Cardinal Spirits

Pretty impressed! Decided to come here for Saturday lunch with my family and made a reservation online at the last minute, but we would have been able to get in without. Without the patio open though, I can see it filling up easily. The atmosphere is fun (board games!) and bright but somewhat industrial with the distillery next door. The staff was friendly and very enthusiastic but just a little overbearing for me. The samples they brought around of two of their spirits (a gin and amaro) were very good and much appreciated. As appealing as the cocktails sounded, I didn't feel like drinking, so I got the Last Call mocktail. I couldn't pick up much 5 spice, but it was still a pleasant and refreshing light drink. I had a sip of my parents' old fashioned and Smokin' in the Girls' Room, and those were both really good - I was really into the lapsang souchong tea-infused rum in the Smokin' in the Girls' Room and would've ordered it for myself if I'd been drinking. To eat, I had a mushroom melt (the veganized version with vegan cheese) with the OMG fries. I really liked the sandwich; I loved the giardiniera and the jus, and you usually can't get that sort of thing in a vegetarian or vegan sandwich, so I was really happy to have it here and thought it was done well. The OMG fries were also really good. I don't like fries if they're plain, but these were heavily seasoned with a delicious spice blend. The vegan version of the fries omits the truffle aioli that they normally come with, but they were plenty flavorful with just ketchup. We shared a Thai tea creme brulee for dessert. I am crazy about Thai tea so I expected to like this, and it was everything I hoped for. The tea flavour was nice and strong, and the tapioca pearls were a nice little enhancement. They do an auto-gratuity of 20% no matter the party size, which I'm not completely opposed to, but I think if you're doing that you at least need to have a note on the menu rather than have the waiter tell you as they're giving you the bill, or better (in my opinion) to just raise the prices by 20% and sell yourself as a no-tipping restaurant. But it wasn't a huge deal in this situation; our waitress was good and we would've left a good tip anyway.

Intimate setting with great food and fabulous drinks. They distill their own booze so the drinks are carefully crafted. They have a great happy hour deal for drinks and fun events like bingo, movie nights, and live music each week. I had the espresso martini and it was delicious, not too sweet. The OMG fries were a hit at the table. For brunch, the chicken biscuit and BLT are both excellent options. We will definitely be back!

Cardinal spirits is a stylish boutique distillery & tasting room offering craft cocktails & elevated New American bites. While visiting Bloomington, 5 of us stopped in for a quick drink before dinner. Wonderful service and fun atmosphere.

We went for Bingo Brunch and it was so much fun! It was nice to get out and do something while eating! I highly recommend. The chicken biscuit was so good! The pub fries were delicious and their aioli is great! I highly recommend if you are looking for something to do from 12 to 2 to check this out!! Service was great even though they were super busy!!

This is definitely a nice place to check out and have a few cocktails. We did The Distillery tour and while The Distillery itself is not very large the tour was very informative and enjoyable. The staff seems very knowledgeable on what they make and the ingredients they use. It seems like they have a different type of spirit for every taste. The place is clean and folks are friendly. We did not eat there this time but when we come back down to Bloomington we will certainly make it one of our stops. Enjoyed the desperate housewife. That's one of the best drinks I've had in a long time. Do yourself a favor and check this place out.

Who would have guessed such a simple looking space would produce such amazing food and drink? Everything we've tried has been out of this world. The drinks are delicious, beautiful, and strong. The new food menu is artful and divine. Service is always super friendly and efficient. Prices are reasonable considering the very high quality. Don't miss this spot.

This is my new favorite spot! Cocktails and food are delicious and crafty, atmosphere is cool and cozy, and service is great. Just went to trivia night and bingo brunch and both were so much fun!

Did you know that Cardinal Spirits doesn’t just make great alcohol? Cardinal Spirits is a restaurant located on a fabulous little neighborhood street just north of Bloomington‘s Switchyard park bridge. Driving down this tiny little street you’ll see adorable multicolored homes to your east and to the west situated on a hill you will see the Cardinal Spirits restaurant. They have a small parking lot just south of the restaurant. Inside you will find a tiny area containing Cardinal Spirits gifts. These are perfect for your drink local fans. We sat on the deck out front for our date night. We walked in and were able to get the last available table on the patio. There are only a handful of tables including the seating inside so be sure to make a reservation. On this night we were told we got lucky. The host was charming, our server was delightful and knowledgeable. We were greeted by the manager at our table thanking us for visiting their restaurant. The menu items were absolutely delicious and the drinks were superb. Cardinal spirits also hosts group tours of the distillery and would be the perfect place for your wedding party or office event. Since our visit, we have become huge fans of the Cardinal Spirits brand and drink selections. Put this on your must-do list when visiting B-town!

