The Back Door

Didn’t have the food but some friends raved about the pizza. Went with a large group for karaoke and it was a great time! Great service and atmosphere, really welcoming place, would be a regular if I lived closer.

A great atmosphere all round. Staff are great, drinks are great, food is great, and they have some kind of event almost every night of the week. If you’re in Bloomington this is a great place to go. I’ve never had a bad night at the Back Door and everyone is always so welcoming and friendly. Support your local gay bar.

Friendly environment! You will have maximum crowd participation, if you play the right Song. Definitely keep your bartender as they are great, even though I don’t drink.

I made an unplanned visit to Bloomington, and decided to check out karaoke at The Back Door. The environment was very welcoming, and the place was full of energy and love. Highly recommended, and my only complaint is that I dont have more time here to check out their other amazing events.

Overly sentimental review coming in—absolutely love and loved this place. a great place for people who want to meet gay and trans friendly folks without feeling too much pressure. i’m deducting a point simply because of how loud the music always was, a sensory friendly show or a silent disco for those who get overstimulated would be very cute. i’m taking a break because of my alcoholic tendencies, as well as mental health concerns and some embarrassment, but if you want to party, this is the place. if you want to perform, the open stage shows on wednesdays are a great way to start. if you love to sing, karaoke with misfit is immaculate. if you like a drag show, this bar features the best artists in and out of state. oh and go next door to blockhouse for the gay honky tonk 🩷

I am going to this on Friday march 29th and I can’t wait I am not a lesbian at all but I love me some people like this it’s my first time ever going to one of these shows

Interesting bar with a light and friendly atmosphere. Features a creative hand stamp and lighted singing contest involving large strong women with big hair and fun sing-a-long style lip syncing. Bar tenders are friendly and fast. Bathrooms are co-ed but creatively decorated with local graffiti. Would go back.

The atmosphere is immaculate. Only *minor* complaint is some of the performers at shows arent doing much performing, but its still so fun to be there regardless. My bloom go to.

Bartenders allowed there friends to cut in line for a drink after we waited 20 minutes. People in line reaching in front of u being rude. No air conditioning @ all. I was impressed that they had a food vendor. Overall we liked the bar except for it being so hot. Plus bartenders need to stop letting people cut in line. Maybe get the air fixed with all the money u collect for cover and drinks. Drink prices were very fair and so was the food vendor. Not trying to be a hater but definitely have some easy issues to fix.

Gay bars are a rare treat here in Indiana and Bloomington. There’s nothing better than this one. I love coming here and the owners are absolutely nice and the staff is amazing. Not to mention the bartenders know how to pour up a really good one as well.

My favorite bar in Bloomington! Definitely makes some people uncomfortable given it’s a gay bar, but this is the best place for dancing with tasty drinks. Get the cucumber one!!

Wow, what classy, kind people. My husband, two of our friends, and I (we are all from Indianapolis) took a trip this weekend to Spencer Pride and decided to see a drag show here. We didn’t purchase tickets in advance and they were sold out. However, the front desk show is compassion and generosity and made room for us while offering us discounted tickets. We felt valued, and I appreciated the kindest they showed us. What an overall really amazing experience! We will certainly come back from Indy to visit!

My favorite bar in town! I love the atmosphere, everyone is always super welcoming. Great shows are hosted here on the regular and drinks vary in price from reasonable $2 PBR upwards of $8 fancy cocktails. Its the only bar in town where I feel totally comfortable letting lose and dancing the night away.

This is my favorite spot in town it has great vibes and it feels safe. The food in the food truck is perfect is amazing and they always have fun events.

Bartender is a complete thief. The night I was there she had a hat on backwards. She told me 3 times different prices for my drinks and I ordered the same one all night. Every time I got one the price went up. She never brought change back to me. I guess she tipped herself on top of the over charges. She was doing her own drinking that night so I was paying for her drinks too I guess. I will never go back to this bar and neither will the 6 friends I had with me. Absolute garbage of an establishment.

First time there and I had a great time there pic of a after party I went to after thats just a cut out picture the guy had at his home in his man cave

The staff and bartenders are great—I love getting to chat with them when it’s not too crowded.A personal favorite of mine is the Disney Cabaret night. Be on the lookout for it, it can sell out quickly.Love the performances and overall atmosphere.Throw glitter, not shade.

Great cocktails, and a great place to go dancing on certain nights. Women - be wary of the single straight men that try to hit on queer women, but I feel like that is an unfortunate feature of every LGBT+ bar. I wish they had more bathroom stalls, but I do love the gender neutral bathrooms.

Ive only been once, but it was a good time. The staff was polite and good at their jobs, and the Drag show was great.Edit: I have now been twice and I had an even better time the second time around.

I brought my straightish friend here for her first drag show.She enjoyed herself thoroughly! From her perspective, the performers were “meticulously made-up” and “well-dresses”. It was a night of “thrills and titillation” “filled with rainbow unicorns” and “tongue-in-cheek titled drinks”.As the only real queer place in Bloomington, besides my friends’ houses, this place is a lot of fun where all are welcome.

