1. Bru Lures You In With Beer And Keeps You Biting With Burgers
The owners of Bru have dedicated themselves to perfecting the art of two things: burgers and brews. Even more specifically, the art of being able to pair the two together just so. A fair warning, though. One visit here and you’ll be ruined from any other standard, mediocre bar experiences out there.
Bru Burger Bar
410 Massachusetts Ave
Indianapolis, IN 46204
(317) 635-4278
Yelp: 4 stars, 468 reviews
2. Find The Best Belgians At A French Pub In Brugges
Brugge Brasserie is more like a French pub than your everyday American corner bar and that’s exactly what makes it stand out. It has some great Belgians on tap, and is also one of the only places where you can pair a good brew with some quality frites, mussels, and crepes. Find a spot under the shade on the back patio with a Tripel for an experience you can’t find anywhere else in Indianapolis.
Brugge Brasserie
1011a E Westfield Blvd
Indianapolis, IN 46220
(317) 255-0978
Yelp: 4 stars, 315 reviews
3. Nothing Chases A Taco Better Than Bakersfield’s Tequila
Bakersfield is definitely one of the top spots in the city to go for Mexican fare. Tacos might be a dime a dozen, but a massive bar with over 100 different tequilas and beer that you drink from a frosted boot mug, however, is not. And no matter how hungry you thought you weren’t, after a margarita or two, you’ll be thrilled to have the best fish tacos in the city at your disposal.
Bakersfield Mass Ave
334 Massachusetts Ave
Indianapolis, IN 46204
(317) 635-6962
Yelp: 4 stars, 315 reviews
4. Learn How To Speak German And Drink Like A Pro At The Rathskeller
Franziskaner Hefe Weissbier, Gaffel Kölsch, Hofbrau Münchner Kindl Weissbier, Erdinger Hefe Weissbier… If you like your beer imported, unique, and unpronounceable, then put Rathskeller at the top of your pub list. You’ll also find a selection of wines for every size wallet, making sure that there’s a little bit of something for everyone to enjoy.
Rathskeller Restaurant
401 E Michigan St
Indianapolis, IN 46204
(317) 636-0396
Yelp: 4 stars, 290 reviews
5. Yo Ho Ho And A Bottle Of Everything At Bluebeard’s
Bluebeard is the answer to the burgeoning beer-loving hipster inside of you. You can get everything from a can PBR and a shot for $5 to draft beers like Jolly Pumpkin Saison X, Fountain Square Pilsner, and Founders All Day IPA.
The wine list covers just about every kind of red, white, and sparkling variety you could possibly want, too. And consider the perfectly hand-crafted cocktails as a reminder that Blackbeard might have known his rum, but Bluebeard knows everything.
Bluebeard
653 Virginia Ave
Indianapolis, IN 46203
(317) 686-1580
Yelp: 4 stars, 294 reviews
6. Cheers To The Best Soccer Crowd At Chatham’s
Chatham Tap hasn’t been around for a decade, yet it feels as experienced as if it’s been an Indianapolis fixture for a century. The beer is plentiful, with plenty of draft and bottled options to choose from, ranging from local breweries to European imports. Chatham’s is a great place to catch a soccer game, filled with fans from all over the city who will talk your ear off about the stuff you can’t get anyone at work to indulge you with. Pull your bar stool up to your barrel table and start to unwind.
Chatham Tap Restaurant & Pub
719 Massachusetts Ave
Indianapolis, IN 46204
(317) 917-8425
Yelp: 4 stars, 210 reviews
7. A Revolucion Worth Fighting For
Nestled in Fountain Square, you’ll find Revolucion, a Mexican bar with great food and even better spirits. Revolucion is filled with fun décor and a playful atmosphere, but head to the back at the tiki bar where the real fun happens. Bring a group of friends, order a mound of tacos for the table and pair them with one of the spicy rimmed margaritas, showcasing both the tequila and the food. You won’t regret it.
Revolucion
1132 Prospect St
Indianapolis, IN 46203
(317) 423-9490
Yelp: 4 stars, 183 reviews
8. Drown Yourself Happy At The Sinking Ship
If you like craft beer, hockey, or are a vegan, The Sinking Ship will shoot straight to the top of your list. If you happen to be a 3-in-1, craft-beer-loving-vegan-hockey-fan, then The Sinking Ship is your heaven on Earth. With 8 draft lines constantly rotating local and craft specials, a wall of whiskey, and televisions that don’t deviate from NHL Center Ice, you’ll never feel like you’re taking on water in The Sinking Ship. And if you’re not vegan, their burgers, house-smoked brisket and pork are all excellent.
