Nick's English Hut

Sammy is an amazing and attentive bartender who carries a smile on her face. The draft choices are amazing here and your choices are almost limitless. The food is good and the atmosphere is warm. I highly recommend coming in on Thursday and saying hi to sammy!!

What a nice joint to hang out. The foods great (especially the chicken), and even though my chili came out lukewarm, it was very quickly taken care of. Our server was really nice. Great place!

College sports bar feel. Would like to see more beer variety, considering how many breweries are in the area. Good place to watch sports, specifically the Nicks? Did not have any food, so no comments on that.

My brother and I decided to come to Nick's everything was awesome to our amazing server Leslie, to the food was absolutely delicious! We will definitely be back!😊

I got the BLT, which was good and came with a LOT of bacon. The atmosphere is nice and the decor is very cool. The service was a bit slow, especially given how few patrons there were in the restaurant at the time. Still a fine experience.

If you’re looking for some Hoosier nostalgia, Nick’s is the place to be. The bucket-o-fries was a great starter for the table, spicy with a nice aioli. You can’t go wrong with the Stromboli. Plenty of pickles! The black bean burger is available on a gluten free bun, which was tasty. Definitely a great college town hang out. If you’re looking for something more upscale, visit Nick’s sister restaurant Osteria Rago, which is one of our favorites in Bloomington. This is an independent, uncompensated review.

We came for lunch right when they opened so it wasn't very busy at first. Our server was fine - didn't hover, but checked in a couple of times. Food came out pretty quickly. The 2 of us ordered a cheeseburger, a breaded tenderloin, and onion rings to share. The sandwiches do not come with a side although the price is high enough that I would have expected one. The burger was ok, nothing special. It was a little on the small side. The tenderloin was good, but not amazing. The onion rings had way too much batter - I pulled off half the breading just to be able to taste the onion. Total check was $44 plus tip and we each had a coke. We were just driving through. I'd pick a different restaurant next time but if someone really wanted to go there I wouldn't say no.

Bbq stromboli was 10 out of 10 as we're the pickles, went for lunch, wanted to go back for dinner.

I hadn't been here in years and was kind of nervous if it would still be the same. Glad to say it was! The biz fries and Stromboli's still hit!! I also loved the Guinness that they served, the alcohol selection was great Really a proper trip to Bloomington for me isn't complete without a nicks visit,

Very cool spot loaded to the gills with IU history and nostalgia. I've heard from more than one alumni how many great memories they have of this place, and when it comes to bars and eateries, thats really what it's all about. I gave four stars simply because the burger I had was a bit dry and uneventful. Perhaps it's my own fault though, I probably should have tried the Stromboli since that's what Nick's is known for. There are even rumors that Bobby Knight used to draw up basketball plays on cocktail napkins here. The staff was super friendly and exactly what you'd hope for in a place like this. I'm sure the original owner would be proud of what he created. Nick's is a lot of fun.

Got to be honest, when I went into this place I thought no shot their food is going to be good based on just beers and booze everywhere which is what you get at a college dive bar so I wasn't surprised by the atmosphere. The food was pretty good! Mozzarella Sticks were fine, how can you do those wrong. Tenderloin was excellent for a college bar! I've lived in Indiana my whole life so I have had plenty of tenderloins, and this one was at least a 7/10.

This place is shit. Someone clean the fuck up. I feel like I'd catch a disease just walking through the place. Their dirty ass kitchen is open for the whole restaurant to see, you even have to walk through it just to get upstairs. The service is fucking pathetic. Door staff and servers need to be fired. One of the worst places I have ever been to in my life. Food was also trash. Idk what they think onion rings are supposed to look or taste like but that is NOT IT.

Since 1927 so I guess they're doing something right. This is the quintessential IU tavern. It's everything Harry's at Purdue wishes it was.

A gem of a bar. Nick's has a wide selection of bar favorites, and I don't think I've had a bad dish yet. The Sink the Biz fries are a must. Super fun atmosphere. There are certain times you'll want to avoid because of the crowds but definitely worth a visit.

Gayle and I returned to Nick's for Lunch a few weeks ago, along with her oldest Son. Same as it ever was, plus I purchased on of their iconic bell jar beer glasses to take home. The duality of Nick's was more evident the next afternoon when I was walking near Campus and witnessed hoards of students with "Santa Crawl" t-shirts travelling from bar to bar (with their IDs ready for inspection). There was a huge line in front of Nick's stairway to their 2nd floor bar area and a lot of folks coming down. Meanwhile at the nearby door to the restaurant, I could have easily sat down for another delicious lunch in their far from full front dining area.

