Being a senior at Purdue, I tend to enjoy my nights out as frequently as possible. But, I've also realized that I'm getting pretty close to grandma status, in that I'm not as inclined to tolerate crowds at campus bars as well as I used to when I just turned 21. That being said, I've been venturing out more frequently to the bar scene in downtown Lafayette. The first time I went to Chumley's was about a month ago on a Friday night, and it was awesome! So awesome, that I've been there every week since. The drink specials were fair, my group of 5 got a nice table, the music was good, and the serve was quick. It was the perfect way to catch up with some friends in a fun yet comfortable atmosphere.
Pros:
- No wait for seating
- It wasn't overly crowded
- Fairly priced drink specials (I especially enjoyed the $4.25 Three olives mixers!)
- Good music
Cons:
- Because it's not on campus I don't run into as many of my friends...but hey it's always fun to meet new people!
From what I've heard the food is nice too, and Scooner night is a good time and reasonably priced. Those will be the next things on my agenda to try at Chumley's!
I like Chumley's because you get the bar atmosphere without having to deal with a bunch of drunk sorority girls and sticky floors. The schooners are also a great deal on Mondays and Thursdays. The food is better than average for bar food and the beer selection is EXCELLENT, the best in the area. The service is also generally good and they have some games you can check out to play at the table. It's definitely the place to go if you want to watch a game. They always know what events are on that day and have it mapped out on which TV each game will be on.
I recommend the burgers, the fried green beans (not on the menu) and the pasta (very spicy). The fish tacos are not the best.
The only downside is that is gets REALLY crowded on Thursdays because of Schooner night. Many times we go and have to end up going somewhere else because it's too crowded. Also, other days besides Schooner days, the beer is too expensive.
5 stars on the beer selection, but the following brought down my experience:
Men's bathroom
* No hand soap. Had to inform the bartender of the issue. To their credit, they filled it up.
* The toilet's ceramic cover was broken, which is completely unacceptable for a business. Also, the flush handle was broken and required some playing around to get a proper flush, which I did not want to play around with.
The food:
* Chicken Nachos with cold precut squares of chicken. These were definitely the worst nachos I have ever tasted. Based on this, I would never order food from here, since first impressions on food are everything.
The good:
* Great beer selection.
This place is awesome!!! 50 different beers on tap and 150 bottles!! The selection is soooo good!! The ambient is really cool, low dim light, good music, and amazing service!! I am a not smoker and I wasn't too trill about the idea of going to a bar where they allow smoking but I am glad I went. The smoke is not bad at all; you don't feel it in your face or can really smell it unless you're sitting next to someone smoking but even then it didn't bother me and my clothes were not stinking to smoke afterwards. I am still in my search for the bar that I will choose to make my regular destination but so far this place is in top of the list and I think it will be really hard to find something better.
Review Source:This is the place to go if you enjoy beer & or sports!
 50+ beers on tap! T.V.'s in every direction with the latest games on! Two thumbs up right there!
 The staff has always done a great job of always being there to refill, take orders, and make sure your having a good time. They also have a decent sized food menu. Contains starters, sandwiches, burgers, etc. The food is decent but stuff you could make at home or buy out of the freezer section. I do enjoy their chips & dip. Tortilla chips served with 3 dips (mild salsa, a queso-cheese, and guacamole).
If you want a good selection of beer, food, and sports this is the best bar in Lafayette. Â They have a wide selection of draft beers and bottles you won't find anywhere else, and when on special, some of their prices are betting than going to the liquor store. Â I've been coming since I turned 21 and will continue to do so until I move out of the area.
Review Source:I really enjoyed coming to Chumley's. I was out with the boyfriend and his friends and we had already been to one other bar (Brothers) that we were less than impressed with.
Chumley's is a very sports sports bar. There are tons of televisions everywhere, each showing various different sports or sports related programming. There is even a tv in the womens restroom, so you don't have to miss any of the action if there is a line.
We arrived rather late so the kitchen was only doing appetizers, fine with us. We had the half order of nachos with taco beef, sour cream, and guacamoli (~$7). They were delicious and perfect for two/three people.
The beer list is expansive. It is a menu of American, English, European beers, ciders, largers, etc. As well as mixed drinks and well drinks. There is something there for everyone! Â I had the Raspberry Cider ($4.75) that was delicious and light. I also had the Mai Thai (~$6) which was delicious. The highlight of the night was the Chocolate Covered Pretzel Shots. The table ended up having two rounds and they were absolutely incredible.
Service was very pleasant and the waiter was able to split the tab into multiple tabs (why is that so hard to do in LA?!). I loved everything about this bar, especially the fact that I was able to have 2 drinks, 1 mixed drink, a cider, a round of 6 shots, and food on my tab for under $50!
