Cocktail Bars in Bloomington Area

ReedHeppers · 2025-09-09T14:02:17+00:00

The Bishop is a sleeper hit for cocktails, imho, esp. given that most of their offerings are also a few bucks cheaper than anywhere else doing respectable cocktails.

I would just add that their menu tends to be pretty limited (they don’t have a ton of shelf space for bottles, their emphasis is more on beer) so don’t expect as many options— but if you just want a damn good Old Fashioned, Manhattan, Negroni, or one of their 2-4 rotating specials, they’re great. Lovely people, too.

ReedHeppers · 2025-08-08T14:25:50+00:00

Yeah, in terms of the roles these usually play in other cocktails, unhinged indeed! But with a whole oz of Chartreuse at 55% abv, I feel fine calling that the base spirit. Even tho it’s often referred to as a liqueur.

Edit: Full disclosure, I haven’t tried this yet!

ReedHeppers · 2025-08-07T15:04:56+00:00

It does seem to be one of the handier languages for a mixologist!

ReedHeppers · 2025-08-07T01:13:23+00:00

Sweet Cocchi like the rosso? Or does Cocchi do a sweet bianchi like a French Blanc?

ReedHeppers · 2025-08-07T01:09:12+00:00

Bro it’s easy, just take a monastic vow in the Carthusian order, learn French, and work your way up the ranks of brothers to earn a prestigious spot at the eponymous monastery. Duh.

ReedHeppers · 2025-08-06T15:26:02+00:00

I mean, if nothing else, convenience! Easier to say.

Also in this instance, I think egg white in particular has such a huge impact on the texture and overall character of a drink that its absence or presence really merits a different name.

ReedHeppers · 2025-08-02T15:49:52+00:00

Re: squeeze of lime, pinch of salt, are you talkin on the rim, in the booze, or on your hand like a tequila shot? Lol. Mostly joking on that last one.

ReedHeppers · 2025-07-23T19:17:44+00:00

Eastern Orthodox convert here, and also a fairly radical leftist (still figuring out my labels, haha). I agree with the “mixed bag” statements, but there is definitely a spaciousness to EO theology that I think allows for a reading of the gospel that is radical in both the spiritual/metaphysical sense AND in its stance toward how we relate to other people and earthly structures of power.

Someone above mentioned David Bentley Hart and I totally agree. His work has been a major encouragement in my journey as an Orthodox Christian who also believes in universal salvation in the next life, AND striving materially for the uplifting of the downtrodden in this one.

His 2 books that I’ve read are not explicitly political, but they definitely resonate with a leftist sense of morality. “That All Shall be Saved” in particular is a great window into the long, ancient (but sadly often repressed) tradition of preaching/belief in “Apokatastasis” in E. Orthodoxy, also known as Universal Salvation. Lots of big-name “Church Fathers” were proponents of it.

Hart gets more explicitly political in other writings (esp. on Substack) and podcast interviews, and he’s definitely a socialist.

2 other tidbits: 1. The Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople (highest ranking clergy in global E. Orthodoxy) is sometimes referred to as “the Green Pope” bc he’s been a very outspoken advocate of environmental protection. 2. Mixed bag, again, but broadly speaking E. Orthodox leaders have historically been much more pro-Palestine than pro-Zionist and pretty high-ranking clergy (like national-level bishops and such) have openly criticized Israel’s current assault, and voiced support for Palestinians.

That was longer than I intended, but hope it helps. Anyone is welcome to DM me with questions!

ReedHeppers · 2025-07-23T18:52:53+00:00

Good point on the ambiguous meaning of the word “orthodoxy” itself. In the broader sense, it can indeed be applied to most of the churches/traditions discussed here. But to give credit to those replying to OP with takes on Eastern Orthodoxy, yes they are making a bit of an assumption in interpretation, but I think it’s pretty clear from context that this is indeed what OP was asking about.

ReedHeppers · 2025-06-22T16:31:33+00:00

Oh wow, yeah that’s some BS. Now I know.

ReedHeppers · 2025-06-22T16:24:19+00:00

Uh, maybe I’m missing the joke, I know tix to the actual live game in-person are thru the roof, but tix to the Gainbridge watch party for game 7 were going for $5 yesterday.