The atmosphere here was so fun! I can see the hype from the IU students. A great place to catch a game or people watch.

Fun place to hang out and chill with friends. Gets crowded but still comfortable. Reasonable drinks and aren't cheap with the alcohol

I'm in town for the holidays, and called Nick's to order a strom for carryout as I've done for decades when I'm in town. The guy who answered the phone was a jerk, and said he would not take a carryout order. I was surprised, because I've ordered carryout dozens of times, and asked if that was just for the holidays, or a new policy. He didn't answer my question, butvsaid if I wanted to order, I could come in.

The ambiance was historical and unique, the service was speedy and the food was really good with excellent portions. The Sink the Biz Fries were soooo good and the bucket was HUGE!! We spit the Italian Beef sandwich it was so big and the "side" salad was anything but a side!! For an authentic Bloomington experience, I would highly recommend Nick's!!

This is a Bloomington, IN staple and a must visit spot if you're visiting. Great game day place with full menu and bar. My go to menu item is the Traditional Stromboli (half) and Sink the Biz Fries. Lively atmosphere and wonderful service.

No IU experience is complete without a trip to Nick's. Most of the food is standard bar fare, service is hit-or-miss, but the atmosphere is pure Indiana. There's Hoosier memorabilia everywhere, from license plates to records to their very own bison head. Will you be a little crowded squishing 4 people into a booth downstairs? Maybe. But after a few rounds of sink the biz in and stuffing those glorious fries in your face, you won't mind. The sink the biz fries are always a bright spot. Dusted in a powder full of Parmesan and spices, you might just find yourself running your finger along the bottom of the bucket for more. The sauce is great, too. I also have to say that I love the new fry buckets themselves--they collapse into their own to-go containers. Genius!

As an IU alum, I've been to Nick's more times than I can count. Stopped by for lunch during an impromptu visit to town with my sister (who'd never been there) last weekend. Even on a Saturday afternoon in the summer, the atmosphere at Nick's is great! So much to look at, sports on tv and of course...that amazing Bloomington vibe! Throw in the good food and prompt service...you can't go wrong here!

Biz Fries 9/10 really delicious; came with amazing Mayo sauce? Supreme Pizza 8.5/10 also delicious! Wish their ranch was better but I still really enjoyed. Stromboli 8.5/10 very impressed, very delicious. Bread was very soft and yummy

Popped into Nick's on a whim. We were seated right away despite the campus being busy with graduation. Our server was great. She was on her game and dealt with us quickly. She got us menus and took our orders within 10 minutes. The ambiance of the place was loud and cramped. (Again... graduation.) Nick's is a sports bar, and the pub atmosphere is to be expected. That said, physically handicapped patrons may struggle with seating in the tight booths, and getting to the bathrooms. The place is very tight and crammed with booths. There's another seating area in the back that is more open, but still cramped. Restrooms are in a central location and there's not a lot of space in them - especially if you're in a wheelchair. The food was mediocre. It was not bad; just par for a pub. I think that's my key criticism: we paid almost $25.00 a plate for something that was really worth about $12.00. Again, not bad, but definitely over-priced. The selection is good, with all things Americana on the menu, but everything is a la cart, so a burger, fries, and a drink end up being much more than they needed to be. I think I will go back to Nick's. I'm just going to order a little differently next time.

Overall pretty good. Bigger than expected portions. The waiter was quite a "smart Alec" in a fun way and made us feel at home. I will return. recommend to others when in Bloomington. The dining room has a lot of great IU posters and pictures. Comfortable seating as well.

Let's start with the positives. This is a Bloomington institution, no question. It has a ton of history, it's a great place to get a drink, and to catch an IU game if you couldn't get a ticket to go in person or if they're on the road. The staff is laid back, and the atmosphere is what you'd expect of a tavern as old as it is. I love it for all of those reasons. The food, however, leaves a lot to be desired, especially for the price. Having had their pizza, wings, burgers and fries, I've never been particularly impressed. That said, I know it's not usually the food that brings people in. If you're in Bloomington and wanting to watch a game and get a beer, this is as good a spot as you'll find. I'd just eat beforehand.

