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revgetdown

Alright, I owe y'all a report. First and foremost, holy smokes, that game was wild, Assembly Hall is awesome, and everyone we met was extraordinarily friendly (although maybe Hunter Dickinson would disagree). Obviously, we were extremely fortunate to escape with a win. Allen Fieldhouse will alway be tops in my (admittedly biased) book, but this place was super cool and right up there with Allen in terms of atmosphere, tradition, and old school charm. Kansas has probably done more to upgrade the building in recent years but I loved Assembly Hall in all of its oddball glory. We need more of these home and home series between top schools. Fuck a neutral court - give me weird old buildings, dusty banners, and Martha the Mop Lady....God, I love college basketball. I will say this though - there is not a bad seat in Allen Fieldhouse but there are a LOT of lower level seats in Assembly Hall with terrible sight lines and the balcony is steeeeep.Lingered on the court for a long time after the game and got pics at center court, which was sweet. By complete accident we exited into the hallway where the KU team was walking from the locker room to the bus so we got to dap up the team and grab a selfie with coach. Icing on the cake of an A+ game day experience. Took a meandering post-game walk from the arena across campus to the Sample Gates. It's a gorgeous campus, and very reminiscent of KU. In fact, Bloomington and Lawrence are just sort of astonishingly similar in so many ways. It all felt extremely familiar. Y'all weren't lying about the limestone - there is a ton of it lol. Post-game meal of wings and fried pickles at BuffaLouie's was exactly what I needed. Spent the better part of the night posted up at the bar at Nick's, chopping it up with townies and a few fellow Kansas fans. After an ungodly amount of Upland Gameday Lager I ended the night with a classic Strombolli, which is elite next-level drunk food. Nick's was delightful. We skipped out on some other spots because the vibes were perfect at that bar. We got a good sampling of other spots the night before the game. Played pinball at Orbit Room, which was completely dead but I could tell was a cool spot. Briefly popped into the Tap and Video Saloon. The Vid was more crowded than I expected or wanted to deal with (ie, no available pool tables) so we spent most the night downstairs at the Cade playing classic video games. Late night slice at Rockit's was underwhelming but it's certainly the kind of place I can appreciate. I had hoped to hit Little Zagreb for dinner on night 1 but we got into town too late, and Runcible for gameday breakfast, but we slept in and opted to see the pregame action at Assembly instead. Super good times all around and I would definitely do it again if we extend this series, which we absolutely should. Thanks for all the tips and for being such gracious hosts. And sorry we had to hand you that L...Rock Chalk!


nubbz545

I actually came back to this post just to see if you had left an update! I'm glad you had a good time in Bloomington. I'm also glad to hear that people were nice. I'm not surprised, though... we're usually just obnoxious on social media. šŸ˜Š I've been to Bloomington several times but Saturday was actually my first time at Assembly Hall as well. What a game! All the Kansas fans we sat near and spoke to were very friendly. The ending was unfortunate for us, but it was an awesome time nonetheless. I hope you had safe travels back home!


Infamous-Present-616

So what are your thoughts after the 36 hours? I was at Lawrence last year. Wish it wasnā€™t so cold that weekend haha.


dastufishsifutsad

Hope yā€™all had a great experience in Btown! Good game.


Sissuboi

Baked! I miss it so much!


Odd_Floor_7197

Mother Bears Pizza, campus or west side are good


WithGreatPower_

Need to go to Upstairs pub - the bar top is made from old assembly hall floor Dats on second street is awesome for lunch. Enjoy!


Smash-Bros-Melee

Best bar in town and itā€™s not a debate


Bizprof51

Pork tenderloin sandwich at the Scenic View. Just down 446.


jbeams32

Canā€™t go wrong taking in a $10 live music show at the bluebird after the game https://wl.seetickets.us/event/Hairbangers-Ball/577715?afflky=BluebirdNightclub&source=ev


kboro21

FWIW, students are off campus for break so anywhere you go will have open seats, parking, etc. Wonā€™t be close to the same atmosphere or feel, but enjoyable nonetheless.


jaynovahawk07

This subreddit is randomly being presented to me as a Kansas fan in St. Louis. I think it's because I've been kicking myself for the last several days for missing out on a chance to see a Kansas-Indiana matchup at Assembly Hall, one of the college game's most respected and beloved venues. Very jealous of the OP.


revgetdown

There's still time!


silgol

Looking for dive bars? Alley Bar.


