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    Alley Cat Lounge

    4.2 (144 reviews)
    Open 7:00 am - 3:00 AM (Next day)

    Alley Cat Lounge Photos

    Business Info

    ALLEY CAT LOUNGE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Loud
    Juke Box
    Divey
    Happy hour specials

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    Recommended Reviews - Alley Cat Lounge

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    Menu
    Dustin H.

    This place is a gem and if I ever go back it may earn a full 5 star from me. Maybe there's some bias on my part as in Nashville where I'm from everything is 2-3x as much as it is here, lol. Stopped in after a show at the Vogue as it's steps away. 3 drinks and a late night chicken tender and fries snack for less than $30 which is insane. $4 drinks, $8 meals! Friendly talklative bartender and customers. Honestly surprised it wasn't more crowded after a full show nearby. Late hours (open til 3 am?!). Clean, comfy, everything you need in a local bar.

    Blue Plate Special Etoufee
    Kyle S.

    Alley Cat is a fixture of Broad Ripple! I've been here somewhere between 1 and 175 times over the past 15 years. They have expanded to have 3 spots that all have slightly different hours. Great breakfast in the front area. Great steak night on Thursday's in the "Speakeasy" portion (you can get the steak in any of the 3 hah) Back area has 2 pool tables and pull tabs. Great bartenders and staff! I attached a picture of one of the blue plate specials I absolutely loved! Blue plate is every Wednesday, highly recommend.

    Biscuits and gravy
    Dani J.

    Conveniently located in Broad Ripple this lounge offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It's all reasonably priced and pretty good for bar food. They open early and serve breakfast. The biscuits and gravy are really tasty and flavorful. The chicken strips and fries were pretty standard. They advertise blue plate specials on their social media. They also say they're Broad Ripple's oldest neighborhood bar. I read that they opened in 1976. I've had their food, but not their drinks so I can't review those. I need to change that soon!

    Marg!
    Barbara B.

    So being part of a crawl...this place was very welcoming. Bathrooms are clean and my drink was pretty good!

    6oz filet, twice baked potato, Texas toast (salad not pictured)
    Rachael J.

    The alley cat has expanded into the an entire second half of what the front of their bar used to be in the past year or so. It has a ton of tables on both sides now and a second bar top. I recently tried Thursdays special for the first time and it's such a good deal! Steak Night! You have 3 steak options, 6oz filet, 10oz filet or 12oz ribeye. It comes with a salad (your choice of dressing) a potato (fries or twice baked) and a piece of Texas toast. The best part? The price. 6oz is $16.95, 10oz is $19.95 and the 12 is $21.95. really hard to beat with today's prices even if you were to buy all the ingredients at home. The steak was cooked to order and cooked properly!

    Dive bar; nuff said
    Rick B.

    This is orobably the best dive-bar in Broadripple! No frills, just straight drinking business. Small and plain digs; the well-stocked bar and skilled bartender are the highlights! Friendly crowd made our group feel welcome; we met some fun people and saw a lot more! Excellent spot for people-watching; better than Walmart or the zoo! This place is right in my wheelgouse, and I hope to return soon!

    a bar with a wooden bar top
    Bre'Onna P.

    a local favorite. the service can crawl on weekends but i mean this is a bar and we are in a pandemic that's turning into an endemic .. the staff that i've encountered is nice. the wings are so bomb whew . literally cooked to perfection. from what i see and have heard the other food is really good too. the music is jumping and this is a pretty nice spot to just have a drink and chill with some friends. on this night i actually didn't drink i ordered my food while sitting at the bar ( to go ) enjoyed someone selecting some throwback tunes and waited. there's a somewhat private lot across the street that a few of the businesses own. it's busy depending on the night. like the name says this place is in the alleyway

    6oz filet, fries, coleslaw

    Only giving it 4 stars because it wasn't cooked evenly and was slightly overcooked but it was still delicious. Wish they had vegetables as a regular side but overall 4/5 stars is very fitting.

    Menu
    Alana T.

