On January 19th, the night of the IU vs. Miami game, my friend and I decided to celebrate the win at Upstairs Pub. We are both Black women. Upon arriving, we showed our IDs to the first bouncer, who directed us to a second bouncer for an additional ID check before entering the pub. The second bouncer reviewed my ID and approved me without issue. For context, I am a current graduate student at IU, born in 1997. He then examined my friend’s ID. She was born in 1998, yet he told her that her ID was fake and attempted to confiscate it. My friend firmly insisted that the ID was legitimate and asked what she could do to verify her identity. The bouncer claimed that the ID did not look like her and stated that she could prove it by using Face ID on her phone — a request that made no sense, as Face ID can be used by anyone with access to a phone and is not a valid form of identification. While this interaction was taking place, white women were continuously passing us in line without being subjected to the same scrutiny or additional ID checks. The bouncer did not stop or question them at all. It is important to note that in my friend’s ID photo, she was wearing a blonde wig and eyelash extensions, which she was not wearing that night. Despite these differences, it was still very clear that the ID belonged to her. Eventually, the bouncer stated that he was done speaking with us and suggested that we take the issue up with management. Once inside the pub, the first employee we spoke to was dismissive. He waved his hand at us as if to shut down the conversation and said, “You’re here, you can just stay.” We explained that the issue was not about being allowed inside — it was about being racially profiled and feeling unsafe and unwelcome spending money at the establishment. As we attempted to explain this, a man standing next to the employee aggressively turned toward me and shouted, “WHAT,” in a threatening manner. As a woman, I felt unsafe and intimidated. Engaging in a confrontation with a visibly intoxicated man who could physically harm me was not an option. Another employee, Connor, eventually stepped in and attempted to provide some comfort. He expressed empathy and stated that although he is white, he understands what it feels like to be a minority. While he cannot fully understand the experience of being a minority in America, I did appreciate his effort to acknowledge our feelings and the fact that he was the only employee who showed us any compassion. Based on this experience, I encourage people of color to be cautious when supporting Upstairs Pub, as our treatment made it clear that this is not an environment where we felt respected, protected, or supported.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Andew Parker
They back doored workers after everyone waited for 10+ hrs to get at opening and then the workers sold the table spaces (Adding on to that) I was told my food would take an 1hr it has been 3hrs and it's seeming unlikely I will ever get my tater tots
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
andi cailles
This was a beautiful experience and 2 of the best drinks i’ve ever had.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
emily
never had a better buffalo chicken quesadilla (and i was sober, which is even more impressive that i liked it so much considering i was expecting it to be similar to crappy bar food). however on a normal night there’s an ungodly amount of people and im not sure how they haven’t got shut down for being over capacity. it is way too overwhelming
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Doug Polmanter
The burgers are outstanding! Decent selection of craft brews and spirits. Great atmosphere and vibe!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Christian Schuler
Great bar tending!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sophia Smith
Way too many people in there tonight, god forbid they have any sort of emergency up there it's going to be a stampede. I've really enjoyed upstairs for YEARS, but after tonight idk that I feel safe going back on any big nights. The fire marshall would've had a coronary event. I understand a crowded bar, this was next level.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Steven Hendrix
Been going here for 7 years, always have a great time. Wish they could stick to a capacity number, very dangerous
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Dylan Jacoby
If I could give 0 stars I would. Awful experience bouncers and staff are incredibly rude. super rude in fact some of the worst staff I have ever encountered. Will never attend again in fact will tell all of my friends about the awful staff.
Mark Steven Capone
Great place to watch a game. A lot of energy & fun place to hangout
It is a beautiful time and it was a good graduation lead up.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Mason Marksberry
😍😍
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Heather Walker
Bartenders and other staff very helpful and friendly..good atmosphere
Avery Pohlman
Genuinely would never go. We waited in line for 45 minutes to get in and then go out to use the restroom and get denied the 2nd time going in even with a stamp. Not worth it at all. The vibe is not good and the bouncers and rude and kind of ruin the entire thing.
