Cocktail barTavern$$$broad-ripple
The Red Key Tavern on North College in SoBro, Indianapolis is a 1933 tavern. Vonnegut's hangout, no cell phones rule, the city's most respected dive.
Signature drink: Cold beer and a cheeseburger
Food: Cheeseburgers and tavern plates
Cocktail barPub$$$broad-ripple
The Aristocrat Pub in South Broad Ripple, Indianapolis since 1933. A cherished neighborhood pub with a wide draft list and the city's longest patio.
Signature drink: Indiana craft drafts and a pub burger
Food: Pub menu
Cocktail barHotel sports bar$$$downtown
High Velocity at the JW Marriott Indianapolis is the downtown convention-district sports bar. Eighty-plus screens, an extensive beer list, full kitchen.
Signature drink: Craft cocktails and a long beer list
Food: Elevated bar food
Cocktail barCocktail lounge$$$downtown
Plat 99 at The Alexander Hotel in Indianapolis is a cocktail lounge built around the hotel's contemporary-art collection. Chosen drinks, late hours.
Signature drink: Bartender-choice cocktails and art-program pairings
Food: Small plates
Cocktail barSteakhouse bar$$$downtown
1933 Lounge above St. Elmo Steak House on South Illinois in Indianapolis pours bourbon and serves the steakhouse small-plate menu. Walk-ins only.
Signature drink: Bourbon flights and a shrimp cocktail
Food: Steakhouse small plates
Cocktail barCocktail bar$$$broad-ripple
Thieves on East 65th in Broad Ripple, Indianapolis runs a tight cocktail program with a long mezcal-and-amaro list. Bartender's choice off the chalkboard.
Signature drink: Mezcal cocktails and amaro flights
Food: Snack plates