Very fun and Classy. Very refreshing Drinks and tasty fries. Very nice staff and fast service. 1/2 Price Flights on Friday. My favorite drink was the Passion Fruit Mojito. It was sweet with a slightly bitter undertone.

I went to Cardinal Spirits for a Galentine's dinner and it had something for everyone! It's a smaller space but still cozy and inviting. The parking lot situation is also a little crowded, especially when they are busy - carpooling definitely helps. Our waitress was great and very aware of all allergens on the menu. The drinks are almost always a hit (but we didn't love the flavor of the seasonal take home cocktail we got). I got the Handsome Devil and would highly recommend, coffee and lemon - who knew!? I finished with the Penicillin and it was good, but not the best I've had. For dinner I split the Mela flatbread and Steak sandwich with a friend. We both LOVED the steak sandwich, it was very good and I would get it again. The flatbread was disappointing - sounded great on the menu but was dry and felt like there wasn't enough cheese. We ended with Thai Tea crème brûlée and the campfire tart, was not personally a fan of the crème brûlée. Didn't love the flavor or texture. The campfire tart was delicious though! All in all will continue to go back from time to time!

I honestly don't understand the hype. The appetizers are way overpriced and portion size doesn't match the cost. I've had a meal or two in the past and they were tasty,but, again, super pricey. I'm not a drinker so maybe that's why it's not for me. The actual bar/dining room is quirky and cozy. The covered patio is a lot of fun in the summer. Staff is friendly and efficient. The bathroom is lovely but it's one toilet and you lock the door behind you (one at a time use) which can be rough if you have an urgent need. Overall a great gathering spot,but be prepared to pay extra.

The service was good, their menu has expanded quite a bit but we just went for drinks. Automatic 20% is added to the bill. I found this spot on Facebook events when I was looking for live Christmas music, it was so fun and cozy!

It's been a minute since I've been to Cardinal Spirits and I was blown away by the menu selection, outdoor patio, and delicious drinks! Seasonal curated dishes with Vegan & Gluten Free options - so many good options Food highlights of my favorites: Burrata: Baby spinach, shaved fennel, toasted almond, lemon + white balsamic vinaigrette, crostini Steak Frites: 8oz steak, chimichurri, OMG fries Best Cocktails in Bloomington - my favorite is... Apple of My Eye: Bramble Black Raspberry Vodka, La Boîte American Amaro, apple, rosemary, lemon, smoke bitters I can never convince my husband to come here because he claims "they don't have Bourbon" but yes, they do - only at the restaurant. Looks like I'll be planning us a date night soon! Great to visit year round but especially in the summer/fall on the outdoor patio which is kid/dog friendly. Pro Tip: 15% off Carry Out Bottles & Cans when you Dine In

My family and I found this place after our usual spot, Farm, was too busy! Cardinal was perfect, variety of dishes and delicious cocktails. The ambiance I felt was a blend of fancy and casual at the same time, provided by the new age industrial theme of the establishment and the semi-gloss concrete floors. The place is also dog friendly so that was a good thing to note!

Cute little spot in Bloomington, IN. Distillery, cocktails. Light spirits, I was in town for the eclipse and stopped by. Light fresh cocktails. Food was meh. Flatbread needs some work. Mostly bread, crispy, lacking toppings. Cute patio!

We only came for drinks, so I cannot speak on the food. We did have great service, and the vibe is relaxed and comfortable inside. Drinks were unique and delicious. Appreciated their 15% off any purchases; nice way to stock up on their regional spirits!

My partner and I decided to drive down to Bloomington for the day to explore another restaurant we have never tried. We decided to check out Cardinal Spirits - the ambience is nice - casual and nice. They serve cocktails - the alcohol is from their own distillery from what we were told. Their food menu is not necessarily expansive so we settled on the citrus salad and the charcuterie board. Salad was tasty and the charcuterie board was yummy - we were not disappointed and we left the place feeling satisfied. The staff was friendly and courteous- no complaints! This was a good experience. I think this is a good place to get together with friends - have drinks and have small bites to eat.

