Rachel SmithSearching for the best cocktail bars in Indianapolis leads you from lively downtown streets to tucked-away neighborhood gems.
Some are stopping in for a well-earned drink after work, while others are drawn to the city’s growing nightlife and creative bar scene. Either way, there is always a glass waiting.
Visitors exploring the Circle City will also find a strong culture of bold flavors and inventive mixology, where bartenders treat every drink like a craft.
Forget the standard drinks for now. We are visiting spots that use house-made syrups and rare spirits. Here are the top venues pouring the finest drinks in town!
How much do cocktails cost in Indianapolis?
Cocktails in Indianapolis cost $15 to $50 or more per person for open bar packages. If you’re hiring mobile setups and catering, expect to pay $18 to $70 per person, depending on the event size and staffing needs.
| Service Type | Average Cost |
| Limited/Beer & Wine Package | $15 – $30 per person |
| Standard/Premium Open Bar | $30 – $50+ per person |
| Full-Service Cocktail Catering | $18 – $33 per person |
| Mobile Bartending (Hourly) | $40 – $70 per hour (plus alcohol) |
| Specialized Mobile Trailer Setup | $250+ base fee |
1. Nicky Blaine’s Cocktail Lounge
Website: http://www.nickyblaines.com/
Address: 20 N Meridian St
Contact: (317) 638-5588; [email protected]
Hours:
- Monday – Saturday: 4:00 PM – 2:00 AM
- Sunday: 4:00 PM – 12:00 AM
Walking into Nicky Blaine’s feels like finding a hidden gem in the heart of downtown. This subterranean spot combines a huge martini selection with a high-end cigar humidor.
With plush velvet seats and dim lights, it has a classic speakeasy feel that is very welcoming.
We spent a great evening here recently in a cozy leather chair with chilled gin martinis. Their menu is excellent, featuring rare bourbons and even chocolate fondue for sipping.
One thing to know is that the room is filled with the scent of tobacco. Since it is a cigar bar, people who are sensitive to smoke might find the air a little heavy.
Even so, the convenient late-night hours and great atmosphere keep it at the top of the list for local nightlife.
The cocktails were delicious
My friend and I went here for a cigar and drinks. The lounge was really cool. Lots of comfortable leather couches and chairs. The cocktails were delicious. The server recommended some great cigars for us. I look forward to going back!
- Michael Fletcher | Google Review
This place has an amazing speakeasy vibe
My wife and I had appetizers and great cigars at this lounge. We arrived before 7pm and had many options for seating. We chose the comfortable leather sofa.
This place has an amazing speakeasy vibe. If we stayed in Indianapolis, I could see us frequenting this spot.
The dinks were amazing. The Kennedy 109 was one of the best cocktails I’ve had in a while.
The seafood stuffed portobello was tremendous.
- Dup Scuva | Google Review
2. Sundry and Vice
Website: http://sundryandvice.com/
Address: 850 Massachusetts Ave
Contact: [email protected]
Hours:
- Tuesday – Thursday: 4:00 PM – 1:00 AM
- Friday – Saturday: 4:00 PM – 2:00 AM
- Sunday: 4:00 PM – 12:00 AM
Sundry and Vice is a beautiful spot with vintage prescriptions and dark wood accents. The apothecary-themed concept really stands out here.
Plus, the low lighting makes the whole room feel intimate and cozy.
Their clever draft-cocktail program allows them to serve pre-batched drinks like Chanel No. 5 very quickly.
If you sit at the bar, it feels like you are talking to a chic pharmacist who uses fresh juices and house syrups to help you relax.
One thing to know is that you have to order your drinks at the bar yourself. This may be disruptive if you prefer table service.
The menu is also a little smaller than at larger lounges. On the bright side, they offer delicious mocktails so that every guest can enjoy a special potion.
Great cocktail bar
Not your typical hotel bar. Maybe because it isn’t owned by the hotel. They have a really cool, retro atmosphere. I had my doubts on some of their cocktails, but they turned out very good. Mixes I never would have thought of. Very friendly bar tenders, too. Great cocktail bar across from The Garage at NE end of Mass Ave. Check it out.
- John Englert | Google Review
Enjoyable and had high-quality ingredients
My husband and I decided to pop in here while waiting for our table at Bodhi. It was a rainy Friday night and there was plenty of available seating. We entered through the hotel’s main entrance where the bar is just to the left. A hostess checked our id’s upon entry and then told us we could sit wherever we’d like. My husband ordered us drinks at the bar. Both were enjoyable and had high quality ingredients. The atmosphere is dark and moody and the service was friendly. I’d definitely return and look forward to trying more of their cocktails.
