Restaurant
Unclaimed profileBRU Burger Bar Evansville
Evansville, IN · $$
Inebrious
Beverage Program Score
The editorial take
BRU Burger Bar treats its beverage program as more than an afterthought. The cocktail list runs to 11 named drinks with brands spelled out, from a Tito's Bloody Mary to a Woodford Reserve Bramble On, plus -specific options like Saints on Sycamore. A 22-whiskey list spans bourbon, rye, Scotch, Irish, and Canadian. Twelve taps and 20+ bottles and cans cover beer, while wine by the glass and a pair of mocktails round out the choices. It is a burger restaurant with a bar program that keeps pace.
- What should I order?
- Start with the BRU Old Fashioned, made with Maker's Mark, brown sugar simple, and walnut bitters, or the Bramble On with Woodford Reserve, blackberry, lemonade, and Fever-Tree Ginger Beer. For a local pour, the Saints on Sycamore uses Woodford Reserve and St. George's Spiced Pear Liqueur. Beer drinkers should look for the rotating 3 Floyds tap or Quaff On! Six Foot Blonde.
- Who will enjoy this place?
- Anyone who wants a serious drink alongside a burger. Whiskey drinkers will find a broad list spanning bourbon, rye, Scotch, Irish, and Canadian. Beer fans get a dozen taps and a deep bottle selection. Non-drinkers have mocktails, water, and milkshakes. It suits groups where tastes diverge.
- When should I go?
- A good stop for lunch or dinner when you want a full bar program rather than just a beer. The cocktail list and whiskey selection make it a viable option for an early evening drink, and the nonalcoholic choices keep it workable for mixed groups.
- What should I expect to spend?
- Cocktails run $7 to $13, with most core drinks $11 to $13. Whiskey pours are $8 to $17. Draft beer is $6 to $9, bottles and cans $5 to $8. Wine by the glass is $10 for 6 oz or $14 for 9 oz. Mocktails are $8, and sparkling water is $6.
- What makes the beverage program distinctive?
- The combination of a location-specific cocktail list, a 22-selection whiskey list, and a dozen taps with local Indiana breweries sets it apart from a typical burger bar. The -only cocktails, such as Saints on Sycamore and Sycamore Sling, give the program a local anchor.
Beverage categories
We only score what a venue sets out to do. Categories a venue doesn't attempt are left unscored rather than penalized.
Cocktails
Eleven named cocktails with spirit brands specified, plus -specific drinks like Saints on Sycamore, Sycamore Sling, and Blackberry Sour. The list covers classics and house creations, using brands such as Tito's, Woodford Reserve, and Maker's Mark. Prices run $11-$13 for core drinks and $7-$12 for location-specific ones.
Menu strengths
- — Eleven named cocktails with spirit brands specified, priced $11-$13.
- — Location-specific cocktails for include Saints on Sycamore, Sycamore Sling, The Vanderburgh Runner, Outbound Greyhound, and Blackberry Sour, priced $7-$12.
Standout selections
- — BRU Old Fashioned — $13 — Maker's Mark Bourbon, brown sugar simple, walnut bitters.
- — BRU Margarita — $12 — Jose Cuervo Tradicional Tequila, St. Elder Elderflower Liqueur, lemon, simple, lime.
- — Saints on Sycamore — $12 — Woodford Reserve Bourbon, St. George's Spiced Pear Liqueur, lemon, simple.
Pricing: $7-$13
Wine
Four white wines, four reds, and sparkling options by the glass. The list is concise but covers common varietals: Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Sparkling includes Freixenet Blanc de Blancs and La Marca Prosecco. All still wines are $10 for 6 oz or $14 for 9 oz.
Menu strengths
- — Four white wines, four red wines, and sparkling options by the glass.
- — Both still and sparkling wine available, with multiple varietals by the glass.
Standout selections
- — Caposaldo Pinot Grigio — $10 (6 oz) / $14 (9 oz) — White wine by the glass.
- — Mark West Pinot Noir — $10 (6 oz) / $14 (9 oz) — Red wine by the glass.
- — La Marca Prosecco — $10 — Sparkling wine by the glass.
Pricing: $10 (6 oz) / $14 (9 oz)
Beer
Twelve rotating and named taps from regional and national breweries, plus 20+ bottles and cans covering domestic, import, and craft. Local Indiana breweries are represented, such as Quaff On! And 3 Floyds. Drafts are $6-$9, bottles and cans $5-$8, and Athletic Brewing non-alcoholic beer is $7.
Menu strengths
- — Draft beer list includes 12 rotating and named taps from regional and national breweries.
- — Bottle and can beer list includes 20+ selections including domestic, import, and craft options, with local Indiana breweries represented.
Standout selections
- — Quaff On! Brewing Co. Six Foot Blonde — $7 — Blonde Ale 4.5% abv, Nashville, IN.
- — 3 Floyds Brewing Rotating — $9 — Rotating draft from Munster, IN.
- — Bell's Two Hearted Ale — $7 — Bottle/can, MI, USA.
Pricing: $5-$9
Nonalcoholic
Two mocktails, the Strawberry Honey Mule and Blueberry Basil Cooler, are priced at $8. Non-alcoholic drinks also include San Pellegrino and Acqua Panna sparkling or still water (500ml, $6), sodas, and Tillamook hand-dipped milkshakes ($8). The selection is modest but covers several bases.
Menu strengths
- — Zero proof cocktail section includes 2 mocktails priced $8.
- — Non-alcoholic beverages include San Pellegrino and Acqua Panna sparkling/still water (500ml, $6), sodas, and milkshakes.
Standout selections
- — Strawberry Honey Mule — $8 — Mocktail with strawberry, honey simple, lemon, Fever-Tree Ginger Beer.
- — Blueberry Basil Cooler — $8 — Mocktail with blueberry, basil, lime, coconut water.
- — Tillamook Hand-Dipped Milkshakes — $8 — Choice of vanilla, chocolate, or strawberry.
Pricing: $6-$8
Spirits
A 22-selection whiskey list spans bourbon, rye, Scotch, Irish, and Canadian varieties. Brands include Angel's Envy, Basil Hayden's, Buffalo Trace, Bulleit 10 Year, Glenlivet, Glenlivet 18 Yr, Macallan 12, Knob Creek Rye, and Woodford Reserve. Pours range from $8 to $17, giving a broad spread of price points.
Menu strengths
- — Whiskey list includes 22 selections with prices ranging from $8 to $17.
- — Whiskey selections include bourbon, rye, Scotch, Irish, and Canadian varieties from named brands.
Standout selections
- — Angel's Envy — $14 — Whiskey pour.; Glenlivet 18 Yr — $17 — Scotch whisky pour.
- — Knob Creek Rye — $11 — Rye whiskey pour.
Pricing: $8-$17
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