Neat place, great food, great atmosphere - seems like a 'townie' bar but actually is a mix of everything - lots of 'townies' but also quite a few LGBT couples comfortably intermixed with straight couples. That is to say, this isn't a place you're gonna get discriminated against. Very comfortable for anyone and everyone. Only real complaint? They have live music - normally a great thing but, unfortunately, this bar is simply too small for it. The music is deafening and not in a good way - you can't enjoy yourself in a bar this size with a live band; I think they'd do better to just have other means of attracting crowds because much more enjoyable on the majority of nights where the background music is quiet and you can enjoy a good conversation with excellent food and atmosphere. read more

This place was really cool. It's a very hipster-ish bar with lots of younger people. I visited during the summer but I am sure this place is packed when Purdue is in session. I came here with a group of people from work. We were staying at the Holiday Inn and this place was within walking distance. The beer list was interesting here and I found a few things that sounded good. They have pizzas here on the menu which are great for sharing or a vegetarian. The server was attentive and was very good about taking care of our large group. If I even have to come back to Lafayette, I'll make sure to stop back here to grab dinner and drinks. read more

Of all the places we could have had lunch, this was disappointing. Food was just ok. Maybe my expectations for the cost to experience were off the mark. read more

Went here for the first time to have lunch with my mother and sister. It was a Monday and the staff (bartender and server) were not especially interested in seeing to our needs. The food was good, though, and we were in a good mood as we left. As we left, however, my elderly mother tripped on a dark, poorly marked step. She plunged headfirst into the chairs at the bar and hurt her hand trying to break the fall. This was witnessed by 3 people sitting at the bar who showed considerably more concern that the server did. Her one comment was, "It's always the sober ones who trip there." Not funny to me as I was extremely alarmed. I'm writing this review from the ER where we've come to see whether her finger is broken or dislocated. It looks terrible. The whole experience left a bad taste. read more

Johnny was our first bartender here- he knows his stuff, relaxed but attentive and very accommodating. He is the reason we came back for a second try. Although he is by far our favorite due to good vibes and great service, this is a cool spot. The food we had was delicious. From the Vietnamese sandwich to the meat and cheese platter and hummus plate. Loved it all. Can't beat a $5 shot And beer which they always have on special!!! Yes!! read more

In four words: hipster central, rude service. In more than four words: the cost of food is far too high for the combination of Lafayette, not fresh food, and servers/bartenders with an overall pretentious snobbishness to them. I guess it's the new "cool" and "hipster" thing to be ironically rude to people? I don't know since I'm not that awesome, but I do know I like to be served with a smile and tone of respect. I'll be taking my patronage elsewhere thank you very much -- there are too many other wonderful places in this city. The price of drinks was OK but pretty weak. read more

This review is solely for the food. This place has great pub food with a trendy spin (I've heard places like this described as a gastropub). The fish and chips ($12) are really excellent, if a bit non-traditional with a seasoned (but not spicy) breading. Their skinny fries come with most entrees and sandwiches and are very good as well. My husband really enjoyed his Cuban sandwich. They have a once-a-month (last Sunday of the month) brunch that apparently draws lines out the door; we will definitely have to come check that out. Know that they card at dinner time, even if you're not drinking and, apparently, even if you're in your 30s. read more

This place is hilarious. It tries so desperately to be a hipster Chicago bar and fails hard. I also witnessed a band show up to play a clearly scheduled set. The owner came up to them standing in the doorway with their gear and said, "I know you're supposed to play but I don't want to change the vibe in here" and turned them away. They looked PISSED. This place is a real solid, "meh." read more

One of the gems of Lafayette. Great rotating tap. The everyday menu is super solid. The dinner specials are always great. And the monthly brunch is biblical. read more

After becoming a frequent visitor of this establishment, it has quickly become one of my favorites in the area. They serve great beer and incredible food, giving it almost a "gastropub" feel. I'm a fan of the BLT&E and the fish and chips. The fries are amazing, and the portions are pretty good. And if they have fried okra on special, go ahead and order that too. The only big drawback is that they do allow smoking inside the bar, but if you just want to grab a beer and a bite to eat during the day, it's fine. I think some days they don't allow smoking until 10pm. The benefit of going at night is seeing live music, which is always fun. Two thumbs up. read more