I used to go to this bar fairly often. The drinks are nice and theres usually a unique event going on. Unfortunately, the last time I went was last Halloween. I know it was a while ago but its been really bothering me. I havent felt comfortable to return because of the direction of the party. What was an easy going burlesque show turned very venomously political. Im not an avid Trump supporter or very political charged but the atmosphere was not only dissapointing but honestly bordered on frightening. One of the dancers blared a song screaming f* Donald Trump, queuing the crowd to do the same. The dancer covered a flag in fake fecal matter and paraded it around stage while the crowd grew into a frenzy.My boyfriend and I left shortly after, both feeling incredibly uncomfortable by the riot like behavior, genuinely concerned about what violence was going to break out. It was very animalistic.It didnt occur to either of us until this past week when discussing what bars to go to that the behavior and atmosphere of The Back Door had changed in such a way that we had not intention of returning.I used to love this bar but the dancer wasnt the only time that politics had been infused in what should be a welcoming and comfortable atmosphere. It gave the bar a bad taste and reflected very poorly on the community

Saturday Dance Parties and Drag, need I say more!? Drinks are a little pricey but I dont even care once I am dancing. The whole place is crowded and fun, but never difficult to get on the stage if you want! Definitely bring all my friends here when they are in town

We had a ton of fun at this place! We went to a show prior to it turning into a dance party. All of the staff was courteous and kind, as were other patrons. The only thing that sucked was the amount of bathroom stalls. We loved it and will definitely go back!

This is the only queer bar in town now and its a gem. Good drinks (with fun queer community inspired names like The Beard) at a moderate price and an incredibly fun atmosphere. The decor is kitchy--lots of unicorns, gay/queer photos, glitter and animal print. I adore this place for dancing, drag shows and local music. Always check their Facebook page for events because certain nights can get REALLY PACKED so you have to decide if you want a low key night or not. What I most appreciate about this place is that the owners and employees really seek to make it a safe space for LBGTQ+ people, women and people of color. No harassment will be tolerated and people can be kicked out/banned for bad behavior. In summer and spring the patio and porch expand the space and are great for hanging out even if a show is going on. So much love for the Back Door!

Ive reached a point that the only bar that I go to when Im in Bloomington is the Back Door Bar. As far as Im concerned, its hands-down the best bar in Bloomington. I still have vague and fleeting memories of Bullwinkles, and the great times I had there. Its not that big of a place, but in some ways that just makes it that much better. Great atmosphere, great drinks, great shows, great people, and great, great place to dance = one heck of a great time!

The Backdoor is such an amazing place for LGBTQ+ or even straight allies! Everyone feels comfortable and theres a zero tolerance of any inappropriate behavior. Come here to dance your butt off and have an amazing good time and great drinks!

Loved that they had a menu board with fun mocktails! Made going out while pregnant easy and fun to still participate.

This place is NOT all inclusive. If you have a disability you will not get in. Their elevator lift has been broken for MONTHS. We showed up only to be turned away and this is the second time. I will not be going back. The manager was really nice about it, but he isnt responsible for fixing the lift. TIP: Build a RAMP

Home away from home. I love this place. It made me move back to BTOWN. The backdoor will have my heart until the day I die. Amazing staff and amazing performers.

One star only because the bartenders are nice, but its a realy lonely pub to go to especially for a young gay man, clicky, out of touch and druggy place. If you are not part of a borg collective & are just looking for good music and maybe meet new freinds or possible hookups i would go somewhere else. If you like ecstasy, antifa, & going home alone late at night its the place to be!! - joshua b.

I’ve been here a few times, it’s always a good time. The atmosphere has always been welcoming and the staff is always swell. They host fun events, and I always have an all around great time whenever I’m there.

The bartender overcharged me for my beer. I am sure he gets away with this a lot. But, I had purchased beers earlier and KNEW what the price was. I would NEVER return to this hole in the wall, RIPOFF bar, even if it is the only gay bar in town. TOTALLY BAD FEELING ABOUT THIS BAR. CRAP BARTENDER MUST HAVE A COKE PROBLEM. AVOID, drive to Indianapolis.

I accidentally bought the wrong ticket to a show and so far I havent been able to fix it. They were able to fix it just a bit ago. I love going here with a group of my friends and am excited to go there this Saturday.

Its a fun little bar. Very chill atmosphere. They have great shows. Mixed drinks are tasty, and have fun names.

Bartenders could be more attentive

I miss this place soooo much!!!! Watched drag shows, enjoyed New Year party. To be honest, my favorite part is to chat with people while waiting in the bathroom.

Awesome events, and awesome people! Love the atmosphere, great place to meet new friends! Great drink specials as well! Keep up the good work :)

Honestly one of the dingiest bars Ive been in but I suppose thats in style in Bloomington, had a terrible time last night at the New Years eve party, the DJ was one of the worst Ive experienced and the Dance floor is wayyyy to small for anyone to even move, over crowded, poorly organized and the drinks are insanely over priced.

So much fun, the drinks are great, the food is so good and the entertainment is so good

Best drinks in town with a welcoming and friendly atmosphere, though be prepared for loud music, my ears were ringing after about two hours

Atmosphere is lame. And so is the decor. Drinks are meh too. Bathrooms are kind of gross.

I love going to the Back Door. No one cares what youre doing, what youre wearing, who youre attracted to or who you love. Its a slice of heaven for me in IN.

Truly amazing name. i left my debit card here

Great dance floor and vibes. Fun drinks, but more expensive than the other college bars.

Had a lot of fun here. The drag show was great. fun drink names

They illegally require you to show a vaccine passport in order to enter, which has been ruled unconstitutional and illegal.

I am patiently waiting to finally get to come and enjoy meeting nice new people

Very upbeat atmosphere, great drinks.

I always have a blast when I come and watch the shows

Ive never felt more welcome

I miss this place a lot, I hope yall stick around after covid calms down.

So gay so hot!

Great place

Love the diversity of the crowd.

Fun and friendly environment.

Cant find the place!

Queerest place in Indiana!

You guys know I love you...

Nice club and dancing

All inclusive

Love this place