Home » Recent posts » 5 Best Happy Hour Restaurants in Indianapolis for Cocktails and Snacks

5 Best Happy Hour Restaurants in Indianapolis for Cocktails and Snacks

happy-hour-restaurants-in-indianapolis
We extensively test and research all services we review. Here's why you can trust us.

Drink Deals: We checked the actual savings on the menu. You want cheap domestic beers and fairly priced craft cocktails.

Snack Quality: Nobody likes stale popcorn or boring chips. We hunted down kitchens that serve hot, fresh bites to pair with your drinks.

Atmosphere: A good bar needs the right vibe to help you unwind. We looked for comfortable seating and good music.

Location Convenience: We focused on places that are easily accessible. Downtown spots save you the hassle of a long commute after work.

Schedule Flexibility: A tiny one-hour window is useless. We favored spots offering longer afternoon blocks or even late-night deals.

You survived a long workday, and now you probably want a cold drink. Finding the best happy hour spots in Indianapolis used to be tricky, but recent law changes mean afternoon deals are officially back. 

You don’t have to settle for overpriced or lukewarm beers anymore. You deserve crispy snacks and great cocktails that hit the spot without draining your wallet. 

I spent time visiting downtown bars to find spots that deliver real value and found the top places where your money goes further. 

Grab your friends and let’s dive into the best deals in town.

How much does happy hour cost in Indianapolis?

Happy hour drink deals in Indianapolis typically range from $3 to $10, while discounted appetizers hover around $5 to $8.

ItemAverage Price Range
Domestic Beers$2 – $3
Well Drinks & Shots$5 – $6
House Wines & Craft Cocktails$6 – $10
Select Appetizers & Snacks50% off or $5


1. Yard House

yard-house

Website: https://www.yardhouse.com/home

Address: 15 W Maryland St

Contact: (317) 917-4408

Hours: 

  • Sunday – Thursday: 11:00 AM – 10:30 PM
  • Friday – Saturday: 11:00 AM – 11:30 PM

Happy Hour: Monday – Friday: 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM


Stepping inside this massive bar feels like a total dream for any beer lover. Yard House serves an incredible selection of cold draft beers from local Indiana breweries, along with many international favorites. 

Plus, every dish on their large menu is prepared from scratch in the kitchen. 

I stopped by last week and devoured a gooey, hot slice of their half-price pizza. While I was there, the classic rock playlist kept the energy high as I enjoyed a frosty, bitter India Pale Ale. 

However, you have to eat inside the bar. They restrict all happy hour discounts to dine-in customers only, and they don’t offer late-night deals on weekends. 

Pros

  • Half-price appetizers and pizzas
  • $2 off draft beers and wine
  • Late-night drink deals available
  • Accessible downtown mall location

Cons

  • Dine-in only for discounts
  • No weekend late-night deals

Customer Reviews:

I love the happy hour here
I love the happy hour here . If I could recommend a few items , it’ll be the cheese curds , spinach dip and their wings . The barbecue is a classic but great choice. The whiskey black pepper flavor is sweet and peppery !!


It was very worth it
The service I received was wonderful. went during Happy hour and it was very worth it. I did not know it’s also some $$ off for cocktails, beer draft so which was pretty cool. We got chicken margaritas, chicken nachos, buffalo + lemon pepper wings + calamari. Espresso martini and sangria


2. The Oakmont

the-oakmont

Website: https://www.theoakmontindy.com/

Address: 323 N Delaware St, Suite B

Contact: (317) 746-6097 | [email protected] 

Hours: 

  • Monday – Thursday 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM
  • Friday 11:00 AM – 1:00 AM
  • Saturday 10:00 AM – 1:00 AM
  • Sunday 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM

Finding a genuinely adult atmosphere in the middle of the afternoon is a rare treat. The Oakmont restricts entry to guests over 21, which means you can enjoy fancy appetizers like truffled deviled eggs in peace. 

This sophisticated environment makes the food feel even more special. They provide impressive charcuterie boards with rich meats from local producers. We think you’ll definitely enjoy the crispy fries topped with garlic and truffle oil. 

Because it’s located in the lively Mass Ave district, the bar is a fantastic place to start your evening. You can even join their loyalty program for VIP offers. 

The only trade-off is the strict age policy. Since it is an adult-only space, you can’t bring younger family members along for the meal.

Pros

  • Sophisticated appetizer menu
  • Stays open late on weekends
  • Features local meats and ingredients
  • VIP loyalty rewards available

Cons

  • Strictly 21 and older
  • Not family-friendly

Customer Reviews:

It’s pretty awesome
The O.G. Burger is hands down one of these BEST burgers in downtown Indy!! I crave it. The meat & bun is also locally sourced. Best Truffle Parm Fries & Aioli as well. Cocktails are a lil pricey, but the vibe is always nice. They do have a Happy Hour Menu & it’s pretty awesome. Check em out, u won’t be sorry!!


Happy hour menu was perfect
the wife and i hit the oakmont recently. we’re in town visiting our son todd again andboy did i wish he told us about this spot sooner. those bartenders really know their stuff. lisa ann’s rehab cocktail nailed on first try. she wasn’t super hungry so the lil chick off the happy hour menu was perfect. my burger came out juicy with cheese melted just right.wife was happy solid food and i joked with lisa ann about the neon sign. will be back soon to visit my new buddy david behind the bar. real cool guy. great atmosphere we had fun,,


3. Almost Famous

almost-famous

Website: http://www.almostfamousindy.com/

Address: 721 Massachusetts Ave

Contact: (317) 986-7877 | [email protected] 

Hours: 

  • Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
  • Wednesday – Thursday: 8:00 AM – 1:00 AM
  • Friday – Saturday: 8:00 AM – 2:00 AM
  • Sunday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Happy Hour: 

  • Wednesday – Saturday: 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM
  • Sunday: 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM

If you crave a quick trip to Europe, this lively venue delivers authentic Spanish tapas right here in Indiana. They serve up rich and oily tinned seafood along with savory bocadillos and high-precision craft cocktails. 

