50 Best Bars near Notre Dame

“There are not many places around here when you can get a perfect Manhatten and caviar on fresh toast. Wonderful views of the South Quad. You will feel much more intelligent after your visit.

Parking: The parking here is terrible, you have to walk miles to get from the visitor parking.“

“I love sitting at the bar. It’s always a good vibe when I go there.“

“My wife and I call in regularly. The food is always great and the price is fair. Their daily specials are great and the waitress Danielle and Jade are great.“

“Not a big bar person, but my husband and I didn't have our kid for the night to celebrate our 13th anniversary, so we decided to stop in here since the theme pertains to our interests. Vibe was immaculate, the owner and the patrons were SO welcoming and nice! The cocktails were amazing and karaoke was fun even though I was nervous. Will definitely be coming back! Thank you for making our night so fun!!“

“One of my friends was having a poor reaction to the alcohol, a mixture of the fact she’s mildly allergic and the medication she was on really did not agree with her. And the workers were SWEETHEARTS. Even before our friend started reacting, the service was 12/10. Very friendly and respectful. Some of our friends took our sick friend outside for some air and two of us stayed to pay, and the service workers asked us if our friends took was okay and even gave us two waters to-go when we explained the situation. I sincerely regret not tipping 15% in my rush to get everything paid for so we could leave. Will be coming back because they were so nice and helpful and tipping way more.

Unrelated to that situation, the vibes were fantastic. The food was really good. The workers were so sweet. Overall a great experience here.“

“I’m here for work often, favorite place in the area by far. Highly recommend“

“Thank you to DeAmichi’s! Thanks to Carolyn and our bartender for all you did to make our husbands 50th event in the hall a great one! Highly recommend this hall to rent very reasonable, great response and nice place! Would book again.“

“We have been going to the open mic at DiLoreto almost every Thursday for a year! Great food, great people and GREAT MUSIC! It is such a positive environment. You must come!!“

“I was passing through town a few weeks ago, I decided rather than stopping in at some franchise that I can find in my home town or anywhere, I thought it would be a good idea to check out a local kind of place. I orderd a tasty bacon cheeseburger with fries, which came with fast and friendly service. I recommend giving them a try. Just don't drink the water. If you're a water drinker like me, order something else. It tasted pretty weird. I'm pretty sure it came right out of the tap.“

“The Hideaway is a great spot to start or end your evening! The staff are very knowledgeable and will highlight any evening through their cocktail mastery. The Hideaway also sports an extensive whiskey selection that rivals any local watering hole that boasts of their offerings. Ownership ensures all are welcome at all times, and I'm proud to say I'm a loyal Hideaway patron! This is not a place for meals just fyi.“

“Visited in early October and had the Apple Brandy Burger and Brussels sprouts. Best.Burger.Ever!! Too bad it's only available in October.“

“Tonight, my husband and I dined at Rocky River tap and table, and it was an absolutely delightful experience. From the moment we arrived, the warm, inviting atmosphere set the tone for an enjoyable evening. I started with a Bloody Mary, which was perfectly spiced and refreshing. For dinner, I chose the Bison meatloaf with bourbon, demi-glaze, mashed potatoes, and seasonal vegetables. The flavors were rich, comforting, and balanced, making every bite memorable. My husband opted for the chicken pot pie, and it was equally delicious with a flaky crust, hardy filling, and packed with flavor. Everything we tried was cooked to perfection and beautifully presented. The attention to detail, cozy ambiance, And excellent service made the night feel special. I'll definitely be back to explore more of the menu! Highly recommended!“

“Smoking IS allowed here! It is Smokey.
If local is your Jam. You’ve found peanut butter. Get a beer from the bar tender who will shake your hand. Meet, Donnie, Mat, Meg, Sue and you can’t miss Craig. Stay for two or three and you’ll have new friends, yes they’ll all know your name. The prices are fair, the food made to order. The pool table is level (mostly) and above all it’s a friendly place.“

“Nice place great service with most excellent drinks“

“Great neighborhood bar with casual food. Nice place to gather with friends. Highly recommend.“

“Best neighborhood bar ever!! Great crowd of people who genuinely care and treat you like family. Drinks always made without asking when we walk in the door. Too Tall and staff are all wonderful and deliver excellent, speedy service. Drink prices are the best around and couldn't ask for a better deal! Highly recommended to all!“

“Cold beers, good friends, and friendly bartenders.“

“Great spot for live music wish I would have known about this place a long time ago! ❤️“

