Former Cinemat reopens as live music bar The Bishop

The empty space the Cinemat left behind at its closing has now been put to use.  
The Bishop is a new bar in Bloomington and will have a grand opening Friday and Saturday. It will serve patrons both beer and live music.

The opening on Friday is at 11 p.m. and is open to those 21 and over. Saturday’s opening at 10:30  p.m. is open to those 18 and older.

Both openings will be free to the public.

Steven Westrich, a 2004 graduate of the School for Public and Environmental Affairs, has worked to renovate the former Cinemat.

Before opening the Bishop, Westrich worked in the music industry after graduation. For five years, he spent his time running between Chicago and Los Angeles.

Despite progressive tastes such as Aesop Rock, Westrich grew up on early rock, citing favorites such as Ray Charles, Johnny Cash and the Allman Brothers Band.
While working in the music industry, he helped manage bands on tour.

“It was kind of half tour manager, half promotions,” he said. “It was basically running the show.”

Westrich said he plans to bring shows to the Bishop that are similar to the shows he managed.

With more than 30 beers available and 10 on tap, the Bishop promises to be a new venue for Bloomington shows.

Westrich cited venues such as The Bluebird, Second Story and Uncle Fester’s House of Blooze as his favorites when he was a student.

“I wanted to come back to the town,” he said. “It’s a good town and I wanted to get back into live music.”