Although most will go ahead and say "ooh, that hipster bar, blah blah blah" I'm gonna skip past that and get to the stuff I think sets this place apart. What it really strikes me as, is more of a gastropub, where you can get some choice food and drink from a menu that may not be long, but is quite varied. In the past you could choose from cocktails that included egg white, and they are continually offering exciting quaffs that employ bitters and other lesser known components. Not too many bars down this way could boast that. Drink specials are not too shabby, as every day you can get a daily shot of liquor and a beer depending on the day for just $5. For instance, if you wander in on a Saturday, you get a double dose of lime slices with a shot of Cuervo Silver and a Corona. I have never been disappointed by the food either, from their spicy El Diablo pizza to the tasty Bahn Mi. Also, figs on a pizza? Yes, please! Not to be forgotten, the hummus plate transforms a night out drinking to a satisfying affair. They have hosted some local and distant bands, allowing for live music in an intimate environment, and when there is no entertainment, there's also no loud annoying music, and no distracting flashing televisions plastering the walls, making for a nice place to chat with your mates. Lastly, service is decent, even on nights when the place is packed. Going at an early hour will allow you to skip the standing-room only that late night usually draws. read more

Two words - clean bathrooms. The whole place is clean, classy and a little artsy. Lots of good booze, some fancy/old-timey mixed drinks and a constantly rotating selection of interesting beers on tap including some Indiana craft brews. The food menu isn't huge, but all the food is way above board for a bar, and better than a lot of stuff I've had in restaurants downtown. I'm a big fan of their Cuban sandwich. Good music, friendly bar staff, cool people. It's a really comfortable place if you're not into the campus bar scene. read more

With its simple black exterior, concrete countertop, understated bar back, single draft tower, exposed brick and plaster walls and arched interior doorways, the Black Sparrow feels more like an authentic Irish pub than all the places that are trying desperately to feel like authentic Irish pubs. The chalkboard behind the bar reads "no crap on tap" and the tap handles reflect the rhetoric - today the bar offered specialty brews from Sun King, Goose Island, Three Floyd's, Left Hand, Boulder, and People's breweries. The menu is similarly limited in scope but long on quality. I had the Asian Salad with a side of perfectly crisped shoestring fries but I could have easily gone for one of the burgers or gourmet pizzas. When I stepped inside, four young men in knit hats and various stages of beard growth crowded the bar, which was tended by a young woman in vintage/American Apparel chic - a cynic would dismiss the Sparrow as a hipster bar but I found it to be unpretentious, an understated frame for genuinely cool (see: timeless, not time-stamped) drinks, food, and music. Business will likely take me to Lafayette bars and restaurants several times over the next year and I plan on staying longer than necessary every time I stop by the Black Sparrow. read more

It might be a 'hipster' bar , but the vibe is WAY better than spots in Brooklyn or Silverlake. The beer menu is fantastic, with Brooklyn Lager (my fav) on tap in addition to many craft beers in the bottle. Their wine list doesn't disappoint either. You can order food until 10pm from a menu that includes salads, hummus, meat sandwiches and pizza. The staff is friendly and the crowd keeps to their specified tables (not much intermixing). Overall a great place to drink in a city with not many options. read more

I've eaten here a few times and found the food to be good and unique. No smoking in dining room until 10pm daily. As a beer geek, I really find this to be the best spot in Lafayette. Sure other bars have more beers on tap (chumleys around the corner has 50 handles and 100 bottles, and 300 people that annoy me cluttering the place), but the Sparrows 8 taps offer beers that you'll rarely find on tap and they rotate something new in after a keg or 2 of any given brew. Lots of rotation through various microbrew IPAs, Belgians, Porters/Stouts, occasional foreign lager, and even the occasional old ale/barley wine/Imperial. I've certainly tried more new beers here than any bar in town -and I've been a beer geek for a dozen years, even brewing my own off and on). The crowd here is generally more of the bourgeois-wine-with-dinner around late dinner time which gradually gives way to a mixture of 'hip', 'artsy', 'intellectual', and 'underground musician' types as the night moves along. A look around is as likely to put into your view a thick-glasses-frame-with-short-beard-young-suburban-professional-sipping-wine as it is a local artist collective or a tattooed punk or garage rocker tipping a can of pabst blue ribbon. This place seems to have a decent wine selection and equipment and knowledge of advanced mixed drinks/cocktails that I've only seen on old movies in Lafayette. Overall, this is a great place for people of any demographic that enjoys GOOD drinks and conversation. read more