Intimate interior with twinkle lights & chill vibes. Servers & bartenders appear to be passionate and creative about their craft. I've met more than one who took a job here because they loved coming here and the quality of the product. That reminds me of Trader Joe's. I've been here alone, with friends and with my husband about four or five times. The food menu is limited, but the kitchen is small. Everything I've had so far, which is about everything, is well-made and delicious. *The everything deviled eggs are salty but delicious. The cheese and charcuterie board is probably the best choice to pair with the delicious cocktails. I highly recommend checking out the high proof laughs Comedy series in the spring. All of the proceeds go to good causes at local nonprofits. I also very much enjoyed the drink making classes. We have also recently invested (summer 2023) as Angel Investors! Whoo hoo! #staylocal #drinklocal

Cardinal Spirits is a great hang out spot for a well-crafted cocktail and a small bite. The servers are very knowledgeable about the difference flavor profiles of their homemade spirits and l liked that they would let you taste whatever you wanted before you ordered it. I had a old fashioned and my husband the Space Cowboy and Paper Plane cocktails. We shared the Burata/salad small plate. I think this place is more if you want a small bite along with your cocktail, since the plates are on the pricey side (good tasting though). Also, we purchased a bottle of their bourbon for a friend we were visiting (which we got a small discount on since we dined there). The only thing I did not like was the fact that they automatically charge a 20% tip. The server did tell us about this while we were ordering, however I typically do not tip 20% (even for great service) on a $15 cocktail. I would have tipped nicely without a mandatory tip, and didn't think that was necessary.

My husband and I went to Cardinal Spirits this past week to meet college friends. We did the tour, which I booked online. It ends up being $16.50 each for the tour, tasting, and 1 drink. It's a pretty good deal. It did seem like you could book the tour onsite and the day we went it wasn't very busy, but with the hour drive we may not have risked it anyway. The Tour/tasting was really just about 40 min. And 75% of the experience is the tasting. Next time we would eat first. It was a lot of alcohol. It can change on season, but there were 16 kids to try. My husband and I have had Cardinal Spirts before, bit it was knew for our 3 friends. We definitely found some favorites. Our tour guide was knowledgeable and fun. It was just our small group. I did think it would be more tour and then a tasting after. Our lunch reservation was after the tour. The menu is very limited. My friend who is a local also thought they would soon have any less. I had looked at the menu a few months ago when making the plans and it was larger. I now wish we had eaten elsewhere then done the tasting/tour. The food just wasn't good and it was pricey. 3 of my friends got the OMG fries, which were $15. I looked at those, but with the sandwich. All of us wanted burgers after all the alcohol. My sandwich came with chips. I opted to not get the OMG fries, because it came with BBQ. All 3 of my friends ordered the $15 fries, because all 3 of them thought it was topped with BBQ. But it turns out it was just BBQ sauce. So fries with 3 sauces and they only used the ketchup. They really need to update the misleading menu. I was really excited about checking out Cardinal Spirits and I really talked it up when we made the plans. But overall it was mostly disappointing. We did like our drinks. The bramble mule was very good. My friend also liked the coffee. My husband and I got ice cream and it was excellent. I got the coffee to go with it, but it could have used sugar. There was none on the table. I should have gotten a 2nd ice cream. There were 5 of us and they added a 20% tip, which wasn't pointed out. I also think our waiter could have been better about the menu. People should know that it's not BBQ meat on the fries.

Great food, ambience and staff! I love the Rum, unique menu and atmosphere after a long work week.

We tried this and made a reservation. Not required! This is more of a tasting room than a full menu resteraunt. One enters at the end of a long narrow beautifully decorated rustic distillery vibed room with a handful of 4-seated tables on one side and a gorgeous bar area with bar seating to the other side. At the end of this narrow seating area a larger roomed area opens for another 20-30 seats at tables and booths. The menu is geared around pairings of the spirits with hopefully some food . Plan an Uber or Lyft if you plan to partake of their lovely liquors and mixed drinks. The food in my opinion and only my opinion which should not deter from trying this venue but, the food is an afterthought. Though lauded as having been made and menu designed by a known local chef, I'm not sure this Chef is being afforded their time to shine from the back of the house through their menu between the focal marketing of this distilleries spirits! I'd loved to have been offered more opportunity to imbibe within the culinary creativity of the Chef behind the walls. I was disappointed in the menu. As for alcohol, this was a unique and well marketed service! Merchandise littered around for purchase & carry, and offers to tour the distillery as well. Try it out! Local distillery! 3/5 only because we were lured in regards as a resteraunt and made reservations. I don't think this was accurate marketing. This is a tasting room of a refined spirit distillery! And, a beautifully crafted spirit at that!

