Nick's English Hut successfully defended its Best of Bloomington "Best Bar" title again this year. Students showed their devotion to the traditional favorite, which has been serving the city since 1926 in a variety of capacities. \nThe bar, which began as a simple sandwich shop about 80 years ago, holds a special place in Hoosiers' hearts, from alumni to current students. Students flock to the bar for nightlife, drinking games, food and its traditional atmosphere. From a student's ode to the bar posted on the wall to pool tables to games of "Sink the Biz," Nick's offers a little something for everyone, students said. \n"People come because of our tradition, our staff and our food," said Nick's Manager Mike Hall. "Basically they come for a good time ... It's the place to go, I think people really like the ambience." \nSenior Adam Kintz said he goes to Nick's about once a week, and because it sets itself apart from other bars with the different scenes it offers.\n"It's probably the size of the crowd -- you can go there when it's packed and have a fun time, but its also great to go to on off nights, when there's a more laid-back atmosphere," Kintz said. \nFood also brings the diverse crowd of students, alumni and Bloomington residents to the old confines, Hall said. \n"For students, I think it's really the pizza, strombolis and burgers that bring them in," he said. The kitchen also serves up their famous jambalaya and steaks, in the four bars and eating areas.\nEven those laboring behind the hot grills to cook those famous burgers said they enjoy the friendly, traditional atmosphere Nick's has to offer.\n"Working there was great, when you get your work done, they don't bug you ... There're not some big corporate restaurant," said senior Joe Higginbotham, who used to work as a cook at Nick's until he got too busy with school. "I had a more demanding schedule, but for the most part they try to accommodate you. Plus I got free food in the kitchen, one meal for every shift."
SINK THE BIZ\nTradition and ambience aside, another reason for Nick's reign at the top of the Bloomington bar scene involves beer and buckets. Students voted Nick's signature drinking game "Sink the Bizmarck" as the best drinking game in Bloomington in 2005.\nAlso known as "Sink the Biz," the game's popularity even shows in Facebook, which features four groups bearing the beer-swilling competition's name. The rules for the game are simple, but the competition fierce, enthusiasts said.\nParticipants circle around a silver bucket which is filled nearly to the top with beer. An empty Nick's glass is dropped into the bucket, where it floats until an unlucky (or lucky) student sinks it into the beer. Competitors then take turns pouring as much, or as little, beer into the empty glass until it sinks into the bucket's abyss. The sinker then sticks his hand into the bucket, retrieves the glass and downs the brew. "Sink the Biz gets people really fired up when they're playing," Higginbotham said. "It takes a lot of skill, and the more you drink, the harder it gets."\nKintz, a member of the "Sink the Bizmark Lovers's," Facebook group, said he loves the game because of the competition and sense of community it provides. The group's description states it is "For all of us who have spent countless hours getting drunk at Nick's pouring cheap beer into a little glass floating in a big stainless steel bucket ... and loved every minute of it!"\n"It's probably the sense of community it is able to create among friends," Kintz said. "A lot of competition arises, and if you lose, the worst thing that happens is you have to drink beer"
