Great for a month, then it’s over. Just like a fling. Below, read the story of the Monthly Fling, see this month’s featured items, and get nostalgic over the Flings of the past.
The Monthly Fling is how Flingers does the classic, tried-and-true idea of the “monthly special” or “featured new pizza.” On the 1st day of each month, we release a small bundle of brand new items. It’s usually two or three different things, maybe some combination of appetizers, dips, bombs, pizzas, salads, or cocktails. You have a month to try it...until, like a fling, it ends awkwardly and abruptly. But then next month starts and we do it again.
To see the current specials, tap the Have a Fling dropdown above (on mobile) and select This Month. And on desktop, click This Month over to the left. That’s where you can also find Last Month’s Fling you just missed, as well as see the leaderboard for all the most popular Past Flings, if you’re interested. And to read how the Monthly Fling was originally developed, keep scrolling below.
The Monthly Fling is proof that successful innovation can emerge simply by putting a unique spin on a widespread, basic idea. At its core, the Monthly Fling is little more than a “pizza of the month” special. There’s nothing groundbreaking about that. Restaurants have been doing it forever. But we believe there’s a better, more interesting, ‘craft’ way to do pretty much anything.
Flingers re-opened at our new location in September 2015, which meant most of 2016 was about re-introducing Bloomington-Normal to our primary menu of pizzas and cheesebombs. It was all about playing the hits and re-establishing core elements like the SuperFreak, the Cheesebomb, and the Flinger Rolls. But by the end of 2017, it became clear that our kitchen team, led by Geoff Scheets, was eager to start unveiling new pizzas to the public. They were constantly experimenting with new ideas, but since we didn’t have an outlet for them, most of those delicious flavor profiles remained well-kept secrets among the staff. One of the more common internal conversations you’d hear around Flingers in 2017 was, “Hey, have you tried the new pizza the kitchen made? It’s awesome…”
We couldn’t bottle it up any longer. You can’t contain craft pizza, so we needed to give these creative inventions a platform.
At the end of 2017, as part of our 12 Days of Christmas, we announced a new monthly pizza program for 2018. At the time, it was called the Flinger Feature, and it was largely a year-long trial balloon to see whether customers would actually have any interest in new pizza creations. After all, most people tend to like what they like, order the same thing every time, and aren’t always eager to spend money on something new that they might not enjoy. It’s easy to “say” you like the idea of new monthly pizzas, but we were curious whether customers would put their money where their Facebook likes were, take the “risk,” and actually order them.
Well, you did. You ordered them a lot.
By the end of 2018, we had served 2,169 of these new pizzas. That’s an average of about 180 pizzas each month that we otherwise wouldn’t have served, and the two most popular pizzas (El Guapo and The Venetian) eventually got promoted to the permanent menu.
The clear conclusion from our year-long 2018 test was: not only did you like the idea of new pizzas, but you’d also actually order them too. We realized we might be onto something here, because this idea checked a lot of boxes:
Ongoing outlet for the creativity of our talented kitchen team
Doing it monthly (as opposed to weekly or bi-weekly) kept it manageable for the kitchen, made it easier to stock toppings, and also gave customers enough time to try it.
Business-wise, it was a nice new revenue stream for us that didn’t seem to be cannibalizing our base. Customers weren’t ordering the monthly special instead of their usual. You were adding it to your usual.
Mix-it-up a bit for customers, giving you a regular expectation of new options so you don’t get bored with us.
People expect a restaurant to have “specials,” and at the time, we didn’t have a well-constructed calendar of other daily specials, so this allowed us to answer those questions positively (“Yes! We do have a special this month! Glad you asked!”)
Highlight certain toppings for a limited time while they’re fresh, in-season, or trendy.
Ultimately, it becomes a farm system, or proving ground, for new pizzas. We no longer needed to guess with a shot-in-the-dark on whether a new pizza would be successful on the permanent menu. If we had new ideas, we’d include it in the monthly feature, give it month, and let the sales and feedback tell us whether you liked it or not. If we stumbled upon a runaway winner, we’d promote it. This way our permanent menu always includes hits, not duds.