Undoubtedly the best bar in Lafayette/West Lafayette. Their cocktails kick ass and the food is eclectic & yummy. My favorites include the Moscow mule, hummus and the thin crust pesto pizza. Lafayette would be boring without the sparrow. read more

I'm tempted to call Black Sparrow a hipster bar because it stands out so much as the "cool" bar downtown. But it has none of the asshole-yness of what I've come to expect from "hipster" joints, and in fact the staff is really sweet. Like everywhere else in Lafayette, I always meet really interesting, friendly Purdue students. My husband's band played here last night just as the "Taste" was wrapping up. It pretty muched completely rocked everyone's socks off (srsly). The energy of both the band and crowd was great. I don't know how frequently bands play here, but I would definitely come back to see shows here over Hunter's Down Under. It also has a cool vibe for getting together for drinks any night. (Like Thanksgiving when us and a handful of friends sought refuge from our families here.) See ya there. read more

Pros: Delicious food, a good variety of drinks and specials, good live events almost once every two weeks. Very affordable prices for the most unique bar in town, good crowd in general. Cons: The most pretentious bartenders! God, don't even start me with them... If they won't rudely hit you on their way, they will surely dismiss you with an attitude if you happen to have any questions about the menu etc. The worst service in town by far. The place can also be very smoky due to bad air recycling at its prime times. Sometimes, the music being played can be annoying for people who are looking to chat with in their group. Borderline hipster regulars. read more

I like this place only because I live in Lafayette, IN. Anywhere else, I would expect many more similar restaurants with better food and better service. But alas. The beer selection is good, and the appetizers are okay such as goat cheese with marinara sauce and bread. I'm not a big fan of any of their dinner food (they have pizzas and sandwiches). Sometimes they have good entertainment, but if that's not your reason for being there it will be too loud and you may want to find a near by bar to go to. If you want good service go with a girl. And if you are a girl, be prepared to get your back rubbed constantly. read more

I can't wait to go back here. I had the nachos and they were absolutely delicious! (A little spicy, but that's good from my perspective!) The beer selection included some unique beers that I don't normally see, and I check out beer bars in many places! Everyone at the table really enjoyed their food, and the atmosphere was great. This is a place someone could go in downtown Lafayette, very near to campus, where it doesn't feel like a college hangout. Our service was fine and I did not experience any of the problems others have. Did I mention I loved the food and beer! This will be at the top of my list next time I return to Lafayette! read more

I have been going to the Sparrow for years. Hands down the best place in Lafayette/West Lafayette. It has a very interesting vibe...part pub, part hipster joint, part biker bar...I think having a tattoo is a requirement for employment. One moment they are playing Black Sabbath, then it might be Bob Dylan, and sometimes even the best of Abba. You just never know what you're going to get, which I like. The beer selection is great, though I am not much of beer drinker. The cocktails are excellent (and well drinks are very cheap). The food is great across the board...the pizzas, the Banh Mi, the Cuban, the soups, and specials like arancini. You really can't go wrong at the Sparrow. But FYI...thanks to Indiana's stupid alcohol laws you have to be over 21 to get in, even to eat in the restaurant area. Just don't sit at the first seat at the bar as you walk in...that's mine! read more

I was definitely surprised how much I enjoyed their spin on food and the quality of it which is hard to find with so many franchises in this area. Cocktails were amazing and very creative and our service couldn't be beat! read more

I have a love-hate relationship with Sparrow and my fellow graduate students are aware of my opinions on how often we end up at The Black Sparrow. Pros: - $5 beer and shot deal - the sign is not fake, this actually exists. - Sunday brunch once a month is the best food you will find in Lafayette, IN hands down. They change the menu every month and it is worth the price. You are missing out if you have not tried it. - The food in general is good. It doesn't look like much of a dinner place, but the food is surprisingly delicious. - Non smoking. Cons: - So many hipsters. The funny thing about people who try to be unique is they end up looking really similar to each other. But really, I'm not hating. - The live music can be questionable. There was once a guy playing the balloon. I am not kidding - he was literally letting the air out of the balloon and the noise was considered music along with the girl wailing next to him. - It can be a bit pricy. - Very loud all the time - can be difficult to have a conversation. So I guess the pros do weigh out the cons. I am not a huge fan of the atmosphere, but it is as good as any other bar. read more