“was in SB for a night and found a great dive bar - McCormicks - cool place for a beer and some pinball - asked the owner where to go for a good burger and he directed me up the road to CJs Pub - said they are the best around! I gave it a shot and was not disappointed. Ordered one of their specialty burgers with Canadian bacon, mushrooms, and cheese. Wow. it was delicious! and huge! Waffle fries were also great and beer was ice cold. If I lived in SB, this would definitely be a regular stop for an awesome burger.“

“DELICIOUS FOOD ! NEVER DISAPPOINTED !GREAT - SERVICE ! THANK YOU, BOOTLEG'ERS. MERRY CHRISTMAS and BLESSED NEW YEAR !“

“Very good wings and sauce“

“Kubiaks is a nice venue for live music and socializing... the staff is awesome too!!!“

“We came in here as a group of 30-40 people attending a conference at Notre Dame and Danny welcomed us with open arms! He and Gary were friendly, helpful, and kind as our group surprised them on a quiet Tuesday night with lots of business- they told us the history of the place, showed us around, and were generally fantastic hosts as most of us were from out of town. This place is a gem and definitely worth the visit!“

“Lonnie’s bar and grill on prairie has the most cleanest bathroom in a bar that I have ever seen Just saying“

“My old boss goes there on Tuesdays to play cards as when I'm in the neighborhood usually l stop there to say hello. Great place to relax with many friendly people so just stop there sometime as give the place a look and see what you think !“

“Went this past Friday. It was a little dark from the outside but we could see dance lights through the curtains. Went in was greeted by the security guard Matt. He was immensely kind and patient as I looked for ID. Came in and sat at a table instantly fell in love with the vibe and the other people there!! Dawn was our bar tender and the drinks were great! Dawn and I didn’t talk much but she had a glow in her eyes and I felt like she genuinely cared about me. Instantly felt welcome! Prices were on par with other bars I’ve been too! R bar had that high end feel mixed with family love.

I had a good conversation with Matt the security guard after he had to ask a patron who was loudly banging on the bar to quiet down. I was really impressed with Matt’s attitude and is desire to see everyone have a good time while also making sure everyone was safe and happy.

I went back to the table and danced with my friends and we left after a couple drinks and some karaoke songs. Will be back this Friday!! Thanks R Bar 🥰“

“Very down to earth place.. You always feel welcome.“

“Awesome food and awesome chill atmosphere. The owner is a great dude and cares about his customers and bar. Great entertainment as well on certain nights. All around best bar!!!!!“

“We heard great things about the food & decided to try it. I had a cheeseburger & tator tots and my husband had wings & onion rings. Everything was very good & the server & cook were on point. The only negative for us was it's very smokey & we're not use to that, but it is a bar so that's just how it is. It won't stop us from going back again. We've heard great things about their deep dish pizza, so that'll be our next thing to try.“

“I've visited this establishment on occasion since just before the covid pandemic. I can only review it based on my experiences through that time period to present. It's not been very busy with only a handful of patrons at ant given time. Drinks are somewhat expensive. If you want music you'll need to invest more money into the jukebox or sit in silence. Or play music on your phone as I have that causes the bartender to play a song or two through the jukebox. I've gone to this establishment several times on a Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday only to find them closed. I've usually gone between 9 pm and 11 pm and as I said very few people no music expensive drinks and a somewhat grumpy bartender. I always buy her shots but it doesn't seem to make a difference. In summation, if you are looking for a quiet bar for you and your companion or group to have a conversation without being bothered by music or other people then I would recommend this bar.“

“I just moved in and am loving the place so far! The size of the apartment and the amenities, both in-unit and in the building, are great in general, and especially compared to the price. Linda the building manager was super helpful during the move-in process, both with answering all of my questions prior to the move-in and then very kindly staying until 7:30 pm on a Friday to help me move in that night.“

“I've hung out here off and on for a few years, more often since my local watering hole was shut down for awhile recently. Good bartenders, good mix of a younger older crowd.“

“I am so thankful for this bar! Literally left my wallet and spoke to someone over the phone identified my items, and unfortunately someone who visited the bar took the money out BUT I picked up wallet and I had a sweet note stating they were sorry for my loss and that literally renewed my faith in humanity I am so thankful when I walked into the establishment every single guys behind the bar went into action to locate my wallet behind the counter and idk why m just eternally grateful also because my moms ashes were inside this wallet ! I have nothing but good experiences here and this just iced the cake! Attaching a picture of the note not necessarily willing to add what they attached to that because I don’t want them bombarded with “lost wallet” issues BUT I will say thanks to the men behind that bar :) you are beyond appreciated!“

“Great Experience Hosting our South Bend Distillery Launch Party at The Exchange in South Bend!“

“We came in for some drinks and food and had the best experience with the coolest people in an awesome place.

