Cocktail Bar
Unclaimed profileRob Dob's Restaurant & Bar
Bloomington, IL · $$
Inebrious
Beverage Program Score
The editorial take
Rob Dob's runs a beverage program that leans hard on beer and cocktails, with wine playing a supporting role. The beer list is the headline: 24 named beers priced $5–$7, spanning domestic, imported, local, and craft options, plus a fully German list during Oktoberfest from September 27 through October 31. Cocktails are equally specific—seven signature drinks at $9–$10, built with house-made demerara and hibiscus syrups. Wine is limited to five house bottled labels, but Saturdays cut those bottles in half. It is a broad, price-conscious program where the beer and cocktails are the reason to order.
- What should I order?
- Start with the RD Old Fashion, made with Four Roses Bourbon, house-made demerara syrup, and bitters at $10. For a lighter cocktail, the Tequila Flower combines El Jimador, house-made hibiscus syrup, and lime juice at $10. Beer drinkers should consider the Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier or Gumballhead, both $7.
- Who will enjoy this place?
- Beer drinkers who want range without leaving the $5–$7 band, and cocktail drinkers who prefer named spirits and house-made syrups over generic pours. The Saturday half-price house bottled wines give wine drinkers a reason to visit on that day.
- When should I go?
- Saturdays for half-price house bottled wines, Sundays for Mimosa and Bloody Mary specials, and September 27 through October 31 for the Oktoberfest German beer list.
- What should I expect to spend?
- Cocktails are $9–$10, with the Dirty Shirley at $8.00 and the White Cosmo at $9.00. Beer runs $5.00–$7.00. Sunday specials include a $6.00 Mimosa and a $9.00 Bloody Mary. House bottled wines are half price on Saturdays.
- What makes the beverage program distinctive?
- The combination of a 24-beer list, seven signature cocktails with house-made syrups, and a six-week Oktoberfest German beer list gives Rob Dob's a beverage identity that is broader than a standard restaurant bar.
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
Seven signature cocktails priced $9–$10, built with named spirits and house-made demerara and hibiscus syrups. The lineup includes the RD Old Fashion, Tequila Flower, The Getaway, Cucumber Rosemary G&T, RD Chocolate Martini, Have S'More, and Caramel Apple Pie, plus rotating featured cocktails and weekly specials. It is a clearly defined, well-priced program with house-made components.
Menu strengths
- — Seven signature cocktails with named spirits and house-made syrups
- — Rotating featured cocktails and weekly drink specials; Sunday specials include Mimosa at $6.00 and Bloody Mary at $9.00 per glass
Standout selections
- — RD Old Fashion: Four Roses Bourbon, house-made demerara syrup, bitters, $10
- — Tequila Flower: El Jimador, house-made hibiscus syrup, lime juice, $10
- — Cucumber Rosemary G&T: Beefeater, St. Germain, cucumber, tonic, $10
Pricing: $9–$10 signature cocktails; featured Dirty Shirley $8.00 and White Cosmo $9.00; Sunday Mimosa $6.00 and Bloody Mary $9.00
Wine
The list is narrow, but Saturdays cut all house bottled wines to half price, and the program is framed around pairing wine with dinner.
Menu strengths
- — Saturday half-price house bottled wines; House bottled wines span Cabernet, Merlot, Chardonnay, Moscato, and Pinot Grigio
Standout selections
- — Canyon Road Cabernet, house bottled wine, half price on Saturdays
- — Lagaria Pinot Grigio, house bottled wine, half price on Saturdays
Pricing: House bottled wines half price on Saturdays
Beer
The beer list is the broadest part of the program: 24 named beers priced $5.00–$7.00, spanning domestic, imported, local, craft, bottled, and canned. A fully German list runs during Oktoberfest from September 27 through October 31, and weekly specials cover domestic bottles and drafts.
Menu strengths
- — 24 named beers with prices and ABV, ranging from $5.00 to $7.00
- — Oktoberfest German beer list from September 27 through October 31
- — Weekly beer specials on domestic bottles and drafts
Standout selections
- — Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier, Hefeweizen, 5.4% ABV, $7.00; Guinness Draught (Nitro), Irish Dry Stout, 4.2% ABV, $7.00
- — Gumballhead, Pale Wheat Beer, 3 Floyds Brewing Company, 5.6% ABV, $7.00
Pricing: $5.00–$7.00 per beer
Spirits
Germain, Van Gogh Espresso Vodka, Dorda Double Chocolate, RumChata, Svedka, and Apple Pie Baileys.; Signature cocktails list named spirits including Four Roses Bourbon, el Jimador, Cruzan Rum, Beefeater, St. Germain, Van Gogh Espresso Vodka, Dorda Double Chocolate, RumChata, Svedka, and Apple Pie Baileys
Menu strengths
- — Signature cocktails list named spirits including Four Roses Bourbon, el Jimador, Cruzan Rum, Beefeater, St. Germain, Van Gogh Espresso Vodka, Dorda Double Chocolate, RumChata, Svedka, and Apple Pie Baileys
Standout selections
- — Signature cocktails list named spirits including Four Roses Bourbon, el Jimador, Cruzan Rum, Beefeater, St. Germain, Van Gogh Espresso Vodka, Dorda Double Chocolate, RumChata, Svedka, and Apple Pie Baileys.
How it sits with the food
The wine list is presented as a pairing option with dinner, and the Oktoberfest period pairs a German beer list with schnitzel and sauerbraten.
Inebrious does not score kitchens, food or the restaurant overall. We review the beverage program only.
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