Best nightclubs in Indianapolis: find options near you

This 21 and over venue is the place to see some of the best new and established local, regional national and international music artists in a smaller setting.

Forty 5 is a local boutique production company that also owns this venue, the recently added “Turntable” venue next store as well as The Tobias Theatre.

Turntable features mainly newer artists in a more intimate 18 and over space. If you like exploring music you can’t go wrong with a show at either of these spaces.

Had a great experience. I had Noah give me a pedicure and he was very thorough and gentle. They ran out of the color I originally wanted but he made sure to help me find the closet color to what I originally picked. Very kind and great service! Will definitely go back!

Killer venue. Had an absolute blast. Sound was excellent and they get tons of great acts here.

Watch an incredible show there Carcass, Immolation and Creeping Death.
I have been going to this place for 25 years more and I’ve seen some amazing shows.. I hope they keep this up with the new ownership.

3/20/2025 – i’m updating my review here to reflect other shows. I’ve been coming here for years.Since the mid 90s. I assume I share concerts there. You will have to say this place is consistently always been a great venue for a concert. This is for me intimate setting and still have a lot of people there.
Open fortune enough to see a lot of big musical acts play in this smaller venue. Which brings a whole the other level of an experience. I have been to other places as well, but this one i can honestly say, I really have not had a bad experience in any regard. Service is always good considering how busy it can be. I’ve never had a serve there they’ve always been cool and hospitable. I guess the only thing I could say is a negative would be, and this is not every time, but most of the time, the bathrooms really do look like a bathroom like what you would expect of a club or a bar.The guy’s bathroom looks like there’s pee on the floor. this is not an every visit occurance like that.

Fun concert location in Broad Ripple. We saw Gaelic Storm this visit. We reserved a table as well, which allowed us a table with seating for four, and a server that was very attentive. I look forward to checking out other bands soon!

Saw one of our favorite bands here tonight and loved the service at this venue! We drove 2 hours from Cincinnati. There is affordable parking right out back and lots of restaurants nearby.

The venue staff was so warm and kind in every interaction, from entry to exit. I am 37 weeks pregnant and the bartender checked in on me and offered me a seat/to see her if I needed anything.

It’s an intimate venue, mostly standing room – but additional areas for seating in the balcony and sides of the room.

Exits were clearly marked and it did not feel unsafe at any point.

There was a clearly marked ADA section with ample seating and a good view.

I’d recommend this venue to a friend if they were visiting Indy!

A fun historical venue. Small always a good spot to see. Most of venue is general admission with seating costing extra

Came here from Illinois to see a comic also from Illinois (Pat McGann)

Hilarious by the way, always does a great job.

Since this was our first time at Helium because of this reason I had no previous experience with the club.

It was WNBA All Star weekend in the city, so naturally the city was packed.

Once inside I was happy to see that the staff was great, the food was delicious and the talent was World Class.

Compliments to the owners for a great experience.

The workers at Helium Comedy Club were not overly polite, but were not mean. The drinks were good, but pricey. They had a 2 drink minimum per person, which I have found is uncommon for comedy clubs.

Great club. Very shallow and wide, which means everything feels close and intimate. I saw Heath, Martin, and Ahurn tonight. Super funny guys. I hope they come through again soon. There was one woman who wouldn’t shut up. She was given a couple of warnings from the stage, then they kicked her out. Great work from the club staff on getting rid of the distraction. Food and drinks were a little pricey, but normal for a captive venue. And the wait staff had a perfect balance between making sure I had what I needed without constantly interrupting my experience. It was a little tricky to find. It was listed as inside the Circle Center Mall, but some of the entrances to the mall (and all the stores) were closed (at 7:30p on a Wednesday), the mall information maps were not working, and the cleaning staff didn’t understand English. Overall, it was a great experience, and I’ll be going back.

I’m s BIG fan of COMEDY, the Artistry of The Craft is amazing, and this place brings great artists. Absolutely top notch. The club is always clean the wait staff is always professional and the prices is aren’t too bad either. It was great getting to see an old friend from the neighborhood. Mike Epps keep them laughing and always represent Indy well.

I enjoyed the comedy show. The food was okay. They offer vegan options which was a plus. The comedians were hilarious. He took photos either everyone afterwards. The club was easily accessible from the parking garage on Georgia St.