- A F | Google Review
3. Ball & Biscuit
Website: http://ballandbiscuit.com/
Address: 331 Massachusetts Ave
Contact: (317) 636-0539; [email protected]
Hours:
- Sunday – Thursday: 4:00 PM – 12:00 AM
- Friday – Saturday: 4:00 PM – 2:00 AM
As one of the first spots to champion high-end drinks on Mass Ave, Ball and Biscuit is built on craft heritage and a cozy, friendly vibe. If you’re planning a fun night out with laser tag or a show, their central location is a perfect place to start.
Every glass they serve reflects a real commitment to fresh ingredients, such as house-made bitters and hand-squeezed citrus.
The bartenders here act like bar chefs and treat mixology like a science, often changing the menu to highlight the best seasonal fruit.
Their happy hour offers great value, but just keep in mind that the kitchen only serves small plates and charcuterie. You should definitely eat a full dinner somewhere else first.
Still, the amazing variety of drinks ensures there is a perfect match for every palate.
Very good craft cocktails
Very good craft cocktails in a clean and well decorated local establishment! Brian was the bartender and did a great job. It was national Margarita Day but he made a special one, a little spicy and it’s the best margarita ever had!
How we got this great bartender to transparent from LA is a mystery to me!
- Chris Bowen | Google Review
The Forbbiden Fruit drink is a must try!
Super fun and must try cocktail bar on Mass Ave! My husband and I tried multiple different cocktails from the menu and none of them disappointed! The Forbbiden Fruit drink is a must try! The staff were knowledgeable and attentive, and the bar had multiple different seating options to accommodate anything from couples to large groups of friends.
- Alexandra Featherston | Google Review
4. 1933 Lounge
Website: https://www.1933lounge.com/
Address: 127 S Illinois St
Contact: (317) 635-0636
Hours:
- Monday – Thursday: 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM
- Friday: 4:00 PM – 11:00 PM
- Saturday: 3:00 PM – 11:00 PM
- Sunday: 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM
1933 Lounge is a discreet second-floor retreat that feels like a true upscale speakeasy. They are famous for their signature Elmo Cola, which has a wonderful cherry-and-vanilla flavor.
This adults-only spot is a great choice if you want the world-famous St. Elmo shrimp cocktail without waiting for a formal dinner table.
We stopped by recently, and the shrimp’s spicy horseradish kick paired perfectly with my drink. Beyond the snacks, the kitchen offers fancy plates like luxurious caviar and sliced prime steak.
Just note the lounge is closed on seven major federal holidays each year. Also, the early Sunday closing time can cut your weekend short.
Despite these scheduling quirks, the sophisticated atmosphere makes it a top-tier recommendation for a nice evening out in the city.
Best cocktail bar in Indy
**Best cocktail bar in Indy**
Went there for a Date and had a superb time. Super knowledgeable mixology and their liquor catalog is vast. Javi the bartender was the best.
Had an old fashioned, last word , naked and famous and charcuterie board. Yellow chartreuse and green chartreuse are so hard to find and they have it. A bar where cocktails nerds and vibes come together.
- Andres Camacho-Bonet | Google Review
Some of the best cocktails I’ve ever had
My kind of speakeasy. Bartenders are great, owner is great. I have come here multiple times and love it every time. The drinks are pricey, but rightfully so. Some of the best cocktails I’ve ever had. Highly recommend.
- Sarah Ransom | Google Review
5. The Vault Indy
Website: http://www.vaultindy.com/
Address: 1542 S East St
Contact: (317) 419-2030; [email protected]
Hours:
- Tuesday – Thursday: 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM
- Friday: 4:00 PM – 11:00 PM
- Saturday: 4:00 PM – 12:00 AM
Getting your first drink at The Vault Indy is an adventure because you start with a hidden code at the door. This bar has a great vintage vibe and a Prohibition theme, with spirits named after famous outlaws.
If you are feeling adventurous, the mixologists love creating custom drinks tailored to your taste. They also have an impressive food menu that rivals professional catering, with options like seared salmon and huge burgers.
The entry puzzle, though, can be a little annoying if you’re only looking for a quick beer. Plus, it’s a smart idea for large groups to book a table in advance.
Despite the extra steps to get inside, the unique atmosphere and great service make it a worthwhile trip. It truly makes you feel like you found a hidden gem.
Cocktails are the star of the show
1933 Lounge is quiet, dark, and intimate. It’s everything I’d want in a bar! The food is great, just like St. Elmo downstairs, but the cocktails are the star of the show. This is the place to go if you’re looking for an intimate experience with great drinks!
- Elizabeth Pittman | Google Review
Great cocktails
Perfect hidden gem for a quiet, intimate spot. An amazing date spot with low lighting and untraditional seating options (couches, chair, etc.). The menu matches St. Elmo appetizers so you can’t go wrong with anything. Great cocktails as well, and the service is too notch!
- Shayla Ibanez | Google Review