The ingredients were there. It was a win-win from every angle. All we needed was packaging and a plan, the unsung keys to any successful idea. Many great ideas wither and die on the vine because you can’t figure out how to market them, or how to make them sustainable and scalable.
Other restaurants might just introduce a new item on Instagram and be done with it. We couldn’t take that approach. It’s too scattershot, too disconnected, too unfocused. And those methods don’t work. Instead, we needed to develop an umbrella under which this idea could live. Some sort of steady, stable packaging (name, fonts, tone, etc.) that, over time, would become familiar. A “branded container” that would allow us to interchangeably swap-out the pieces each month without confusing you. Internally, we also needed a plan. It’s easy to say you’ll come up with a new pizza every month, but if you don’t develop a process and put deadlines on the calendar, the end of the month will sneak up on you. Suddenly it’s the 30th and you’re scrambling to create a pizza, take pictures, write copy, design graphics, send things to the printers…
At the end of 2018, we had a management meeting and scheduled the entire year’s pizza brainstorming, photoshoots, and production calendars a year in advance, so we’d never be caught off-guard. We also settled on the name “The Monthly Fling.” This would be the consistent container under which all the different pizzas would rotate. Not only did it clearly communicate the duration of the special (Monthly), and include part of the name of the business (Flingers) allowing for easier associative branding, but it also offered a nice double entendre that aligned with the short-term, limited time concept of the program, one that is very...Flingers.
Because who among us hasn’t had a fling! Oh man, those are great at first...but then, ehhh… well, you quickly realize it’s not going anywhere. And after about a month, it’s time to move on. No hard feelings, though! We don’t regret it! It was nice while it lasted. But...yeah...it’s more fleeting than forever. Some months, that describes our new pizza creations, lol. Definitely worth trying once, and you’ll almost certainly like it, but...you may not need to have it again. And that’s okay. That’s a fling.
(Of course, some months, we do hit a homerun and create something with real staying power. That’s happened at least 8-10 times so far.)
We also made the ambitious decision to up-the-ante and expand the idea. Instead of the Monthly Fling being just one new pizza, it became a full bundle of new items (usually 3). Always a pizza, but then also an appetizer, or a salad, or a new wing sauce...sometimes even a dessert or a dip. Eventually, the bartenders wanted in on the action and started sneaking new cocktails into the Monthly Fling, haha. So there’ll occasionally be a limited time drink included as well.
Here’s a look behind-the-scenes during some of our Monthly Fling shoots.
The items never “come together as a package.” Meaning, you don’t have to get all of them. You can pick and choose. They’re only “bundled” together in the sense that they’re each only available in that given month. But we noticed that while the new pizzas were always the headliner, a lot of customers also appreciated the chance to try new appetizers and wing sauces too.
Starting in January 2019, we went all-in. In addition to everything above, the final pieces of the puzzle were taking top-notch food photos, giving each pizza a fun, craft name (as is Flingers tradition), and writing engaging captions for the promotional materials to give the whole thing a personality.
So far, there’s only been one month where we didn’t do something “new,” and that was in April 2020, during the height of the pandemic when restaurants were in limbo. We did the “greatest hits” that month, and brought back your favorites from the previous year based on a fan vote. But other than a worldwide pandemic temporarily slowing us down, we’ve had something new for you on the 1st of the month, every month.
And we always will.
Well, until we don’t. We may eventually decide the whole thing has run its course and end it. Just like a fling.
Click on This Month’s tab (or drop-down) to see the current Fling. Use the Last Month tab to see what you most recently missed out on. And use the Past Flings tab for a nostalgic trip down memory lane to revisit all the old one-month stands. It’s the Monthly Fling, only at Flingers Pizza Pub.
Check out the current Monthly Fling, only available until the end of this month. Order it while you can.
