We ’ve all got groovy pride here in Indy , and our city is raise – specially the streak view . From swanky cocktail bars to hipster distilleries , there ’s an ever - shaking- and -pouring list of hot spots and watering holes deserving every last drop . But as much as these fresh spot are all the rage , Indy ’s bartenders have some secret love : underrated bars that deserve their own “ sunniness ! ” Take a prisonbreak from the hype and pull up a chair at one of these lesser - celebrated watering jam . We foretell the booze is still strong .
Black Market
break up by : Curtis McGaha ofTiniBlack Market is known for its inventive fare , which changes quarterly and include adventuresome items such as duck buns , pickles & peanut butter , and even the olfactory organ and posterior of a pig . But flip over that card and you ’ll find a list of wildly clever cocktail and a extended tilt of rummy offerings to rival most any office in all of Indy . Curtis says:“Everyone knows them for their food for thought , but they have the good rum natural selection in the city . Blows my judgment . [ Co - proprietor ] Ed Rudisell is a complete grind about rummy . He ’s in love with rum . Just date him around it and how knowledgeable he is , I mean he ’s even instruct rum classes . It ’s just a fantastic cake with refreshing ingredient . Just fantastic . ”
Dorman Street Saloon
Picked by : Michael Daniells ofHotel Tango WhiskeyHaving opened in Prohibition times , Dorman Street Saloon has a farseeing chronicle and a list of maiden name . It was in the beginning know as The Mahogany Bar or “ The Hog , ” then became May ’s waiting area in 1982 . The name formally changed to the Saloon at an strange particular date . Ca n’t keep up ? Do n’t worry . Whatever you call this bar , just know that it ’s topically beloved . Michael says:“Divey without being indecent , and polished enough on the cocktail listing to keep me coming back for more . Plus their beer selection is on point in time . Their bartender , Andy , is my favorite , and he made their cocktail menu . I ’ve been on a mezcal kick lately , and Andy ’s ' The Hill ' is my favorite mezcal cocktail . ”
Alley Cat Lounge Front Room
Picked by : Michael Toscano ofLibertineHead over to “ The Cat ” for a pa or two before a show at The Vogue , and you ’ll find well - made cocktails that are also easy on your wallet . If you could find the joint ( its mailing address does n’t quite line up with the real location ) , you ’ll end up in a welcome divey air where frat bros and suits sit down side - by - side . work immediate payment for the nickelodeon and the taproom – credit card are n’t have here . Michael says:“This is a novel addition to one of Indy ’s finest dive bars , ‘ The Alley Cat . ’ The owner has spend the last six to 12 months training his staff in the manner of right craft cocktail creation . The integral staff have gone through the Southern Wine and Spirits Academy and carry on to make their mien known at our monthly United States Bartenders ' Guild coming together . There is a lot going on there and the cocktails are fantastic . If you have n’t made it in to see these guys yet , do yourself a favor and make a slip to Broad Ripple this weekend . necessitate for Corey Ewing and state him Michael from Libertine place you . ”
The North End Barbecue & Moonshine
break up by : Kendall Lockwood ofThe Ball & BiscuitIf you ’ve got a hankering for rustic American barbeque , this is one of the top spots in Indy to get your meat locating on . Get the rib , pulled pork barrel , or Texas brisket – do n’t draw a blank the pimento cheeseflower and cornbread ! – and you ’ll surely be slaked . But what this joint is n’t well - acknowledge for is its whiskey and bourbon offerings – Kendall was n’t the only bartender to nod to The North End . Edward Kendall says:“North close has an astonishing whiskey and Bourbon dynasty excerption . Their cocktail are always balanced and they have a very knowledgeable staff . Their drink menu vary all the time , but typically I just give them a spirit of my choice and tell them the flavor visibility I ’m feeling . They almost always hit the mode I ’m in for cocktails dapple - on . ”
Sam’s Silver Circle Bar
