Gill St is a typical local sports bar, nice enough aesthetically and good when the weather is nice and you can enjoy the back patio. I went there a few times when I lived in B-N and it was always pretty packed. My only complaint is with the food. One night, I ordered a chipotle chicken sandwich for $9.95. When it came out, I thought it was a little small for the price and didn't have a lot of filling. It looked pretty processed. Then I realize that it was a Stouffer's microwave melt sandwich, complete with the fake grill lines on the bread. Everyone at my table agreed that it was a microwaved sandwich the bar was trying to pass off as it's own. At least they took the liberty of serving it on a real plate, not the silver microwave tray.
Needless to say, that was a disappointment.
Have enjoyed the atmosphere at Gill St. for a number of years. Â Fun especially during summer, when all you want is a good v-ball game and cold beer. Â They've perfected this. Â
The food and service, however, leaves a lot to be desired. Â I'm a fan of bar food, and you can get a lot better food for a lot cheaper price at other local establishments. Â For example, we visited on a lenten Friday night. Â I ordered the walleye sandwich with sweet potato fries. Â Also got an order of cheese nuggets as an appetizer. Â The cheese nuggets were priced at $6.79, so we were expected enough to share between 3 people. Â Whoa...wrong. Â There were 15 max served on a plate. Â The cup of marinara took up 1/4 of the plate! Â WAY overpriced! Â Try Green Gables, Mugsy's, or Pub II for fried cheese balls.
The walleye was very thin filets that were over drenched and in a cornmeal batter that was salty enough to give you a heart attack. Â It was literally inedible. Â It was also over fried and saturated with grease. Â When the waitress asked if we wanted a box, we told her about the saltiness. Â She apologized and took the plate away. Â ??? Â Unfortunately, the sweet potato fries were overdone on the outside, raw in the middle, and completely unseasoned. Â Disappointing...
I'm pretty sure that this is another State Farm buidling :-) Just saying if you want to get away from coworkers, this is probably not the spot. Â Its a hot spot in the summer because they arguably have the best outdoor patio around. Â Lots of tables, volleyball, full bar in and out, music often and better than average bar food. Â Daily drink specials including bucket specials make it great for big groups. Â Go early if you want a table outside, and if you're a young girl meeting someone watch out for the hit-on-you crowd that tends to man the patio bar... nothing to be worried about, it can just get obnoxious so showing up with a friend usually keeps them at bay. Â Enjoy a fun night out!
Review Source:Gill Street is the mecca of all east side Bloomington bars. Â During the volleyball season you WILL park a half mile down the street unless you arrive by 4 PM and if there is a band you will be there with hundreds of east side wives who have put on their cutest pair of jeans and done their hair "JUST RIGHT" to go out. Â
The beer garden/volleyball courts are Gill Street's main attraction. Â During the summer it is a huge party with the random stray volleyball flying toward your table (if you can get one....GOOD LUCK!). Â There also tends to be an overabundance of smoke so if that bothers you I would stay out of the beer garden. Â
The food at Gill Street is just OK. Â The service generally sucks even though I have to credit the waiters and waitresses for handling the nightly crush of people during volleyball season. Â You'll find better food at Elroy's, Mugsy's, and Pub II but you won't get the atmosphere of Gill at any of these bars. Â
In short, if you live in a 300K house east of Veteran's Parkway you're probably already reading this review on your iPhone while you're sitting in the beer garden sipping your rum and diet before your State Farm volleyball game. Â If this doesn't fit you, try it out once and make your own decision. Â You might like it.
The outdoor seating is very nice...watching the volleyball games is great during the summer. My husband has been in a leasgue out there for the last 5 years and they maintain their courts well.
The food is always good...not the most creative menu, but solid food. Â I will say that the service is not always up to par...it seems the busier it gets, the more difficult it seems to be to even get a menu to order.
This is a popular 30-50s grill and bar with sports and sand volleyball available. Happy hour is a regular spot for the town ski club. Not much seating, and always a wait for a table. Regular bar fare - wings, ribs, hand foods. Sandwiches are decent. The atmosphere is middle-class midde-age happy hour. Clean and fast service.
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