Great vibes, staff super cool & very organized. One of the best comedy clubs in my opinion! My wife & I laughed so much! The acts did it up. Drinks were cool. Great time & Great experience!

Nice venue, near plenty of parking, and the Caesar salad is really good. The pretzels are alright but they give you a ton of nacho cheese for only $1.

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!

Had a wonderful cocktail here with my brother! It’s got the best vibes and even better worker! Brian is a great and makes good recommendations and then a good cocktail. You can’t go wrong here. Highly recommend taking a date here or go out with friends if you want somewhere fancier and high class.

Much like my Lounge back home, this place is a hidden Gem! Casual dress code, but the waitresses wear cocktail dresses and are extremely professional and polite. It’s a 5 doller cover, and they have a nice selection of Padron cigars. +1 for the bruschetta platter for the wife & -1 for lack of Indian leg wrestling competitions. Greatly appreciated the music selection and the fact that the house Old Fashions were legit. I tip my hat to Nicky and everything they represent l!

Underground speakeasy, vibe, even though it’s very visible. Great place for a martini and a cigar. Draws an interest in crowd, but very classy establishment. Used to be somewhere else years ago I read and then they moved to this area probably 20 or 30 years ago I think. Definitely a good visit if you’re wanting a secluded drink and relaxing music and some leather chairs

I was in Indianapolis for the weekend, for the Indianapolis marathon.
We came here Saturday night after a good steak dinner to celebrate. This is one of the best cigar bars in the world!, Seriously.
It is perfection
We were able to meet the owner, Simon, who is cool, friendly, outgoing, and very proud of this amazing place. It’s an easy, five star, easy thumbs up.

It was an okay cigar lounge. The reason I gave 3 stars. The waitress was great. She was very professional n friendly. She was very attentive. The lounges it self was relaxing. The negative part was the host. He got an attitude cause I didn’t want to sit at bar. He sat me in comfortable area. He the next thing he did was take the astray from my table to give to someone else n finally brought me one back once I ordered cigars which I told him when I got in I was going order cigars which was the purpose of coming there in first place. Last He spoke to everyone when leaving but he did not acknowledge me at all even though he was standing by when I was leaving out. Due to his unprofessional behavior I decided not to come back. There are too many cigars out in world where I can spend my money n get treated with the same professional respect as others who are paying.

This is a cool place to visit if you like a good cigar. No food served there, but they have a huge bar and cigar selection. They charge a $5 cover to get in which keeps the riff raff out. Sinatra playing in the background makes for a relaxing evening. Ventilation was good too. It wasn’t too smoky.

Another good local place on my way to downtown outings! Had a delicious wrap and onion rings. Cold bottled beer. Nice people and plenty of tables!

1st time at your establishment. Beautiful atmosphere, good people, good food and good music. Thank you

Always a great time here. We met Alexis on a random Thursday and she treated us so well we made plans to return the following week. We truly enjoyed karaoke night. The pizza, chicken wings, fried cauliflower and French fries are ALL delicious. The drinks are good too.

Went here on a Sunday for the first time. The bartender was great, but the table server was untrustworthy. She put other people’s tab on my check and then tried to get indignant with me for her mistake. They also add gratuity to your tab, trying to make you think that you’re obligated to pay that, your not! Give them what you want, not whats on the check.

Great spot with good cold beer, drinks and excellent food! Patrons and staff are very friendly. I recommend the breaded tenderloin and hot chips! Also plenty of parking ️ is available and makes for an easy in and out! 5 ✨ ‘s! Looking forward to visiting again soon!

When my gf and I are in town. We always stop in this joint to shoot some pool. Good times. Cool ppl. Bunch of tvs. See u guys sooner than later ✌️

Good drinks, friendly employees, reasonable prices. This establishment has pool tables, dart board, and the chicken was made hot n fresh to order. It’s a big patio area where you can enjoy some air. I’ll definitely be back whenever I’m in town

I had an absolute blast at Howl at the Moon in Indianapolis! This place is the ultimate nightlife spot, with an electrifying atmosphere that keeps the energy high all night long. The dueling pianos were a total highlight—talented musicians played everything from classic rock to today’s hits, taking crowd requests that had everyone singing and dancing. The venue’s vibrant vibe, great service, and interactive entertainment made it a perfect night out. five stars all the way!