Went here while visiting on my son's new student orientation at IU. It is what you would expect a college bar and I'm sure it's crazy fun during game day. Food ok. My husband got the pizza which I'm sure was just a frozen pizza, my son got the wings, which I think we're probably the hit of dinner as well as the fries which were delicious. I got a burger. It was basic.

I've been a pretty regular patron of Nick's for decades, but that might have all ended tonight. The food was good, server was good, beer was good. I've always liked to linger at Nick's but tonight I couldn't wait to get the hell out of there. And all for a reason I could never have anticipated -- screaming obnoxious children. I was surrounded by them. The booth in front of me, behind me, and across from me. Apparently the Indiana law changed a few months ago to allow children of any age in bar dining areas. Bars do not have to allow children, but apparently Nick's has chosen to. And inconsiderate parents seem to be loving it. I'm not. I sure wish Nick's would reconsider or at least set aside an area for grownups. Seeing Nick's turn into Chuck E. Cheese makes me feel like I've lost an old friend.

This is one of the best places to have a salad!! Of all places, to have a salad, this one tops them all... the homemade Bleu cheese dressing is out of this world, the fresh greens, cucumbers and carrots add to the deliciousness! They have IU Memorabilia everywhere, TV's are always playing IU sports and you always feel like you're actually at the stadium! Their pizza has one of the best mixtures of cheeses that we have ever had! Their burgers, while overpriced ($15.99 a la carte) are quite delish. Their pork tenderloin is also really yummy! We've NEVER had bad or slow service at all. Everyone is so friendly, always upbeat and makes sure you are enjoying your time there! We love going there!!!

This is an IU staple! Like any college watering hole it's filled with greasy offerings that are best accompanied with a beer. Today we opted forward the chicken fingers, fries, onion rings and mozzarella sticks. We would definitely get the chicken fingers with biz fries and sauce again. It's a huge portion that is perfect for splitting. We had a side of ranch and Jamaican Jerk sauce. Both were great. The mozzarella sticks were not the gooey but hard fried with the inner cheese almost non existent. I would pass on those next time. The onion rings were great but do not come with a sauce. I'm an Indiana girl so ketchup is fine for me.

Fantastic lunch today. Special, small pizza and salad. Jalapeño and cheese. A hearty helping of jalapeños and cheese, house salad with house made bleau cheese. Attentive service in a timely fashion. Will go back soon.

Stopped in to Nick's on a work trip so I could get a true local experience. The interior has a pub feel with tons of IU memorabilia throughout the restaurant. I sat inside at a cozy booth, but would try the outdoor seating if I return with a group. Menu is mostly pub fare, but plenty of options (burgers, sandwiches, pizzas). Of course I had to try the sink fries and a Stromboli. The fries lived up to the hype! The sandwich side size comes with plenty of fries for one person. Stromboli was good- wish there had been more sauce. Service staff is mostly college students, which adds to the charm. If you're looking for the quintessential IU experience and some good casual dining, Nick's is your spot!

I visited Nick's tonight for the first time. I thought the decor was super interesting. I love little restaurants that put up their history and tell a little story while you eat. I learned a lot about people who had visited the restaurant in the past while waiting for my food. The place wasn't busy for how pushy the staff seemed to be. My partner asked multiple times for different drinks to which he received "we're out" and finally just settled for his water. The server didn't come back to see if he ever wanted anything else or to offer any sort of alternate drinks. The food was pretty good. I didn't get a photo before I snarfed it down. I ordered the chicken sandwich and fries. The bacon on the sandwich was cooked perfectly; one of the best orders of bacon I've had locally. The chicken could have used another minute or two on the grill, but it was done just enough. Altogether, I would order the sandwich again. The fries were perfect. I think the one thing all of the restaurants in Bloomington get right is the fries: and I'm a bit of a fry snob. My partner ordered a burger and it was delicious ! I love a burger where you can taste the grill when you bite into it. Definitely recommend going for the experience. Unsure why the service was so poor - possibly short staffed or just expecting a big rush.

Good pizza and calzones, beer is good and cold!! Sat at the bar and had excellent service. Good little college bar scene.

I went to nicks this past day and the experience was amazing! Service was amazing and food was quick and savory. Great location and the atmosphere was very satisfactory. 5 stars and will definitely be returning.

