Indiana Dive Bar Guide

Indianapolis commands the state’s attention for good reason thanks to a deceptively strong entertainment and nightlife scene that has made it the well-reviewed home to just about every major sporting event the United States can offer. As population has steadily swelled in the center of the state, some of that progress is starting to catch up with some of the state’s oldest institutions, but much of Indiana’s native dive bar inventory remains intact.

Dorman Street Saloon is a perfect example of that deep history, opened sometime around 1908 in a building that pulled its first permit in 1871. Though very-much-required renovations have traded some old world charm for things like safe electrical work, the neighborhood location and sheer weight of bar history are a compelling combination. On Indianapolis’ east side, J Clyde’s Pub may just be the best dive bar in the state, small bits of neon perched above a shoebox-style dive jam packed with visual stimuli. 

Beyond Indianapolis, three major college campuses (Indiana, Purdue, Notre Dame) make their own contributions to statewide dive bar shenanigans thanks to deep college bar selections. And as with any state, the gaps between population centers hold untold hordes of small, corner dive bars awaiting exploration. The options below only scratch the surface of what Indiana can offer, most of our trips thus far focused on Indianapolis.