The 10 Best Bars In Bloomington, Illinois

Updated: 9 February 2017

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Bloomington is a city located in McLean County in Illinois. Over the years, the city has seen economic hardships and financial recovery. The city is now filled with wine, cocktail, and beer bars. We have listed some of the best.

Beer Sampler | © Quinn Dombrowski/Flickr

Mugsy's

Bar, Pub, Restaurant, American, $$$

Mugsy’s

Mugsy’s is an American pub offering video poker, darts, and an extensive menu of delicious goods. The pub is famous for its Muggers, which are burgers with four ounces of charbroiled and juicy beef. Muggers can be paired with chips, fries, and beer. Mugsy’s is perfect for those who love to have fun, drink, and enjoy great food with friends. The interior is decorated with casino-style video poker and slot machines. They also organize a darts competition for darts enthusiasts. Each Wednesday the pub hosts happy hour all day with Bud, Miller Lite, and other beer drafts and bottles. If customers can’t come on Wednesdays, they also have happy hour from 3pm to 7pm every Thursday and Friday.

Address & Telephone number: 1310 N Main St, Bloomington, IL, USA +1 309 827 2628

More Info

Sun - Mon:

11:00 am - 1:00 am

Mon - Tue:

11:00 am - 1:00 am

Tue - Wed:

11:00 am - 1:00 am

Wed - Thu:

11:00 am - 1:00 am

Thu - Fri:

11:00 am - 1:00 am

Fri - Sat:

11:00 am - 2:00 am

Sat - Sun:

11:00 am - 2:00 am

1310 North Main Street, Bloomington, Illinois, 61701, USA

+13098272628

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Rosie's Pub

Restaurant, American, $$$

Stuffed pork chop with smoked gouda and broccoli | Courtesy of Rosie's Pub

Rosie’s Pub

Rosie’s Pub specializes in flatbreads, burgers, pasta, and beer. An interesting fact about the pub is that it is located near President Lincoln’s law office. The former President spent most of his time in his office, which is why the restaurant was created. The pub’s interior is dark with low lights in the same way as the office. Aside from being close to a historic site, Rosie’s Pub’s staff is amazing. The chefs prepare each dish with care to ensure customers receive the best dining experience. Each day, the chefs offer specials to highlight the casual atmosphere of the pub. The preferred meals are the fish fillets and burgers.

Address & Telephone number: 106 E Front St, Bloomington, IL +1 309 827 7019

More Info

Tue - Wed:

11:00 am - 1:00 am

Wed - Thu:

11:00 am - 1:00 am

Thu - Fri:

11:00 am - 1:00 am

Fri - Sat:

11:00 am - 2:00 am

Sat - Sun:

11:00 am - 2:00 am

106 East Front Street, Bloomington, Illinois, 61701, USA

+13098277019

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Stuffed pork chop with smoked gouda and broccoli | Courtesy of Rosie’s Pub

Fat Jacks

Bar, Pub Grub, $$$

Fat Jacks

Fat Jacks is a loud American bar that offers over twenty brands of beer and specializes in American cuisine. The bar features the best selection of microbrews on draughts in town. Customers can play billiards and enjoy live entertainment daily. Every day, the restaurant also has drink specials, which allow guests to get their favorite beer with a discount. Monday is rum day, Tuesday is tapper day, Wednesday is whiskey day, On Thursday, well drinks, black jack shots, domestic bottles, and half pints are on offer and Friday is Fat Jacks day. This is definitely a good place for beer enthusiasts, an extensive selection of beers can be enjoyed in the bar.

