50 Best Cocktail Bars in Indianapolis

“Best crab Rangoon I’ve ever had. They called them crab puffs. Very large portions,drunken noodles were enough for three people. Can’t wait to try more things on the menu.“

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

“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“

“We had a great time! The food was on point, the drinks were excellent, and the service was on point. Taking care of a group of 12 isn’t always easy, but the staff handled everything smoothly and made sure everyone was well taken care of. We’ll definitely be back!“

“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.“

“Relaxing and fun to be in“

“Great atmosphere. Brian was a GREAT bartender“

“Great experience & excellent service!!“

“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.“

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

“Holey shit, this place feels like Indy’s hidden gem for bourbon lovers and cocktail nerds alike. From the moment you walk into Hotel Tango Distillery, you know you’re somewhere with soul. It’s not just another bar. It’s a working distillery with history, personality, and a vibe that is equal parts cozy cabin and urban bourbon lab.
The atmosphere here is rustic and welcoming: high ceilings, brick and stone walls, comfy seating, and even a giant fireplace for colder days. It is the kind of place where you want to sink into a couch with a drink and just relax. Plenty of locals and visitors rave about how inviting it feels, almost like sipping whiskey in a friend’s cool loft.
The staff we encountered were super friendly and clearly passionate about what they do. Even if it was a slow night, you could tell they genuinely love this place and want you to have a great time. That energy comes through in the cocktails.
Speaking of drinks, they are creative as hell. Sure, they make classic bourbons and spirits, but the standout is the flavored stuff like their Shmallow (toasted marshmallow) bourbon. Many bourbon snobs dismiss flavored bourbon before trying it, but it delivers more nostalgia and smooth sweetness than you would expect. I usually avoid flavored bourbons, but this one hit the spot.
And I can’t forget Freddie the cat. He graced me with his presence, a true honor for anyone lucky enough to encounter him. This adds an extra quirky, personal touch that makes the distillery feel alive.
Beyond Shmallow, Hotel Tango mixes up seasonal and inventive cocktails that make the most of their spirits. Whether you are into smoky sweet drinks or something more balanced, their menu shows real craft and imagination.
The vibe is casual but not sloppy. It is cool in that unpretentious hipster distillery way. Great for a date, a night out with friends, or just chilling solo with a drink. Plus, it has that backstory, the first combat disabled, veteran owned distillery in the U.S., which gives it character you do not find everywhere.“

“Excellent food and service. We were celebrating a dental school graduation. Our main server was attentive, charming and very professional. Supporting wait staff were awesome!Our dinner and celebration experience was very enjoyable! Thank you!“

“Beautiful environment almost Magic with clean fresh smell and delicious food ..Great service gid bless“

“we went to the location in Indy on 82nd street and it was amazing, we went twice during our vacation. Super friendly staff and they were great with my son. food was incredible!“

“Great food & wonderful service by Kaylee !“

“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!“

“Jake the bartender made our experience here in Indianapolis so special. His signature cocktail “The Whole Melon” was creative, innovative, and delicious. The espresso martini was also one of my fiancée’s favorites she’s ever had. 10/10 experience! Will definitely be back if we end up visiting in Indianapolis again!“

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

“Love it. The atmosphere is gorgeous. I wish I would have captured a photo at night, when the lamps are really illuminated.
From the coffee I had in the morning (a beautiful, expertly-crafted cortado, then a black coffee) to the wine, cold brew and hummus plate I had late in the evening, everything was presented well and tasted great. The barista in the a.m. and the bartender at night were both fantastic. I wish I wasn't just visiting. I'd be here all the time!“

“We had a great time hanging out at Wiseguy! Shout out to Warren, our bartender, who made the experience way more fun. Not only were his cocktails top notch, but he was very personable and an overall cool guy! We would have stayed longer but it was TOO WARM in the space - felt like the AC could not keep up.“

“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 🇮🇹“

“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 handcrafted drinks“

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

“Never disappoints! You can tell a great restaurant by its coffee. Their coffee is always strong and robust.“

“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.“

“Excellent food and service. We were celebrating a dental school graduation. Our main server was attentive, charming and very professional. Supporting wait staff were awesome!Our dinner and celebration experience was very enjoyable! Thank you!“

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

“Highly recommend Monti for the food, cocktails, and vermouth. Service is attentive and bartenders really know their stuff. We have enjoyed the whole branzino fish, pastas, the Cornish hen, and all the cocktails. They also have a regular happy hour worth checking out.“

“We love Social Cantina and eat out often at restaurants throughout town, so we have a pretty good sense of what stands out. The food quality here is consistently excellent. Everything tastes fresh, the prices are hard to beat, and the outdoor space is a wonderful bonus for families with children and people dining with dogs.“

