Comfortably naughty

Craig Steele, Indianapolis, sings karaoke at The Metro. (Credit: Robert Scheer / Metromix)

The Metro, according to bartender Doug Waters, is “a great place to get your cherry popped.” Your gay-bar cherry, that is — and not just because of the adult-oriented gift shop upstairs.

The Metro, subtly situated along Mass Ave., is comfortable and cozy, like an old friend’s living room. The bar is intimate, dimly lit and perfect for close conversation or people watching. You’ll see lots of friendly regulars, dressed casually in jeans, and it all kind of feels like a big family. So just drink the Kool-Aid (the delicious Metro house specialty shot) and get it over with already.

“There’s not one day where I haven’t wanted to come in to work,” says general manager Kevin Morgan, who’s been with the Metro for 14 years. “I’m surprised I’ve been here that long!”

There’s also plenty of room to breathe at the Metro, thanks to the voluntary smoking ban put into effect earlier this month. And if sitting at the bar isn’t your thing, play pool upstairs, relax on the open-air patio or browse the naughty shop. And if you show up on a Tuesday night, you better be ready to belt one out.

The Metro is home to the city’s longest-standing karaoke night, held for 15 years. It’s also host to Indy’s Karaoke Idol, now in its eighth season, with a $3,000 grand prize to be awarded to the winner in May. Current master of karaoke ceremonies, Dannon Crews has been running the show for more than 13 years and has accumulated more than 13,000 song titles.

Tuesday night sign-up starts at 10 p.m. sharp, and you better be on time, Crews warns. “Once the books go out, they’re like piranhas.”