With a whisper woven from threads of gold, surrender to the seductive call of MIGHTY APHRODITE. This intoxicating Greek goddess features fire-braised chicken, roasted red peppers, black olives, zucchini, and red onion on a hummus base, topped with pita chips, a tzatziki drizzle, and a housemade salsa we’re calling Pico de Greeko (which includes cherry tomatoes, cucumber, parsley, lemon juice, Feta cheese, and oregano). It’s a Greek-style pizza pulsing with divine desire, like fingertips tracing fire.
Next, we see you orbiting these HOT HONEY HARISSA WINGS. Press-in close and take the plunge, as these blend the sexy nectar of hot honey with a classic Harissa paste for a tomato-like sauce with a sweet Mediterranean kiss.
Sitting atop the highest peak, the salad of the gods is MOUNT OLYMPUS. Fresh romaine piled to the sky with fire-braised chicken, cherry tomatoes, pita chips, Feta cheese, and a pantheon of other veggies like black olives, cucumber, banana peppers, and red onion, it’s a mountainous meal that reaches mythical levels of Greek salad deliciousness.
And for dessert, indulge the teasing temptation of this RED VELVET CAKE SKILLET COOKIE. It’s a smoldering sugar cookie topped with vanilla ice cream, red velvet cake crumbles, whipped cream, sprinkles, and chocolate syrup that’ll melt you like candle wax in the glow of moonlight.
This is the greatest dessert cocktail you'll ever drink. The STRAWBERRY SWEETHEART features sweet, creamy, bold strawberry flavors with a slight kick of vodka booziness, it's the perfect drink to split with your date. If you don't usually order dessert, get one of these instead. You'll love it.
Jump into a situationship with pizza vibes. Just be careful, or you’ll start catching feelings for February’s Monthly Fling.
Ooooh...too late. You just missed it. BUT… sometimes we still have some ingredients leftover and are willing to extend these items a bit longer. We call these Flinger Hangovers. So check out last month’s Fling, and if you’re lucky, some of it might still be available (indicated below, if so).
New year, still you. And that’s fine because you’re already pretty great, friend. When it’s time to break the fast, skip the cereal and choose AVOCADO TOAST BRUNCH. It features bacon, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and bread crumbs, on a base of fresh, creamy avocado and Pico de Gallo, then topped with fluffy snowballs of fresh burrata cheese, and finished with balsamic glaze and seasonings. For brunch or any meal of the day, this power-packed avocardio boost is the Toast of the town.
You’ve gotta order these BLOODY MARY WINGS. They’re tossed in a housemade sauce with a non-alcoholic Bloody Mary drink mix, Worcestershire, brown sugar, and lime juice, then garnished with celery. The result is a spot-on impression of the classic brunch beverage. It’s one of our brightest, boldest, most fun wing flavors ever.
Lightly breaded with gooey ricotta, mozzarella, and asiago cheese inside, these FRIED RICOTTA CHEESE BITES were a hit during our taste testing. They’ll be a hit with your crew too.
Of course, January also means salads, and we’ve been looking forward to this one. Our BLUEBERRY ARUGULA SALAD is loaded with blueberries, pecans, and goat cheese on a thick bed of fresh arugula, served with lemon basil vinaigrette. The blueberry, lemon, and goat cheese work perfectly together, making this a light, bright bowl that fills you up without filling you out.
And at the bar, raise a glass and engage in some RISKY FIZZNESS. OJ, orange liqueur, and blueberry purée mix with Pizzolato Rose Spumante sparkling wine for refreshing bubbly blueberry mimosa-esque vibes that make you smile.
Think 2024 was great? Hold my year. Grab a clean calendar and let’s get this party started with January’s Monthly Fling, only at Flingers.
Look at this photograph. Every time I do it makes me laugh… Oh lawd, did we just quote Nickelback? See what reminiscing does to you? It’s dangerous, man. Be careful.
Did you really love one of the Monthly Fling pizzas but can’t remember what it was called? Could you swear we offered Green Bean Fries at some point, but don’t remember when? Are you just curious to see how creative we are and all the ideas we’ve tried? Do you want to know which ones rocked and which ones bombed? Take a trip down memory lane and get your answers below.