On January 19th, the night of the IU vs. Miami game, my friend and I decided to celebrate the win at Upstairs Pub. We are both Black women.
Upon arriving, we showed our IDs to the first bouncer, who directed us to a second bouncer for an additional ID check before entering the pub. The second bouncer reviewed my ID and approved me without issue. For context, I am a current graduate student at IU, born in 1997.
He then examined my friend’s ID. She was born in 1998, yet he told her that her ID was fake and attempted to confiscate it. My friend firmly insisted that the ID was legitimate and asked what she could do to verify her identity. The bouncer claimed that the ID did not look like her and stated that she could prove it by using Face ID on her phone — a request that made no sense, as Face ID can be used by anyone with access to a phone and is not a valid form of identification.
While this interaction was taking place, white women were continuously passing us in line without being subjected to the same scrutiny or additional ID checks. The bouncer did not stop or question them at all.
It is important to note that in my friend’s ID photo, she was wearing a blonde wig and eyelash extensions, which she was not wearing that night. Despite these differences, it was still very clear that the ID belonged to her. Eventually, the bouncer stated that he was done speaking with us and suggested that we take the issue up with management.
Once inside the pub, the first employee we spoke to was dismissive. He waved his hand at us as if to shut down the conversation and said, “You’re here, you can just stay.” We explained that the issue was not about being allowed inside — it was about being racially profiled and feeling unsafe and unwelcome spending money at the establishment.
As we attempted to explain this, a man standing next to the employee aggressively turned toward me and shouted, “WHAT,” in a threatening manner. As a woman, I felt unsafe and intimidated. Engaging in a confrontation with a visibly intoxicated man who could physically harm me was not an option.
Another employee, Connor, eventually stepped in and attempted to provide some comfort. He expressed empathy and stated that although he is white, he understands what it feels like to be a minority. While he cannot fully understand the experience of being a minority in America, I did appreciate his effort to acknowledge our feelings and the fact that he was the only employee who showed us any compassion.
Based on this experience, I encourage people of color to be cautious when supporting Upstairs Pub, as our treatment made it clear that this is not an environment where we felt respected, protected, or supported.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
They back doored workers after everyone waited for 10+ hrs to get at opening and then the workers sold the table spaces
(Adding on to that) I was told my food would take an 1hr it has been 3hrs and it's seeming unlikely I will ever get my tater tots
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
This was a beautiful experience and 2 of the best drinks i’ve ever had.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
never had a better buffalo chicken quesadilla (and i was sober, which is even more impressive that i liked it so much considering i was expecting it to be similar to crappy bar food). however on a normal night there’s an ungodly amount of people and im not sure how they haven’t got shut down for being over capacity. it is way too overwhelming
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
The burgers are outstanding! Decent selection of craft brews and spirits.
Great atmosphere and vibe!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great bar tending!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Way too many people in there tonight, god forbid they have any sort of emergency up there it's going to be a stampede. I've really enjoyed upstairs for YEARS, but after tonight idk that I feel safe going back on any big nights. The fire marshall would've had a coronary event. I understand a crowded bar, this was next level.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Been going here for 7 years, always have a great time. Wish they could stick to a capacity number, very dangerous
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
If I could give 0 stars I would. Awful experience bouncers and staff are incredibly rude. super rude in fact some of the worst staff I have ever encountered. Will never attend again in fact will tell all of my friends about the awful staff.
Great place to watch a game. A lot of energy & fun place to hangout
Food: 4
Restaurantji Recommends
One of the best bars in Bloomington!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
It is a beautiful time and it was a good graduation lead up.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
😍😍
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Bartenders and other staff very helpful and friendly..good atmosphere
Genuinely would never go. We waited in line for 45 minutes to get in and then go out to use the restroom and get denied the 2nd time going in even with a stamp. Not worth it at all. The vibe is not good and the bouncers and rude and kind of ruin the entire thing.
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