So what if the Indiana football team only has two Big Ten championships since 1900? Football road trips aren't just about the football, right? And after a big win over Northwestern last week, this team may actually be on the upswing – but if the crimson and cream can't pull off a win, there are still plenty of classic Bloomington staples to lighten the mood. The 1,860-acre limestone-dominated campus has enough landmarks to last you a day – the Sample Gates, the seven-story tall Indiana Memorial Union, the IU Art Museum (featuring Monet, Picasso and Pollock). So get up early, check out some impressive architecture and lovely gardens, and get all that cultural stuff out of the way so you can spend the next 13 hours hitting the bars.
Best place to watch the game: Yogi's Grill & Bar (519 E. 10th Street, 812-323-9644)
Boasting 26 HDTVs and three satellite dishes, Yogi's is the king of sports bars and your best bet if you're looking to catch some obscure cricket match. On a brittle, windy day in Bloomington, it's best to cozy up in Yogi's warm confines with one of the 40 beers on tap.
Where to eat before the game: Nick's English Hut (423 E. Kirkwood, 812-332-4040)
Opened in 1927, Nick's may be IU's most hallowed tradition, a charming English pub with an old-fashioned sign and a beer-drinking club named the "Bucket Brigade." Prime rib, chicken, burgers, and cheap beer – Nick's is a must-see, so famous even Barack Obama stopped here on his campaign stop to Bloomington.
Where to eat after the game: Mother Bear's Pizza (1428 E. 3rd St., 812-332-4495)
The embodiment of a college pizza joint, Mother Bear's puts Goldfish crackers instead of croutons in their salads, will gladly deliver beer(!), and supplies thick, chewy, award-winning pizza. Wooden booths and a fireplace complete the classic college atmosphere.
Best place to tailgate: The field across from the Memorial Stadium (1001 E. 17th St.)
It's not so much the best place to tailgate as the only place. The more the team struggles, the less the students make it to the game, but this field is always filled, and you can always catch a bit of the sweet smell of burgers, hot dogs and the fleeting hope of an 8-5 season.
Best of the night life: Kilroy's on Kirkwood (502 E Kirkwood Ave., 812-339-3006)
For a brilliant night on the town, bar hop the clubs on Kirkwood – The Jungle Room and Uncle Fester's, for sure -- but best to spend extra time at Kilroy's. Such a popular hotspot for students and sports fans, Kilroy's offers pre-admission passes to skip the big lines. Once inside, the 80s rock is blaring. Expect Bon Jovi.
Where to go if you care nothing about sports: Rhino's Youth Center (331 S. Walnut St. 812-333-3430)
Don't let the "youth center" tab throw you off: Rhino's is a venue that appeals to all ages and all social leanings, a "no drinking, no tobacco" haven for the straight-laced music fan. Among the bands to grace Rhino's are The Dodos, The Unicorns, Jimmy Eat World, Modest Mouse, and Sufjan Stevens.
Follow us every week as we check out a different campus throughout the Midwest that is hosting a big-time college football game. So far we've been to Michigan, Illinois, Northwestern, Wisconsin and Michigan State. And be sure to check out our guide to Chicago tailgating.
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