![bistro gay bar chicago bistro gay bar chicago](https://chuckmanchicagonostalgia.files.wordpress.com/2012/01/postcard-chicago-rush-street-night-hotel-maryland-tonys-isbells-parked-cars-1950s.jpg)
Only bad thing for those who like being out late is due to the bar closing law in both Bloomington and Normal, that bars close up at 1am on weekdays, so it isn't uncommon(as I've heard from the gay friends I had here) for some to drive to gay bars in Champaign-Urbana, and/or Peoria(not sure about the latter, but I'll guess for all I know, there could be at least 1 there).
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Has a small 2nd-floor area near the back too, if my memory serves me correctly. It's also one of your very few options if you're seeking something other than your typical bar catering to college students in downtown Bloomington, as about 97% of them(literally, lol, outside of this and less than a handful of others) primarily cater to ISU or Illinois Wesleyan students.īar is pretty roomy on the inside, and drink specials weren't bad. Saddens me that back when I went to Illinois State University, that I never quite made it here a 2nd time, and since I had a great time when I went with a few gay friends and girls here. IIRC, I think this is the only gay bar in the whole Bloomington-Normal area. I agree with Kristi that this is a fun bar to go to(and saying this as a heterosexual male).  If you're downtown drinking at any of the other bars (Rosie's, Elroy's, The Loft) and you want to have a drink with "family" you can head  to the The B (prefereably when you're nice and drunk) but if you're making a special trip out.just head to Shark for a nice atmosphere, good videos, and good friends! Review Source: We all love Jan and she had a good thing going when she was the only show in town, but not updating a thing in 20+ years won't help business.  If you go on a Saturday night you'll be listening to whatever DJ Squeeza decides she wants to play (and most of the time that's hardcore Euro-techno.and don't even think of requesting a song unless you want to get screamed at!)  I guess that's the luxury you have when you're the owner's girflfriend.  If you must go, I guess Friday night is the only time to go when DJ Rakestraw is spinning.but it will still be dead. Located in the Palmer House Hotel, the Chicago outpost of the California-based chain served tropical cocktails and cuisine before closing in 2005 when ownership of the hotel changed hands.  Most of the time when you approach the door you have to walk through a cloud of smoke just to get to the surly door guy.  The bar is VERY dark, VERY dirty, and has that frat house basement smell you just can't quite point out.
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 With the arrival of Shark Bar on Finance Drive (near Gold's Gym in Bloomington) most of us have abandoned our old, dirty, funny smelling friend all together.īistro may survivie because it has its hardcore loyalists (I'm not one of them) and the bachelorette crowd downtown to rely on.  Back when Bloomington-Normal was a "one bar town" it was the only place for gays to go and most of us either skipped it all together or went every once in a great while. The Bistro is a bar whose time has come and gone.