50 Best Cocktail Bars in Indianapolis

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

“I guess at this point I owe these guys more 5 stars ⭐️ than ever possible
This is home from work 100 % of the time!
Can’t even begin tell you reasons this is a place to remember!
It just can’t get any better folks !!
Best drinks
Amazing recipes
AMAZING STAFF !“

“F**king amazing every time. The Food. The drinks. The conviviality. The staff is top notch. I can’t ever recommend it enough. I splurged and spent $160 on myself and I regret nothing. Kudos to every person that works there. For an industry guy like me, it’s a place I love so much I want to work there. When I move back to Indy I’m sending my resume over. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🌟“

“My daughter and I visited Bocca last week for the first time. Wow! What an experience. The food was absolutely amazing and the service was spot on. We were in the restaurant business for years, so we are definitely food snobs. A must try in Indianapolis!! Love it.“

“Nowhere Special is a hidden gem when it comes to unique cocktail experiences. Their blue cheese dirty martini is unparalleled, offering a sophisticated twist on the classic martini that elevates it to new heights.
The rich, savory flavor of the blue cheese pairs perfectly with the crisp, clean notes of the martini, making it a must-try. Jake behind the bar is fantastic, delivering great service with skill and a friendly demeanor that enhances the overall experience.
Nestled in a dark, sunless environment, this speakeasy's ambiance is accentuated by its moody lighting and perfectly curated music, adding to the allure.
To top it all off, their happy hour between 5pm and 8pm from Sundays through Thursdays offers delicious cocktails at a great price. If you're looking for a standout cocktail in a captivating atmosphere, Nowhere Special is the place to be.“

“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.“

“Stayed at the hotel all weekend for the NATO Tournament and got the chance to eat here each night, Jamie was a excellent server and was quick and had the best memory I’ve seen in years she knew what we wanted before we even walked into the door!“

“I’ve been to a lot of places and reviewed a lot of places, this was by far a favorite. The vibe and the cocktails here were incredible, it was chill, employees kept checking in and bringing us samples. The Pumpkin Bourbon and the S’more’s Bourbon sent me to heaven. We will be back, it’s a quick drive from Wisconsin for the afternoon.“

“Friend and I wanted a place to get dolled up and visit. Went on 9.27.2024. The space is gorgeous and clean. We loved it was not crowded and we could sit anywhere. Music playlist was fantastic-old school hip hop and r&b. Volume was perfect because we could talk and still hear each other and the music. Bartender was spectacular. They made a customized drink for me. There were maybe two-four people there when we arrived. About an hour or so later maybe 11 more people showed up. When we ordered more drinks, I was told the one I requested earlier would take a very, very long time because they didn't have the alcohol I asked for left. I was told I could order it, but I wouldn't get it for a long time because of the crowd. However, I was asked if there was anything else on the menu I wanted. I got a drink and it was delicious. When we were provided the bill, the server apologized for being snappy and said they ran out of simple syrup. I didn't mind they ran out of simple syrup. It just made me think she made up a reason to not request the drink I wanted because they were busy. Just be honest. It just made omit a star for service.“

“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.“

“Great atmosphere. Brian was a GREAT bartender“

“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!!“

“This my regular place. I attend the bar at the very least 3-4 nights out of the week. The staff is amazing and approachable. The food is amazing. Not just the staff, but the patrons are great also! Everyone says hello and will make you feel right at home. 100/10“

“Outstanding in every way!“

“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“

“Inside of the igloo smelled of plastic. After being in it for awhile I became used to it. Igloo was heated and comfortable. The igloo for 8 fit 6 comfortably. Very cute Xmas decorations inside. Food was delicious and affordable. Waiter was exceptional!“

“Love the decor here. The cocktail menu was very limited. I didn’t really like my first drink but that was my fault not the bartenders. As for my second drink it was super delicious I asked for something sweet and that’s exactly what I received. I went on a day they were having a private event so the DJ was playing all old school hip hop music and I loved every minute of it. Half the bar you can tell was the private party but the other half were people who wandered in (like myself).“

“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.“

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

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

“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!“

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

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

“Brunch this morning at Gather 22 with Friends was perfect! Perfect atmosphere on a rainy gloomy day ! From service with a smile to great tasty food and some moments shared with friends. Holidays have been hard! But I laughed for the first time in weeks! I will be back !Thank you to the entire front and back of the operations and a shout out to Kylee and Shawn!“

