Indy is a fun city that doesn’t feel small, but isn’t as hard to drive or park in as most of the bigger cities. If you are looking for fun places to stop during your next trip, here is our top list of Best Bars in Indianapolis.
New Day Craft gets very high marks for its selection of mead (honey wine) and hard cider. We suggest ordering the sampler, that lets you try six drinks for $6.
1102 Prospect St
Indianapolis, IN 46203
Phone number (888) 632-3379
New Day Craft has 4.5 stars on Yelp by 195 reviewers.
Flat12 Bierwerks is an inexpensive brewery with a lot of local craft beers and samples on the house! If you go on a nice day, you can enjoy an amazing view from their outside deck space.
414 Dorman St
Indianapolis, IN 46202
Phone number (317) 635-2337
Flat12 Bierwerks has 4.5 stars on Yelp by 129 reviewers
201 S Meridian St
Indianapolis, IN 46225
Phone number: (317) 638-9464
Kilroys has 3.5 stars on Yelp by 185 reviewers.
Union 50 Has a lot of drinks to chose from on their bar menu, including a huge American Whiskey list, as well as a “Scotch + Japanese + Irish Whiskey” list. Try out a Basil Hayden, a Bulleit Bourbon or a George Dickle Rye to go with your sticky chicken wings. If you want to get really wild, go for the Orphan Barrel “Lost Prophet” 22 year whiskey and see what a $36 glass will do for you.
620 N East St
Indianapolis, IN 46202
Phone number (317) 610-0234
Union 50 has 4 stars on Yelp by 213 reviewers.
Tinker Street doesn’t even open until 5pm, so if you want to hit up this joint, it will have to be after you leave the office. Save room for desert, though, because options like S’more Pot de Crème are just too good not to plan into your evening here.
402 E 16th St
Indianapolis, IN 46202
Phone number (317) 925-5000
Tinker Street has 4.5 stars on Yelp by 215 reviewers.
Chatterbox Jazz Club brings in great jazz talent for those who love a little sway with their food. This dive bar has been around for over 30 years as a Broad Ripple staple, with live jazz seven nights a week, an eclectic atmosphere and a limited (but low-cost) menu.
435 Massachusetts Ave
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Phone number (317) 636-0584
Chatterbox Jazz Club has 4 stars on Yelp by 93 reviewers.
The Ball & Biscuit offers amazing cocktails and a fun atmosphere you don’t want to miss. If you are wondering where the unusual name came from – it was inspired by a 1930’s microphone dubbed “The Ball and Biscuit” because of its unusual shape. Of course, the bar has an original Ball and Biscuit microphone on display behind the bar, as well as a homage to vintage mics and music equipment in general. The Indy Star named the Daiquiris #2 when it came to a list of top cocktails in the area for 2015.
331 Massachusetts Ave
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Phone number (317) 636-0539
The Ball and Biscuit has 4 stars on Yelp by 259 reviewers.
Melody Inn offers live local bands and great drinks, no matter what day of the week you want to drop in. The prices here are really low, the bands are quality picks and the staff is top notch.
3826 N Illinois St
Indianapolis, IN 46208
Phone number (317) 923-4707
Melody Inn has 4 stars on Yelp by 51 reviewers.
Rick’s Café Boatyard is located on Eagle Creek Reservoir, offering live music and amazing views of the water. The beautiful patio is the space to be whenever the weather is nice. Not only can you enjoy a stunning view of the docks, but you can also bask in the glory of their prize-winning crab cakes.
4050 Dandy Trail
Indianapolis, IN 46254
Phone number (317) 290-9300
Rick’s Café Boatyard has 3.5 stars on Yelp by 222 reviewers.
Recess offers a gourmet American menu, but the wine pairings can’t be beat. If you are ready for something high-end, then you have to try out Recess and see what all the buzz is about.
4907 N College Ave
Indianapolis, IN 46205
Phone number (317) 925-7529
Recess has 4.5 stars on Yelp by 144 reviewers.
Bluebeard is locally owned and resides in a renovated factory warehouse from 1924. After getting the Best New Local Restaurant award from Nuvo in 2013, the American-style bar and grill has become a popular staple in the city. Bluebeard has also been selected for The Coolest Places to Eat in Indianapolis List by Yahoo, 15 Best Restaurants in the Midwest by Conde Nast Traveler, Best Bars and Restaurants Along the Cultural Trail by Indy Monthly and more.
653 Virginia Ave
Indianapolis, IN 46203
Phone number (317) 686-1580
Bluebeard has 4.5 stars on Yelp by 409 reviewers.
Cerulean opens every day at 11 and offers amazing American food along with a great beer and wine list.
339 S Delaware St
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Phone number (317) 870-1320
Cerulean has 4 stars on Yelp from 179 reviewers.
If you are looking to show off the size of your wallet to your date, then you might consider going with #10 on our list and going out for a real night on the town. However, if you want something a little more low-key to keep the jitters at bay, Goose the Market is perfect. The Meat Shop offers delicious sandwiches, wine, and beer you can enjoy with a nice starter conversation. No pressure here.
2503 N Delaware St
Indianapolis, IN 46205
Phone number (317) 924-4944
Goose the Market has 4.5 stars on Yelp from 338 reviewers.
Natural Born Juicers has selections like Grapefruit Spring Cleaner and Homespun Heaven to keep you healthy all year round. Their delicious drinks follow the “Clean Fifteen, Dirty Dozen” rule – and if you don’t know what this means, this bar might be just a little too hardcore for you.
865 Massachusetts Ave
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Phone number (317) 797-4254
Natural Born Juicers has 4.5 stars on Yelp from 89 reviewers.
Downtown Olly’s offers breakfast food at night, a pumping song list and low-cost drinks. This local gay bar is always crowded and has friendly staff.
822 N Illinois St
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Phone number (317) 636-5597
Downtown Olly’s has 4 stars on Yelp from 50 reviewers.
Indianapolis Monthly named the Thunderbird as the best new bar for 2015. The bar is a very cool location in Fountain Square with a unique menu of drinks, including Darktown Strutter and I Spit on Your Grave.
1127 Shelby St
Indianapolis, IN 46203
Phone number (317) 974-9580
Thunderbird has 3.5 stars on Yelp from 142 reviewers.