Reviews about poor service scared me, but it was fine. Not the fastest meal ever, but was served in a reasonable amount of time. The food was just excellent. If food takes a while and comes out like this, that makes perfect sense. We had the burger with the sauteed and fried onions. Can't remember the last time I had a burger that good. We were amazed. Great golden toasted bun too. Excellent, excellent burger. We also had the seafood pasta special. A little pricey ($24 I think), but was again perfect. Great scallops cooked to perfection, wonderful lobster/cream sauce. Dynamite. It got busy towards 7:00 on Saturday, so prepare to wait if you get there around that time. read more

I have been here twice and while I enjoy the food, I am not sure that this would be regular hangout. We stopped in a few weeks ago and as soon as we walked in, I turned to my husband and said " this place smells like a college bar!" It smelled of stale beer and greasy food. Eww! The menu is quite small but what they offer is fantastic. Fish and chips, pizza, burgers and bacon wrapped dates are all delicious. They definitely know how to push the envelope with the food. You will see some interesting combinations on the menu. Prices are decent and service is OK. Like other reviewers have stated, it is a very hipster-esque vibe and maybe even a little stuffy. read more

This place has a cool vibe (at least I think it does, I'm not that cool so hard to tell). Have been here several times for drinks with friends. It is often crowded on weekend nights, lively atmosphere, sometimes a wait for a table. It does get very loud so if you or your guests are sensitive to volume, look elsewhere. Good beer selection with several rotating taps, I have also tried a dirty martini here which was very nice. Food is actually amazing for a more drink-focused place. First time I ordered food here we got a fig pizza with caramelized onions and blue cheese. It was so amazing I tried to re-create it at home (my own results weren't nearly as good as the original). On my most recent visit I ordered the Bahn Mi sandwich. I am a huge fan of Bahn Mi sandwiches (cilantro addict) and this was one of the best I have ever had. I don't know about authenticity, but it was satisfying as hell. Also, I got a salad on the side, and their balsamic dressing is amazing. Probably not the most healthy balsamic dressing out there, but who cares, I almost licked the little container it came in. Can't wait to try more of the menu! read more

Let me say up front that I really enjoy going to the Black Sparrow. Unlike the other downtwon Lafayette bars, this one has no TV's, so you can go in and have a beer without that distraction. You can even talk to others! They have a rotating beer selection on tap that usually includes a very eclectic variety of craft beers from around the country. Don't be fooled by the limited menu; the food is good (I've had most of it with the pizzas being my favorites) and they have nightly specials that can be really good. Look for the Moroccan chicken! This bar is also cigar friendly, which I rate highly. read more

If you live in a big city you expect to be able to choose from dozens of places like this. In a smaller place like Lafayette you can be very happy to have even one place like the Sparrow. The bar selection is not big but it is well selected. They haven't really jumped on the cocktail bandwagon so ask about the week's selection of draft beers. You might need to be persistent to find a draft that isn't hyper-hoppy but they will give you all the samples you need to figure it out. The food is really really good. The fig pizza is genius. The weekend specials are always creative in a good way. You never have to settle for something. It surprises me how many long-time residents of the twin cities have never even heard of the Black Sparrow. Their loss. read more

If you appreciate good food and high end spirits, this is the place for you! Whenever I'm in Laffayette, it's my first choice!

This bar has a great atmosphere with a fun menu (fig and blue cheese pizza anyone) but it still leaves something to be desired. I've been here twice and both times the bartenders and servers were great, the bathroom was super clean and the drinks were perfect (um, Rogue John John Hazelnut on tap). The smoking is a big downfall for me as it affects the taste of the beer and food. I can't quite put my finger on what about this place irks me - it's cheaper than similar places in Indianapolis (where I'm at mostly) but still leaves me wanting something more. I'm chalking it up to the smoky bar! read more

I still reminisce about the espresso blackberry mead I once had here. Great dark hipster, 1850s-meet-punk vibe with a nice selection of rotating drafts. One of my favorite bars in the Lafayette area. read more

This is a one bar town. This is that bar. Save yourself the time of going elsewhere. Even the board tells you what's up, "no crap on tap." Get yourself a Bohn Mi, or a pizza, or a burger, or really anything else on the menu, and have a beer while the rest of town wishes it could know about what you have seen. read more

I always have a fantastic time when I visit The Black Sparrow. The restaurant is very cool and the staff is super friendly. The food is delicious, especially the Banh Mi sandwich, the hummus, and the baked goat cheese. read more