My husband and I went to Howl at the Moon for Valentine’s Day (we went the weekend prior). It was a blast!! I would highly recommend to any one in the younger crowd of bar-going. They had live music and very attentive bartenders. We got a cocktail in a bucket and 3 shots each. It was not overly priced like most downtown bars are, but they did have a special for the holidays. It was a very fun time and I am excited to go back!

The drinks were amazing! The atmosphere waa great! … the entertainment was a different story. The girl drummer never missed a beat. She is great and the guy on the electric guitar was good… however the other 2 people , the main 2 with mics, …..lmfao… idk. Just go for the drinks! It was all good but certain genres of music hot butchered very badly by the other 2 people lmao. U hafto go hear it to believe me!

I want to dedicate these 5 stars to a WONDERFUL waitress I interacted with last night while watching the Pacers in the NBA finals. I am a huge Pacers fan, and also 8 months pregnant. By the time I got to Howl at the Moon, there was no seating available for me and after only a few minutes into the game, I became very worried that there was no way I could stay standing the whole game. Helpless, I was begging anyone for just a few minutes in their seats and no one would allow me to sit for more than a few minutes, begrudgingly I might add. Allison locked eyes with me and without me even saying a word or asking for anything, she immediately jumped to action. She found me a chair and grabbed me a water. A bouncer tried to tell me I couldn’t sit in that chair, and she stood up for me and made sure I was well taken care of all night. That was truly an exhibition of kindness, care, and good old Hoosier Hospitality that many people in that bar lacked. It meant more to me and my husband than she could ever know. Pregnant women deserve to enjoy these things too! I shouldn’t be stuck at home watching every game and should be allowed to participate in this opportunity as it’s the first Pacers finals appearance in 25 years. Thank you so much, Allison. As a former downtown waitress/bartender, I hope this bar understands what a great service provider they have in her. I had a great night! Shame on the bouncer who tried multiple times to take the chair from a very visibly pregnant woman, telling my husband he didn’t care that I was pregnant.

Thank you Howl at the moon for making my daughter’s bachelorette party a memorable one! We had a group of 24 people and it was a total blast! Music, dancing, drinks amazing and fun!! Thank you to Brian our waiter and to Tayllor for taking care of us!!

Overall, we had a GREAT experience! The band is truly top notch, so skilled, and high energy. They were wonderful at engaging the crowd and creating a fun atmosphere!! We had reserved tables and purchased the skip the line entry — would definitely recommend as it went so smoothly. We all appreciated having a spot to throw our items, drinks, etc. while we danced. The one slight constructive criticism is that we waited 20 minutes at our table before our server came and greeted us for the first time, so we started out on a slightly unimpressed note. Throughout the night, our server wasn’t great at checking back in either (they were also serving outdoor tables). Besides this piece, it was a great night!

Great spot! Had a corporate event here and they really know how to show everyone a great time. Food was wonderful and the staff kept the drinks flowing! Talented musicians got the crowd hyped and did an outstanding job. Highly recommend stopping by!

Good was great…our bartender Matt was excellent…after his shift he went to the back bar where we got corned been n cabbage and had another great bartender…with a rockin mohawk! We will be back! Happy St Patrick’s Day!

Cute bar. Definitely got lectured for being on my phone. I’m 42. There were other people in here all looking to be 60 years old. Don’t lecture your guests.

Good place to relax and hand out. Friendly staff and nice service. Food is good, specially Thursday is steak night. If you like steak , you shouldn’t miss it.
Forgot to take pic because it’s too good. the chicken wing is amazing, try the everything sauce, you will love it.

Just a blast from the past when I used to hang out in my punk n drunk days. I’ve never eaten here…. maybe next time I’m in Indy!

Delicious food, attentive wait staff, and a lovely atmosphere. Plus, it’s all reasonably priced.
I wholeheartedly recommend it and will definitely return.

I ben going to Alley Cat for years. Will always love this place

Absolutely loved this bar! Relaxed atmosphere, great service and very good food. We had the fish and St. Patrick’s Day special of corned beef and they were both worth going back for. Loved our bar tender!