Address & Telephone number: 511 N Main St, Bloomington, IL, USA +1 309 821 9222

More Info

Sun - Mon:

3:00 pm - 1:00 am

Mon - Tue:

3:00 pm - 1:00 am

Tue - Wed:

3:00 pm - 1:00 am

Wed - Thu:

3:00 pm - 1:00 am

Thu - Fri:

3:00 pm - 1:00 am

Fri - Sat:

3:00 pm - 2:00 am

Sat - Sun:

3:00 pm - 2:00 am

511 North Main Street, Bloomington, Illinois, 61701, USA

+13098219222

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Swingers Grille

Restaurant, Contemporary, American, $$$

Inside Swingers Grille | Courtesy of Swingers Grille

Swingers Grille

Specializing in creative culinary dishes including a variety of steaks and small plates, Swingers Grille also provide a good range of wines and live music performances. The wide range of beers and cocktails and great service has visitors coming back. The restaurant invites customers to discover the seasonal menu and international wine list in a sophisticated setting. Monthly, the company offers wine, spirit, and beer paired dinners for a discounted price. Thursday and Saturday nights are live entertainment nights. Guests can enjoy the music inside or outside the grill on the patio. On Thursday, appetizers are half priced. Swingers Grille is perfect for business parties, date nights, and friendly or family gatherings.

Address & Telephone number: 1304 Cross Creek D, Normal, IL, USA +1 309 829 5777

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1304 Cross Creek Dr, Normal, Illinois, 61761, USA

+13098295777

Inside Swingers Grille | Courtesy of Swingers Grille

Cheeks Bar And Grill

Bar, Restaurant, American

Cheeks Bar And Grill

In 1999, Cheeks Bar and Grill opened its doors to the public as a family-owned restaurant. Today, the restaurant and bar is a place for parties, sporting events, and after work drinks. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable about their products, and they believe customers should be treated as family or friends. The entrees are delicious, and the Bar and Grill’s environment is spotless and welcoming. Beers, cocktails, and wines are imported. To complement the cold beverages, the restaurant serves its award-winning grilled chicken burger and pepperjack cheese balls. The menu is loaded with culinary classics such as onion wings, pizza, salads, soups, and wraps.

Address & Telephone number: 1206 Towanda Ave, Bloomington, IL, USA +1 309 829 3655

More Info

Sun - Mon:

11:00 am - 1:00 am

Mon - Tue:

10:00 am - 1:00 am

Tue - Wed:

10:00 am - 1:00 am

Wed - Thu:

10:00 am - 1:00 am

Thu - Fri:

10:00 am - 2:00 am

Fri - Sat:

10:00 am - 2:00 am

Sat - Sun:

10:00 am - 1:00 am

6, 1206 Towanda Avenue, Bloomington, Illinois, 61701, USA

+13098293655

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Gill Street Sports Bar And Restaurant

Bar, Pub Grub

Gill Street Sports Bar And Restaurant

Gill Street Sports Bar and Restaurant was established in 2003. The dining room is warm and inviting and the outdoor patio is huge and features live music on the weekend. During the summer, on Friday and Saturday nights, local bands come and serenade the visitors while they dine. When Gill Street isn’t hosting live concerts, it is coaching volleyball leagues. There are three leagues, Polar Bear Tournament, First Summer Session, and Second Summer Session. Aside from this, the sports bar has an impressive menu. The restaurant offers wings, salads, pizzas, quesadillas, sandwiches, soup, and wraps. Customers keep raving about this place.

Address & Telephone number: 3002 Gill St, Bloomington, IL, USA +1 309 661 6387

More Info

Sun:

8:00 am - 11:00 pm

Mon - Tue:

11:00 am - 1:00 am

Tue - Wed:

11:00 am - 1:00 am

Wed - Thu:

11:00 am - 1:00 am

Thu - Fri:

11:00 am - 1:00 am

Fri - Sat:

11:00 am - 2:00 am

Sat - Sun:

8:00 am - 2:00 am

# B, 3002 Gill Street, Bloomington, Illinois, 61704, USA

+13096616387

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Maggie Miley's

Bar, Pub, Restaurant, Irish, $$$

Maggie Miley's Irish Pub | © Charles Taber/Flickr

Maggie Miley’s

The idea for opening Maggie Miley’s Irish Pub began when Maggie Miley and her husband came to Normal, Illinois. She prepared Irish dishes for her friends and husband’s work buddies and decided to build a pub to showcase her talent. Her pub dream was deferred when Normal passed an ordinance prohibiting the sale of alcohol. Miley didn’t live to see her restaurant established. Her great grandson and his partners decided to create a pub to help everyone experience Irish culture, which led to Maggie Miley’s. The pub honors Miley’s legacy. The interior design was produced by Dublin’s finest carpenters, and the pub is committed to providing great food, beer, and service. They offer an outstanding collection of beers and Irish whiskey.