I can't really comment on the food because we mainly came in for drinks, but I did try some of the fries and they were pretty good. Nick's is one of the many bars in a college-party town. So be ready for it to be packed, busy and loud. If you're looking for a quiet spot to have a cocktail- this isn't your place. But if you're looking for a good spot for drinking games and loud laughter- you've come to the right place! They've got your typical bar food which pairs well with drinks. You know... pizza, fries, chicken tenders, etc. I wouldn't mind coming back again sometime. The atmosphere was crazy but fun. So bring a good crew along with you!

If you look underage don't go, they will not believe your ID even with back ups. While I get the caution it is insulting I can't help that I look twelve when I am 22!! They didn't even care when I said please call the police. Insulting and rude will never be back.

The bizz fries are soooo good!! They come with this "magic dust" seasoning on them and a really good garlic aioli type of dipping sauce. Can't go wrong with chicken tenders and beers too

I'm 58. I've been going there for 37 years. It's my favorite place on earth. We used to have a bucket there. The Strom is the best invention ever. Does anybody know where I can get a copy of the AJ Foyt/Bob Knight photo on the first floor on the original side? The Upstairs portion west of the original side used to be a salon. New York was the name. I'll bet there's still hair up there. The last 4 times I've tried to eat at Nick's the door men have denied me entrance on the original side and suggested I go to the Upstairs edit: Susan, thank you for the procedural. I will keep all of this in mind.

Clearly you can tell this place is one of "the" college bars at IU. Packed on a Friday night pre fall semester. SUPER loud. Biz fries were solid. Their famous Stromboli was pretty good. All in all a good but loud place.

Food is well prepared always. Staff very experienced and friendly. Main issue is it has become very expensive. Most recent visit will a beer, burger and fries was 26 bucks before gratuity. Family of four could easily run over a hundred fifty bucks

Very cool place on the party street in Bloomington. I'm on a big ten campus food tour so I wanted to go to the #1 spot on each campus so I came here. As a Purdue fan and alum I felt weird drinking my beer out of the IU mugs but it was ironically funny. My family split the sink the biz fries (huge bucket of Parmesan seasoned fries with a good mayo dipping sauce) and a Stromboli. All were good but I guarantee taste amazing after a night of drinking. Typical bar fare but I love the history on the inside and you can feel the nostalgia. Tons of seating downstairs and upstairs but it's tight quarters. Just your typical college bar and it's great.

The food was good and I liked the decor! I think the burger is a typical burger but I really enjoyed the fries. They were very fresh! The server we had was amazing! She was very sweet and good at helping with deciding what to order. A great problem solver.

Overpriced, mediocre, environment is fun, drinks aren't crazy priced. The location is great so they ride on that and bring a "Bloomington institution." Do better.

The food at Nick's is delicious. Their Biz fries are so good. They get your food pretty fast. The employees are great and always have a good time. It is a decent sized place, but it seems a little small because of the bar.

The management and staff are rude and treat people poorly. never going back to this place.

Holy hell what have I been missing my whole life not having the biz fries?! We visited on a slow Saturday and the bartending staff were so kind and friendly towards us. They laughed as we played Sink the Biz. We ordered a half strom but they accidentally brought us a full one. Obviously not a problem in our books! Even the burger was very juicy and large. The bar has so much character and history, it's such a fun place to be. I will not forget my lunch here!

This place is clearly a staple of the college campus. The food was nothing special. I got a salad and it was drenched in oil and very basic. I couldn't finish it because it was overdressed and dripping in oil. The fries were good but that's about it. The ambiance inside the place was super cool though. I'd say it's worth a visit just for that.

I sunk the biz 12 times too many Burger was pretty good and the biz fries (and that sauce) were baller My buddies literally scooped the fry seasoning out of our bucket and ate it raw so that must speak to its excellence. Service was great, waitress explained the game to us and was on point with the refills. Ambiance in there was very homey.

Nicks is a Bloomington institution and a college haunt. Come for solid bites, large beer selection and friendly service. The setting is perfect for large groups and special occasions in a relaxed atmosphere. The exterior is just plain cool and although English in the name it's more German Fes Haus type Vibe. A small front patio offers a couple tables. Parking is by meter on the street. The walk up tidy. Once you enter and if your a first timer like I was you will be shocked how spacious it is. My large group of 45+ was upstairs around the bar. A lot of IU history hangs on the walls including a cool Bobby Knight sign. Our party got dozens of pizza served buffet style. I had the sausage and pepperoni and both yum! Love the square pie. Our server was on top of drinks. They also have wine and well drinks. Everyone in my party enjoyed themselves and their offerings. Is Nick's a must while visiting B Town, yep! They offer late night dining too!

