I have spent the past three years of my college career wondering what it would be like to enjoy the coziest cocktail lounge the university has to offer: the Boiler Up Bar. Just over four years ago, on August 5th, 2020, the Boiler Up Bar opened its doors for the first time. Over the years, I have heard many people talk about the bourbon selection, craft cocktails, and delicious food. Since I am freshly 21 and hadn’t yet experienced the memorial union’s bar, I was very excited to try it out!
When you enter, you are bound to be kindly greeted by many welcoming staff members of the bar. You may believe that a cocktail bar would not be busy on a Sunday evening, but there were quite a few people enjoying drinks, dinner, or working on their laptops. That is the characteristic that immediately stuck out to me – versatility. Whether you are looking for a cozy corner to get some work done in or wanting to sit at the bar and enjoy a sports game, the Boiler Up Bar is there to cater to you.
Their drink and food menus feature a wide variety of options, and I was lucky enough to receive some guidance from Tatiana, a young woman who has been working at the bar for over a year now. I had my eyes set on a watermelon-guava margarita and Tatiana confirmed exactly what I thought: “Our seasonal drinks, like the margarita, are very popular!” To no surprise, it was absolutely delicious.
The Boiler Up Bar changes their seasonal drink menu twice a year. Customers can anticipate a menu change occurring in early November that will feature their fall and winter drinks, and May for their spring and summer drinks.
I would traditionally opt for a fruity drink, so I asked Tatiana what other customers’ favorites were. She took a moment to highlight the bar’s fantastic bourbon selection, stating, “It’s what we’re known for! Everyone comes for our old fashioned.” Though I am not a bourbon drinker, it is hard to ignore the beautiful wall display of bottles they have.
The selection includes customer favorites such as Baker’s Single Barrel 7 Year, Four Roses 80 Proof, Jefferson’s Ocean: Aged at Sea, and Maker’s Mark. The bar offers different variations of an old fashioned, some of which include the Ume Toki, Summertime, and Boiler Up Signature.
Make no mistake, there does not have to be alcohol involved in your experience! The Boiler Up Bar has plenty of mocktails to choose from that are crafted with the same unique flavors and high-end ingredients that their cocktails are.
Though their drink menu is incredible, their food menu is just as impressive. The menu is shared with the full service 8Eleven Modern Bistro, which is next door. All bistro menu items are available to order at the Boiler Up Bar. The menu includes a delightful range of soups, salads, pastas and desserts. Popular items include the 8Eleven Wedge, Burrata Cheese, Spicy Shrimp Pasta, and Key lime pie. I had my eyes set on the truffled grilled cheese that featured fontina and Swiss on a buttered brioche with white truffle. Whether it be your preference or dietary restrictions, the staff is incredibly accommodating and prepared to help you have the best dining experience.
Tatiana also let me in on a little secret: in her opinion, the sides are the hidden treasures of the menu. I was curious about items on the menu that she believed were great, but often went unordered. She told me that the crispy brussels were her favorite and that if a customer asks for a suggestion, she always directs them to the tasty selection of side dishes that they offer. Notable favorites, aside from the brussels sprouts, include pommes puree, twice baked truffled potato, and the roasted wild mushrooms.
Tatiana mentioned that the bar doesn’t see many students on a day-to-day basis, but rather customers of the hotel, those visiting the university or traveling for business, and professors and staff members of the university.
So whether you are looking for a spot to study, enjoy a game, or wind down after a busy day visiting Purdue’s campus, this is the perfect place for you. The cozy, trendy atmosphere is a welcoming environment much like the rest of Purdue’s beautiful Memorial Union is. For more information on what’s in the Purdue Memorial Union, check out this article on our Home of Purdue website: The Purdue Memorial Union: A Cornucopia of Delicious Stops.
Purdue University Student, Caroline Keim, shares this blog. This blog is part of a series of articles submitted to Visit Lafayette-West Lafayette through a cooperation with a 400-level travel writing class at Purdue University.
