50 Best Cocktail Bars in Indianapolis

“Thee spot on Mass Ave to hang! Best espresso martinis in town!“

“Had dinner with a friend on a busy Thursday night. Luckily she got there early and grabbed a table for us before the rush started. Our waitress, Courtney O was awesome! We had the spring rolls, and chicken wings both were perfectly crunchy the sauces were delicious. For dinner, my friend had the Bodhi fried rice, which was made fresh - there was steam rolling off of it the whole time we ate. I had the Stir-fried glass noodles with shrimp (medium.) The shrimp were cooked perfectly, seasoned well and the medium heat was just right for me. Overall the food was fabulous, love the atmosphere, will definitely be back.“

“Fantastic experience at magdalena tonight. Food and cocktails were both outstanding and inventive. Some of things on the menu aren't for me but on the flip side, you can't get things like Turtle Soup anywhere else in the city. I'd recommend it to anybody looking for a great classy dinner.“

“I just love Byrne's Pizza's crust. So thin and SO good. Atmosphere was awesome too. I was able to have a nice quiet conversation and really relax and unwind from a busy week. Service was good and price is right. Very reasonable priced.“

“Great experience & excellent service!!“

“I dropped in at Hotel Tango to give their cocktails a try and ended up quite pleased with the place. It was just before Christmas, and the distillery was decorated nicely and felt very warm and welcoming. The regular menu was complemented with a list of holiday specials, and there were a lot of good options. I ended up settling on the drink they named Down By The River, which admittedly made me think of the old Chris Farley SNL skit. The drink itself was bright with citrus notes, and it was quite colorful thanks to the Aperol. The cocktail quality struck me as good, and I could definitely imagine myself spending more time here. It’s worth a stop if you enjoy cocktails or are looking for a nice, low key place to hang out with friends.“

“Great atmosphere. Brian was a GREAT bartender“

“I recently attended Whiskeyfest at West Fork Whiskey hosted by Indiana Liquor Group, and I have to say, it was an exceptional experience from start to finish. The atmosphere was warm and inviting, with a beautifully arranged space that made it perfect for mingling. The staff were incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about their offerings, guiding us through each tasting with enthusiasm and expertise. They shared fascinating insights into the history and production processes of each whiskey, which added depth to the experience. The selection was impressive, featuring a variety of local and national brands that showcased the diverse flavors of whiskey and bourbon. Each pour was thoughtfully curated, allowing us to explore everything from rich, full-bodied bourbons to lighter, more nuanced whiskeys. I particularly enjoyed the opportunity to compare different expressions side by side, which helped to highlight the unique characteristics of each. The tasting notes provided were helpful, and I appreciated the chance to ask questions and learn more about pairing suggestions. It was evident that Indiana Liquor Group takes pride in promoting quality spirits, and they succeeded in making the evening both educational and enjoyable.“

“Relaxing and fun to be in“

“We had the BEST time 1205 Distillery Indy for a Bachelorette Party mixology class! Brad was fantastic and entertaining! Brian's kangaroo balls are a must see! The drinks were delicious and we all laughed so much. Thank you so much for a fun afternoon! I highly recommend it.“

“Mel’s Speakeasy at Commission Row was such a great find. We were overnighting in Indianapolis and stopped in after walking to another bar that just wasn’t our vibe. A quick Google Maps search led us here and we’re so glad it did.

The atmosphere is chill but still energized, relaxing without feeling sleepy. Our server Ari had amazing energy and a fun, lively personality that made the experience even better. The food and drinks were both excellent too.

We’ll absolutely be back the next time we’re in Indianapolis.“

“Plat 99 is my go-to bar in Indy, located inside the stylish Alexander Hotel. The interior is luxurious and beautifully designed, creating an upscale yet comfortable vibe. They serve high-quality drinks, with a particularly good wine selection and well-crafted cocktails. The atmosphere is always pleasant, whether you're inside enjoying the chic setting or out on the terrace for some fresh air. It’s the kind of place that’s perfect for a classy evening out without being too formal.“

“We recommend Salt on Mass for its incredible consistency. The experience is always welcoming and forever delicious. My husband David treated us to a delightful dining experience for Valentine's Day Eve. (I love dining "off holiday" for a more peaceful pace.) We've dined at Salt on Mass many times and continue to be thrilled with our experience. We reserved through Open Table and were seated immediately with our on-time arrival. I love a table with a view of the room's comings and goings, so #41 was ideal, again. We were welcomed by our server Ryan, who explained he was also our bartender. (Love it - special insights on cocktails and wines.) He served us well, attentive but not too much so, and we loved his creative chocolate martini as our "appetizer." :-) We chose our dinner favorites - Chilean Sea Bass with delectable risotto for David and Salmon with expertly grilled asparagus for me. The portions remain appropriately generous, so we split the Key-Lime Chiffon Cake for dessert. Congratulations Johnny and crew for delivering another memory-making visit. Each one leaves us craving the next! Here's to you all! Sincerely satisfied, Garnet and David 2-13-25“

