RSVP by June 1, 2027
Things To Do
Kirkwood Avenue
Kirkwood is a five-minute walk from the IMU. Head out the south side of the Union, walk through the Sample Gates, and you’re there. The street stretches west for several blocks and is packed with patios, shop windows, and people-watching. Highlights as you wander: • The Sample Gates — The iconic limestone arches at the entrance to campus. Obligatory photo stop. • Soma Coffee, Pourhouse Cafe, and Hopscotch — Great patio coffee within steps of each other. • Local boutiques and bookshops — Caveat Emptor (used books), TIS, and a rotating mix of indie shops. • Bar life — Nick’s English Hut (a Bloomington institution since 1927), The Upstairs Pub, and Kilroy’s are all classics. Grab a beer on a patio in the afternoon. • People-watching — Kirkwood is closed to cars at the western end, with outdoor seating spilling into the street. It’s the kind of place you sit down for one drink and stay for three.
Kilroy's on Kirkwood
One of the two Kilroy’s in town (the other, Kilroy’s Sports, is downtown on the square). This is the more classic college bar of the two. Cheap drinks, loud music, lively patio, and a younger party crowd. Great happy hour deals (long island towers for ~$12). Open until 3 AM Tuesday through Saturday, closed Sundays and Mondays. If you want to feel like they’re back in college, this is the spot.
Nick's English Hut
The undisputed legend. Open since 1927 and a true Bloomington institution. Two distinct vibes under one roof: the downstairs has more of a traditional restaurant/pub feel (great Stromboli and Italian beef), while upstairs is the classic sports bar where IU basketball is practically a religion. Famous for “Sink the Biz” — a drinking game played with their iconic Biz mugs. Older crowd than the other Kirkwood bars, which is part of the appeal. Closed Mondays, closes early on Sundays.
The Upstairs Pub
Right next door to Nick’s. A go-to for watching games with multiple TVs and multiple bars under one roof. Solid bar food, reasonable drink prices, and lots of seating both indoors and on the patio. Open daily until 3 AM.
Mother Bear's Pizza
A Bloomington legend and an absolute must. Their pan pizza is loaded, indulgent, and unlike anywhere else. Walls covered in decades of customer signatures. Casual, fun, and a true local rite of passage.
Working Remote
If you need to log in for a few hours before the festivities: • Hopscotch Coffee — The best working spot in town. Plenty of outlets, fast wifi, comfortable seating, and food when you need a break. • Soma Coffee on Kirkwood — Smaller and more bustling, but a great choice if you want to be in the middle of things and only need an hour or two. • The IMU itself — Don’t overlook it. The Tudor Room and the lounges off the main lobby are quiet, comfortable, and have wifi. Grab coffee from Starbucks inside the Union and settle in.
Explore Indiana’s Campus
One of the most beautiful campuses in the country. Step out the back of the IMU and walk along the Jordan River, through the Old Crescent (the original limestone buildings), and over to the Cox Arboretum near the Wells Library — a peaceful green space where you can sometimes hear the carillon bells playing.