady. Most of you probably know what I mean. If not, it really doesn’t matter. It won’t be on The Test of Life.
I love game day!
