Strange Bird is a tropical hideaway on a quiet corner of historic Irvington on the Eastside, open since 2019. Founder Neal Warner is a rum and oyster enthusiast, and ornate tropical cocktails come out alongside oysters in a room dressed in bamboo and bac-bac matting. The kitchen, led by Chef Kyle Humphreys, makes Japanese ramen with house made noodles, and the bar runs regular rum and oyster classes.
The Ball & Biscuit calls itself Indy's original cocktail bar and sits on Massachusetts Avenue. The programme focuses on classic and creative craft cocktails built with house made ingredients, alongside small plates made in house from locally sourced produce. The lounge is set up for relaxed evenings and private gatherings.
The Inferno Room is a tiki bar and restaurant on Virginia Avenue in Fountain Square, with a spirit house, the Kahuna Lounge and a Luau Room. The walls hold a large collection of Papua New Guinea native art. The menu pairs tiki classics in the tradition of Don the Beachcomber and Trader Vic with the house team's own exotic cocktails.
Astrea is the rooftop bar on the 11th floor of InterContinental Indianapolis, with an indoor and outdoor space looking over Monument Circle and the Indiana State Capitol. The drinks list leans on botanical cocktails, large format drinks and wines, served with shareable bites. The indoor bar and lounge stay open when weather closes the terrace, and weekend brunch runs Saturday and Sunday.
Nowhere Special is a basement cocktail lounge on Massachusetts Avenue from Ambrosia Hospitality Group. The room mixes leather, brass and low light, and the bar describes its approach as craft centered and technique driven. Cocktails come with curated beer, wine and non alcoholic options plus small bites.
These 5 are the starting point. The full BarMagazine directory covers every listed bar in Indianapolis, with a map, filters by bar type, and new openings as we verify them.
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