Address & Telephone number: 126 E Beaufort St, Normal, IL, USA +1 309 807 4301

More Info

Sun - Mon:

12:00 pm - 1:00 am

Mon - Tue:

11:00 am - 1:00 am

Tue - Wed:

11:00 am - 1:00 am

Wed - Thu:

11:00 am - 1:00 am

Thu - Fri:

11:00 am - 1:00 am

Fri - Sat:

11:00 am - 2:00 am

Sat - Sun:

11:00 am - 2:00 am

126 East Beaufort Street, Normal, Illinois, 61761, USA

+13098074301

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Maggie Miley's Irish Pub | © Charles Taber/Flickr

Elroy's

Bar, Pub Grub, $$$

Elroy’s

Elroy’s is the perfect spot for watching sport games and bonding with the family. During the afternoon, the bar is filled with loud music and energetic customers. During the evening, the atmosphere is the same, but live music fills the room sending guests into an uproar. Visitors can enjoy live bands, drinking, eating, and fun. Elroy’s has nine LCD TVs, five plasma TVs, six projection screens, and one mega-large projection screen. Each TV and screen is connected to Bloomington’s best satellite package. The bar offers games for people who aren’t interested in sport games, such as poker machines, darts and megatouch. For those who love to relax while enjoying a beer, there is a beer garden in the bar which is open throughout the day.

Address & Telephone number: 102 W Washington St, Bloomington, IL, USA +1 309 828 0142

More Info

Sun - Mon:

11:00 am - 1:00 am

Mon - Tue:

11:00 am - 1:00 am

Tue - Wed:

11:00 am - 1:00 am

Wed - Thu:

11:00 am - 1:00 am

Thu - Fri:

11:00 am - 1:00 am

Fri - Sat:

11:00 am - 1:00 am

Sat - Sun:

11:00 am - 1:00 am

102 West Washington Street, Bloomington, Illinois, 61701, USA

+13098280142

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Legends Sports Bar & Grill

Bar, Cocktail Bar, American, $$$

Legends Sports Bar & Grill

Legends always seeks to entertain its guests. The bar allows visitors to have business meetings, birthday parties, graduations, and other celebrations. For people who are thinking of becoming a bartender, Legends has a guest bartender night. On this night, professional bartenders teach entertaining classes. Every Friday night is live music night, where local bands come to the bar. While listening to music, guests can check out the dart games and competitions – Legends invites everyone to stop by and sign up for a team. Other than being a place for laughter and entertainment, the bar is a place for dining and drinking. The menu has chicken wings, sandwiches, wraps, burgers, fries, and onion rings, and there is a good list of beers and cocktails.

Address & Telephone Number: 712 S Eldorado Rd, Bloomington, IL, USA +1 309 661 8800

More Info

Sun:

11:00 am - 12:00 am

Mon:

11:00 am - 12:00 am

Tue:

11:00 am - 12:00 am

Wed:

11:00 am - 12:00 am

Thu:

11:00 am - 12:00 am

Fri - Sat:

11:00 am - 1:00 am

Sat - Sun:

11:00 am - 1:00 am

712 South Eldorado Road, Bloomington, Illinois, 61704, USA

+13096618800

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Legends Sports Bar and Grill | © Danny McKlernan/Flickr

Ride The Nine & Shooter’s Lounge

Every day, the Shooter’s Lounge offers drink and food specials. The first Sunday of each month the lounge hosts a billiards tournament that pays out $150 to first place winners. On Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday, there are tournaments and each entry fee is different. The entry fee on Monday is $15, $20 on Wednesday, and $6 on Saturday. These competitions are meant to be friendly and they are not for professional billiards players. When guests aren’t playing, they can enjoy all-you-can-eat fish every Sunday. For visitors who may not like fish, the menu provides other delicious culinary items such as egg salad sandwich, spaghetti, chicken jambalaya, lasagna, goulash, and chicken cordon bleu. Guests are encouraged to try out the different beers.

Address & Telephone number: 503 N Prospect Rd, Bloomington, IL, USA +1 309 662 1009