The ambiance is a mix between hipster & dive but not in a bad way though they did feel incongruent at different parts of the restaurant as if it wasn't necessarily purposeful. I ordered the BLT & E with the beef and vegetable soup of the day-so yummy! It was quite good, so much so I'm inclined to go back after writing this review and order the same exact things. A neighbor and I came for lunch-just the food-no beers, though, it seems people like the beers so I'll be sure to tell my husband when I bring him with me when I go next. read more

I love the Black Sparrow for lunch! The menu is simple, but creative. I ordered the BLT sandwich with a fried egg and a side salad. The sandwich is very delicious, and the side salad had fresh greens! In addition to greens, there were carrots and sunflower seeds. I've been there twice and crave going back. Highly recommended! read more

Get here quick before the Foie Ganache is gone, just updated their offerings but haven't posted on the website. Kimchi Udon noodles were fantastic, but the Foie Ganache was an experience. read more

5 stars easy were it not for the smoke. Though it is a bar, I'll say little about the superlative & ever-changing selection of libations. Others have done it justice. The Black Sparrow is actually a good restaurant. Even a very good restaurant, in its simple but lively food offerings. Duck, steak frites, rabbit, poblanos, fig pizza, and now possibly the best fish & chips in the tri-state region? Folks, we have ourselves a gastropub in Tippecanoe County. Indulge! (Nine Irish held my title for best F&C for the longest while, but the Sparrow's wickedly addictive chipotle mayo combined with the seasoned string fries proved totally irresistible.) Aside from stuffing tasty things into my craw, my ears are also frequently pleased by the live acts that perform here. The Sparrow brings to Lafayette an unexpectedly eclectic mix of string bands, neo-folksters, proto-punks, and retro-hillbillies, just to throw a few labels out there. read more

I've been there twice and had a generally good time both times. This place is a restaurant/bar with a hipster vibe. My first visit was later in the evening. They had live music playing and had cleared some of the dinner tables out of the way to make room for some dancing. It was fun! Their cocktails are pretty strong, but I'm not sure they were crafted well enough to be worth the $10 price tag. For my second visit, I went with some friends for dinner. I had the fig pizza. It sounded good on the menu, but had WAY too many figs upon getting to the table. It probably would have been better with some balsamic vinegar to balance out the insane sweetness of the fig. My friend ordered a cheeseburger. It was good, but overcooked. Our waitress didn't even ask her how she wanted it cooked. Overall, it's a cool place to stop by if you're looking for somewhere new to try in Lafayette. I'd like to go back again when they have live music! read more

Everything food (and drink and music) is fabulous here but try the goat cheese appetizer, the dates/bacon app, the fish and chips dinner, and the new wings especially! I also love the BLT@E sandwich (E stands for "egg"!)! The menu is not extensive, but everything on it is TOP-QUALITY and finely done! The background music is always new and great and unobtrusive, but easy enough to follow if you wish. We have frequently asked who/what something was, because it was especially of interest. The bartenders and servers are knowledgeable and friendly, unusual anymore. As time goes on, I find that a wider cross-section of the area is visiting the place...nice that we're not the "old folks" anymore! We never go there during weekend nights, though...INCREDIBLY popular, but not so much our speed as other times. We try to get there early, exploit them for their amazing food and drink, then duck out as the hipsters start amassing...lol Best place in town for checking out the latest fashions and fads- love people watching Great beer selections, which rotate and include hoppy AND not-hoppy choices, which is nice. Good wines and GREAT cocktails! Try the whiskey smash...amazing! Watch for seasonal food choices, too...they love trying new and interesting things and I love taking advantage of it! read more

This bar usually doesn't make it to the top of my list for places to visit, however last night a group of us stopped in for dinner. I shouldn't have overlooked or judged The Black Sparrow before. What was just an interesting bar in my mind, is also an excellent eatery! I tried the cheeseburger with two types of onions. This was to die for. An excellent bun, flavorful toppings, and burger cooked to perfection. After ordering, my friend (a regular) told me I had just chosen, "the best burger in town". I replied and asked why he was was holding out on me!? 5 stars on the burger. It's great! Others at the table ordered the BLT, and a pizza. Both of which looked really good! I will return to try the goat cheese on the appetizer. I heard those are awesome too! 4/5 on account of a slower kitchen/staff, but in a fun environment I can look past that and still have a great time. read more