My partner took me here for my birthday today ! We walked in and were told that it's reservation only. However, they let us sit since it wasn't very busy. It took them awhile to wait on us, but the server came over and apologized as she had forgotten our table was ours. Completely understandable since we hadn't made a reservation. I ordered the Ivory Tower, which was a spicy rum drink with pineapple and coconut. My partner ordered the Earth Song, which was a gin drink with beet juice. My drink was absolutely delicious ! I didn't quite care for my partners, I thought it tasted like dirt. But he liked it. We also ordered the OMG fries ! They were so good. Whatever the seasoning is on them, it was super tasty. They gave us three dipping sauces: some kind of BBQ, a Bloody Mary ketchup, and a truffle aioli. I could have used a gallon of the aioli because it was to die for ! Definitely worth the trip !

The service was great and so were the apps and drinks. There wasn't much to eat for a big dinner but the menu was perfect to order a bunch of great appetizers with some really good drinks made with the spirits at the place. A great local place outside of the college craziness for some chill drinks and great vibes.

10/10 would recommend! They have speedy service! The French toast is my favorite on Saturdays for brunch! And the ambiance is chill yet sophisticated.

Add this to your Bloomington Bookmark List. STAT. Cardinal Spirits is a shining gem of Indiana. The staff are friendly, bright, and creative, and the cocktails are out of this world. They just won Yelp's number one spot to eat in Bloomington and their ever-changing cocktail menu includes several drinks made from their own spirits. I haven't gotten to dine in yet, but I've enjoyed an always-great tiki Tuesday here. They do it every week to spice up your Tuesday with a drink topped with a flamingo, chunk of pineapple, mini umbrella - anything. They're super involved in the community and I always end up seeing them at local events. That says a lot about a business! They're also located along the B-Line trail in Bloomington, so you can even bike or walk here. They have a lot of seating inside, in addition to a beautiful bar and a fun, large patio. Bring all your friends!! OR - you can even buy their new canned cocktails at a local liquor store if you don't live in Bloomington. The Bramble Mule is my favorite!

Very delicious food, tasty beverages, friendly service, great atmosphere. One thing I appreciate: having non-alcoholic cocktails. With so many places those who don't drink alcohol are treated as second class citizens, relegated to the soda gun. But the non-alcoholic mixed drink was very nice. Really the only reason it doesn't get 5 is: the portion for the money isn't particularly good. If you're going primarily for drinks or you don't have a big appetite or just want a snack, this place is probably a 5 for you.

Good drinks with good light fare. Their cocktails are the real highlight and the space is nice.

Lovely little restaurant and drinks situation. The seasonal cocktail menu is very fun, we want to return for trivia night at some point, great service and we picked up a bottle of the coffee liquor because it was so fabulous. Will be returning for date night.

Cardinal Spirits has been on my radar for some time after first trying out their products at a Yelp Elite event in Louisville a while back. Their staff has always been very helpful and knowledgeable. I also follow them on Facebook and their posts are fantastic. All of this made me want to go see the homeland. Before setting off to Bloomington for an overnight trip on Good Friday (Easter weekend), a gorgeous, purple drink on their social media caught my eye. It was the Queen Beryl from their spring menu and it was debuting over Easter weekend. It had to be mine in all of its foamy, purple loveliness. A plan was made. Cardinal Spirits can be a little hard to find even for an IU alum with GPS. It's in a sort of industrial strip that I'd never been in before. The parking lot is small, but I managed to snag a spot as someone left. Not sure where you park if the lot is full. The building has a phenomenal deck outside strung with lights and an open, distillery vibe (go figure) in the main room. It can get fairly loud, so don't sit inside if you're looking to have a heart to heart talk. We were seated immediately, which impressed me for it being 7 pm on a Friday night. The menu presented was the winter one. What?!? It was the beginning of Easter weekend, where was the new menu as promised? I told our server of my dream of the Queen Beryl and she went to check to see if they could make it (new menu slated to start the next day. Is Friday no longer the weekend?). Alas, no. The6 didn't hav the ingredients yet. I was crestfallen. We both ordered Bananas Foster ($8) off the winter menu. It's one of my favorite desserts and, come on, it's mainly sugar, booze, and ice cream. The ramekin of warm dessert was luscious, but not on par with others I've had especially in NOLA. The rum flavor was wonderful, but there was no visible flambé and the fruit slices weren't caramelized as per usual. Banana might have been overly ripe. When the check came, the manager had graciously comped my dessert since my birthday trip didn't include my desired drink. I appreciated the staff's professionalism, and this kindness, which you should expect from Cardinal as they're classy people. I'll be back next time I'm in Btown and can set aside time to do a distillery tour. Hopefully, I'll also get to try out the dinner menu which is seasonal (like the drink menu) and featured several, interesting items.