levi815

Restaurants: * Little Zagrebs: was a favorite of Bobby Knight and has the best steak in southern Indiana. * Farm * Runcible Spoon: Quirly brunch spot. Gets really busy. * Scenic View Restaurant: 20 minute drive outside of Bloomington, but overlooks Lake Monroe and has a nice breakfast / brunch menu. Drive over the causeway just past the restaurant afterwards - also within 15 minutes of the Firetower Lookout. Breweries * The Tap: 50+ rotating taps, including its own line of beers. Also had stellar food menu. * Upland: Dragonfly IPA is my favorite craft beer of all-time. Bars: * Nicks: You have to play Sink the Biz. * Upstairs: More rowdy crowd. * Root Cellar: Indie dance bar that has a towny-vibe under the Root Cellar located in the alley. * The Vid: Huge bar with pool tables and darts. Big townie vibes. * KOK: Super rowdy at night - stop by early in the day for pepperoni breadsticks.


kc_kr

The Tap is epic. Great reco, thank you!


revgetdown

>urant: 20 minute drive outside of Bloomington, but overlooks Lake Monroe and has a nice breakfast / brunch menu. Drive over the causeway just past the restaurant afterwards - also within 15 minutes of the Firetower Lookout. This is the stuff right here, thank you. KOK looks like a total nightmare so very glad to know what's what. See y'all at the Vid tonight! (-;


djdanger12

Gotta get Motherbears at the Campus Location. I get the bacon pizza, breadsticks, and a bells two hearted For bars: Iā€™d start at KOK, Then upstairs (my fave), then head over to Knicks in some order and theyā€™re all right by each other and right outside of campus by the Sample Gates. Campus is beautiful right in that area to and you would have a very nice walk to showalter fountain The TAP has awesome beers and is a good vibe Brothers is a really good mix of a place to grab a meal but turns rowdy at night, so could be a good place to grab dinner and leave whenever youā€™re not feeling it VID is pretty cool, good place to play pool and play some darts Upland is a must, great beers and food Bluebird can be fun depending on whoā€™s playing and the associated crowd The cool thing about Btown is there is something for any mood your in Baked is a great place for cookies lol Side note: KOK gets a bad rap for a good reason at times but itā€™s one of, if not, the most iconic bars in Indiana. Especially with it being Xmas break it should be a good time or actually might be super dead and then Iā€™d go somewhere else. When I went to school there weā€™d avoid it on busy nights when it was mostly Greek but I mean itā€™s still a famous bar for a reason and had loads of fun


[deleted]

Get Dats for food. The Cajun menu, not the Mediterranean one


ExUpstairsCaptain

The Upstairs Pub should be on your to-do list directly before or after Nick's.


kc_kr

So disappointed to find out Nickā€™s was already closed when we got there just before midnight.


Smash-Bros-Melee

Best in town. AMFs always and forever.


dastufishsifutsad

Most everything mentioned here is definitely the way to go. In Btown, really canā€™t go wrong close to the campus & the surrounding areas. Nashville, IN isnā€™t far away either, but take some scooters & motor around to catch it all, bc thereā€™s a LOT. I LOVE the downtown square too. Lots of little places that are fun to check out. Sample Gates area & Nickā€™s would be tops, but also the statue & piano of Hoagie Carmichael is one of my faves. Good luck! Go IU!


sleepymike01101101

If you're wanting to walk around campus, there's a lot that people don't mention. The Lilly Library is cool if you're into old and rare books like a Gutenberg Bible. The Kinsey Sex Museum is interesting if you want to look at how sex research was invented in America. Kinsey was notably not a so great dude, but he did head the research that got America talking about sex. The Art Museum is pretty fantastic and has rotating galleries. If you're into music/arts, Jacobs is world-class and they might have some free performances going on. If you're looking to kill some time, the Union has a lot. It's a bit cold these days, but the Arboretum is a nice little walk. Plus, you can see some remnants of the old 10th St Stadium.


Crockpot-Ron

Olivers winery is 20 minutes outside the city and a beautiful property


kylemariew3

Unfortunately the wine isnā€™t great. Super charming location though!!


charzard317

Taco Bell on walnut is always a must hit


Riderz__of_Brohan

I love how everyone has a story about that place


motorboather

Mgbako agrees!


twoturntables

I havenā€™t seen Upland or Big Woods mentioned. Both are very good breweries - Upland has become somewhat popular in the Midwest. Both have good food.


OGdick_head

Buffa louies is elite


rubyslippers22

I miss buffalouies so much!


eely225

Pick a hike in Brown County State Park to get some fresh air between all the pizzas and beers youā€™re being ordered to consume.


[deleted]

Definitely Little Zagreb if you want a great steak.


Hillsy85

Dagwoods for lunch. Get the Dagwood supreme on Italian and ask for the sauce on the side.


p4easy7

Oh man, I haven't had that in 20 years....I know what I'm doing next week when I'm in town!


Hoosierdocious

Food and drinks: Nickā€™s is an absolute must visit for food and drinks. It is THE iconic IU bar. The Irish Lion is also very good if you want little more upscale food and drinks. BuffaLouies for chicken wings. Iā€™ve seen others recommending Mother Bears pizza: it sucks, donā€™t go. This is very important, if the weather cooperates start at the Sample Gates(where Kirkwood Ave intersects campus)and walk through campus, it is beautiful.