    My husband, my friends, and my favorite bar! I went in by myself just for a quick drink and a bite to eat. The service is always great..so great my husband and the bartenders are on a first name basis! lol I ordered the berry cider special and my go to favorite, the Top Cat Burger..I ate every single bite. The bar was pretty quiet last night, and I was surprised as the weather was nicer for Indiana. I also ordered my husband their famous wings with the signature sauce, formerly known as 'everything sauce'. He ate them so quickly I could not even ask for one. I appreciate the workers in this bar, and I'm sure I'll be back before the week is over !

    No exaggeration here: the best steak I've ever had! Perfectly seasoned, and the consistency week after week is remarkable. The staff is fantastic, always accommodating, and even remember my order - a definite bonus!

    Karley M.

    Sad I missed out on this fine watering hole the first few months living in broad ripple, but glad we know of it now. The front room looks nice and welcoming, but the back room is where it's at. The decoration, staff and ambience is all amazing. If you like dive bars, you can't pass up this spot. They also have a food menu with a lot to offer. My husband and I went near St Pattys day and had the best corned beef meal we've ever had. All prices on food and drink are great. All around a home run establishment.

    The bar!!

    This is my home bar! The staff and bartenders are the dopest mfas you will ever meet!!! You will either love them or hate them but its all in getting to know them. Its love everytime i come into this ruggish yet acceptable place. The fact that they stop selling chicken after 11pm because black people dont know how to act bothered me but it is what it is... i still mess with them tho.

    Menu 3/2021

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    7 months ago

    The chicken wings alone are the best late night spot to get them. Very delicious. Every sauce.

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    4 years ago

    The bar is very chill and friendly, staff is fantastic, and the food is even better!!

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    Page 1 of 4

    Ask the Community - Alley Cat Lounge

    Review Highlights - Alley Cat Lounge

    Was the best bar in Indy until they change the layout by taking out the middle room & extending the bar around.

    Mentioned in 14 reviews

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    Thieves

    Thieves

    4.5
    (120 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$

    was so excited to finally visit Thieves in Broad Ripple, Indianapolis, and it absolutely lived up…read moreto the hype. From the moment I walked in, I was obsessed with the atmosphere and all the thoughtful details that make the space feel so unique. I love that it effortlessly transforms from a cozy coffee shop by day into a cocktail bar at night--the vibes are immaculate no matter when you visit. The staff was exceptional and so helpful in walking me through the menu. One of my favorite things to do is ask the baristas what they recommend, and they definitely didn't disappoint. I went with a blueberry vanilla iced latte, and it was the perfect way to kick off my Friday.

    Great drinks. Cool ambiance. Hot- turn on the A/C…read more I really enjoyed Thieves. It has a unique atmosphere with a mix of people doing their own thing. Some were quietly relaxing while others were catching up over drinks. The coffeehouse-meets-cocktail-bar aesthetic is well executed and gives the space a distinct personality. I ordered the nonalcoholic Basil Needs a Break, and it was excellent. If you like basil, this drink definitely delivers. It was bright, refreshing, and very basil-forward. The service was friendly and welcoming. My only complaint was the temperature inside. It was nearly 100 degrees outside, but the bar felt warm with very little air circulation. It was almost refreshing to step back into the muggy heat after leaving, which probably isn't the feeling you're hoping to give your guests. I'd definitely come back for the drinks and atmosphere, but I'd hope for a cooler temp next time.

    Photos
    Aperol spritz
    Aperol spritz
    Bathroom
    Bathroom
    Inside

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    Inside
    The Northside Social

    The Northside Social

    4.2
    (352 reviews)
    0.3 mi
    $$

    I'd heard interesting things about this place, so I decided to finally come with my mom and try it…read morefor dinner on a recent Sunday evening. We were greeted warmly upon arrival and taken to the patio, as requested. I can't remember our server's name, but she was nice! However, towards the end of our visit something turned and seemed off, though we weren't sure what was going on. I opted for the margherita pizza, which they add pesto to, making it a bit different. I didn't love the taste, and actually ending up removing the tomatoes when I ate the leftovers the next day, which made a significant difference. My mom ordered the fried chicken plate, which comes with two sides and she enjoyed it. Reservations recommended!