I've been to Cardinal Spirits a handful of times for cocktails, but I finally had the opportunity to try some food! I was thoroughly impressed. It's a small menu, but it's focused and tasty. I came for brunch and had the: *Rye Pork Chop (Rye-crusted pork chop with sunny side up eggs) - yum! it's like a play on steak & eggs in the morning. Flavors were good and I liked the crust on the pork chop. It was a big portion, but I ate it all and had no regrets. *Poblano Potato Hash (Fried potatoes, poblano peppers, sweet chili sauce, lime aioli, sunny side up eggs): Fantastic side! I shared this because the portion was so big! I liked the bit of heat. I wish the potatoes were just a smidge more crispy but still good! The menu is pretty specific on not making modifications, but they seem happy to make them if you have food allergies/religious restrictions! 61/365

This was our first time here. We had such an excellent experience. Our waiter, Paulie, was such a blast and they were so kind to us. The food was DELICIOUS and the drinks were creative and divine. We highly suggest Cardinal Spirits!

I love this place so much, I got a job serving here! The cocktails are spot on and absolutely delectable. The bartenders put so much thought and creativity into each drink. They also are really great about making sure that everyone is satisfied with their experience which I absolutely love as a customer and employee. 20% gratuity is added onto each check so that is something to keep in mind. I believe it applies more pressure on us to make sure our service is top notch and also to hire the best of the best staff so customers can have the best experience possible. This place is not cheap by any means but you absolutely pay for the quality food and drinks. With that being said, wait times do take a bit longer because of the complexity and quality of our drinks and food, but I can promise you the wait is worth it and the bartenders and chefs put their heart and soul into each order! Currently in the process of reworking the menu so there are not as many veggie options right now, but hoping for more very very soon. Some of my menu favorites are the tofu tacos, steak sandwich, and of course the OMG fries with the truffle aioli. Also, follow them on Instagram! The marketing team is top notch. Hope to see you soon :)

I thought this business pivoted beautifully during covid shutdowns and turned gears from a bar/ spirit brew house to a hand sanitizer factory shipping nationwide.. kept many employed.. Bravo!

I've been sipping these spirits for a while, but I'm so psyched to finally get to see their beautiful venue. Right off the BLINE south of downtown in a seculded little corner of the town with a beautiful deck, this is where you'll find Cardnial Spirits! Did you have a spirited valentines day? We did with a retox at Cardnial and a little something sweet! Don't you love the calm before the storm. Their team seems to run like a well oiled machine! We arrived just a little bit before their sold out Valentines dinner service, so I honestly didn't expect attention (I've been there). However their service was excellent from beginning to end. Everyone either greeted us or have a gracious welcoming nod. Their mixoligists knew their products well. My favorite was the honey schnapps. They use local honey from the owners fathers apiary, which makes it even sweeter! Something interesting is that cardnial uses grapes to make all of their spirits! They also use tons of fresh herbs and spices. Which is sooo lovely; however this creates a little bit of a dance for my consumption. I have A LOT of allergies lavendar, chamomile, orange, seafood, etc.... anyways I notified my mixologist of this he calmly but attentively wemt through everything that was safe for me to consume, but then also double checked with the manager and the head distiller. He took extra caution & steps to ensure there was no cross contamination without creating any stress whatsoever for me! This raised my experience to the next level. He also talked with another mixologist & offered a personal concoction for me, since most of the ones they specialized in raised concern. I have never felt such great care at a house of libations! Sooooo, cocktails to go are a thing! (Mind blown). Cardnial offers specials featuring a bottle, shotglass, and mixer for around $35! Ummmm. Yaaasssss! I ended up going with the Point Break, This beauty tastes like an adult fruit punch, handcrafted by their skilled mixologist! House made Bramble Black Raspberry Vodka and Lake House Spiced Rum mixed with pear, tangy lemon, juicy pineapple, heated Chinese five-spice, hellfire and rhubarb bitters creates a beautiful concoction. Talk about spirited, a few sips of this fruity, tangy, sweet concoction and I feel like I'm on a cloud! The farmers daughter is perfect for those who like a little spice in their life. Radish-infused Vodka, with sweet honey, tangy lemon, spicy jalapeño, fresh mint, and finished with black pepper for a little kick! I know its a distillery right, but please do not leave without getting dessert! Creamy, sticky, sweet dolce de leche cake and a slice of sinful dark chocolate ganache are the perfect pair . I was really quite pleasantly surprised by how delicious and well executed this desert was. Even most restaurants struggle with achieving bakery level desserts, bravo and well be back @cardinalspirits !

