The Alley

Neighborhood bar. Good sound level, small, close knit, local feel. Not an amazing beer selection, but varied enough.

Your business HAS to stop your customers from screaming and yelling into the late hours of the night. Last night, a guy basically stood and drunk yelled in front of the bar and in the street for over 30 minutes between 2:45 and 3:15am. He was belligerent and confrontational. Tonight, there are people right outside the bar yelling and being very loud. It's 1am. There is a hotel right across the street and you can hear EVERYTHING. Very irresponsible of the bar.If this continues, I'm calling the police.

My favorite watering hole in Btown. Small with a friendly staff, clean restrooms, and a true throwback of what a bar should be. Love this place!

Hole in the wall. Small place. Divey. Jukebox is old school punch in the numbers but you have to ask to turn it on. Stopped in here for a quick drink while on a bar crawl of our very own.

I love this place. I want to own it or simply move in. Badly. This is a day drinkers paradise: peanut shells on the floor, solid selection of taps, natural light from street windows (but not too much) and a salty and well seasoned bartender/owner/operator. This very tiny dive is stashed away between two popular destinations, so you might go right past it if you are not in-the-know. This is the kind of bar you belly up with a stool and make yourself at home. The owner will warm up to you after a couple drinks/tips and realizes you are not some college kid bar puker. Definitely one of B-Towns best kept secrets.

This is an absolute must when you are in Bloomington. It is about the size of my coat closet. There is an older crowd that typically frequents this place and thus is very laid back. They used to offer free peanuts but now they charge some nominal fee

Love this spot.....atmosphere is a vibe very laid back and lots of funI'm hooked on the pull tabs

Think the places where "everybody knows your name" have gone by the wayside? Time to start drinking local, my friends.Alley Bar (The Alley) is possibly the best bar in Bloomington! A warm, charming, and lively atmosphere greets folks walking in from West Kirkwood. If a tavern's aura could "feel local", the definition would likely be based on one's experience at the Alley.The bartenders are great, friendly, and you won't wait long for a beer, of which selections always consist of great local beers, plus the reliable Bud & Bud Light. If beer's not your thing (first of all, WTF), you may wish to DD it on Alley night -- it's not a full bar. But again, really...no beer?If you've never been, your first thought will likely be "this place is cool, where's the rest?" Yeah, that's it -- grab a table or seat before someone beats you to it :-)And, free peanuts (spicy or regular)!! They won't even glare at you if you want more...heaven forbid. As with everything in B-town, smoke-free! They don't really have a menu, but food is available and delivered from the Crazy Horse next door (like, officially...you don't have to look shady sneaking it in under your coat). Pretty quick too. So yeah, if Sports is your thing, that's cool. But, if you're adverse to waking up with the clap tomorrow, head down the street to the straightforward, no-frills pub to hang out with friends who are "always glad you came", Alley Bar.

Came in for a beet and after talking with a regular found out that the bar is a covid hotspot. Apparently the owner doesn't think his customers deserve to know. I asked the bartender about and they confirmed that not only have several employees have been sick, but also a bunch of regulars. They also said the owner was firing people who speak up about. I didn't even finish my beer (hopefully I don't get sick!). I just paid and left a nice tip. Sorry- my partner is high risk. Not trying to kill people I love over a beer.

I have met the nicest people in this bar!! Owners included.. and they take great care of both their customers and staff!! My favorite bar in town by far!!