AAA APPROVED RESTAURANT-DIAMOND AWARD RECIPIENT	"Best Bets in Bloomington Dining and Nightlife: The Irish Lion with authentic Irish pub fare."-AAA Traveler Magazine
Named One of "Indiana's Best Restaurants" -Indiana's Favorite Hometown Restaurants: Where The Local Folks Like to Eat.	"A classic Irish pub setting is what you'll find at The Irish Lion, along with great music from the Emerald Isle and yards of beer.  Try the Blarney Puffballs® for an appetizer, or any of the authentic Irish dishes.  The salmon is a favorite of Mayor Fernandez". "Mayors and other prominent citizens provided the input that led to the listing." -Bloomington Herald Times Newspaper Bloomington-Restaurants nominated by Mayor John Fernandez.
Indiana's Favorite Restaurants	"...good food and good antiques when they opened the Irish Lion in downtown Bloomington in 1982 in a building on Kirkwood Avenue that traces its ancestry back to 1882.  The transformed the structure into an Irish watering and dining mecca that would bring a tear to the eye of any son of the sod, what with Guinness on tap, corned beef and cabbage, Celtic lamb stew, leg of lamb, mutton pie, Irish soda bread, and Baileys Irish Cream mousse on the menu.  Chef Marc Hennessy also offers a full range of steaks, prime rib and seafood to show that the Irish can do much more on the sustenance front than merely satisfy your thirst.  ...the decor, including the 16 foot long 1860 bar adorned with animal heads..."-Reid Duffy, Indiana University Press
The Indiana University Experience	"A local favorite is The Irish Lion...housed in a beautifully restored nineteenth-century building just off Courthouse Square, the Irish Lion invites patrons to feast on the surroundings as well as the food.   Their authentic Irish cuisine has a legion of loyal fans, and the signature Celtic Stew-served with thick slices of freshly baked Irish soda bread-is an ideal combination of all good things to eat." -Sally McKinney, Camilla Saulsbury, Indiana University Press "The Taste of Bloomington...a local favorite is the Irish Lion..."
Dining Secrets™ of Indiana-A Guide to Unique Restaurants & Eateries Throughout Indiana. A Guide to Unique Restaurants & Eateries Throughout Indiana	"This long, narrow tavern has been serving food and drink since 1882, the ice house out back, turn of the century metal ceiling, and many antique decorating the interior are all reminders of its earlier days...appetizers of shrimp, Craibheachain, oysters Rockefeller (an original recipe), or Blarney puffballs® are offered.  When you are ready for the main course, choose the corned beef & cabbage, Irish stew, leg of lamb or chops, prime rib, live lobster, shrimp, or perhaps the "Rineanna"-duckling half with apple-fennel bread stuffing.  Then, top off your meal with a piece of apple walnut cake or whiskey pie!  Irish soda bread is baked on site."-Poole Publishing
Voted #1 by the I.U. Graduate Student Organization "In an informal survey of current graduate students (conducted via e-mail by the IU Graduate Student Organization in July), graduate students rated their favorite bars to be as follows;	Voted #1 The Irish Lion: ...For atmosphere, wide variety of beer offered (as well as the yard glass), and beer garden. The Irish Lion also offers authentic Irish food, including oysters, seafood, Irish stew, and steaks."