    Came in recently and have to say food was sub par this time. Got the filet and the steak had no…read moreflavor. I'm not even sure they seasoned it at all. I don't need much, usually I just put salt on before cooking steak. Also asked for medium rare and it came out medium. Not sure if the steak knife I got was dull or because the steak was over cooked but it was hard to cut. Also the sweet potatoes were under cooked. Majority were still hard. Overall disappointed and won't be ordering this again. The only star/positive was bartender and the lovely dirty martini with blue cheese stuffed olives. Service was good per usual sitting at the bar.

    Photos
    Bar area seating
    Bar area seating
    Stout Braised Brisket
    Stout Braised Brisket
    Outside

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    Outside
    The Alley Cat Lounge Front Room

    The Alley Cat Lounge Front Room

    4.4
    (29 reviews)
    0.0 mi
    $$

    Stopped in on a Thursday night for the steak special. The deal is 10% off on the three choices for…read moresteak. Pricing was already reasonable and so the 10% was a small kicker. I had the 12oz ribeye which was on the thin side but overall was a good steak. I expected a grizzly steak with a good amount of fat but it was on the leaner side for a ribeye and the whole steak was edible. My sides were fries(crinkle cut) and salad (a blen of iceberg and green leaf along with other veggies and cheese). Served with Texas toast. Overall a good value meal! Worth stopping for. The atmosphere was ok. A little stale and preppie. I believe they have another bar area which is divided by a wall, I cannot comment on that if so. Where I sat was more of a diner atmosphere with alcohol. Service was good

    Most of us Broad Ripple Neighborhood OG's remember the Alley Cat back in the day, hidden away in…read morethe alley around the corner from OPT's. It was dark, definitely a late night bar, and was normally the place to grab your last beer of the night before heading home! Now, it is near the Post Office on Carrollton and has been rechristened as a real restaurant and bar with really good food and all kinds of trouble in good whiskeys, Bourbons, Scotches and Irish whiskys! I was there for St. Patty's day and the drinks were cold the corn beef & cabbage authentic and filling, and the camaraderie as cheerful and rambunctious as you would expect! I highly recommend!

    Photos
    The Alley Cat Lounge Front Room
    The Alley Cat Lounge Front Room
    Trinidad sour

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    Trinidad sour
    Lit Cigar Lounge

    Lit Cigar Lounge

    3.4
    (15 reviews)
    0.1 mi

    Disrespectful. Embarrassing. Completely Unacceptable…read more I rarely write negative reviews because I am used to having positive experiences, but our experience at Lit Cigar Lounge on the evening of May 1st was so disappointing that it needs to be shared. Our group of 17+ was there celebrating a surprise birthday, a gathering of educated, professional, family-oriented individuals who simply wanted to enjoy a night out. Throughout the evening, our server was subpar. She was dismissive, made snide remarks, and appeared uninterested in providing even basic hospitality. Despite this, her disposition, we still pressed on and still had a great time, and tipped her subpar service. That's the kind of people we are. Approximately 11:15, three police officers entered the establishment. Many in our group casually joked among ourselves that they must be there to serve a warrant on someone, albeit never imagining they would be there to remove us. Things escalated in a way that was both shocking and embarrassing. Shortly after, we were told we needed to leave. No prior warning. No conversation. No explanation from the staff. Others and I inquired of the manager, why? The manager resisted giving any adequate response other than to "leave now". No one could give us a clear answer. When pressed, I was told by the manager, "We don't want your business." It appeared the issue may have stemmed from a flyer associated solely with our group, but whatever the concern was, it did not warrant being handled in this manner, especially with a group like ours that was respectful, cooperative, and willing to comply with any request had it simply been communicated. To involve the police in a situation like this when there was no disturbance, no scene, and no attempt to communicate with us first was completely unnecessary and humiliating. Even the officers themselves expressed that they were unsure why we were being asked to leave, and made it clear they were just doing their job. I will say, the officers were respectful and professional, and we appreciated their sensitivity in an uncomfortable situation. What made it even worse was being escorted out in front of other patrons. It was embarrassing and completely unwarranted, especially considering that no issue was ever brought to our attention. The most unfortunate part is that this experience does not reflect what we believe about the upstanding reputation and business standards of the owner, who operates multiple establishments that many in our group have supported over the years. The handling of this situation by the manager was unprofessional, excessive, and disrespectful. What should have been a totally joyful celebration turned into an uncomfortable and degrading experience. I will never forget those words about not wanting our business, and he will not have to worry, because I will not be returning as long as he is the manager, and neither will the people I came with.

