Boiler Up Bar

Lovely, classy bar on Purdue's campus! The drinks and mocktails here are fabulous. They also offer small bites here. Such a great place to meet up with people or to hang out solo. Highly recommended!

Having already had positive experience at 8Eleven with my SO, we decided to try the bar. I loved the cozy ambiance! Great selection of drinks, and good selection of light appetizers. The server was attentive and very helpful in recommending drinks that fit our tastes. This is now our go-to date-night bar in the Lafayette/WL area!

I've been here so many times the last few years, while it may be considered pricey... it's the epitome of a lounge. The energy is incredibly cozy and modern while holding that old-town feel. I have tried many of the hors d'oeuvres and drinks I have never once been disappointed. Ever. I've had several servers that were so polite and respectful of my privacy. They were present and memorable but noninvasive. I am very impressed every time I visit!

I love this place, especially since it is in a college town! This place is next to 8Eleven and is its sister restaurant/bar. The ambiance of the place is what strikes me first and is very classy which I like. The food is also pretty good. We got the crab croquettes and burrata cheese (10/10 and also served at 8Eleven, as well as the wagyu burger). For drinks we had rosé and this stone fruit mule cocktail which were both great. The service is pretty good too, and our waitress was very sweet and kind!

Had a reservation for 8Eleven, arrived early so stopped by the Boiler Bar. There were 5 in our group, so we sat down at a table. Very cool atmosphere, great list of spirits and cocktails. Unfortunately we did not get a chance to enjoy any of them, we waited around 15 minutes and never got to order a drink. One server was working, she had two tables of 3 guests. She brought over menus as soon as we sat down, did not interact at all other than handing out the menus and checking ID's for two of our group. Never showed back up or even looked our way. Kept thinking she was going to stop over after delivering drinks to the other tables, but no, she'd turn around and disappeared. Didn't want to do that awkward interaction where you go to the bar and get told that they would send the server over so went and requested to get seated at 8Eleven. Not sure what the situation was, but we got the impression we were not welcome.

Super cool bar, great drinks. Wasn't too fond of the staff--they seemed a bit judgemental. My friend and I came towards the end of a football game still in our football attire to check it out. It wasn't too busy and seemed really neat. The bar tender just laid down menus and left us. My friend had been there previously and was telling me about the drinks. When the bar tender finally came back I was undecided so I said I've never been here between these two which is better? He just said one with no explanation or anything so I just said okay. He seemed annoyed I asked. After we got our drinks, the bar tender just kind of ignored us. We had to flag him down to order a second round cause he didn't ever check in and so we just sat visiting, having a nice time regardless. At some point An older couple that was a bit more dressed up came to stand beside me at the bar. I didn't noticed cause I was just talking to my friend but then was interrupted and scolded by the bar tender to move down so the couple could sit.I didn't realize that where we sat kept a bar stool open at the end. It was kind of embarrassing because the couple hadn't asked us, it wasn't a big deal to move down...but seriously he couldn't of said sorry could you please...instead of "come on guys! Move down so they can sit!". Like um okay...then what really ticked me off was I noticed the bar tender ask if they had ever been there, explain the drinks, give recommendations...but he couldn't even bother to do the same for us? I'm assuming he thought I was some younger just out of college kid that wouldn't tip him so he went for the nicer dressed older couple...completely disregarding that I'm in my mid 30s and spent about $40 on drinks. If he treated the other couple similar I would understand but he completely judge us and decided to not waste his time. The bar is beautiful, it's a great addition to the union for alumni. But the customer service is beyond lacking.

Catching up on Yelp reviews as it's been a minute... This Yelp review is coming from a Purdue Alum so expect bias... I came to BoilerUP Bar when my family and I visited campus for the Purdue/OSU men's basketball game back in February. I've stayed at the Union Club Hotel many times, but this was the first time post renovations. BoilerUP Bar is a cocktail and whiskey bar in the Purdue Memorial Union and apparently serve some bar eats. We came here for drinks on a Saturday night after having dinner at Walkon's in the basement. The place was packed (expected) at around 7pm and seating is first come first serve, but we were able to Eagle-Eye/Hawk at spot (kindly ask the leaving party to sit down as they are leaving). Yes this is definitely a thing and it's called "smart dining".If you follow me on Yelp, then you should know I am a Bourbon Enthusiast and Old Fashioned's are my favorite cocktails. They are very simple with ingredients, but they are extremely difficult to master and I think they are a great test for any Mixologist. So I had the BoilerUP Signature Old Fashioned and the Spiced Winter Old Fashioned. Both were very excellent and they were served with some big rocks (great to see). After a night out, I came back and I had a nightcap at the bar before closing. They have an ok whiskey list. Not as amazing as 648 Bourbon & Cigar Lounge across the river. But I was able to find one of my favorite unicorns on the whiskey list, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof, and the best part was it was only $15 for a 2oz pour, which is pretty difficult to find at that price nationwide (Cost of living is a tad different in Chicago). Service was mixed. I believe our waitress serving us gave me the wrong drink as I ordered the BoilerUP Signature Old Fashioned first, but it was definitely the Spiced Winter Old Fashioned because I could taste the syrup. However, I was ok with it because I liked it anyways. So that is why I ended up ordering the BoilerUP Signature Old Fashioned again and it was correct. It's easy to mix up as all Old Fashioned's pretty much look similar and the drink was excellent. Our waitress was friendly and service was good as well so really no issues besides a small mix up. When I sat at the bar before closing, the bartender was friendly and service was a ok. Overall, the BoilerUP Bar is a GREAT addition to West Lafayette! Price is definitely no quarter bottles at the old Where Else, but this is more suited place for alumni and I am perfectly fine with that! Ambience is small/intimate and great for date night. So if you are in the area, you should definitely check this place out!

I hung out here a couple times over Memorial Day weekend and loved it. The vibe is chill and the decor is appealing. The bartenders were pleasant and had no problem changing the channel on the one TV to a baseball game. The strawberry mule is a delicious cocktail and their Manhattan made with rye whisky also hit the spot. The menu only has a few food items listed but they will let you order from the full menu of the bistro next door.

I am back at this bar more often than I admit and the experience is still spot on! By far my favorite bar in West Lafayette!

We visited this place twice during our stay. The drinks are super cool and eclectic for a Midwestern college town. No cheap beers here even if the beer is usually cheap. The cocktail service isn't as engaging and friendly as the bartender service. The tiniest clothespin holds a blistered orange slice in one tequila drink. Nice touch.