I have been to Chumley's once or twice before but that was only to grab some chow and I was never very satisfied. However, this weekend, while out grabbing drinks with a friend and doing some light bar-hopping, we ended up at Chumley's as our final destination. Â They had a decent cocktail menu and I started out with a Rum Runner and later had a Kool-Aid. Â
My friend who is much more in the college student crowd than I am explained the schooner thing and I can completely understand its appeal - at least if I were more of a beer drinker. Â Then I discovered the list on the wall of 300 different shots. This made my night. I am a total list person and it gives me great pleasure to work through a list and cross things off until the task is complete. I immediately had grand visions of working through all 300 shots and claiming some grand Chumley's alcoholic victory. Â Luckily, I restrained myself and only had two - a Red-Headed Slut and Silk Panties. I am looking forward to going back someday and drinking more towards my goal, LOL!
There is definitely a strong college student vibe and it was fairly crowded. We snagged a booth as another couple were leaving and were there for a couple hours. Â While I wouldn't return for the food, I would definitely go back for more of the 300 shots! ;-)
I had never been to Lafayette before, and I found this place by accident last week when I came to town for a football game. Â They have about any beer you'd ever want and quite a few that you never will. Â The burger menu is huge and includes such items as a peanut butter and jelly burger. Â I've seen those at a couple of other places before, but I've never eaten one, and I wasn't going to start there. Â I had what was listed as a "Michigan burger," which included green olives and cheddar cheese. Â I don't know what was particularly Michigan about it, but it was a good burger. Â We sat at the bar to watch the Georgia v Boise State game, so the service was close at hand and good. Â The noise level isn't too bad; it was about what you'd expect at a sports bar on a Saturday night. Â Smoking is still allowed, so you should consider that if it bothers you. Â It's in walking distance of the Holiday Inn, which has its own bar, but it isn't very good and costs too much. Â I will not likely ever have a reason to return to Lafayette, but if I do, I'd go back to Chumley's.
Review Source:I love this bar. Schooner nights used to be a constant for my friends and I every Thursday night. Their on-tap beer selection is almost endless, and every beer I've tried there has not disappointed me. Left Handed Milk stout, Young's Double Chocolate stout, and many more are there for people who take their micro brews seriously. Taking your schooner on Thursdays gets you 32oz of delicious beer for around $6. You can't beat that. For those who aren't beer snobs, they are long islands that are picture perfect, rum and cokes for an extremely reasonable price, and Rolling Rock beer for $2 per 32oz schooner. I highly recommend this bar. On Monday and Thursday, Chumley's get a little packed and it might be hard to find seating, so I'd go early to find a nesting place for the evening. Smoking is also allowed in the building, so for people who don't like a lot of cigarette smoke, I'd probably stay away from it. Also, Chumley's food is amazing and everything that I've ever ordered from there has been delicious without complaint.
Review Source:I am *not* of the Sports Tribe(tm). Â I'm a beer geek, gaming geek, and sci-fi/fantasy nerd. Â Sports suck. Â Sorry. Â So I don't usually go to sports bars. Â Ever.
Buuuut... Chumley's had Left Hand Milk Stout on NITRO TAP. Â And their craft tap selection is actually pretty damn good. Â So, it's a place I can tolerate, due to the craft tap selection, and in spite of the College Bro/sports atmosphere.
Haven't tried the food ever.
Chumley's is my bar of choice in Lafayette. Â Back in my college days my friends and I could usually be found there every Schooner Night, which is probably the best deal on Earth. Â You buy the schooner for like six bucks and then you can fill it up with draft beer for discounted rates on Thursdays and Mondays (or Sunday, can't remember).
I'm also proud to say that I completed the 'Beers  Around the World' challenge.  You're given a passport with 50 beers in it and you're given a year to finish them.  If you do you get your name on the wall and a t-shirt.  It's a fun little way of taking a couple hundred dollars out of your pocket, but I learned a hell of a lot about beer as a result and also had some great times.
The atmosphere is good for a bar, it's comfortable and dark. Â More seating would be a plus. Â It IS smoky, so if you don't like smoke, you've been warned. Â Also, if you're one of those hipster types that think college kids suck or something like that, don't go here, or anywhere else in Lafayette for that matter. Â Just across the river is Purdue, and us boilermakers enjoy a couple of drinks, so if your nose automatically turns towards the sky when you see Greek letters, don't bother. Â
Chumley's is one of my favorite bars ever and I always make the trip there when I'm in Lafayette. Â They've got 150 beers (50 on tap), so its worth the drive across the bridge from Purdue.
