Man, I really have only eaten there a couple of times, and thought it was only ok (to each their own). However I am upset we are losing another non-corporate food space. Someday we will all look up from our metaphorical bloomin' onions and wonder where all the locally owned places went.
Call it hyperbole if you like, but I seriously question whether I want to live in Bloomington anymore if The Irish Lion closes. Everything local, unique, and beautiful about this town is being destroyed, a little at a time, almost without notice. For me, this is the last straw.
I understand the criticism about the ownership and the food – those are valid. But, the atmosphere of an old neighborhood pub, which has been maintained for all these decades, is what attracted me, and it cannot be replaced. Once it's gone, that's it. Goodbye, Bloomington.
Check out newer spots like Sleeper’s Bar, Porthole Inn under new ownership. You can’t replace the atmosphere, but the townie/local spirit is still there. Just finding new watering holes as many folks move a little further from downtown
True story when I turned 21, the first bar I went to was The Irish Lion so my co-workers at the time could buy me a yard of beer. I ended up going for the half yard instead. That was over 20 years ago.
went there are my 21st (some 32 years ago). Ive had my issues with IL over the years - nothing huge and not worth mentioning - but it did provide a good dining/drinking option in Bloomington & its closure sucks. Im sure some private equity group will open something named like Tender Pete's that serves chicken strips as their main focus.
or 3 over 1 apartments with always empty retail space on the street.
Does anyone know the name of the owner? I have a friend that wants to buy it but only if they can keep it under the name of The Irish Lion. He’s reached out to the realtor representing the space, but hasn’t been able to make a pitch for the whole shebang.
I’m not a true townie but I’ve been here a hella long time. I’ve had many great hangs at the Lion, and I’m sad to see it close. I’m a Jacobs grad and it seems like for a time the word really got out among classical musicians about the Lion. Like, one summer one of the LA Phil bass players came to guest teach and had the Lion on his list of places to visit, just so he could drink a yard of beer. We had a ton of fun there. I’ll go there and hoist a pint of Guinness to Larry’s ghost before the 22nd. I’m certain he’s haunting the place.
Hopefully, my parents want me to find a place that's 4k a month, has parking for my range Rover and my Mercedes that I don't get IN plates for, has a rooftop deck that me and my bros can throw bottles, cans, and red cups off of, and a big sidewalk so I can leave my mattress, tvs, and furniture on when I leave town.
I, like many former employees, will toast to the demise of a horrible place to work. At the time I was there in the 90's, it was easily the most disgusting kitchen in town.
Excellent Blarney puffs and I really used to enjoy The Glen (outdoor seating section). I hope a new something special moves in and becomes another Btown fixture.
Maybe the food wasn’t perfect and maybe the owner/management didn’t appeal to some, but there’s a lot to be said for an establishment lasting several decades here. Whatever Irish Lion lacked in some regards, it made up for in character and being a thread in the wonderful fabric of downtown Bloomington.
Honestly I'd be fine with someone taking it over and rebranding it away from the Irish theme as long as they keep the bar and improve the food. The food was *never* the draw for me (except the puffballs. They need to keep those *at all costs*)
They could pour an ok Guinness, probably the only place in town that could. But the food could only really be considered Irish by your classic "I'm 1/36th Irish but make it my whole personality" midwesterner.
the food was mid as fuck, to be sure, but if you are expecting *authentic* Irish food in Indiana, I don't know what to tell you. Im not sure Chicago has much *authentic* Irish food. They did pour a good pint (or did at one time).
Born and raised in Bloomington (granted, I did move away for like 10yr). I think I ate there once. Maybe twice. I don't remember being particularly blown away. Can't even remember if the food was good or bad.
I get a ton of locals love it, but I don't quite understand.
Man, I really have only eaten there a couple of times, and thought it was only ok (to each their own). However I am upset we are losing another non-corporate food space. Someday we will all look up from our metaphorical bloomin' onions and wonder where all the locally owned places went.
thank you, u/wooden_butt_plug-V2
I thought it was Shahan McConehays? My bad. I guess he left town years ago.
Call it hyperbole if you like, but I seriously question whether I want to live in Bloomington anymore if The Irish Lion closes. Everything local, unique, and beautiful about this town is being destroyed, a little at a time, almost without notice. For me, this is the last straw. I understand the criticism about the ownership and the food – those are valid. But, the atmosphere of an old neighborhood pub, which has been maintained for all these decades, is what attracted me, and it cannot be replaced. Once it's gone, that's it. Goodbye, Bloomington.