“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.“

“Went last night for the first time and it was everything I wanted it to be. The food was absolutely incredible. Especially the scallops and beef wellington. Service was impeccable. It was petty busy but you could not tell by the Service from our amazing waiter Nick. Absolutely 5 stars“

“Top 3 bars in the state of Indiana. A must go if you are visiting or live here“

“Magnifica vista ☺️y la atención es A-1“

“Amazing handcrafted drinks“

“I came here looking for a good stiff drink and something to eat and I found so much more! I was in town as a caregiver for someone receiving medical treatment, and this quickly became my place to come and decompress. On my first visit I was made to feel at home, even though I was 1,500 miles from home. I had a quick drink (or two) and was so excited to come back. Time after time that I came back I was always treated wonderfully - everyone on the team even took care to ask how things were going medically and make sure I was okay, and even eating properly. Social to me isn’t just a bar/restaurant. It was a family experience, when I so desperately needed it“

“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.“

“Super cute!! Drinks are yummy“

“I just tried. They’re very spicy cocktail sauce, this is absolutely the best I’ve ever partaken, five stars all the way“

“A colleague and I were looking for a nice place to take a customer out for dinner, after a trade show. St Elmo's was booked (naturally), so we tried Harry and Izzy's. Little did we know, they're the sister restaurant to St. Elmo's. The experience was amazing, my colleague and I highly recommend it...“

“Came during Devour Indy. Great special, great place to hang. My only complaint is there wasn't a bathroom inside the bar, which I find unusual and frustrating. They told me where I could go via thru the courtyard. There was a wedding going on so I tried to find another entry. Couldn't & was forced to either pee myself (on my bday) or squat between some cars, which I did. Pretty embarrassing experience, hope no one saw.“

“Best vegan nachos I have had in Indy, absolutely fantastic. Good service at the bar from T. If you haven't had it I recommend a Bohemia beer. Wish I could rave about their house margarita, but it's just terrible. But not enough of an issue to ever keep me from coming back here again and again.“

“My wife's and my daughter-in-law requested the Blue Sushi Sake Grill, when we asked her where she would like us to take her - with our son, granddaughter, and grandson - to celebrate her birthday last week, and our family enjoyed the experience thoroughly. When we arrived, we received a very friendly greeting from the hostess. Our food and drinks were delicious, well prepared, and attractively presented. My wife had asked, when she made our reservation, that a dessert with a candle be brought to our daughter-in-law to conclude our meal, and the restaurant not only did so, they kindly covered the cost of the treat. We appreciated most of all the outstanding service provided to us by Jannelyn, our server, who was cheerful, helpful, and attentive even though the restaurant was extremely busy and she was responsible for a number of tables, in addition to ours. Thank you!“

“Super cool atmosphere! Will definitely be coming back.“

“Great bourbon and whiskey selection ,cozy atmosphere“

“Such an adorable quaint cocktail bar! We came from out of town and the bartender gave us lots of good recommendations for this trip & beyond. She was awesome and continued to chat with us while she was closing up. Great drinks, great vibes, would totally go again!“

“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!“

“In from out of town from Michigan and our bartenders both nights we showed up here to drink and hang out, Nakaya and Haley were awesome! Melanie the manager was awesome too and gave great recommendations on drinks. Loved the old fashion with the peanut butter whiskey it was my favorite drink. Thank you ladies for a wonderful and fun experience! Will be back again.“

“Garden Table is the go-to spot for brunch, delivering consistently amazing and fresh food that delights every time. The service is always with a smile, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Their freshly squeezed juices are a standout, providing a refreshing and healthy complement to any meal.
The menu offers a great mix of cocktail and coffee choices, ensuring there's something for everyone.
The chilaquiles are a must-have, bursting with flavor and sure to satisfy. With its all-around great choices, Garden Table is a must-visit for anyone seeking a top-notch brunch experience.“

“Zach was cool and attentive!“

“Great atmosphere I recommend the drinks I recommend the food I recommend you coming on out enjoying good people and a great time I approve this message ANTONIO L CLAY ✍🏾“

“Wonderful food and even better service service“