Updated MAY 2025.
From dives to nightclubs, touch tunes to DJs, Indy is packed full of a variety of bars.
Some have themes, some have history. Dive into everything the Circle City has to offer check out 50 of our favorite bars!
Downtown / 201 S Meridian St
Broad Ripple / 831 Broad Ripple Ave
Grab a bite to eat before a night out or grab a seat at the bar - Kilroy's is an Indiana staple for those looking to gather round the table with good company.
Downtown / 255 S Meridian St
Broad Ripple / 910 Broad Ripple Ave
Where there's a Kilroy's, there's a Brothers. Brothers is like Kilroy's best friend, with great food and drink specials, but add a dance floor into the mix.
Fletcher Place / 702 Virginia Ave
With an outstanding cocktail program fed by freshly farmed ingredients, as well as unique small batches of booze, this bar strikes the perfect balance between rustic, cool, delicious, and affordable.
Fountain Square / 902 Virginia Ave
How many more times do we have to talk about how fun this tiki bar is before you go? The art is authentic, the menu is true to its Papua New Guinea theme, and the drinks are delicious.
Fountain Square / 1245 Shelby St
It’s the late-night stop of choice for all the local bartenders and servers. It’s open late, the drinks are cheap, and the patio is always full of friendly, chatty folks.
Oliver Johnson’s Woods / 2201 E 46th St
Go and have a house brew or a guest brew, and definitely get a round of empanadas to share. Best of all, walking in the doors could bring a night of metal, pinball, or drag bingo.
Mass Ave / 717 N. Massachusetts Ave
One of the few true LGBTQ+ bars in Indy, Tini is known for great music, strong drinks, and one of the hottest dance floors (literally).
Mass Ave / 707 Massachusetts Ave
Located a few short steps from Tini, Metro is another one of Indy's LGBTQ+-friendly bars. It is perfect for a night of dancing, drinks, dinner, and Queeraoke on Sundays and Thursdays.
Wholesale District / 372 S Meridian St
The music is great, the historical hype is true, and the bar was in the Blues Brothers. It also might be haunted.
Broad Ripple / 921 Broad Ripple Ave
If you want to be transported straight to England, Union Jack Pub packs out for soccer games and is even open late or early for those tough time differences.
Broad Ripple / 745 Broad Ripple Ave
When you want to have a drink, watch a game, and relax, BRT is there for you. They’ve got all the bar games you could want, but the real way to go is to try the burger with a cheap beer.
Wholesale District / 250 S Meridian St
There is a certain voodoo going on here, and the underground, luxe-goth vibes of the bar make it a fun place to go dancing. RSVP for free entry!
Windsor Park / 2602 10th St
Did you not know that the Tick Tock serves the single greatest Bloody Mary in Indianapolis? Well, now you know. And that’s just one of the reasons this place should be in your perennial top 10.
Cottage Home / 901 N Dorman
It’s a neighborhood bar with a jukebox, a patio, and a menu full of delicious drinks. It’s been around for over 100 years (and was another likely Dillinger hangout) and is one of the most relaxing, low-key spots in the city.
Mass Ave / 401 E Michigan St
The Rathskeller is an authentic German-style restaurant and biergarten. Enjoy live music outdoors with one of the best views of the city.
Fountain Square / 1102 Fletcher Ave
There are neighborhood legend bars, and then there is the ole Silver Circle. Like Dorman Street, this bar will keep going long after the rest of us are dusted. Be sure to say hi to Sammy the bar kitty.
Whitestown / 345 S Bowers St
Technically, it’s a taproom, but it’s really a bar. Housed in a historic building and a story built into every table, it’s not just the great beer folks come for. It’s also the bands, trivia, and good pub food.
Fletcher Place / 501 Virginia Ave Ste 102
Want something outside of your typical nightclub scene? Check out Indy’s original barcade, they have more games than you’ll know what to do with on any given day.
Broad Ripple / 6267 Carrollton Ave
It’ll getcha drunk! Need we say more?
Mass Ave / 719 Massachusetts Ave
Fishers / 8211 E 116th St
Might we suggest another worthy British-themed bar for both downtowners and Northsiders? They’ve got your futbol fix as well as (get ready for a biased comment) the BEST WINGS IN TOWN!
South Village / 2352 S West St
Our hearts were aching and breaking for a real country bar, and the folks behind Duke’s came through with a great little honky tonk in a big way. It’s one of the few places booking really good country and bluegrass acts.
Broad Ripple / 5565 N Keystone Ave
Call it a locals bar, call it a stoner music venue, or call it an EDM club. All of those descriptors are correct, all tucked behind a tire shop near a big box store. The Mousetrap is home to many, come out and enjoy live music on most nights.
Broad Ripple / 915 Broad Ripple Ave.
With limited seating inside, Thieves is always a hot spot if you're looking to sip on fantastic cocktails and mocktails and mingle.
Downtown / 501 Madison Ave
From the folks that brought Indy the HandleBar, they've turned this place into the best place to pregame for events all around town!