In May, the concierge of my hotel recommended The Chatterbox for local jazz. This shotgun style of a dive bar feels like a time warp to times near forgotten. The place is filled with people from all walks of life and the music was well worth the $9 cover, plus the bar takes cards if you don’t have cash for the door. I loved the atmosphere and and Jade was quick on the drinks and gave some good recommendations on how to spend my down time.

Such a cool spot! Got here early enough that the crowd wasn’t bad. Music started at 8pm with a $4 “cover charge” added to bill. Jukebox available before the jazz band starts. Awesome conversation with Jess at the bar! I had already eaten before I got here, but they do have small food items available. Such a cool vibe in here. If you haven’t been, come. If you have been, chances are likely you’ll be back.

The live music was the reason my group went to this fun little bar! The music was showcasing music written by people who are from Indianapolis! This bar is small, but it gives a chill and calm vibe. The drinks are made in a way that does not feel rushed in the making process. I will say that the service could be more personable. Sometimes, it feels like the workers are there just to do their job instead of making it their priority to make the customers feel welcomed in every way. I love the cozy vibes, and I love the pricing of listening to live music! It’s special and a privilege to be able to listen to live music for only $9 or even $5 on Sundays!

We’ve been coming here on a regular basis,sometimes 2-3 x per week. The entrance is $8 when a band plays. The place can tell a thousand stories,every inch of it has some memories from the past .Amazing music every single day! Jess,Katie,Ben and David are great! This place is truly one of a kind!

I stopped in Indianapolis for a day since had never visited before and as I was making my way down Massachusetts Ave (heading back to my car) – I noticed a large mural with a plaque which told the story of Etheridge Knight and towards the bottom it mentioned he frequented “the Chatterbox” and..

Hey wait! That’s literally the THIS BUILDING! Yes!

Went in, the place is awesome!! Great beer, great food and overall fantastic menu! The server Emery is absolutely amazing and we had a great conversation about the Chatterbox, Jazz Musix and No Wave Jazz like Lydia Lunch, James Chance (No New York stuff) and it was just and overall awesome experience to visit, have a beer and a great chat!

I’ll be returning at some point for some live jazz when I have more time. But one thing I will say.. The artwork plastered all over the walls in this place speaks beyond volumes.. It’s like the CBGBs of Jazz in Indianapolis! That’s the vibe I get

SARDINE CAN!!! BUT!! very pleasant crowd and environment. Everyone had smiles on and squished faces. My wife and I finally got a seat at the bar and that was more enjoyable. The elder guy at the door had his glass of cab and was snapping his fingers and doing his step. The band was awesome too!!

Chatterbox is one of the unique gems of Indianapolis. World class jazz in welcoming dive bar atmosphere. The staff love to be there, and they pour a great glass of Guinness.

Great cocktail bar with delicious drinks. This place is great for interesting and unique cocktails, the staff is great and the appetizers are tasty. We frequent here often.

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.

Michael, Carlee, and Todd were amazing. Popped in looking for just a casual post-dinner cocktail and had the BEST experience. If you are ever in Indianapolis and need a place for a drink and a great atmosphere – this place cannot be recommended enough.

Michael, Carlee, and Todd were amazing! My partner and I came in after dinner for a couple of cocktails/nightcap. We had an amazing time! All three staff members made us feel welcomed and engaged in conversation! I would recommend this place to everyone who wants a fun, chill, and welcoming environment.

Must go!!
Loved their draft beer collection, I tried the daredevil lift off IPA(7.2%) and ash and elm seasonal cider. We also ordered the artichoke dip as appetizer and it tasted good too.There is very nice outdoor seating and indoor seating has open windows so when you are seating inside you are almost outside. It’s classy place but also casual.
Must try!!!

Very good cocktails in an intimate, enjoyable atmosphere on Mass Ave. All the cocktails we tried were very good, the specialties have craft cocktail complexity, and service was great.

The old fashioned was horrible, the bartender was kind of rude about it as well, drink was way too strong and warm so no ice was added… I didn’t touch it, but I still paid for it… pretty disappointed for the first time that’s all

Great vibes..Great bartenders..Great music and ambiance..Tried the homemade artichoke and spinach dip and it was fantastic! Can’t help but love the old school jukebox The bartenders Anthony..Kat..Jacob are great creatures of the human species lol..Good times definitely recommend!! A+

I’m super introverted, and really keep to myself. This place is the perfect laid back spot. Service is great. Drinks aren’t expensive. Great tunes for a quarter, pool for a quarter, a vintage cigarette dispenser. I mean, how can you beat that?

