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.“

“10/10 stars. First time here. Everyone was so friendly, did a great job explaining items and food fantastic. Will definitely be back!“

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

“Had an incredible time at the drag show on 01/10!! Ended up there after my other bachelorette activities for a nightcap but my group stayed way later than expected because we were having so much fun! The drinks were reasonably priced and the atmosphere was fun. The queens were amazing too 🖤🫶🏻 Thank you for a great night, Witches Brew!!! we will be back ✨“

“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.“

“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.“

“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“

“Fantastic establishment with soft jazz music and relaxing atmosphere. I highly recommend you try this bar. I have never been to a place this relaxing, with tasty mixed drinks and appetizers. I met the owner and he is a great guy as well! Good job everyone!“

“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!!“

“The hamburgers are absolutely the best--paired with the amazing onion rings--and it's heaven! Our server the other night when we were in there was awesome! Come to think of it, we've always had good food and great service. If you're looking for a place that's local and cozy--with great food--this is the place.“

“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.“

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

“The Pirates Cove has a great environment. It’s everything you want in a hometown bar with the added benefit of tremendous staff. The Cove has never failed to deliver best in class service which translates to an awesome experience. Jerry, Amanda, And Krystal never failed to deliver great service.“

“Nice place great service with most excellent drinks“

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

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

“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!“

“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.“

“I chose Joe's for my husband's 60th surprise birthday gathering with 10 of our closest friends. The setting was casual but festive and friendly. The service was some of the best you will ever get. The menu includes your neighborhood bar favorites and we didn't have to "wait" for it at all. Everyone in our party commented on what a nice time they had. I look forward to returning soon!“

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

“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!“

“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 !“

“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!“

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

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

“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 🥰“

“This bar is fantastic. Niki is maybe the best bartender I’ve ever had. I’m from California, rooting for USC, and she introduced me to the whole bar of Notre Dame fans. She served free salami and cheese and chips. It’s awesome here. And now they just played the stupid Notre dame fight song but the bar is still awesome.“

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

“I've struggled to find a place for young queer people in South bend since R bar went downhill. But this little place is somewhere that I adore 🫶
It's small and I wish it could grow bigger, but until then I'm happy and my cozy little queer corner.“

“Very good wings and sauce“

“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.“

“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.“

“The food was delicious of course but what made this evening memorable was the fact that the dishes themselves were interesting. For example instead of using yogurt in the dessert course they use lobna instead of a traditional yogurt. It made for a tart finish and incredibly friendly. I love the open kitchen concept to be able to watch the chefs. We will go again. Dinner for two came out to $210. It seems the restaurant could accommodate large parties if given enough notice and it would be a beautiful facility for a small reception or after party.“

“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!“

“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!!!!!“

“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.“

“Classic south bend restaurant!“

“Great spot for a drink or a nice meal. Innovative menu, friendly service and fun atmosphere. We're 5 minutes away so Pejza's is our go to spot for dinner out.“

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

“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 (!)“

“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.“