Bloomington, IN 47408 812.323.0002
Hours:
Thursday – Saturday: 8 pm – Close (around 1 or 2 am, depending on business)
http://www.myspace.com/theroutecellar
The Root Cellar is the FARM Bloomington empire’s basement bar, one that continues its parent restaurant’s nod to Indiana agrarianism not only in the name and the fact that it is indeed housed in a windowless, dimly lit and stone walled basement, but also in its offerings. Unlike the chic upstairs bar, with its white banquette seating and its $11 “FARMShine” martinis (such as the Zen-tini), the Root Cellar is most certainly NOT going to make the vodka-cranberry crowd happy. Which is exactly the point. The Cellar focuses on two things, and two things alone: beer and whiskey. And it does both impeccably well, drawing an appropriately offbeat crowd that is content to swill modestly priced bourbons and microbrews in a setting that is one part 70’s nostalgia, another barnyard kitsch (but not nearly as so as the Cracker-Barrel-esque upstairs), and another drinkers’ playground. Thrift store tables and chairs are scattered about the main room for you to pull up to counters and barstools as you please. Little nooks have beat up pleather couches and flea market lampshades. And for long, thirsty nights with a group of close friends, there are two dark, dungeon-like (in a cool, Knights of King Arthur way, not a Spanish Inquisition way) private rooms with giant dark wood tables and mismatched chairs.
An enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and damn talented bar staff can pour you bourbon or rye whiskeys, straight up or on the rocks, from the familiar Wild Turkey rye ($5 for a 2 oz pour) to the very unfamiliar (but delicious) Black Maple Hill Kentucky Bourbon ($8 for a 2 oz pour). Upgrade your poison of choice to a Manhattan (perfect or sweet, garnished with a blueberry rather than a maraschino cherry) or a Sazerac (old-school New Orleans cocktail of aniseed liqueur, rye whiskey, simple syrup and bitters, served with a lemon twist) and you’ll only face an upcharge of about $1.50 plus tax. Many of the spirits in the $8 range retail for over $40 a bottle in local liquor stores.
The Root Cellar offers FARM Bloomington's bar menu until 10:30 pm, which include nibbles such as giant bowls of parmesean garlic chile fries ($6) served with a side of turmeric aioli or curry coated baked chicken wings ($9), a delight for tandoori fans. Popcorn is available after then to ward off late night munchies.
Oh, and the beers. The glorious beers. The tap selections change on a regular basis, but include producers such as Victory brewing company and Dogfish Head. Beers by the bottle range from $3 for Upland’s Bad Elmer’s Porter to $10 for some of Stone’s 22 oz bottles (the brewer’s commemorative Bittersweet Chocolate Stout was just one recent offering). The Cellar offers ales, stouts, IPAs, and a few pilsners, and the offerings in each category tend to change. Ask Geral, the bar manager and the brains behind the whole operation, what is new and what is to come. You’ll recognize him by his handlebar mustache.
SPECIALS
Tuesday is Industry Night both upstairs and in the Root Cellar (starting in September). Bring a current paystub from work if you work in the food service industry (cook, waiter, busser, barista, etc) and you can have $2.50 pints of a selected draft beer and half-priced hamburgers (usually $13).
Every other Friday night is "Soul in the Hole" - a dance party to old-school soul and funk vinyls run by DJs Whitelight-Whiteheath, Junebug and Jonny Yuma. The party starts at $9 pm and there is a $2 cover, which will get you unlimited booty shaking and access to the nightly beer special.
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