The worst bar to go to in Indianapolis.hands down do not waste your time here. Bartenders are not friendly and the atmosphere is very middd. Stay as far away as possible. There are so many other options to go to that will treat you with respect and actually dine you! Dnu 100%

Great drinks and better service. I’ve met 3 of the employees and all are very kind and quick to assist. Love the retro jukebox. Awesome back patio, and you can play darts or pool.

Cozy, cool dive bar. Drink prices are fair, and bartenders know their stuff. I’ve never tried any of their food here, but both times I’ve been here the service has been great! Nice outdoor patio area, pool table, and a juke box (which could use some upgrades on music options). Will definitely be back!

Sad to report the stereotypes of how they treat heterosexual men are true. Kinda shocking as I have not experienced that at a bar in a long time. I met friends up here a handful of times and it was all right, but one time I dropped in solo and felt like I was being stared down and eavesdropped on from the very start. I was playing pool and having a generally good time, but then they had someone come over and question me all about where I came from and who I was with. It was absurdly uncomfortable, but it fit too many stories I had heard of this place from other straight guys. It’s just the kind of judgy environment that doesn’t justify a dingy place with an overpriced and average draft list, an absurdly dirty outdoor patio space that should have lots of potential and a “food menu” that is literally frozen pizzas bought from the grocery store and a pretzel. I initially loved the idea of a neighborhood bar like this, but I can’t see wanting to go back.

Went there lastnight to have some drinks after work with a couple friends tell me why the guy IDing people let me and my white friend in just fine hardly even looked at our IDs too but our black friend comes in behind us and all of a sudden he’s checking his ID up and down and wouldn’t let him in because supposedly it was “expired” but we went back to the car to leave and we decided to double check our friend’s ID just for us to find out bro lied bout it being expired
As a person that works in the industry this is unacceptable and disrespectful behavior. I check IDs everyday and one thing that is FOR SURE hard to miss is the big BOLD expiration date.

Great place. If you like country music, you will like this place. Not much to look at from the outside- parking is free but need to get there early if you want to be close. Cost to get in cash is 10.00. What a bargain. Can get tickets by card or Ticketmaster but a lot more. Real gem. Inside there is a pizza place looked good but ate before. Entertainment starts around 8:30, pre show was okay artist but usually the main artist makes up for this, starts around 10:30. Excellent lighting, special effects, acoustics improved through the set. Lots of energy in the crowd. Line dancing was cool to watch and try between the sets and afterward, good DJ for this. Dancers were welcoming. Had a soda and water, can’t comment on the drinks. Overall- fun place and will return when in Indy.

This concert venue had great vibes! People were line dancing before the show and between sets, which added to the fun atmosphere. The doors opened on time, and the sets started pretty close to the scheduled time. The staff was friendly and welcoming. There were plenty of bathrooms available, which was a huge plus. Overall, this was a fantastic place to enjoy live music!

Great place to go if you’re in your mid-twenties and depressed about breaking your belt buckle. Nothing but country music. Which isn’t a bad thing – however, all night everyone was dancing the same dance… to different songs.
The highlight of my night was the pretzel and cheese dip… that I ate in my car before I left.

Such an amazing experience, I’ve never seen line dancing where almost the entire crowd participated and they all knew the dances

Such a fun time with friends!! Dancing, corn hole, performances, and good drinks!! We went during the Halloween event and it was so much fun!

Great venue for a concert. One of my favorite places to see a band. Large venue with multiple bars to get drinks. Beer prices were just under $5 for 12 ounce bottles. Good prices for tickets. They have bar foods available throughout and even after the concert.

​8 Second Saloon is a great spot for line dancing! I was happy to find a decent crowd and especially appreciated the helpful older dancers who were patient enough to show us beginners the steps and direction of the dances. The overall vibe was good, and it made for a nice night out.
​However, there were a couple of things that stood out. I was baffled that they charge for a cup of water, as many other dance halls provide it for free, which is essential when you’re dancing all night and need to stay hydrated. On top of that, the bartenders seemed pretty rude from my experience. Even with those issues, the good points outweighed the bad, and I would definitely recommend it for anyone who loves line dancing.