The Rail (Bloomington, IN)

08/09/2014

We wish we had time to put together a video for The Rail's last night - which while different was no less epic - but here's a very short documentary on HouseBar's Closing Night for those of you Rail Faithful that managed to wonder down the hill in a daze after some of Chef Bob's food and a few of Colin's cocktails.

HouseBar's last night of business on July 4, 2014 Thanks to everyone who supported this weird, amazing little bar in Bloomington, Indiana. Produced by Byron ...

07/02/2014

Dear HouseBar Faithful:

It’s with heavy hearts that we must announce that following our 4th of July Party on Friday we will be closing our doors indefinitely due to not being able to come to an agreement with the new landlord. Though we are incredibly saddened by this development, we want to take the opportunity to express our gratitude to you all.

It’s been one of the great pleasures of our lives to have been fortunate enough to have served you all for the last five years. We opened in a run-down little yellow house with a handmade bar, a broken shower in the bathroom, a few bottles of alcohol, no previous bartending skills, and red-plastic cups for $1 PBRs on our opening night – and, with the incredible support of so many friends and even more customers-turned friends, when we close the doors Saturday morning we’ll be leaving behind a place more special to all of us than we could have even imagined on that night five years ago.

All of you contributed in your own way to HouseBar: whether you donated your artwork, board games, furniture, you threw a show or an event, even just cleaned up a spill or simply sat on the porch and kept the conversation from getting boring. Through the years HouseBar became something bigger than a business, and a lot bigger than us owners or even our staff- HouseBar became a family. We want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for allowing us to be in your family, to grow up with you, to celebrate your birthdays, new jobs, engagements (and breakups). We’ve hosted your going-away & coming-home parties, your first art/ bands show, and first dates; we’ve even hosted a wedding reception and sadly a few wakes- you let us into your lives and it has meant the world to us. We will never forget you as we hope you’ll never forget HouseBar. Know that we are not just giving up, that hopefully this is only goodbye for now and not goodbye forever, but we’d be remiss not to take the opportunity - should this be the end – to express our heartfelt gratitude for opening up your hearts to that funny, weird, little bar in a yellow house up on North Walnut Street.

Three evenings remain. BE AROUND.

What a short strange trip it has been.

With all of our love,

Andy Aronis, Andy Butler, Colin Boilini, Big Z, and the entire staff past & present.

06/13/2014

Although these shelves sit empty now, missing the intoxicating elixers we have shared in common delight, rest assured we will not rest until new shelves hold our bounty. We miss this, and we will return.

06/07/2014

Last night's turnout was incredible! Thank you for the support and kind words of encouragement, it was heartwarming and quite touching. Let's make tonight great again as we plan our future home in the near future!! Come grab your favorite cocktail or dish while supplies last!
A thousand thank yous,
Colin & the entire Rail crew

P.S. We will open at 5 tomorrow for our last night at 825 N. Walnut

06/06/2014

Greetings Rail Faithful,
After over two and a half years here at 825 N. Walnut, this weekend marks our last at this location. We have had so much fun sharing our food and drinks with you, and cannot express how appreciative we are of your loyal patronage! This has all happened very quickly, and things outside of our control have helped determine this result. We are eagerly pursuing moving operations to a new location and offering you fine folks something even better than what we've been able to do here. I encourage you to help make this weekend great by coming by and enjoying our offerings and sharing cherished memories made in this ol' train station on the hill. This is not the last you've heard from us, you can expect bigger and better things in the future! We will keep you posted on developments as we move forward. Thank you so much for making this great, it has been a surreal experience. Again, we cannot express our gratitude enough & we will see you again soon, rest assured.
Love,
Colin & the entire Rail crew
BE AROUND!

06/05/2014

The Last Days of Pisco
Pisco, black tea, peach/Serrano syrup, lemon and lime, ango and pineapple

06/04/2014

Tonight's special cocktail is the Mintberry Punch: single malt scotch, apple brandy, honey, lemon, grapefruit, strawberries & mint!

05/31/2014

Chipotle chicken heart enchilada with sharp cheddar & pico de gallo. $10 tonight!

05/29/2014

Tonight's special cocktail is Courting Destiny: aged rum, Byrrh, tawny port, orange & cinnamon bitters

05/28/2014

The Long Shot, tonight's special cocktail at . Fino sherry, jalapeño-infused tequila, celery syrup, fresh lime, and pineapple.

05/27/2014

Tonight's special cocktail is St. George Terroir gin, aquavit, lemon, black pepper, Cynar & cucumber with a scotch rinse

05/24/2014

Memorial weekend: engines, eagles, sunshine, friendship, family & COCKTAILS!