Barrelhouse 34

This place has beer. Not craft beer like said but a beer that any other place would have. And what kind of bar would have a gin and tonic listed on their menu? Not a real bar. The upstairs patio is cool but should have a bar up there for people who don’t want to walk downstairs for more drinks.

I was very frustrated with the bar due to lack of service on the floor and the space being cramped with people ordering drinks. My original message was very scathing, and a manager from barrelhouse messaged me back right away letting me know they understand the issues they are faced with and are working to fix them.
Great customer service. I would recommend them for their beer selection, staff, and how beautiful of a bar it really is.

I guess if I was super into whiskey maybe I’d like it more?
But I could also go to that other bar down the street with lots of whiskey.
And maybe if I was super into wood furniture I would like it more?
But I could also go that other bar (s) down the street with lots of wood furniture.
And maybe if I had just discovered that they brew craft beer in the Midwest I would like it more?
But I could also go to EVERY OTHER BAR IN TOWN.
Literally fits the definition of «Meh. I’ve experienced better.» Nothing new. Just a big ol’ helping of the same old same old.

I experienced nothing but super friendly bar staff. Some of them are more knowledgable than others but it’s obvious that this place just opened so hopefully with time, they’ll get it sorted out. This place also has a really great selection of whiskey. Some of it distilled in Illinois! I’m no connoisseur but I don’t think you can get some of this whiskey at any other bar in town.
So, where this place starts to unravel in a big way for me is the concept. The beer selection is good but not all that impressive. I only saw one beer on tap that I couldn’t remember drinking before and my boyfriend and I had a lengthy discussion where he remembers us tasting it so maybe I had. There’s better selection at the grocery store down the street from my house. For a place that supposedly prides itself on «midwestern craft beer», I felt like a deflated balloon when I finally saw the draft list that lists lots of bigger name craft beer with much of it from outside the midwest.
The cocktails are kind of rebranded versions of things I’ve had at other places in town. They’re just not unique. I had the winter mule which was good, a little on the sweet side and kind of just tasted like your average wells drink from a dive bar. Also, the décor in my opinion is a little tired. Lots of «reclaimed» wood and I mean LOTS like floor to ceiling lots! It reminds you of a lot of other craft beer + whiskey bars in town. Even the antique pig sculpture behind the counter seems like a blatant rip-​off of another bar thats been doing this concept for way longer. I say come here when that bar gets crowded beyond what you can stand but I’m not sure I’d make a trip just to check this place out. With craft beer and whiskey at the height of popularity right now, they’re just not doing enough to really set themselves apart from the rest. They’re kind of getting there with the whiskey selection but more could be done to really flesh out the whole concept.

Great bar with an excellent beer list. Glad to have a really cool new bar in downtown champaign!

This place is beautiful! The design and layout is really well thought out plus clean bathrooms! My only criticism is the inconsistent service. Some of the staff are very friendly and knowledgeable about their inventory, while others don’t seem to know what they have or where its located.
Like any new business, there are kinks to be worked out. The Barrelhouse 34 is a wonderful additional to the downtown bar scene.

Malort and Lone Star. Great décor, and knowledgeable staff, great cocktail list. There is a pig with horns on the wall that stares you if you sit at just the right spot at the bar, so that’s awesome.

Excellent whiskey and tequila selection, solid classic cocktails with top shelf liquor for $ 5-​$ 9 (a value in my opinion), great beer list, friendly staff, excellent ambiance.

Interior was beautiful, and the service was great. The drinks were pretty disappointing. My husband ordered an Old Fashioned and I had the margarita; both tasted like pure syrup and hardly any alcohol, and we couldn’t finish either of them. He ended up ordering a North Shore Mule which was delicious. I would cone back for the atmosphere but stick to beer.

Excellent craft beer selection. The draught list is well curated and shows knowledge and love of good brews. Lots of midwestern and IL breweries represented. The house cocktail list is creative and interesting, with a lean towards whiskey drinks and competent mixology.
The interior is simply gorgeous. Warm, softly lit. Totally beautiful wood furnishing is the theme. Much, if not all, of the wood looks to be reclaimed and repurposed, which I love.
Remarkably refined and polished for a brand new establishment.
Service was prompt, knowledgeable, and smiling.

Jenna/​Gina saved this place. I got some kind of old fashion and was served fermented tang, but then Gina/​Jenna remade it and it was great (tony the tiger style great). Why 5 stars? Because for the first day opening and the staff being JUST hired, everyone had a drink in the hand. There was no wait, the servers came through to check on our table (at least that’s how Jenna/​Gina found out that I didn’t like my drink), I could touch the floor with my feet (rarely happens, yup, short legs here) and it just fits in with downtown area. Diverse crew of folks. You can bring your own food here. Oh, it’s got a roof deck outdoor space. It’s loud but not overwhelming (good acoustics). It’s a good space and worth a try.