Came back for second visit - HAD to have the Deviled Eggs - Creme Fraiche, Black Truffle Oil and Fried Shallots - These were INSANELY good - instant foodgasm - wow. This may be my death row last meal request.....

Tried brunch at Cardinal Spirits for the first time today. WOW! Great service as usual and really delicious food. Our party ordered the Porchetta Benedict, the poblano hash, the rye pork chop and the trio of pastries. Everything was amazing! Our cocktail orders were Nocino, bloody Mary, and the Café Miele. The Bloody Mary was great, not overloaded with veggies, it was perfect. The Cafe Miele was just as described, creamy and subtle. As mentioned above, service was great. We have grown accustomed to excellent service at Cardinal and they did not disappoint. Looking forward to returning.

Recently took the distillery tour and loved it! The $10 tour includes a cocktail of your choice and a tour of their distilling area. As well as, the ability to try any and all of their products! They have a lot of products, some of which I didn't even know they had, like triple sec! All of their spirits are made from natural ingredients and flavors. Their yeast is specially designed from IU. They use grapes from Argentina in their vodka, which is unique and gives the vodka a fantastic taste! They offer food but we didn't have any. The bar area had a great vibe and the staff was very friendly! If you've never been to Cardinal Spirits before, I'd highly recommend it!

always delicious food and super friendly staff! have gone a few times over the years and each time is better than the last. for non drinkers - their mocktails are just as delicious as their cocktails. definitely recommend when in Bloomington :)

Wonderful ambiance, low key, small, excellent drinks and prime rib sandwich was excellent! Well kept secret! Old fashioned was perfect!!! Servers were exceptional! I'll be back!

My husband and I did the distillery tour and, let me tell you, they have a lot of different spirits to choose from. I enjoyed the free Spiced Rum bottle we got right before Christmas. Last weekend we went there to have some apps and drinks. I had the KroGucci and it was so good! They put passion fruit juice in it and it has that refreshing bitterness, which I absolutely love. We ordered a cheese board ($14), and although it came with bread, crackers, and different types of cheeses and jams, I don't think it was completely worth it. There are better cheeses and jams they could've included, and there isn't enough of a portion for more than 2 people.

My wife ordered one of the Eggs Bennie. Do NOT order this unless you are prepared for a mega spicy Curry attack. We were not warned of how freaking spicy this was. In fact, our waitress said it was awesome. Well our breakfast was delivered and my wife had to move everything on the plate away from that offensive cauliflower. Our waitress did not check on us (despite the automatic 20% gratuity). By the time we were ready for the check I told the waitress that my wife's breakfast was mostly inedible. Suddenly the waitress says she didn't know and shes never had it. Quite a shift from when it was time to order. And then I told the hostess on the way out. All she said was "Ooooh, sorry." There are plenty of great places in Bloomington. I think I'll avoid this one.

Did you know that Cardinal Spirits doesn't just make great alcohol? Cardinal Spirits is a restaurant located on a fabulous little neighborhood street just north of Bloomington's Switchyard park bridge. Driving down this tiny little street you'll see adorable multicolored homes to your east and to the west situated on a hill you will see the Cardinal Spirits restaurant. They have a small parking lot just south of the restaurant. Inside you will find a tiny area containing Cardinal Spirits gifts. These are perfect for your drink local fans. We sat on the deck out front for our date night. We walked in and were able to get the last available table on the patio. There are only a handful of tables including the seating inside so be sure to make a reservation. On this night we were told we got lucky. The host was charming, our server was delightful and knowledgeable. We were greeted by the manager at our table thanking us for visiting their restaurant. The menu items were absolutely delicious and the drinks were superb. Cardinal spirits also hosts group tours of the distillery and would be the perfect place for your wedding party or office event. Since our visit, we have become huge fans of the Cardinal Spirits brand and drink selections. Put this on your must-do list when visiting B-town!