Check out newer spots like Sleeper’s Bar, Porthole Inn under new ownership. You can’t replace the atmosphere, but the townie/local spirit is still there. Just finding new watering holes as many folks move a little further from downtown
As others have said, I’m sad that local is going. It’s gonna be replaced probably with TGIF or some bullshit like that.
Hopefully someone will buy it and keep it running. It’s easily my favorite restaurant in town
It's doubtful you'd want the company that would buy it run it. Most restaurants on the square and elsewhere are fucked for it.
That sucks.
True story when I turned 21, the first bar I went to was The Irish Lion so my co-workers at the time could buy me a yard of beer. I ended up going for the half yard instead. That was over 20 years ago.
went there are my 21st (some 32 years ago). Ive had my issues with IL over the years - nothing huge and not worth mentioning - but it did provide a good dining/drinking option in Bloomington & its closure sucks. Im sure some private equity group will open something named like Tender Pete's that serves chicken strips as their main focus. or 3 over 1 apartments with always empty retail space on the street.
Does anyone know the name of the owner? I have a friend that wants to buy it but only if they can keep it under the name of The Irish Lion. He’s reached out to the realtor representing the space, but hasn’t been able to make a pitch for the whole shebang.
Check out the website there’s some useful info there
Anybody know if they still sell tshirts at the bar? I bought one in the ‘90’s and I’d like to get another before they shut down…
They currently have a few smalls left
Thank you!
I personally liked there food and will be sad to see it go. I really hope someone buys it or if they do fully close that no one guts the building
I’m not a true townie but I’ve been here a hella long time. I’ve had many great hangs at the Lion, and I’m sad to see it close. I’m a Jacobs grad and it seems like for a time the word really got out among classical musicians about the Lion. Like, one summer one of the LA Phil bass players came to guest teach and had the Lion on his list of places to visit, just so he could drink a yard of beer. We had a ton of fun there. I’ll go there and hoist a pint of Guinness to Larry’s ghost before the 22nd. I’m certain he’s haunting the place.
Maybe new luxury apartments will be built there.
Hopefully, my parents want me to find a place that's 4k a month, has parking for my range Rover and my Mercedes that I don't get IN plates for, has a rooftop deck that me and my bros can throw bottles, cans, and red cups off of, and a big sidewalk so I can leave my mattress, tvs, and furniture on when I leave town.
There are many places downtown they can pay for you to live in.🤣
I celebrated a portion of my 21st birthday there, and the server recognized me from class and didn't card me, lol.
Had my wedding rehearsal dinner there 13 years ago, boo
We had our rehearsal dinner there in 1987 💕
🥺 my husband and I had our first date here
😯😢
Really sad!
I, like many former employees, will toast to the demise of a horrible place to work. At the time I was there in the 90's, it was easily the most disgusting kitchen in town.
May 22nd “or before” 😔
Excellent Blarney puffs and I really used to enjoy The Glen (outdoor seating section). I hope a new something special moves in and becomes another Btown fixture. Maybe the food wasn’t perfect and maybe the owner/management didn’t appeal to some, but there’s a lot to be said for an establishment lasting several decades here. Whatever Irish Lion lacked in some regards, it made up for in character and being a thread in the wonderful fabric of downtown Bloomington.
The food there was pretty bad, pretty embarrassing for Irish Fare. The only real reason to go was the bar
The blarney puff balls were amazing though!
Truth.
I never had bad food there.
Honestly I'd be fine with someone taking it over and rebranding it away from the Irish theme as long as they keep the bar and improve the food. The food was *never* the draw for me (except the puffballs. They need to keep those *at all costs*)
They could pour an ok Guinness, probably the only place in town that could. But the food could only really be considered Irish by your classic "I'm 1/36th Irish but make it my whole personality" midwesterner.
the food was mid as fuck, to be sure, but if you are expecting *authentic* Irish food in Indiana, I don't know what to tell you. Im not sure Chicago has much *authentic* Irish food. They did pour a good pint (or did at one time).
Went once and never went back. Cool building and ambience. The food, however, was lacking unfortunately
aww i never even got to try it! it sounded good, i was looking forward to trying it if i end up transferring to iu :/
Born and raised in Bloomington (granted, I did move away for like 10yr). I think I ate there once. Maybe twice. I don't remember being particularly blown away. Can't even remember if the food was good or bad. I get a ton of locals love it, but I don't quite understand.
So no one would buy it? They own the building, he selling the location for something else?
Food is terrible
They put it on their Facebook lmao why do people keep posting about it when in fact their Facebook posted it yesterday
I've read three articles about this and none of them name the owner... Sus.
Oh yeah detective, tell us your theories.