(Based on avg served per day during its combined availability as a special)
Available Jul 2021
Available Dec 2020, 2021, 2022, and May 2021
Available Sep 2021
Available Sep 2022
Available Jul 2022
Available May 2020
Available May 2021
Available Nov 2021
Available Apr 2021
Available Jun 2020
(Based on avg served per day during its combined availability as a special)
Available Feb 2023
Available Dec 2020
Available Apr 2019
Available Nov 2021
Available Oct 2022
Available Jun 2022
Available Nov 2019, 2020, 2022, and Oct 2021
Available Sep 2019, and Apr 2020
Available May 2020
Available Feb 2022
(Based on avg served per day during its combined availability as a special)
Available Jul 2022
Available May 2022
Available Sep 2022
Available Nov 2021
Available Jul 2021
Available Jan 2023
Available May & Dec 2021
Available Oct 2022
Available Sep 2020
Available Feb 2021
2025 Monthly Fling
Bloody Mary Wings
Fried Ricotta Cheese Bites
Blueberry Arugula Salad
Risky Fizzness
2024 Monthly Fling
Battered Pickle Fries
Honey Hot Chicken Salad
Boozy Black Cherry Limeade
Cod Nuggets
King Cake Skillet
Pirate Punch
Guinness BBQ Wings
Stuffed Tater Kegs
Iced Irish Mocha
Korean BBQ Wings
Firecracker Wontons
Kimono Crunch Salad
Blood Orange Blossom
Al Pastor Chicken Wings
Loaded Quesabirria Fries
Oaxaca Punch
Fried Chicken & Waffle Fries
Cotton Candy Skillet Cookie
Peach Me, I’m Dreaming
Berry Burner BBQ Wings
Sweet Corn Nuggets
Berry Bliss Salad
The Floor is Guava
Carolina Reaper Wings
Beer-battered Jalapeño Bottle Caps
Rum for Cover
Apple Butter BBQ Wings
Caramel Apple Sweetza
Starry Night
Battered Onion Rings
Halloween Skillet Cookie
Apple Butter Old Fashioned
Apple Bottom Greens
Maple Bacon Wings
Thanksgiving Poutine
Russian Pumpkin
Nashville Hot Bomb
Stuffed Tater Kegs
Holly Jolly Sangria
2023 Monthly Fling
Chipotle Cinnamon Dry Rub Wings
Short Rib Poutine
Cranberry Gin Spritz
Hot Honey Garlic Wings
Garlic Butter Fried Mushrooms
Mocha Cold Brew Martini
Cajun Fish Wings
Fried Okra
The Big Easy
General Tso's Wings
Sweet Chili Wings
Veggie Spring Rolls
Shanghai Salad
Kiwi Berry Burst
Mango Habanero Wings
Beer Battered Jalapeño & Cheddar Cheese Curds
Mango Habanero Wings
Mini Corn Dogs
Snickers Skillet Cookie
Gimme Some Mûre
Pizza Wings
Ghosted BBQ Pork Fries
Red, White & Boozy
Sweet Corn Nuggets
Peachy Green
Peach Cobbler Skillet
Basil Berry Spritz
Orange Fanta Wings
Funnel Cake Fries
A Fair Shake
Oktoberfest Wings
Beer Battered Onion Rings
Affy Tappletini
Maple Bacon Wings
Orchard Grove Salad
Pumpkin Pie Skillet
The Perfect Pear
Pizza Wings
Funnel Cake Fries
Snickers Skillet Cookie
Cozy Cocoa Spice
2022 Monthly Fling
Chicken Cordon Bleu Balls
Buffalo Chicken Cobb Salad
Cabin Fever
Steak House Wings
Valentine Sweetza
Sweethearts Sangria
Bayou Fish Wings
Bananas Foster Skillet
3-Story Midori
Birdie Broccoli Bites
Green Jacket Salad
Heavenly Hibiscus
¡Loco Wings!