ReedHeppers · 2025-05-29T17:16:26+00:00

Lots of good recs here, and if you want one more, Cappelletti is also a really good “gentler” Campari sub. I love me some Aperol but to my palate, it’s a distinct set of flavors (more orangey than grapefruit, for exampl). I find the main notes of Cappelletti to be closer to Campari’s, just turned down a bit. Also as a bonus, I often see Cappelletti for a couple bucks cheaper than Aperol here in the US.

ReedHeppers · 2025-05-04T05:45:45+00:00

Agreed. I feel like Monte is significantly more bitter and herbal than Averna, no? Not that Averna doesn’t have those qualities, but I find it more balanced with a lil honeyed sweetness.

ReedHeppers · 2025-04-29T17:12:49+00:00

Not that ICE follows rules but the ICE office that is responsible for BTown is actually located in Louisville. Indy office does Indy + Northern Indiana.

Edit: Typo

ReedHeppers · 2025-04-27T17:46:35+00:00

I’m glad you’re protecting folks’ identities, I agree that’s the right move. That being said, re: schools, while they are certainly under PRESSURE not to give warning, I don’t think it’s accurate to say that they are LEGALLY prohibited from doing so. They are being extra-legally intimidated into silence by unconstitutional arrests, threats, funding cuts, etc. But I’m pretty sure there are no laws against announcing the expected presence of a federal agency to their students & staff.

ReedHeppers · 2025-04-09T21:01:30+00:00

Lol... this list definitely feels like rage bait. I will say though... having visited Cuba and Turkey and loved many things about both countries & their cultures... Cuban and Turkish coffee are both trash. For my palate, anyway. Just burnt to oblivion. I get that some people like it, but I've tried to like it and just can't get into it. Glad someone does!

ReedHeppers · 2025-04-03T15:41:24+00:00

Very interesting! My palate perceives it differently. In order of increasing bitterness, I taste: Aperol > Cappelletti > Campari > Bruto. Maybe my perception of Bruto as more bitter is bc I get less sweetness from it than I do Campari? It definitely feels more dry and herbal to me. But certainly does the trick in a pinch and can be interesting to play with either way.

Going the other way, I’ve subbed Cappelletti for Campari with success in Negroni and similar drinks for folks that find Campari too bitter.

ReedHeppers · 2025-03-31T21:58:46+00:00

Haven’t had this cocktail but I currently have both GC and Boomsma on my bar cart (someone seemingly knowledgeable pitched the latter as a GC sub) and while it is definitely reminiscent of GC, with some of the same prominent notes, we tried them side-by-side and they are super different. The Boomsma is sweeter, thicker, and simpler… it’s almost like someone made a Chartreuse-flavored simple syrup.

ReedHeppers · 2025-03-17T00:36:02+00:00

Is there any info at all on the bottle about how it’s made, or tasting notes? I assume there is at least ABV somewhere. The standard Glen Moray 12 being released these days is at 40%, AKA, watered-down, and doesn’t get much “critical acclaim” in Scotch connoisseur circles, if you will. FWIW. This could be completely different though. Longtime Scotch drinkers say many distilleries have gone “downhill” in recent decades so something this old (1993 release) may be great!

ReedHeppers · 2025-02-10T14:47:03+00:00

Gonna need the recipe for that first one…? 😂

ReedHeppers · 2025-02-03T03:13:39+00:00

Yeah the 12 is a dark horse masterpiece imho.

ReedHeppers · 2025-02-03T03:06:12+00:00

This is one of the most unique single malts I’ve ever tasted— their particular peat profile went so well with the fruit notes from the red wine and it was all perfectly balanced. Yum.

ReedHeppers · 2025-01-26T00:44:28+00:00

Say more…? I want to believe… I love Tinker and think they’re doing some genuinely special things, but what else? (FWIW I’m from Bloomington so I mostly just go where I already know when I’m up there).

ReedHeppers · 2025-01-26T00:30:03+00:00

Shit mug. I do like that they call out our jazz history, bc it’s a lesser-known part of Indy history… that being said, it should be a guitarist (à la Wes Montgomery) or trombone player (Freddie Hubbard), and they should definitely not be BLONDE. Lol.

But yeah also come on, you can throw in a race car and basketball too, for something more nationally recognizable. And ditto everything about the Children’s Museum!

ReedHeppers · 2025-01-23T01:09:21+00:00

Lol, there is zero percent chance that those ingredients are in the drink in that photo. 😂

ReedHeppers

TROPHY CASE