The space is unique because it acts as both a professional coffee bar and a vibrant performance venue. 

I grabbed a seat at the bar recently and slurped down their briny, ice-cold two-dollar oysters. Then, the bartender mixed a sharp, botanical gin and tonic that cut right through the salty, crispy patatas bravas. 

While the deals are truly fantastic, you can’t visit early in the week. They keep their doors shut on Mondays, and they close by 4:00 PM on Tuesdays. This means you should plan your weekend visits to get the full experience.

Pros

  • Deeply discounted oysters and cocktails
  • All-day value specials on wine
  • Affordable high-quality tapas plates
  • Excellent walkable neighborhood location

Cons

  • Closed entirely on Mondays
  • Very limited hours on Tuesdays

Customer Reviews:

Good energy & great decor
Exceptional espresso martini! We tried the “New York Happy Meal” for happy hour & it did not disappoint. Have to add their blue cheese olives were amazing! Swanky place for date, brunch or happy hour with good energy & great decor.


It’s a hidden gem!
We’ve visited AF two years in a row while visiting Indianapolis for a trade show. It’s a hidden gem! GREAT TAPAS, SUPER FRIENDLY SERVICE, laidback atmosphere. I’m 900 miles away in Dallas thinking ’how can we get back to that place?’


4. The Exchange Bar

the-exchange-bar

Website: https://theexchangebars.com/

Address: 301 Massachusetts Ave

Contact: (317) 943-5000

Hours: 

  • Monday – Thursday: 4:00 PM – 12:00 AM
  • Friday – Saturday: 4:00 PM – 2:00 AM

Happy Hour: Monday – Friday: 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM

The Exchange Bar is a speakeasy that operates out of one of the city’s oldest original structures. Just the feeling of drinking in a building dating back to 1874 gives your evening a cool historical edge. 

Their expert bartenders mix drinks with great precision in a cozy underground space. They pour an expansive list of specialized spirits, including warm spicy bourbons and international ryes. 

You can also order a cheap craft cocktail and sip a velvety dark espresso martini while you relax. 

The late-night service on weekends keeps the party going for everyone. And if you get hungry later, it’s very easy to walk to excellent nearby Japanese restaurants

Sadly, they lock up completely on Sundays and don’t open until late afternoon, so you might want to grab a hearty lunch at a nearby Indian restaurant before you visit.

Pros

  • Cheap classic craft cocktails
  • Great location in the arts district
  • Stays open late on weekends
  • Offers educational whiskey flights

Cons

  • Closed entirely on Sundays
  • No lunch or early afternoon service

Customer Reviews:

Perfect for date night
Speakeasy vibes, modern cocktails. Perfect for date night or drinks with the girls. They have a happy hour until 7pm every week day. Totally worth asking for their half price drinks. Their espresso martini is one of the best Ive had.


Great atmosphere
Great atmosphere, uper class feel, I love Bourbon and old fashioned’s they have plenty of options….. service can be lacking I don’t think they habe enough servers? But they are great when they come to your table. Food…. I think they have food? Don’t recall maybe a cheese plate?


5. Punch Bowl Social

punch-bowl-social

Website: https://punchbowlsocial.com/location/indianapolis/

Address: 120 S Meridian St

Contact: (317) 249-8613

Hours: 

  • Monday – Thursday: 12:00 PM – 11:00 PM
  • Friday: 12:00 PM – 12:00 AM
  • Saturday: 10:00 AM – 12:00 AM
  • Sunday: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM

Happy Hour: 

  • Tuesday – Friday: 3:00 PM – 6:45 PM
  • Monday: All Day

Gathering a huge group of friends usually requires a massive space with plenty of action. Luckily, Punch Bowl Social is housed in a giant venue that delivers two levels of fun. 

You can sip on sweet and fruity shared punches while you dominate the bowling lanes or play arcade games. They also offer a fantastic deal on Mondays with an all-day drink special for guests and half-price games on weekday afternoons. 

The huge layout comfortably fits both small groups and giant office parties. 

With an exciting scratch kitchen, the food here tastes incredible, but you have to eat it there because they don’t offer delivery. Just remember that the venue shifts to an adults-only crowd after 10:00 PM on weekends.

Pros

  • All-day specials on Mondays
  • Half-price games on weekday afternoons
  • Cheap $5 food and drink options
  • Easily handles very large groups

Cons

  • Strictly 21 and older late at night
  • Food is completely unavailable for delivery

Customer Reviews:

Great happy hour deals
Over all had a delightful time. Appreciated thr vegetarian options! And there are both free games and games you pay for and some really great happy hour deals. The only thing that bugged me was, the service was great. But the bartender didnt feel the need to give me all of my change. I should have received $3.78 but they gave me $3. Assuming i didnt want the change? I still left a full tip. But, wasn’t cool.


This place is amazing
This place is amazing.   It’s like the adult style Jeepers fun place.  They have bowling, arcade games, ping pong, karaoke rooms, and game boards.  I love the drinks, although smaller in size for the price you pay.  The staff needed to stay off their cells phones while serving food and drinks.