Upstairs Pub | Bloomington, IN

The bartender’s surly, which I like. “You open?” I asked the first time I stepped in. It was three in the afternoon and the place was empty. “Door wouldn’t be open if we weren’t,” he answered, not bothering to look at me. The place is big, with darts and pool tables and a great view overlooking Kirkwood.

It doesn’t stay empty for long, though. Ever been to a college bar? Then you have, for all intents and purposes, been here. Eventually there’s no room to throw darts, drinks are getting spilled by underclassmen, and you want to break a bottle into the face of the arrogant prick next to you (and there is always an arrogant prick next to you).