The Sinking Ship
4923 N College Ave
Indianapolis, IN 46205
(317) 920-7999
Yelp: 4 stars, 170 reviews
9. The Black Market Has Whatever You Need
The Black Market is the place to go when you’re looking for unique drinks that you can afford. You’ll find a two page beer menu filled with dozens of choices from craft to vintage, the wine list is as superb as you would expect it to be when there is a wine director hired to put it together, and if you’re just in it for the hard liquor, you’ll be thrilled with the many options ranging from mixed cocktails to malt whiskeys.
Black Market
922 Massachusetts Ave
Indianapolis, IN 46202
(317) 822-6757
Yelp: 4 stars, 175 reviews
10. For The Love Of Salt At La Margarita
If you think you know everything there is to know about tequila, think again. One visit at La Margarita will have you seeing things a little differently, with over 200 agave-based drinks, straight up and mixed. There are plenty of songs to sing about the beer here too, some even about rare small batch series that you won’t find anywhere else in the city.
La Margarita Restaurant & Tequila Bar
1043 Virginia Ave
Indianapolis, IN 46203
(317) 384-1457
Yelp: 4 stars, 168 reviews
11. A Cider Lover’s Paradise At New Day Meadery
Break up the same old routine by heading over to the tasting room at New Day Meadery, one of the most special and unique wineries in the area. With a variety of meads and ciders, some sweet but mostly dry and delicious, it’s next to impossible to get bored here, even if you’re a frequent visitor. It’s also an excellent spot to impress with private events and parties, so keep it in mind for that upcoming birthday.
New Day Meadery
1102 Prospect St
Indianapolis, IN 46203
(888) 632-3379
Yelp: 4 stars, 164 reviews
12. Twenty Tap Is the Taproom You’ve Been Looking For
If beer lovers had known that taprooms like Twenty Tap were on the horizon, the whole craft beer scene would have exploded a whole lot sooner. Your biggest problem here will be deciding on what you want to order.
There are plenty of bottles, too, including sours and even gluten-free varieties. The chill neighborhood vibe and huge selection make Twenty Tap the taproom of choice over the others that may have gotten a little too big for their proverbial britches.
Twenty Tap
5406 N College Ave
Indianapolis, IN 46220
(317) 602-8840
Yelp: 4 stars, 215 reviews
13. Kilts Optional At MacNiven’s
Tucked away in the Mass Ave Arts & Entertainment district, you’ll find McNiven’s, a Scottish American bar-restaurant that will reignite your love for draughts. IPAs, stouts, and ales rule the draught scene, but there are also plenty of canned and bottled selections along with wines, cocktails and whiskeys to keep it interesting. This locally owned and operated gem provides plenty of good food and laughs to go along with the libations.
MacNiven’s Restaurant & Bar
339 Massachusetts Ave
Indianapolis, IN 46204
(317) 632-7268
Yelp: 4 stars, 184 reviews
14. Union 50 Takes You To The Swanky Underground
Another masterpiece in the Mass Ave Arts District is Union 50, but few are as trendy-cool. Each brick is perfectly stacked to create the feeling of the swankiest underground club-bar in the area. With killer mixed drinks and a solid beer and wine menu, Union 50 is the kind of place that you’ll want bring your friends. Order the lemon basil whiskey for a stunner of a drink that will undoubtedly impress.
Union 50
620 N East St
Indianapolis, IN 46202
(317) 610-0234
Yelp: 4 stars, 150 reviews
15. The Only Time It’s Okay To Drink And Drive Is At The Handle Bar
One of the coolest drinking experiences you’ll have in Indianapolis can be found at The Handle Bar, the bar on wheels. This is the experience you and your drinking buddies have been waiting for, so hop on one of the traveling bar carts, and get those feet moving. Bring your own alcohol and spend the next few hours on the best and most unique bar hop of your life.
The Handle Bar
310 S Delaware St
Indianapolis, IN 46204
(317) 620-1448
Yelp: 5 stars, 28 reviews
What’s the best watering hole in Indianapolis? Tell us in the comments below!