“Date night at Bocca never disappoints. My wife and I live near downtown, and it’s become one of our favorite spots. We grabbed seats at the bar last night, where Maritza proved she can shake a cocktail like nobody’s business. The carbonara is my go-to—hands down the best I’ve had this side of, well, Italy. The oysters are my favorite in Indy, always perfectly shucked, and the wine list makes me grin every time I spot my favorite Vermentino. You don’t have to be a neighbor to feel like one once you’re at Bocca!“

“Food was OK - Julie behind the bar was amazing. Place was clearly understaffed and she held her own. Service never felt lacking. Cool spot to watch a game

Cheese curds and tots were very good, wings were small and not crispy at all, but flavor was ok
- the prime rib dip itself was good, the horseradish mayo was inedible and the gravy was coagulated and salty“

“The service provided by Jacob was both amazing and admirable. The receipt reads, “Jacob.” However, I saw a bracelet that reads, “Jake.” The calm under pressure displayed by Jake maintained a positive atmosphere. The restaurant experienced increased foot traffic due to The Queens Concert June 1, 2025. Then the computer system shut down. In the midst of it all Jake went above and beyond to provide excellent customer service. The food was excellent and the atmosphere was electric. It was the Sunday following the Saturday that the Indiana Pacers won the Eastern Conference Championship. If you are in the downtown Indianapolis, Indiana area this restaurant is a great choice! It is where great food and great people meet to maintain a great atmosphere.“

“Great food and drinks. Very hospitable service and environment.“

“Tiny has been a staple to the LGBTQ+ community for many years! Back here after 4 years and this establishment still provides some of the best cocktails and amazing atmosphere. Came here on a Friday night with a group of 4 and sure was busy. Didn’t take long to get a drink at the bar. We were able to get a table to sit, talk, and enjoy the evening. Prices are moderate but not outrageous. We weren’t charged a cover but they do card at the door. Unsure about bar food. Must try if down Mass Ave!“

“We absolutely LOVE!!! We come up every year from Evansville for our Daughters birthday We love it so much, see you tonight !“

“Initially they seated us at a table tucked away in a corner. Terrible location. My view was Aldi’s dumpster. Then we found that the staff use the door for their smoke breaks. Constant traffic. We were a bit chilly so we asked to move to a different table. They accommodated us but then we had to change servers. We felt bad for our first server.“

“My husband and I went to Italy for our honeymoon and their food definitely took us back! The food was authentic, delicious, excelent service, and the chef was amazing and very heartwarming. If you love Italian fine dining food, this is the spot. Grazie mille 🇮🇹“

“Cannot recommend Marrakesh enough! Mussels and bread for appetizer were SO tasty. We didn’t know anything about Moroccan food walking in and our server was very helpful. The Tajines we ordered for our entrees were too good. SO much flavor! Super chic atmosphere too. Do not skip on the Baklava! Might be the best I’ve ever had. Loved the NA cocktail options too. Only positive things to say about our experience! We will be back.“

“The owners are so nice and the food is the best anywhere around!!“

“I ate at Goodfellas before a show, and noticed this little place hiding in the back! I stopped for a drink, and it one of the best amaretto sours I have ever had! The bartender was attentive to everyone and was so kind. I can’t wait to be back!“

“We had what may very well have been the most extraordinary dining experience in our 15+ years living in Indianapolis, thanks to the unmatched hospitality of Sean. He is, without question, the best server we have ever had. His attention to detail, warmth, and genuine care elevated an already phenomenal evening into something truly memorable. From the moment we sat down, everything was flawless. We began with oysters and the French onion soup. Do not skip the soup—it is a masterpiece in a bowl. The Chateaubriand arrived perfectly prepared, accompanied by impossibly good fries and glazed carrots that were simply next level. And just when we thought it could not get any better, the chocolate cake arrived. Rich, decadent, and absolutely unforgettable. Geraldine’s is a gem. But it was Sean who turned our night into something we will be talking about for years. We cannot wait to return, and we will be asking for Sean by name.“