Mass Ave / 745 Massachusetts Ave
Amid fancy cocktails and cool haircuts, there is the Mass Ave Pub still keeping it real all these years later. End your night on a cheap, no-frills note with touch tunes and dive bar vibes.
Emerson Heights / 1008 N Bosart Ave
This east-side dive has taken the reigns from its next-door neighbor, the Emerson Theatre, and hosts local hardcore and punk shows.
Downtown / 323 N Delaware St
The vibes are unmatched at this popular brunch spot that's perfect for your weekend Instagram photo dump. You can find some of Indy's best DJs spinning your favorite tracks on the weekend!
Mass Ave / 331 Massachusetts Ave
During patio season, the B&B really shines. They do fun tropical drinks and invite folks to gather on the patio, aka prime Mass Ave people-watching.
Irvington / 210 S Audubon Rd
This Irvington pub is a great stop when you're looking to have a few drinks in a cozy spot. SNUG is known for their whiskey, tea, and alcohol free selections.
Wholesale District / 375 S Illinois St
Few places pull the variety of folks that the Whistlestop Inn does - from Red Garter patrons to Greyhound riders to visiting conventioneers, you really never know who you’ll meet here while you’re sipping cheap booze.
Mile Square / 65 E Pearl St.
This locally owned pub is said to have some of the best pizza in the city! Check it out if you're looking for something tasty near the circle.
Irvington / 128 S Audubon Rd
Another one of Indy's fantastic tiki bars. Strange Bird is known for their delicious drinks that come in insane cups, oysters, and house-made ramen.
Broad Ripple / 2131 E 71st St
This bar has it all in one place: cheap beer and whiskey to get you drunk, and great bar food to sober up and get home. We know, we know, the wings. Get those, just don't sleep on the pizza either.
Lockerbie Square / 540 N College Ave
The beer is good, but the reason to go is to hang out and get wasted in a church. Most of the bones of the old building are still in place, which makes the indulgence feel all the naughtier.
Noblesville / 841 Conner St.
Hamilton County's newest after-work spot boasts two floors of great views of the Noblesville square, plus happy hour specials!
Downtown / 110 E New York St
Free arcade games and cool-ass drinks? Total no-brainer to us. Located right downtown, 16-Bit is a great spot to hang with your friends, set some new records, and make good memories. Our personal drink favs are the Hulk Hogan, Lisa Frank, and Carrie Fisher which comes with LOADS of sugar!
Bottleworks District / 856 Carrollton Ave.
Duckpin bowling, pinball, oversized Connect Four, and beer pong? Say less! Pins is a great pre-game spot for a group on a night out and just steps away from Mass Ave.
Fountain Square / 1105 Shelby St.
A Fountain Square gem! Hit Imbibe if you're looking for somewhere more lowkey and enough pool tables for the whole group.
Fletcher Place / 621 Virginia
Sandwiched right in between everything downtown and Fountain Square has to offer, the Dugout is a great stop for cheap drinks, a quick bite to eat, and live music!
Downtown / 36 S. Pennsylvania Ave
While Tin Roof isn't only in Indianapolis, it's still a great stop for a night out or pregame before an event at Gainbridge Fieldhouse! The live music always makes the lines worth the wait.
Fountain Square / 1107 Prospect St
Good luck finding this Fountain Square speakeasy. The intimate vibes make this a great date night spot, but you have to find the secret entrance inside the Fountain Square Theatre Building.
Holy Cross / 243 North State Ave
Restaurant by day, music venue by night. This near Eastside dive offers live music more nights than not.
Downtown / 302 S Meridian St
Lose track of time and dive into the immersive experiences Nevermore has to offer. Every room comes with a theme all the way up to the rooftop terrace for the warmer nights.
Downtown / 20 E Maryland St
The slogan - "Come sing-along, drink-along, and rock-along and we mean it!" On a good night, you'll find karaoke and occasionally customers dancing on the bar.
St. Joseph / 822 N Illinois St
While it's no longer open 24/7, you can still enjoy the neighbor vibes at your local gay bar from 7 AM - 3 AM on most nights. Downtown Olly's also hosts a variety of events!
Downtown / 20 E Georgia St.
Dueling pianos, cover bands, emo night, you name it and it'll probably happen at least once at Howl at the Moon!
Mass Ave / 314 Massachusetts Ave
Go for the music, stay for the famous Mules! Burnside Inn offers a three-floor experience with pianos and live bands!
Broad Ripple / 6416 Cornell Ave
Tucked away from the chaos of Broad Ripple Ave, Plumps Last Shot offers a great patio while the inside is filled with Indiana basketball history!
Bates-Hendricks / 1542 S E St.
Transport back to the prohibition period at Indy's 20s-themed speakeasy. You'll no longer need a code to get in this local gem!
Multiple Locations
With the rise of people going alcohol-free, it's nice to have a bar-like atmosphere that serves up delicious mocktails with and without some fun additions.
