The Irish Lion is a classic Irish pub set in a restored 1882 building that was originally a tavern. Rumor has it that at some point in history a brothel existed upstairs in what is now the banquet room. Some suspect that the ghosts may be working girls from that time.
Stories
Former employees tell stories of glasses and bottles flying across the room, sometimes at them. Some speak of locking up a clean bar and returning in the morning to broken glass and an inexplicable mess.
Some patrons have told stories of feeling a strange presence in the upstairs banquet room. One woman told of going upstairs to use the bathroom on the second floor near closing time. There were few people in the downstairs bar and the upstairs room was empty. Suddenly the banquet room was filled with the loud noises of a party or entertaining, but when she turned to look she saw nothing but a dark empty room.
Information
Location: 212 West Kirkwood, Bloomington, Indiana 47404
Phone: 812-876-6456
Website: The Irish Lion
Sources
- Anecdotes and interviews
My friend and I ate lunch at the Irish Lion today just as a random thing. We had never been there before or even heard of it. I went upstairs to use the restroom and as soon as I got to the top of the steps my hair stood up on the back of my neck. No one was up there besides me. Just an empty banquet room. I found the bathroom, but felt like someone was over my shoulder the entire time. I quickly washed my hands and got out of there. As soon as I got back to my seat I told my friend that I bet this place is haunted. Shortly after that two guys sitting at the bar next to us started giving us the history of the pub. I asked if there happened to be a ghost upstairs and he gave me a funny look and said yes, it was one of the top famous haunted bars. As soon as we got home, my friend found this site.