I recently had my first visit to Cardinal Spirits while visiting Bloomington for a weekend trip, though I had tried many of their products before. I was excited to finally see their actual location, and I was not disappointed! We ate and drank with friends in the distillery, though I didn't have the chance for a tour. I hope to return sometime this year to experience that, but my initial visit was great! We visited during their winter/holiday menu, so I opted for a warm cocktail. The Cider House Yules is Lake House Spiced Rum, local Musgrave Orchard apple cider, Indiana maple syrup, orange and lemon peel, and mulling spices. And it was absolutely delicious! I also had the opportunity to try the Not your Grandma's Eggnog and Milk Punch, but The Cider House Yules was definitely my favorite of the night! The distillery and bar are beautiful. My only complaint is that the seating options are very uncomfortable. The chairs are very small, and the other options are backless stools, so if you're visiting for a while you'll probably reach some level of discomfort, as all eight members of our party did. Several members of our group actually had to switch out their seating for something different, and they received help from staff, which we all really appreciated. But, other than the seating, everything was really good. I am excited to make a return trip here with B sometime this year. I can't wait to experience the tour, and try some spring or summer cocktails, depending on when we make the trip. If you're in the area, I definitely think Cardinal Spirits is a cool place to check out!

Best kept secret in Bloomington! Can't say enough great things about Cardinal. Craft spirits, delicious seasonal cocktails you won't find anywhere else, wonderful food, incredible staff with great indoor & outdoor spaces. Also, catered large ( 300+ people) event with Cardinal's off-site event group. Highly recommend!!

I went here for the first time with a friend last week for dinner & drinks. Despite an extremely limited menu, the food was fine & the cocktails were interesting. However, what would have been an acceptable, if not extraordinary, experience was ruined when we were each paying our bills. I had already signed mine & added a 20+% tip when my friend said, "Oh my gosh: They've already added a 20% tip to our bills!" I was furious! I have been in other restaurants where a gratuity was added ahead of time, even for individual diners, but the server always points it out when presenting the check. It is disgustingly unprofessional & sleezy to try to trick guests into tipping on top of a 20% tip. This may not seem like a big deal to some folks, but it is to me. I will not be returning!

Came to Cardinal Spirits last week for a nice brunch - cause why not? The store itself is pretty small and we were seated at the bar area. The menu itself was pretty small but each entree I have to say looked tasty. That day, my group wasn't in the mood to drink but sitting in front of the bar, all the drinks that were being made looked delicious! Definitely worth trying if you are there. When there, I ordered: * Poblano potato hash - this was a potato has with an aioli sauce that came with two eggs and my it was perfect! I really loved all the flavors the meal had. There is also an option where you can order some pork belly with the hash and I made the smart decision to. The pork belly was melt in your mouth which made it perfect to go with the hash. I would highly recommend one to check this place out & give it a shot!

Great booze. Fancy cocktails. Food looks good, but I haven't tried it. Its a good time.

Went their for Brunch at 2:10 and they closed at 3. Four servers in the restaurant and not one other customer when I arrived. Almost 5 minutes before I saw my server and believe or not 14 minutes before my drink order arrived at the table. Another couple arrived at 2:20 and when they were seated they were told they needed to order quickly because the cook was leaving at 2:30. If the restaurant is open until 3 then they should be staffed until 3. This was another example of the lack of service in the Bloomington market. They clearly had enough staff, they just had no clue on how to deliver a quality customer service experience. It's unfortunate.

What a wonderful place! I've been for brunch and dinner and both were a delight. The servers are friendly and helpful, and don't rush you. I was able to sit outside both times and enjoy the warm weather (they have blankets if you get cold), pet some doggos, hear the birds chirp and observe all the people passing by on the b-line. Parking is super convenient as well. As the for the food and drink, I wish I had more opportunities to come back! I was able to try the french toast, pork chops, and potato poblano from the brunch menu and those are a treat! The french toast isn't too sweet, the pork chops perfectly tender, but the poblano really takes the cake with its oozy eggs, crispy potatoes, cilantro and Franks hot sauce creating a lovely flavor medley in your mouth. For dinner I had their meaty mushroom dish which was cooked very tenderly and went well with the potato mash. I wasn't a huge fan of the mushroom sauce, but it still all went well together! Drink wise, I enjoyed the Cha Cha with my brunch (flora + grapefruit) and Earth Song with dinner. Cha cha is definitely on the lighter, fruitier side. Our server called it "effervescent". Earth Song was stronger with a lovely aftertaste of honey from the homemade honey schnapps. You don't have to be 21 to sit on the patio and order their food :) They even have mocktails to enjoy! Highly recommend coming for a wonderful food experience on the patio. Apparently their distillery tour is fun too!

