After Hours: Indy's 2021 Cocktail Scene

The other day, my friends and I were chatting about some of the experiences we miss as a result of “the year that must not be named”. Aside from some of the more common responses, one thing we were really amped about was the simple feeling of pulling up a chair to your favorite bar, and chatting with the bartender. Do ya’ll remember that?! I didn’t realize how much I missed that experience. I will be pretty pumped when it rolls back around.

Lucky for us, there are still some safe, fun ways to enjoy a good cocktail and lounge a bit! While the bar tops may be dialed back, we still have a solid list of contributors that are getting creative with their cocktail offerings. We’re talking everything from take home kits, to curated, pre-made concoctions. Socially distanced patios and dining rooms (at lower capacity) are filling the void until we can all crowd around the bar again, like a big happy family.

Read on to learn about a few restaurants and businesses that are leading the pack in Indy’s Cocktail Scene.

The Club Room @ Bottleworks Hotel

Where do you go when you need to sneak away to a cozy, chic little lounge and sip on some amazing cocktails? I’d say The Club Room @bottleworkshotel 🍸
The amazing staff at the Club Room (@bottleworkshotel ‘s luxe micro bar) treated me to a private showing of their bar menu. Let me tell you right now - GO! (And grab the Sage it Ain’t So and Oceanview cocktails) The space is super laid back, and their bar manager @cactusandseance is highly skilled! His curated menu blew me away.
Bottleworks Hotel opened as a part of the highly anticipated Bottleworks District, in the Mass Ave neighborhood. The newly opened Garage also houses tons of cool restaurants and shops within walking distance of the hotel. I have a feeling we will see a TON of fun places to explore here in 2021 and beyond.

After Hours Cocktail Recipe Book

Now, you already knew I was going to plug my own ish! This is my damn blog, after all. After Hours: Craft Cocktail Exploration for the Curious Homebody dropped in December, and it details over 20 easy to make cocktail recipes.
With an ever changing pandemic landscape and the need for safe, social distancing alternatives - crafting your own cocktails at home is super fun and convenient. We’ve seen a huge rise in cocktail kits and other at home recipe options in 2020, and that will continue to trend in 2021.
You can grab my very own cocktail recipe book here, and learn the basics of mixing spirits and building a home bar.

The Gallery Pastry Bar

The Gallery Pastry Shop’s little sister, The Gallery Pastry Bar opened up mid panorama and has already gotten us swooning over their swanky decor, and amazing french inspired menu.
The bar is gorgeous. Like, seriously you need to go to check out the decor alone. Even better though, a cocktail menu that will knock your socks off!
Try the Pear Necessities, and literally everything else. Bottomless mimosas during brunch, also.

Corey, bartender at the Gallery Pastry Bar.

The Exchange on Mass Ave

The Exchange Whiskey Bar is a craft cocktail and whiskey bar with hundreds of the best whiskeys you can find anywhere in the country.
New to the Indy scene, The Exchange opened October 2020 and it’s making a big splash! Head over to their website and Instagram page to see some drool worthy cocktails.

The Ball & Biscuit

Let’s take a moment to clap one time for the OG’s. The Ball & Biscuit, also known as Indy’s Original Cocktail Bar, is one of my long time favs.
It’s always a good vibe, and I love that they keep things simple. Solid cocktails and a few bar bites. Das it.
Right now they are seating indoors & outdoors at 50% capacity and have a limited selection of drinks available for carry-out.

Havana cigar lounge fishers

The Havana Cigar Lounge is an upscale cigar lounge with a Latin inspired menu and a Walk-in humidor.
So technically, these folks are right outside of Indy, in the Yard at Fishers District. They are certainly worth the addition in this line up, though!
They’ve kept their socially distanced doors open, and you can find some small events still buzzing here and there with live jazz music (the band members are masked up), good food, cocktails and of course a great cigar selection.

BlueBeard At Home Cocktail Kits and Heated Patio

Okay, I admit. I’m a bit of a Bluebeard Fan Girl. But for good reason, okay?
The Bluebeard gang knows how to pivot, and they’ve kept the patio jumping throughout most of this global panera. In addition to a cozy little heated patio and low capacity dining, they’ve even added a few cocktail kits to their lineup of grocery items and carryouts.
Check them out for some wintery cocktails and goodies.

So by now, I think we can see that although things are much different than the norm - we are still keeping it poppin in Indy! If you can, get out a SAFELY explore a few of these options, do your googles, or even crank out some drinks at home. That goes for mocktails, too (most of the places listed here make great non-alcholic beverages as well, so don’t be afraid to ask).

Let me know what you think! Have you tried any of these places in Indianapolis? Did I leave any notable names off the list? Feel free to add on in the comments.

After Hours Cocktail Book

Food And DrinkMartina JacksonJanuary 30, 2021Comment