50 Best Cocktail Bars near Speedway

“The food here is amazing! The bartender casey is super nice and makes the best bloody Mary ever!!“

“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.“

“We went to Magdalena at the end of happy hour and had great cocktails and an appetizer, the whitefish dip.
The bartender was great and attentive. The dip and crackers were perfection.
Staff were very kind and the atmosphere was chill, great music and vibe.
We will be back!“

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

“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.“

“Relaxing and fun to be in“

“We had a great experience at Mel's particularly the service from our waiter (Demetrie??) and the manager of the bar. The attention and respect they gave our party was admirable. This wasn't our first visit and it won't be our last visit“

“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.“

“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 atmosphere. Brian was a GREAT bartender“

“Great experience & excellent service!!“

“Outstanding in every way!“

“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.“

“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“

“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).“

“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.“

“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!“

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

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

“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.“

“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!“

“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.“

“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.“

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

“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“

“My wife and I ate here for the second time tonight. We absolutely loved the food and service! I had the mixed vegetables with beef and my wife had the yum salad. We shared an order of the Spring Rolls which were outstanding.“

“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“

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

“My wife and I stopped in for a drink while we were visiting Indianapolis. We were staying nearby so it was a quick walk. We sat at the bar and Julian helped us. He was fantastic! The drinks were perfect and we had a delicious pepperoni pizza that hit the spot. I would definitely come back if we are ever back in Indy. Cool little spot!“

“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“

“Excellent Nachos Carbon!!! Great prices. My new favorite restaurant. 😊“

“Visiting Indy for a couple days and was excited to try out Garden Table. The coffee was great and highly recommend the Teddy Graham latte. Great flavor and not as sweet as it sounds but a perfect combo. The brunch cocktails were very good and the food was very generously portioned and great flavor. The Smoked Salmon Hash was a great mix of flavors. Highly recommend making this a brunch stop while visiting Indy or if you live here and haven't tried it yet.“

“Great place to meet with friends downtown. Nice, no-frills vibe with good mixed drinks and cheap beers. The dollar hot dogs are a lifesaver and the Julietta's tacos next door are fantastic. They have Coors Banquet on draft, which rules.“

“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...“

“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!“

“Sheldon was awesome, she did a great job and put up with our banter all night. Great time!“

“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!“

“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.“

“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.“

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

“Wonderful food and even better service service“

“Hard Truth Bar, centrally positioned within The Garage Food Hall in Indiana, offers a distinctive drinking experience that beautifully complements the diverse culinary landscape of the hall. This bar stands out for its carefully curated menu, featuring unique drinks that pay homage to the bar's own creations and the region's flavors. The ambiance, marked by its prime location, invites guests to immerse themselves in a social and vibrant setting, making it an ideal spot for those looking to explore local libations.During my visit, the bartender suggested the peach highball, a recommendation that showcased the bar's inventive approach to crafting cocktails. While the drink was on the sweeter side for my taste, it was undeniably tasty, demonstrating a balance of flavors that was both refreshing and enjoyable. The peach highball exemplifies Hard Truth Bar's commitment to offering distinctive beverages that might not be found elsewhere, encouraging patrons to step outside their comfort zones and try something new.Hard Truth Bar's presence in The Garage Food Hall enhances the overall experience of the venue, providing a central gathering spot for friends, family, and solo adventurers alike to unwind and enjoy a drink. The bar's focus on unique, regionally inspired drinks adds an extra layer of appeal, making it a must-visit for anyone looking to savor the local drink scene. Whether you're in the mood for something sweet, like the peach highball, or something more traditional, Hard Truth Bar is equipped to satisfy your cravings with its innovative and diverse menu.“

“Fantastic singer and Bar Crew !!“

“great place to have a drink“