We've been going to Cardinal Spirits since they opened- this is the first time we've been back since the pandemic. Service was extremely slow, we ordered the bread service (I think they went Kroger and got five slices of bread), butter and some jelly. Jelly was so tart it was almost inedible. We waited almost 20 min for the bread. They were out of pumpkin pancakes so had the classic and French toast. The food was ridiculously overpriced. The 20% auto-gratuity pushed it over the edge- if we'd had good service, I'd be more than happy to give more than that- we've already decided we won't be going back.

This review is for the tour/cocktails, not on any food purchase. I was in the Bloomington area and decided to stop by Cardinal Spirits. Since it was a Saturday, there were tours of the distillery at 1 & 3 p.m. So, I thought I would sign up ($10.80) and learn a bit about the business history and add to my understanding of the processes. Ben was our guide and also assists in the distilling. To start the tour, he offered a cocktail from a smaller list than what is listed for folks who are ordering from the bar/dining room. I went with a "Bramble Mule" which is made with "Bramble (black raspberry vodka), ginger beer, & lime juice served over ice in a copper mug. (Yes!!) Our group headed back to a table in the middle of the distillery area and we learned about the process of making simple alcohol in the holding tanks. We learned about how different yeasts and sugars affect the taste. We then headed over to the tasting area where 9 bottles were lined up. We had small servings of the first four flavors including the Vodka, Bramble, Gin (very smooth), and Terra Gin which is a higher end gin with lots of juniper taste. We then resumed our tour of the distilling process where they use two types of distilling processes and also add the additional flavors to finish off the flavors. The distilling is where the alcohol level is taken from a low concentration like wine up to the higher levels in liquor. We then returned to the tasting area to sample the Tiki Rum, Lake House spiced rum, Triple Sec Valencia (orange flavor), Flora (very sweet raspberry and edible flower flavor), and the Songbird Sweet Coffee liqueur. Some of the varieties are only found at this location and aren't mass produced for sale in outlets. So, if you are interested in some of them, you will need to make a point of coming here to give them a try. We also got to finish the tour with an overview of the bottling and labeling and an advance notice of some of the upcoming releases which include a partnership with with Oliver Winery on a Brandy and a drink that uses maple sugar instead of simple sugar for more depth. Fun Fact: Cardinal uses local grapes for the base of many of their drinks including the Vodka. Review #1369

Cardinal Spirits is a lovely little place in a cool area. And most importantly, they're churning out a good product. Take their tasting tour and you won't be disappointed. And you'll find out which of their items are most to your taste. Unless you just don't care for spirits, you're likely to find something that appeals to you.

This is my first time, I highly enjoyed the atmosphere. The waitresses were very nice with great timing and concise communication. The food was good but not FANTASTIC and a little high on price. But the drinks were absolutely delicious but also highly price. Overall I will be back :)

Hands down, some of the best local distilled spirits and liquor in the Hoosier state. from their branding to their massive line of options, to their suggested recipes and the beautiful store front, Cardinal Spirits is a great local business to support. I've had many options but a few that stand out to me are the Bramble and the Coffee Liqueur. You can find them in many local stores, especially Big Red Liquors, but if you're down in the area, I'd encourage you to take a tour and meet the staff. They're all so incredibly nice and knowledgeable. Cheers to a great product, Cardinal Spirits. May the new options keep flowing and the spirits never stop!

I cannot say enough GREAT things about this place! Our server was top notch-(Kevin I believe was his name). We were treated like royalty, best service, great feedback on menu (and off menu) items. Their chef is out of this world, this is not your typical brunch-it truly was one of the best meals I have ever had. We have been a few times now and the service has been excellent each time, food excellent and the atmosphere is casual with a high end feel. They even had a dog bowl for the outside seating area. Love this place and now one of my favs!

Always a great place to grab a well crafted, seasonal cocktail. I adore their house liquors, my favorites being the Honey Schnapps and Flora. I appreciate the effort Cardinal puts in to work with other local businesses as well. I know they have worked with Upland Brewing Co. on their Bierschnapps, Hopscotch Cafe on their Songbird Coffee Liquour and even worked with an Indiana University researcher to find a unique bee-related yeast for their honey schnapps (it literally comes from the gut of a bee!). It's also cool knowing that they have a bee colony on the roof which helps pollinate the b-line flora. A very cool company overall! I also have really enjoyed the food menu they put together. I haven't dined there often, but when I have it's always delivered a refined taste of our local food scene.