“Amazing personal customer service. Food is excellent and staff is very accommodating. Highly recommend!“

“Kaitlyn is amazing server. She’s so personable and she made me feel right at home. We shared hair tips and crafting works-in-progress…all while she staffed the bar by herself. (Also, my old fashioned was perfect) Y’all should give her a raise.“

“Solid people, solid food, solid drinks...it doesn't matter who you run into, people will be kind, accepting and lovely“

“Come see the awesome staff! Cody’s drinks are out of this world!“

“This Indianapolis born business continues to expand its brunchian dominance over the Indianapolis food landscape. This newest addition to their empire is perhaps the most aesthetically appealing inside. If you're familiar with the other locations, the menu is the same. The Stutz building has been very nicely renovated with mini cool places now on the ground floor. Think bottleworks vibes, kind of like the garage there. If you haven't been to the stutz since the renovation, getting some brunch at Patachou is a good excuse to check it out.

Vegetarian options: I recommend the broken yolk William style. William style is when it's on sourdough, the eggs are over medium, you add tomato and mayonnaise, and replace the arugula for fried breakfast potatoes. I'm actually trying to popularize this one and get the official name on the menu. So if you go there and order William style maybe that'll help and eventually they'll add it. You'll have to actually tell them the individual components because it's not an official item on the menu yet.“

“Amazing handcrafted drinks“

“Always love going to Saint Elmo’s steakhouse. Best steaks around!“

“You can tell a lot of thought and care went into the design and aesthetics of this place. It's concrete floors and exposed ducts, but somehow they've made it super cozy, mellow and welcoming.

My coffee was great and the folks working the counter were perfectly friendly and fast. I'm looking forward to coming back to try some of the baked goods and cocktails.

This is a nice chill place to start your morning or end your evening. The coffee and cocktail menu appears to include the classics along with a constantly changing creative mix of non-alcoholic and alcoholic options. It's the Radiohead of coffee/cocktail shops with friendly baristas and bartenders.“

“Server Odyssey was "Off The Chain" professional!“

“Just had a late lunch as a solo diner. Was treated very kindly by the staff (server Arthur was absolutely delightful), food was delicious, and I think the banana cream tart was possibly the best dessert I’ve ever had. Thanks, Arthur!“

“Had dinner on Monday for a private event. I’m still thinking about it days later. Best meal I’ve had in a while. The brisket was cooked so uniquely I’ve never had anything like it. 15/10. Service was excellent.“

“I was in from out of town several days before Xmas, and was in the vicinity so from Googling, we ended up here for a quick and basic breakfast. We got basic croissant with egg and cheese buy still, I was impressed! Croissants tasted fresh. There were only a few other people there so I hope it makes more business because its a charming spot and is WOMAN OWNED! The atmosphere is that of a lounge, with several pretty red sofas.. and they've got a few of those popular lit up phrase-signs. It definitely has a different, more unique vibe than most places in Indy. Oh, and make sure you use the restroom, because the decor in there made me giggle out loud to myself!! There you'll find the cat photos that I attached here!“

“Went to Nowhere Special with friends and absolutely loved it! The vibes were great — super fun atmosphere and really well-crafted cocktails. I tried the goat cheese–infused gin cocktail with honeydew and lime on a whim, and it was honestly life-changing. I can’t stop thinking about it! Definitely planning to go back soon.“

“We love Pins! The atmosphere is always so fun for adults and kids! Today though we ran into KD who was putting tinsel pieces in hair. She was literally so sweet! She even put tinsel pieces in my son’s short hair and made his whole day! We love it here!“

“Staff was so nice and accommodating. The espresso martini was fabulous. The whole vibe is so good there.“

“Jesse and Deann Are the absolute best.“

“Food was awesome, environment was nice!“

“I really enjoyed the bartenders at this place. We can for some afternoon drinks and some tacos but stayed to hang out and ended up chatting it up with the bartenders. The tacos connected to Turner’s was really good. Esp with there being the pick up window in the establishment. This place seemed like a hot spot happy hour place and highly recommend coming with friends.“

“Outstanding Clint Eastwood Burger Outstanding service, pleasant surroundings Good times“

“This was my first visit and definitely will be returning. We had the most marvelous waiter (London). He made us feel right at home and there for anything we needed or wanted. Gave us tour of building which was amazing. Would not have expected so big inside with downstairs. Food and drinks were great. Highly recommend!“

“Great bourbon and whiskey selection ,cozy atmosphere“

“best bartenders and best fish and chips in town.“

“Zach was cool and attentive!“