This place was super busy the saturday I went out. They have an immense beer selection, and a decent cocktail selections. The drinks were priced reasonably for what you get. Our waitress was very gracious of our large party, and helping us table hop into a spot that fit our part size when it became available. she was also very informative on the menu and specials. this place is pretty big for Lafayette bars, lots of seating, lots of tv with sports on it. big bar. thumbs up. Definitely a townie place to hang out though, less of the young dumb college kids here.
Review Source:They have a TON of burgers here--honestly, that's all I'd order. (Are you really going to order a pasta dish when it's the only one they serve?) I've never had a burger I didn't like at Chumley's. Tonight I had the Mexican burger, which comes with sour cream, onion, guacamole, tomato, jalapenos, and refried beans. I was shocked at how good it was! I've had a bunch of their other burgers, too, and I was a fan.
The service leaves a little something to be desired. I feel like I'm consistently annoying the servers. While we received our food, drinks, etc., quickly enough, the server seemed like she'd rather be anywhere but where she was and that coming over to our table was a big chore.
Make sure everyone in your group is 21+ as they check IDs no matter where you sit or what you order.
BEST burgers I've had so far in Lafayette. Great assortment of burgers (peanut butter, texas, green olives & cheddar). They have many different burgers so if you feel like trying something new this is a great place to go.
Do NOT go if you absolutely hate the smell of smoke. Â This is a smoking atmosphere. Â
If you want a place to watch a game or games and have good burgers this is the place to go. It is popular during games. Â
Daily drink specials. Â Service has been very friendly & prompt. So far this is one of my favorite places in Lafayette.
I wouldn't think I'd like a sports bar, but I really like Chumley's. The beer selection is huge.
The vibe is pretty friendly, and it's been a good place to catch up with people when in town.
If I still smoked, it would get five stars, but because I don't the air gets a little thick and unbearable after awhile. So, four stars.
I have only been here twice, but I honestly wish I frequented this place a little more. The first night I went was Schooner night. That was a lot of fun, there is nothing like getting wasted without spending a lot of money! The second time I went was on Wednesday night when they have $5 martinis. I tried the caramel apple one, which reminded me of those caramel apple suckers! Yum! The food here is pretty good, considering it's bar food. If you become bored with the bars near campus, definitely check out Chumley's!
Review Source:50 beers on tap? yes please!! Mondays and thursdays they have schooner nights, 32oz glasses for $2 for domestics. Other imports and such are pretty good priced too. Mixed drinks also... their food is decent, the chips with salsa/queso/jalapenos is the best thing ever with a nice big schooner of $2 Rolling Rock.
Review Source:Pro's-Decent food, huge HUGE beer selection, keeps the other good bars in downtown free of its clientele.
Con's- Â Atmosphere, Crowd is very similar to the college bars across the river, Service is similar to college bars across the river, loud horrible music similar to college bars across the river. Â If these things float your boat, you'll like it. Â It is a bit better than the bars across the river, but it really isn't my thing.
Do I love Chumley's? Â Hell yes.
Do I miss the great selection of beers and the terrible (in a good way) nachos? Â You bet.
Did I once drink four schooners of bad beer in a single setting? Â You can't prove that.
Do I still hold onto my schooner in case I wind up back there at some point? Â Sure.
Am I through asking stupid rhetorical question? Â God, let's hope so.
When I went to Purdue I was sort of a regular here. Â I'm not sure if they still have the "Around the World Beer Club" or not, but that was pretty cool. Â Basically you got a "passport" that had 50 beers in it. Â You had to drink one of each in a calendar year (not very difficult). Â The two catches: Â You can't get stamps on Friday or Saturday, and can't have more than 5 in one night. Â Of course I would have opted to go a few times and have 7 or 8 beers (which would be pretty expensive because you're drinking mostly imports and micros) and knock it out quickly, but it doesn't work that way. Â
If you're a beer conossieur, you'll dig this place. Â Plus it has great food. Â I used to be listed on a plaque for the beer club, but I heard that they took it down (I'd take away 1/4 of a star if I could...)
IF you're a more "mature" college student and want something a bit more laid back, this is the place to go.
50 beers on tap and twice as many options in bottles, you go drink a beer a day for 6 months and  not possibly repeat! They also have great Gin and Tonics, and they are not all that expensive either.
Finding parking can be painful, the smoke tends to stagnate in the air and get into your hair and your clothes and you will leave like a chimney stack, but then think of all those beers !
The service is not all that hot, I personally think they could use more staff, or more efficient and friendly staff.
A good place that could have been great
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