Voted One of Bloomington's  Top Ten Restaurants -Indiana Daily Student “The Irish Lion is a legend in Bloomington, and we were relieved to find the reputation was accurate,” - Indiana Daily Student	"Delicious food is only half the story at the Irish Lion. Traditional Irish fare, including leg-of-lamb, mutton pies, coddle and Irish stew, combined with lovely seafood and poultry dishes account for the place's mealtime success. After dinner, though, a huge array of single-malt scotches, bourbons and Irish whiskies awaits your perusal..."  -Bloomington Independent
Voted Bloomington's Best-Bloomington Independent Reader Poll 1994-2000	"Best Beer" "Best Seafood" "Best Beer Selection" "Best Wine Selection" "Best Drink Selection" "Best Foo Foo Drinks" "Most Potent Mixed Drinks" "Most Personable Wait Staff" "Best Place to Take Your Parents" "Most Extensive Selection of Beer on Tap" "Bar Where Everybody Knows Your Name" "Bar Where You Can Get Any Drink Known" "Bar Most Willing to Make Adventurous Drinks"

"I'm of Irish decent myself and thoroughly enjoyed myself.  The environment, the hospitality not to mention the cuisine-excellent. It was probably the best meal I've had along with great service as well.  I will definitely return and bring some more of the Doyle's with me. Thanks again & keep up the great work!" -S. Doyle
"There's no where else like the Irish Lion-except perhaps Ireland-itself.  Love the Celtic Stew, Reubens, and soda bread.  Hat's off to an awesome quiet place in this world!" -Carolyn S	"..the best bet here is full measured yards of beers and cider, and an outstanding selection of single-malt scotches. Great bartenders, and arguably the best prime rib in town". -J.Nienart
"Best cooked dinner eaten ever in the US! Superb-cooked with love! L.Ohklin Switzerland	"After visiting pubs in Dublin, I can honestly say that the Irish Lion is close to the real thing."- Ugo Travel Journals
"This restaurant will surprise you! Tucked away west of the square, this restaurant serves really good Irish food, and lots of it.  You won't go away hungry. Clearly one of Bloomington's Five Best, the Irish Lion serves up really good Irish Food at prices that cover the full spectrum.  They have some pub grub items that are reasonably priced and quite filling (all of their meals are filling). " -Bloomington Restaurant Guide	"... known for its hearty stews and fish and chips-although students would probably cite the Guinness, Murphy's Stout and Harp on draft."-The Chicago Tribune
"The Irish Lion Restaurant and Pub, in a restored 1880's building, has a great atmosphere with atuhentic Irish food and brews on tap.  The beer is served in traditional yard or half-yard glasses in wooden stands.-Yahoo Travel	"Fantastic Irish Pub! Features a small but good selection of imports and great atmosphere.  Great authentic Irish food.  Beer also available by the yard! As authentic as Irish Bars get in Indiana.-beerexpedition.com
"The place is so much fun that the excellent traditionally Irish food and drink seem like a bonus."-Wander Indiana	"The famous Irish Lion Pub and Restaurant. This is where the Society goes to mingle, drink, and generally have a good time. The food is excellent, an eclectic mix of authentic Irish dishes mixed in with your favorite American stuff as well! Anything from corned beef and cabbage to filet mignon. And the selection of great beer and, of course, single malt scotch, makes this the favorite place to go, for every occasion!" P.L.O.W.E.D. Society~ Single-Malt Society
"The Irish Lion is one of the best spots in Bloomington to drink yards of Guinness,... Shepard's pie, and have fun with friends... it's the best restaurant in town that's not a chain, fast food, or pretentious. Inside, it looks like an Irish tavern, with a narrow, two-level storefront, a full bar that looks 200 years old, and many thick, wooden tables...It was the place of extremes for all of us, and I'd never found the same kind of food or social life anywhere else." -J.Koranth	"...They always have very fresh oysters on the half shell and the mutton pie in a bread bowl will satisfy a hearty appetite. ... Irish Lion builds a great pint of Guinness every time."-The Wine Guy
"Best restaurant in B-Town!"-C. Flowers  "The best place on the planet!"-Justin C. "Wonderful Food & atmosphere-so authentic!"-D. Chapin	"A pub in downtown Bloomington that has an array of fine beers, making it a true watering hole. Food is great too...their soda bread is the best in town."- Badrinath Atlanta Photojournalist
" I would simply like to say that I find the food exceptional & the service superb.  The kitchen staff should be complimented. The bar is excellent. This is my favorite public house in Bloomington."	"This was Great.  Good Fish & Chips especially during lent! Awesome service for a Friday night. Thank you.  This really impressed my girlfriend on our first date! Thanks! :)"
“The Lion seems to have created tradition by being, well, traditional.”	“The Irish Lion: The Emerald Jewel of Bloomington-“…the atmosphere might be a unique draw, but the food will bring you back again and again.”- M. Berberet Indiana Daily Student
“Even more than the décor it’s the authenticity and the uniqueness of the Irish fare that makes the place so traditional”	"The Irish Lion A great place to eat, drink and be merry."-Journalism Dept. Indiana University

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