White Cheddar Jalapeño Curds
Mango Passion Party
Citrus Explosion Wings
Strawberry Shortcake Skillet Cookie
Key Lime on a Dime
Korean BBQ Rib Tips
K-Pop Salad
Lychee Green Tea
Ghost Pepper Wings
Nashville Hot Chicken Fries
Watermelon RefreshMINT
Sun-dried Tomato Pesto Wings
Fried Ricotta Ravioli
Spritzin' Around the Hive
Hink's Smokehouse Bourbon BBQ Wings
Buffalo Mac & Cheese bites
Kiss of Death
Maple Bacon Wings
Harvest Moon Salad
Caramel Apple Doughnut Skillet
Fall From the Tree
Chicken Cordon Bleu Bites
Buffalo Chicken Cobb Salad
Seasick Crocodile
2021 Monthly Fling
Tikka Masala Wings
Caprese Romaine Salad
Breaded Mozzarella Wedges
Cinnamon Roll Sweetza
All You Need is Lav
Reuben Bites
Minty Craic Cookie
Not So Irish Coffee
Lemon Pepper Wings
Mediterranean Salad
Butterfly Pea
¡Fiesta Wings!
Southwestern Spud Stuffs
Mamá Fresa
Sweet Corn Nuggets
Blackout Brownie Skillet
Where’d My Mango?
Ghost Pepper Cheese Curds
BLT Salad
Watermelon RefreshMINT
Chicken Parm Wings
Oreo Dream Skillet Cookie
Pimm’s Cup Unfiltered
Green Bean Fries
Southern Belle Salad
Lemonberry Burst
Blitzkrieg Fries
Maple Bacon Wings
Caramel Apple Pie
Spinach Artichoke Poppers
Apple Jalapeño BBQ Wings
Pumpkin on the Rum
Southwestern Spud Stuffs
Oreo Dream Skillet Cookie
Peppermint Mocha Martini
2020 Monthly Fling
PBJ Wings
Provolone Cheese Sticks
Raspberry Sparkler
Pesto Crostini
Strawberry Nutella Sweetza
Neapolitini
Cork’s Corned Beef Dip
Wee Bit Irish Cookie
Patrick’s Punch
Spicy Korean BBQ Wings
Smoked Gouda Mac Bites
Chili-Lime Dry Rub Wings
Street Taco Fries
Smokehouse Salad
Battered Sweet Onion Petals
Patio Peach Tea
BLT Bomb
Liberty Salad
Castaway Glaze Wings
Tropic Like It’s Hott
Spicy Cauliflower Bites
Asian Ginger Wings
Chipotle Honey BBQ Rib Tips
Jalapeño Popper Toasted Ravioli
Texas Dust Wings
Bourbon Smashville!
Mac & Cheese & Bacon Fries
Cinnamon Apple Cheesecake
Pumpkin Pie cocktail
Maple Bacon Wings
The Harvest Salad
Cider House Rye
Whoville Hot Wings
Zucchini Sticks! Stanks! Stunks!
2019 Monthly Fling
Greek Salad
Mango Habanero Wings
Philly Bomb
Philly Salad
Cheesecake Cookie
Garlic Parm Fries
Mint Shamrock Cookie
Nashville Hot Wings
Crispy Pickle Fries
Bourbon Wings
Smoked Gouda Mac Bites
Mint Julep
Man O’War
Sweet Corn Nuggets
Reese’s Pieces Skillet Cookie
Basil Mojito
Jalapeño Popper Cheese Dip
Green Bean Fries
Honey Chipotle BBQ Wings
Classic Potato Skins
Strawberry Kiwi Vodka Collins
Mezcal Margarita
Spicy Korean BBQ Wings
Sweet Teriyaki Wings
Mini Veggie Spring Rolls
Spicy Cheese Curds
Campfire Skillet
Pumpkin Pie cocktail
Maple Bacon Wings
The Autumn Salad
Bananas Foster
Rosemary’s Berry
Chickie Ki-Yay Mozzareller
Fra-GEE-Lay Cheeseball
Cotton Headed Ninny Muggins
2018 Monthly Fling