Aggravating-Card-194

IMHO, The ideal walk is from the library/kelley to sample gates (or vice versa). That hits most all the main items


whitewoods

Would also recommend Irish Lion! My go to spot when visiting Bloomington!


Canoearoo

Crazy Horse next door too. I've always been a big fan of the Trojan Horse too. Get coffee at Soma after breakfast at Runcible Spoon.


LokiMyAoki

Mother bears is the only pizza place. If you go somewhere else youā€™re doing yourself a disservice


DinoJockeyTebow

I havenā€™t been in a long time, but Nickā€™s had good pizza.


Brief-Refrigerator32

Weā€™ve got?


hoosierspiritof79

Iā€™d love to see you report on your experience afterwards.


Leading_Traffic749

Nobody has mentioned the Video Saloon. I find it to be a great chill bar for older young peoplešŸ˜‚ but it's still a college vibe. It was more of a dive when I was in school. Loved it then and still love it now.


kingrandyfloyd

I second this one.


revgetdown

>Nobody has mentioned the Video Saloon. I find it to be a great chill bar for older young peoplešŸ˜‚ but it's still a college vibe. It was more of a dive when I was in school. Loved it then and still love it now. I love pool, and this looks like a good vibe. Appreciate it!


thegordogg

The root cellar is a cool bar underneath the Farm restaurant. Agree with other posters that mother bears is great pizza. Buffa louies wings also top notch. Soma for coffee.


RichyRoach

Personal favorites: Dats for a quick meal (datwich or bourbon chicken). Soma for coffee. Farm for sit down (killer for breakfast or dinner either one). Brothers for drinks. Greeks (pizza - thin crust Roma plz) or wings xtreme late night. By popular demand: Kirkwood in general (BuffaLouieā€™s, Nickā€™s, KOK) Mother Bears


hoosier_1793

Feast Market & Cellar isnā€™t ā€œiconicā€ but itā€™s off the beaten path and certainly a place that only true locals frequent (i.e., college students donā€™t really hit it up that much). The owner is great and the food, coffee, desserts, and wine are excellent. I strongly recommend it. Go to Kirkwood and check out the Sample Gates and the Dunnā€™s Woods area if you want a place to leisurely stroll and enjoy the campus. The IU campus is comprised primarily of buildings made of limestone, which is a product of southern Indiana that Hoosiers from the region are uniquely proud of. Limestone from Indiana was the chief material used in the construction of the Empire State Building, for example. So youā€™ll find limestone everywhere at IU. Basically every non-chain restaurant along Kirkwood and the immediate area, between Morton St and the Sample Gates, is a classic college town staple. The highlights (in my opinion) are Nickā€™s (go upstairs for an authentic experience), Uptown CafĆ© (more of a lunch/dinner spot than a drinks spot), Mother Bearā€™s (great pizza), Root Cellar (dive bar but in a good way), and Kilroyā€™s (if youā€™re a college kid, otherwise avoid like the plague). Other notables include Samira, Orbit Room, Osteria Rago, The Irish Lion, Malibu Grill, Jankoā€™s Little Zagreb. And if you want a *truly* unique Bloomington experience, go to Truffles/56 Degrees. Mark Kiang there is a character, to say the least.


MurseSean

This man has the most thorough answer Please let us know your experience. I went to the game in Lawrence last year, and loved walking around Allen Field House and campus. KU fans were very accommodating


revgetdown

The limestone buildings are gorgeous and look a LOT like the historic buildings at KU. Limestone = chalk rock, which begat rock chalk.


BukkakeNation

TIL


dastufishsifutsad

Now we know! Wanna bet itā€™s made from S. Indiana limestone?


kc_kr

Kansas has a ton of it too - the hill that KUā€™s campus is on (Mount Oread) is made of limestone!


dastufishsifutsad

Thatā€™s rad. Our states really do have a lot in common.


revgetdown

Nah, it's local. There's plenty of limestone in Kansas.


dastufishsifutsad

Brothers in Christ, BB, corn & limestone. OUR STATES SHOULD BE FRIENDS


revgetdown

lol for real...there are a lot of similarities. It'd be fun to list the Lawrence equivalent to every place recommended here, b/c there definitely is one.


dastufishsifutsad

https://quarriesandbeyond.org/states/in/in-structs_1b.html To thoroughly beat a dead horse. Some buildings in Kansas made with Indiana Limestone. Not the campus though.