“The bartenders are always nice, but some of the clientele can be a little creepy. The bathroom line doesn’t usually get too long, and it is one co-ed bathroom. We’ve never had any problems but just something to keep in mind. The music is always great! Change nothing! We love the drag nights they do and are always sure to show up with dollar bills. Prices are higher here, one double vodka diet is about $15 without tip. The atmosphere makes up for it though, they have a big dance floor and people actually dance here.“

“⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ John and I had the absolute pleasure of dining at St. Elmo Steak House for Mother’s Day last year, and it was truly an unforgettable experience from start to finish. The atmosphere felt classic, welcoming, and full of history, which made the evening feel even more special. Our steaks were absolutely incredible — perfectly cooked, flavorful, tender, and honestly some of the best we’ve ever had. You can absolutely tell why St. Elmo’s is so well known. And of course… we have to talk about the famous horseradish cocktail sauce. WOW. It absolutely lives up to the hype. It has the perfect kick and flavor, and it’s one of those things you keep thinking about long after dinner is over. Definitely a must-try experience all on its own. What made the evening even more meaningful was celebrating Mother’s Day there together. Great food always creates memories, and this was one of those dinners we will always look back on fondly. If you’re looking for an amazing steakhouse experience with exceptional food, wonderful service, and a memorable atmosphere, St. Elmo’s is absolutely worth the visit. ❤️“

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

“Courtland showed us the different low top tables inside and out so we could choose the safest for our little ones. He told us his favorite meals and other customer favorites. The food was very good. Conveniently located in our hotel. Good service and food. Will eat here again.“

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

“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.“

“Tried a couple sandwiches: chopped Italian and the chicken with pesto, can't remember the name, ordered a small soup and pasta salad as side orders, all the food was outstanding. Ended the meal with a chocolate chip cookie, delicious, will be coming back soon, to try the rest of the lunch menu.“

“Enjoyed lunch here, friendly service, good portions, great food 💯“

“Zach was cool and attentive!“

“Jesse and Deann Are the absolute best.“

“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!“

“Great relaxed vibe for people who want an alcoholic drink or an espresso. Fantastic concept that Broad Ripple has needed for a long time. Typically, coffee cafes close at 3:00 p.m. making it impossible to get an after dinner coffee but thanks to Thieves there is now a place to go. Friendly service and well made espresso.“

“This is a beautiful place to work or study with a cozy drink. I was a little disappointed that the barista really seemed to not know much at all about coffee, and was unable to tell me anything about their particular coffee’s. Having said that, the drip brew my wife got was really good. My flat white was ok. If you want an interesting, local latte, this is probably a good choice, if you are looking for real choice coffee, you might wanna look elsewhere. If you want a beautiful place to chat w a friend or study, this place is a really good choice.“

“My friends and I were in Indianapolis for a couple of days and were looking for a bar that made a great espresso martini. After searching around, we came across this place, and we were definitely not disappointed.

The bar itself has a really cool speakeasy vibe. You enter through the foyer of a building and head downstairs into this dark, intimate space that immediately feels like you’ve stumbled onto something hidden. The next thing we noticed was the huge liquor selection. You can tell right away this isn’t really the kind of place you go just to grab a beer or a glass of wine, you come here for a great cocktail.

Dillon was our bartender both nights we visited, and he was fantastic. The espresso martinis were some of the best we’ve ever had, and that’s coming from one of my friends who loves espresso martinis and is extremely picky about them. We enjoyed ourselves so much the first night that we came back again the following evening.

What really made the experience memorable was Dillon. When we came back the second night, he actually remembered our orders from the night before, which was a great touch. After our first round, one of my friends and I started looking through the Italian spirits. He was interested in the grappa and I was checking out the amaro. Before we knew it, Dillon had put together a flight for us so we could try several different ones.

As we tasted them, he explained what we were drinking and clearly knew his stuff, but it never felt like a lecture. We ended up talking with him about everything from the spirits to why we were in Indianapolis, our families, where he was from, and life in general. He was warm, knowledgeable, passionate about what he does, and genuinely enjoyable to talk to.

I should mention that our second visit was on a very slow night, and for that part of the evening we were literally the only people there. Obviously, you probably aren’t going to get that same amount of one on one attention on a busy night. But I have no doubt that Dillon would be just as welcoming and great at what he does regardless.

The bar itself gets five stars. Dillon gets a ten. He took what would have already been a really good experience and turned it into a memorable one. If we’re ever back in Indianapolis, we’ll be back.“

“I didn't eat here, but food is available including a connection to the Mexican restaurant next door. Not a large place. They open the garage door by the pool table on nice days. Lots of whimsical decorations. Much of them are related to the Stutz automobiles.“

“Food was awesome, environment was nice!“

“Delicious soups, nice atmosphere,great costumer service ,large portions .“

“great place to have a drink“

“Great food and large portions. If you leave hungry, it’s your fault. 😀“