First time coming to Bloomington and heard a lot of hype about this place. After a long day, we went to Nick's and got seated relatively quickly, the inside was decorated like an old fashioned pub and it was very busy. After being seated and placing our order, we waited one and a half hours for our food to come, without any comment from the server as to why everything was taking so long. 90 minutes later, our food arrived and my pizza was lukewarm at best; it had clearly been sitting out for over 30 minutes. The ambiance is nice and nostalgic, however for a good meal, I would not recommend Nick's.

3 words that most Hoosiers would know, "Sink The Biz"... Nicks is where it originates! For the newbies or out of towners, this is a drinking game essentially set up to screw the person sitting next to you by drinking an extra cup of beer. You put a glass in a bucket, and you want to pour the most you can into the glass without sinking it. Whoever sinks it drinks it. I used to live down the street from Nicks. My then out of town boyfriend, now husband, would crave their burgers. Good food, drinks, service. It's old, dark, small bathrooms.. but it really is an iconic Bloomington Bar. Long live Nicks!!

Last night we celebrated my 21st birthday with some of my family and friends​. It was a good place to start it out, they have a bar for only 21+ people as well as a restaurant part where people under 21 can hang out and eat. We got a pizza and their "sink the biz" fries. The pizza was good and the fries were great! They come with a sauce that is incredible and I have honestly​ never tasted something​ that goes so well with fries! The drinks were great! I got a vodka soda with lime and my friends got a beer and a vodka cranberry and they were very happy with their drinks. The service was good, nothing over-the-top special but it was adequate and there was nothing I could complain about. The facilities were clean but a little hard to navigate - walking in the rows of booths are narrow and there is a section in the back that is kind of hard to find. I look forward to going back there and specifically going to the bar part and play some of their infamous games as well as trying out their other drinks!

BEST GAME DAY BAR EXPERIENCE!! Why go anywhere else when you can enjoy the experience of a stadium indoors? Love the food, drinks are great! And the experience is unmatched. Forever fan of Nick's.

Second time I've been here, the first time I remember really liking it. I don't remember what we had. Second time around the mushroom burger with supposedly magic mushrooms. They're sad they don't even taste like mushrooms. Gross even. They made me sad. That being said, just skip any mushrooms on burgers/sandwiches if you like mushroom flavor, because all you get is some sort of Italian seasoned/red wine vinegar soaked mushrooms. I scraped the mushrooms off. Food is good though. One member had their sub. It was very good. We ordered Biz Fries. They were OK. I think I would've rather gone with onion rings because all the seasoning of the fries falls to the botto, at which point you're just full. Overall, I will go back and hope I don't get the slow waitress we had today. There were a few waitresses obviously hustling and then mine. She had to be called outside to serve our table. We ordered a pitcher of beer and it took at least 10 minutes to get it to us, mind you it was busy, but it wasn't insane. We also wanted waters and she acknowledged it twice, but had to be asked a third time. So because of her service, you get three stars, because of my previous experience there a few years ago, I know I will return. It was good, expensive for a burger, but what isn't??!!

I preface this review with one very important disclaimer: I don't drink. Outside of on occasion, literally only to get drunk, I don't drink. I don't enjoy drinking, I don't enjoy the taste of alcohol, I don't like all of it. And yet, Nick's is one of my favorite Bloomington spots. It's the vibe, I'm convinced. As someone who hates fraternity parties and detests when people assume that because you're in college, all you do is go to bars and party, Nick's is a safe haven of sorts. My friend and I walked in in sweatshirts and leggings on a chilly November night - not in any mood to get made up or look attractive- and we felt MORE than welcome as we nestled into a booth downstairs to chow down on some signature Nick's fries. These fries? They're the bomb. They're more than the bomb. They're really all you ever need and will need, especially on a late weekend night. I've been back in bigger groups too and regardless of what's on the table, I always order a bucket of fries for myself. These fries are NOT for sharing.

Oh Nick's English Hut you are still the best and unchanged after all these years. Always my first stop when returning to Bloomington followed by a walk through Sample Gates. Great atmosphere, wonderful beer selection and solid pizza in a very chill setting. The bartenders are always great and you can always strike up a conversation with the peeps at the bar. Nick's is one of those places where an old alum like myself can still visit and toss down a few pints in this absolutely wonderful college town.