Bars in Bloomington IL: our 14 favorites for any occasion

Staying in the Bloomington Arcade House and looking for something to do between arcade games and garden hang-outs? Fear not: the Bloomington-Normal area in Illinois features plenty of fun bars and pubs to spend a night with friends or family. And as long-time residents, we can tell you exactly which tried and tested places to head to for a drink and a bite to eat!

Let’s have a look at our 14 favorite bars in Bloomington IL. 

Euphoria Nightclub in Bloomington IL

If you’re looking for a spot for a big night out, Euphoria Nightclub in Bloomington is the way to go. Located in a bustling neighborhood close to a bunch of the other places on this list, it’s a boutique nightclub with DJs and VIP bottle service options. You can even book private events at Euphoria, like cocktail receptions and private concerts!

Maggie Miley’s in Normal IL

Located in the Normal part of the Bloomington-Normal twin cities, Maggie Miley’s is an Irish pub you can’t miss. Watch a football match, eat typical pub foods like battered sausage, shepherd’s pie or bangers and mash, and enjoy a variety of Irish beers, ciders and whiskey. You can’t miss it!

Gill Street Sports Bar in Bloomington IL

Close to the Bloomington-Normal Regional Airport is Gill Street Sports bar, known locally as the perfect place to spend a night watching sports, enjoying bar food and having a beer or two. But it doesn’t end there: Gill Street also offers live music nights, beach volley, and - yes, really - axe throwing! 

During winter, you can sit in the cozy warmed dining room, while throughout summer, visitors can enjoy two big outdoor patios.

Ride the Nine Shooter’s Lounge in Bloomington IL

Looking for a place where there’s plenty of stuff to do while you have a drink and some well-executed typical bar foods? At Ride the Nine Shooter’s Lounge in Bloomington, almost right next to the airport, you can enjoy all the advantages of a bar and billiard hall in one (or as they call it: an adult playground!). There are pool tables, dart boards and much more, in addition to an excellent beer garden

Regular events at Ride the Nine include DJ sets, karaoke, music bingo and trivia nights, so you never have to go bored. 

Rosie’s Pub in Bloomington IL

Right in the middle of the historic neighborhood in Bloomington, in a nice little historical building where Abraham Lincoln once practiced law upstairs, cozy Rosie’s Pub is a great place to unwind at any time of day. 

Have a beer or cocktail on the bustling bar side or this establishment, or enjoy a sit-down meal in the calm dining area. We love the atmosphere and friendly staff!

Windjammer Lounge in Bloomington IL

Another large pub with an outdoor lounge area located close to the local airport is Windjammer Lounge, a great place to spend a night with friends. 

Windjammer has everything you need in a pub: a variety of drinks to choose from (including happy hour and daily drink specials), a menu full of classic bar foods, sports TV, regular live music and even beach volleyball. What more could you ask for?!

Digger’s in Bloomington IL

Reviewers call Digger’s “Bloomington-Normal’s favorite dive bar - in the best possible sense of the word”, and we’re inclined to agree. Located in the historical part of Bloomington, this bar is a local favorite as a result of its friendly service, affordable beers and a little outdoor patio. 

The crowd is fun, you can try your hand at the dart board, and for when there’s no live music, there’s a jukebox available. Give it a try!

1107 West Bar & Grill in Bloomington IL

If you’re looking for a bar with a local feel, friendly staff, a good drink selection and excellent food, you’ve found it! The recently remodeled 1107 West Bar & Grill in Bloomington is another regular local hang-out thanks to its outstanding burgers, outdoor seating options and good service. If you’re in the area, don’t miss it. 

Maguire’s Bar & Grill in Bloomington IL

Yep, another gem in the historic district of Bloomington! If you hadn’t noticed yet, the area around the courthouse is a great place to organize a little pub crawl and enjoy typical American pubs situated in nice old buildings. 

Maguire’s Bar & Grill has all the bells and whistles: drink specials, a variety of yummy foods to try, a few games to keep you from getting bored and TVs showing sports. A great place to watch a game or to start a night out on the town with friends.

Western Tap in Bloomington IL

Western Tap is not the sort of place you stumble upon by accident: it’s located in a residential neighborhood in Bloomington. However, it’s certainly worth a visit, not in the least because it’s been around since 1892. Pretty cool!

The red saloon-style building houses an excellent bar with a nice lunch and dinner menu that backs out onto a beer garden where you can enjoy a variety of drinks. It also offers games like slot machines and pool, plus plenty of TVs so you can keep an eye on the game. 

Nightshop in Bloomington IL

Vegetarians and vegans looking for a place to have a bite to eat, pay attention! Nightshop is known in Bloomington for its excellent menu offering plenty of non-meat options (although meat eaters will also find plenty to snack on here). 

Because this is also a live music venue, there’s always something going on, whether it’s bands playing, karaoke or even pinball tournaments starring their own collection of pinball machines. During summer, you can enjoy your food and drinks on the outdoor patio.

Crawford’s Corner Pub in Bloomington IL

Another Irish pub in Bloomington that we can’t get enough of is Crawford’s Corner Pub, a family-friendly neighborhood-type place that’s open all day and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. 

This one features a double bar (upstairs & downstairs), beer garden, friendly staff and everything else you need for a great afternoon or evening with friends or family.

BONUS: Kick’s Bar & Grill in Towanda IL

Let’s move on to two of our favorite bars that are located just outside of Bloomington-Normal as a bonus! Despite being a bit further out, Kick’s Bar & Grill in the small town of Towanda, IL is absolutely worth a visit if you’re in the area.

Located on Old Route 66, Kick’s has indoor and outdoor seating, bar appetizers and dinner and regular patio parties during summer. We love coming here on warm days to sit in the beer garden and soak up the sun with a drink in hand.

BONUS: Gameday Grill in Downs IL

Looking for a place to watch the game? Head out to the town of Downs, IL with the whole family to relax at Gameday Grill. A great family-friendly place with entertainment for both the kids and the adults, this bar is known for its large menu full of tasty bar & grill foods, regular food and drink specials and a pleasant atmosphere.

During summer, Gameday’s outdoor patio is the perfect place to enjoy a leisurely beer.

Conclusion

Folks staying in the area will love the variety of bars in Bloomington IL: you never have to spend a boring weekend here. If you’re still looking for a place to stay with friends or family while you visit the area, check out Bloomington’s one and only House of Games, an AirBnB full of vintage arcade games that features a game room, full garden with firepit and much more!