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Diving into Indy's dive bars

Dan Cecil

Special to Metromix
November 5, 2009

Red Key Tavern (Credit: Robert Scheer / Metromix)

A dive bar is in the eye of the beholder. For us, it’s any bar where the main focus is drinking. It should have a minimum of hipster cache (except for the odd floppy-hair out for a bit of slumming). The words “ultra” and “lounge” can’t appear in the name unless it’s something like Bubba’s Ultrahonky Lounge and Mud Wrasslin’ Pit.

The customer base should slant toward the aging and near-dead, with the waning strength of their livers all that stands between the bar owner and financial ruin. To call a bar a dive is to bestow a high compliment. We’re sure all the bars in heaven are dive bars.

Dugout

621 Virginia Ave. - Indianapolis

(317) 916-1514

Near Southside residents consume bar vittles and televised auto racing and ball games. Equidistant from Downtown and Fountain Square, it's close to the highway if you need an after-work cocktail and early dinner.

Colonial Inn

4343 Madison Ave. - Indianapolis

(317) 783-2553

This old building is perched on a triangular patch of land just north of the interstate and offers low key good times.

Mousetrap Sports Pub and Game Room

5565 N. Keystone Ave. - Indianapolis

(317) 255-3189

The Trap ain't much to look at but the music is good, the food is better, and the vibe is low-key cool. Come for a show, a game of pool, or just to shoot the breeze.

Red Key Tavern

5170 N. College Ave. - Indianapolis

(317) 283-4601

The Red Key predates the World War II planes whose miniature replicas hang from the ceiling and it shows. It isn't hip or stylish; it's cool. Like white t-shirts and Levi's, the Red Key was cool 50 years ago, and it will be cool in 50 years.

Taylor's Pub

1325 W. 86th St. - Indianapolis

(317) 259-0952

Characterized by rich, dark hues and traditional English-style pub accoutrements, Taylor's is the perfect destination for those looking for a strong pint, friendly conversation and no-frills pub food.

Honkey Tonk

2802 Brookside Ave. - Indianapolis

(317) 955-1840

This small working class bar caters to the country crowd.

Dorman St. Saloon

901 Dorman St. - Indianapolis

(317) 237-9008

Drinks have been served in this building since the early days of the 1900s and rumor is that John Dillinger hung out on Dorman Street while he cased a bank on Massachusetts Ave. These days the bar is a favored destination of indie hipsters and the near east side's urban pioneers.