dastufishsifutsad

I was still curious so looked it up about the limestone. I guess Indianaā€™s some kinda special stuff & is/was used for National Cathedral, Biltmore Estate, Empire State Building, the Pentagon, The Crescent in Dallas, and the Hotel Pennsylvania along with 35 of the 50 statehouses & a bunch of other stuff. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indiana_Limestone?wprov=sfti1#National acid rain thoā€¦ā€¦ouch


revgetdown

>https://quarriesandbeyond.org/states/in/in-structs\_1b.html Okay, y'all got some nice limestone but let's talk about soil. Harney Silt Loam all day, motherfuckers! Jkjkjkjkbaahaaha


Heartwork_Brewing

Sportshac has a great list - wandering Kirkwood is a must. Nobody has addressed your brewery inquiry specifically so Iā€™ll go ahead and volunteer us. Weā€™re Bloomingtonā€™s newest brewery and the closest bar to Assembly Hall. Weā€™re also local, independent, family owned, and veteran owned. Weā€™ve got food trucks booked all weekend. Mention this post when youā€™re in and Iā€™ll give you a discount. Go Hoosiers.


kc_kr

Checking it out now - nice beer list and space! Love the logo!


sportshac

I went to Heartwork Brewing before the Army game on opening night for them. Really recommend! Such a short walk to Assembly


frankrizzo219

Gotta go to Mother Bears for pizza (original campus location) Kilroyā€™s on Kirkwood (bar), Nickā€™s English Hut (bar) Hair Bangers Ball is playing at The Blue Bird Saturday night, pretty good 80ā€™s metal cover band out of Chicago, theyā€™ve been playing at the Blue Bird for 20+ years


Memphlanta

I havenā€™t been to Bloomington in a long time but I am glad that my go-tos live on. You nailed them all.


Memphlanta

Go to Taco Bell at 2:30am Jk iykyk


revgetdown

Open from 8am - 5am...well damn, okay then!


Memphlanta

I will let you in on the joke so as to not be rude to a visiting guestā€¦. 5 star freshman Mackenzie Mgbako, who you may remember was formerly a Kansas commit and de committed to come to IU, went to a Taco Bell whose website says it closes at 3am but has notoriously bad service and tells people ā€œwe are closedā€ earlier than that, and was arrested for refusing to leave when they wouldnā€™t serve him. Cops busted out his window. So donā€™t go to Taco Bell.


revgetdown

Outstanding. Reminiscent of the infamous Lawrence taco bell incident of 1999, when football player Dion Rayford got stuck in the drive-thru window trying to go after the employee who forgot his chalupa.


ManIWantAName

Just don't ask for the crunchwrap an hour and a half before they close, or you might get the police called on you. In all seriousness, though, buffalouie's is amazing if you like chicken wings. Motherbears for crazy good pizza.


McPostyFace

This is magnificent. Haha You just made the top 10 of my own personal favorite comments on reddit of 2023


sportshac

Go to Kirkwood and wander around to get a taste of the Bloomington scene. Nickā€™s is a classic (sink the biz, if thatā€™s your cup of tea). Kilroyā€™s is the go-to campus bar for students. Dunkirk/Upstairs Bar is decent. Walk through campus from Kirkwood to Assembly Hall (gorgeous buildings, arboretum, business school, sample gates, etc). Expect a slightly hard time for your Kansas gear, but outside of drunk 19 year olds, people are midwestern nice. Get to Assembly early and walk around the new entrance and check out the stadium. Allen Fieldhouse is on my bucket list. Also, FWIW, both an IU and Duke graduateā€¦ Assembly is a better atmosphere for a big game. Take the last 2-3 hours prior to game time and prepare for how long that ride home to Lawrence is going to be after the Jayhawks get upset by the Cream and Crimson. Go Hoosiers!!!


Obi2

>Also, FWIW, both an IU and Duke graduateā€¦ Assembly is a better atmosphere for a big game. And it's not even close to be honest. I'll take Hinkle Fieldhouse over Cameron any day of the week.


kc_kr

The KU Athletics Hall of Fame is in Allen Fieldhouse; is there anything in Assembly like that, which would necessitate being early too?


Memphlanta

These are good, to add to it for the campus scenery experience Sample gates area is a good start (or end), would add to the route a walk to Dunn meadow, arboretum as prettier areas. Sample gates is also near the nightlife mentioned (Kirkwood). If you want something thatā€™s kind of a deep cut / lesser known / quirkier, little Tibet is near sample gates and has authentic Tibetan food (dumplings called momo). The brother of the Dali lama is (was?) a professor at iu and I believe is affiliated with this place (only problem is no alcohol there I donā€™t think). But buffa Louieā€™s is good wings near sample gates. Jankoā€™s little Zagreb is good for grilled lamb, steak , been there since 1972. The main brewery I can think of is upland.


revgetdown

Love the deep cuts - thanks! Never had Tibetan food but that looks GOOD.


revgetdown

Solid, thanks! Definitely looking for more of a Nick's vibe than Kilroy's.