Dietary restrictions: I have to eat GF and Crystal not only cleaned the grill before cooking my food, she made me one of the best burgers I’ve ever had ordering out.“

“Last night was first time I was in The Blarney Stone. I was invited by Band last night (2/23/18) Simply Elton & Simply Billy Tribute show as special guest singer (Elvis Tribute). The Staff, the owner and everyone was amazing! You felt very safe by security they had on hand and were on top of everything. The audience was amazing also. Thank you Blarney Stone for amazing hospitality! *Side note* Anyone there last night took pictures or video please feel free to add me as friend on here.“

“Our dinner at Roselily was one of the top 3 dinners I've ever experienced. The food and atmosphere are tremendous, and the wine list is unparalleled in South Bend. The service is where Roselily elevates to all-timer status for me. Sasha was unbelievable as our server, but the whole staff made us feel welcome and celebrated on our anniversary. I hope to return to this place any chance I can.“

“Classic south bend restaurant!“

“They have a wonderful staff and their cooking is amazing. It is a step above. We go there all the time and are always happy with food and service. Great place.“

“Love it here. Great staff, good food. It’s definitely a must see“

“Five Stars All the Way – An Unforgettable Experience at KPOT Korean BBQ in Mishawaka! We went to KPOT Korean BBQ in Mishawaka to celebrate my daughter-in-law’s birthday, and let me just say—it was a fantastic experience from start to finish. There were six of us in our party, and from the moment we walked in, the staff was nothing short of stellar. Everyone was friendly, attentive, and quick to make sure we had everything we needed. But the real standout? The general manager. I can’t heap enough praise on this person. They went above and beyond—and then beyond that—to make sure we had an amazing time. It wasn’t just good customer service; it was the kind of hospitality that makes you feel like a VIP. They checked in often, made thoughtful suggestions, and ensured we were fully enjoying the experience. It’s rare to see leadership so hands-on and genuinely invested in their guests' happiness. The food? Excellent. The grill-yourself setup is fun, interactive, and delicious. The variety and freshness of the options made every bite better than the last. And while the price was fair and reasonable for the experience, it was the quality of service and the overall vibe that made this visit really shine. We didn’t just have a meal—we had a celebration, an experience, and a memory that’ll stick with us. KPOT Mishawaka, you’ve got something special going on. Thank you for making our night unforgettable!“

“Really great hole-in-the-wall vibe. Precisely what we were looking for at the time. Met some new friends. Had fun engaging with the patrons and learned some great local history. I feel like everyone would be welcomed here. Didn’t try any food.“

“My husband and I recently dined at your establishment. The staff was pleasant and the food was phenomenal. Our wonderful server Megan was friendly, very helpful with recommendations, and just an absolute pleasure to talk with. I highly recommend visiting at least once“

“Had the opportunity to enjoy Paul Erdman's performance on a recent Monday. The cozy atmosphere, a friendly bartender and a nice crowd made for a fun evening. An added bonus ~ free Pizza & Salad from Barnaby's (!)“

“October 8, 2025
Can't argue with my first review. Been here 3 times now.

Had The Mariner, delicious!

June 2025
First, this is NOT an appropriate place for kids, and you'll be asked to leave if you bring them, this is an old style BAR. Adults only.

My burger was delicious and the staff was friendly! Sorry I started eating it first. Greasy and great! Full of beef and gluten.

If you love nostalgia and don't mind the smell of old smoke and a hint of pee, scratched paint and air vents hanging from straps, you'll love this place. It's like going back to the 60s or 70s!

Be sure to enjoy the vintage Popeye sign from the 50's advertising a hamburger for 10¢!

If not you probably should avoid it.

This place leans into letting people self-select to not be here. But in my opinion that just means it has an unapologetic personality.

I am NOT recommending this place for the sub 40 crowd, you probably won't like it and the regular won't feel bad about that. If you don't mind stepping out of your comfort zone in a big way, try it. If not they won't miss you.“

“We have visited before and knew we would have to wait on a football weekend. We got seated very promptly at a high top in the bar(we like)! The waitress was sweet and delivered good service. The guys had bison meatloaf and it was very salty. (previously it was really good, so my husband recommended it this visit). I had the fish special and it was cooked perfectly. Other dish was a pasta dish and she loved it. Good flavor. We had a very nice time. Food and service very good and we did not have high expectations being it was ND football weekend. Only reason for 1 rating down was the disappointing meatloaf. So more like 4 1/2 stars!“