Picked by : William Mohring ofPlat99Entering this dive is like charter a walk through clock time – the bar is a jury-rigged 1970s/1980s museum with magnetise memorabilia that includes oldSports Illustratedmagazine covers and license plates from across the country . The cheap beer might be the best deal in town , and there ’s also a jukebox , darts , and even free popcorn at the quick . Silver Circle believers talk up the pizza , which may be a necessary sidecar to all that good , tinny beer . William says:“Sam ’s is one of those iconic measure in what has traditionally been a working - class neighborhood . They have local beer on tap , the common suspects on the back taproom , and unique ambiance with posters and licence plates adorning the wall everywhere . It ’s a nice fault from the swanky and cocktail - focalise bars I ordinarily go to . The phratry who puzzle out there as well as everyone I ’ve encounter are all - around good people who give up cordial reception . There is never a famine of good - hearted conversation . ”
The Dugout
Picked by : Josh Gonzales ofThunderbirdNeed a beer with a side of grilled bologna ? You acquire it . That ’s a common pair at The Dugout , which some say is one of the sporting dive bar in the metropolis . You wo n’t find hipsters behind the bar , but you will find PBR on pat . The low - winder atmosphere includes bartenders who seem to never leave a font . Oh , and besides bologna , the other beer pursuer is the pizza . Josh says:“A highly underrated staple of Fletcher Place , The Dugout is the epitome of a neighbourhood prima donna . The bartenders know everyone by name , the drinks are cheap , and they serve some of the adept Indianapolis - expressive style pizza pie in town . I check that to take all of my acquaintance visit Indy to The Dugout for a beer or two . ”
Broad Ripple Tavern
cull by : Steve Simon ofMarrowRight in the thick of B - Rip , just across from the Egyptian Cafe & Hooka Bar and Taste of Havana , is a expectant spot for the kickoff or terminal of a nighttime – or even to watch a game on the many TV screens in the back . Daily specials draw in regular and those just fall through who want a relaxed setting for a conversation or a game of kitty , all while enjoying a craft beer on rap and a long - ish list of classical pub fare . Steve says:“Not every ginmill should be a cocktail saloon , so when I just want to slack up and have a beer , I head to the Broad Ripple Tavern . They do n’t make fancy cocktails , but they will make you sense right at home . groovy beer selection and some of the respectable gin mill grub around . If you decide to cease in , differentiate Nikki I say hello ! ”
Lockerbie Pub
Picked by : Drew Johnson ofCeruleanThat gothic ruddy lion on the sign is a clue to the experience at Lockerbie Pub , but you ca n’t feel the account until you walk through the doors . Regulars stop to the possessor to relay the history of the place , but the TVs everywhere allow you to stay in current time to keep up with your favourite sports metropolis – Indy , of course ! From cocktail to beer , this place has anything your little heart desire , including mini taco , deep-fried fix , and an Indy staple fiber : pork tenderloin . Drew says:“James , the possessor of Lockerbie Pub , has hold up in the neighborhood for years and can tell you a short ton of awesome Downtown Indy stories . The burgers are legit , even the Republic of Turkey Warren Burger . There ’s always a great local tap selection , and a solid whisky / Bourbon dynasty card . A lot of fixture come here , and it just has a feel that you are part of their fellowship . ”
J. Clyde’s
Picked by : Ryan Gullett ofBluebeardWhen you act late – like most of the barkeeper we talked to – it can be tricky to find that spot that ’s open late where “ everyone make love your name . ” J. Clyde ’s may be the spot you ’ve been pretermit all this clock time . The cash - only policy say it all – it ’s an economical raging spot full of beer option usable ' til late into tomorrow aurora . Ryan says:“I settle in love with J. Clyde ’s in my early 20 . I used to take on shows at the Emerson Theater right around the nook , and all of the band would go there and drink . On the east side , three - elbow room licenses [ a permission to sell beer , vino , and liquor ] are very hard to get along by , or non - existent , so it ’s a 3 am bar that you may hit up after work , and just unwind . It ’s kind of become an east side industry hangout . ”
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Courtesy of Black Market
Jolene Ketzenberger/Thrillist
The North End BBQ
Sam’s Silver Circle Bar
Dugout Bar
Broad Ripple Tavern