    Oh my! Really enjoyed this spot. The Bartender )Amora) was very attentive in making the proper…read moredrinks for the patrons. Although I didn't eat, but I heard the food is very good. I really want to try to catfish and quesadillas that I heard are very good. They have a small humid door with limited selection of cigar (decent selection) I brought my own so I was good.

    Photos
    Interior Signage
    Interior Signage
    Tropical Punchtini
    Tropical Punchtini
    Bar

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    Bar
    Shadow Lounge & Restaurant

    Shadow Lounge & Restaurant

    4.1
    (66 reviews)
    1.7 mi
    $$

    On this visit to Shadow Lounge, I had the new Pasta New Orleans. The pasta was savory, flavorful…read moreand full of protein! In addition to the catfish, shrimp and real (not imitation) crab that were in the pasta, I decided to add in andouille sausage. This took my pasta to the next level and I look forward to getting it again! The service tonight was awesome. Our waitress took care of us - a party of at least 10. It was $2 Tuesdays so there were plenty of patrons looking to take advantage of an awesome deal for small bites and drinks! The ambiance varies by the day and whether you're going in the day time or evening. Just know that no matter which, it's a great environment for food, celebrating a birthday, a night out with your people or even some karaoke. Highly recommend for vibes and food!

    Saturday night was busy here, and parking can get extremely tight. Someone was leaving as we pulled…read morein so we got lucky and got a parking spot right by the door. This was super convenient because they wouldn't sit us until the whole party was there. They gave us a buzzer, but not really sure if it was really activated or what. I think we could have tried to wait inside, but it was busy and crowded so my truck was a better option since it was too cold to wait outside. When the whole party was there, we finally got a both table in the back which was like the covered patio area but they had warmer flames so it was nice and heated. These were adjustable, and some in our party took advantage of that as it got too hot. We ordered hooka and the lady brought it to the table and she didn't even start it. Hooka was $31 and you get to choose a flavor, we had tropical punch and it was good. We got fries to go with our drinks and they were decent. The drink I got was the casamigos lemonade in peach flavor and it was good. I don't feel like the drink was very strong though and it was $14. My husband got the strawberry casamigos lemonade and he said it was good too. They had a DJ in the back and a DJ in the front, they played different music. 2 restrooms are located near the entrance, which can be a hassle when it's busy. We noticed after we got home that they charged our card twice for our order, so I'd make sure to check that out.

    Photos
    Shadow Lounge & Restaurant
    Catfish and grits
    Catfish and grits
    Demolished that food.

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    Demolished that food.
    Turntable

    Turntable

    3.4
    (15 reviews)
    0.1 mi

    The majority of shows I have been to was at The Vogue, but Turntable is also a good sister venue…read more It's meant to be a smaller venue for emerging artists or more intimate shows. During the night of my visit I saw a solo artist with a small band. The sound quality was quite good with very little feedback. I enjoyed sitting at the cabaret style tables toward the back. I also attended the annual bourbon tasting at Turntable. In addition to concerts and shows, they can host some special events as well. The space is not big so don't expect to cramp too many people in there. The Vogue is an iconic venue in Indy but Turntable has its merits also. The vibe is definitely different and I enjoyed seeing a more chill show in there. They have multiple events every week so keep an eye out on their calendar.

    Turntable is kind of an ideal size for seeing a show, with a capacity of up to 400 (depending on…read morewhether there is seating) and a pretty good sound setup. But I do want to add a couple caveats to that (and out myself as a cranky old man). We saw a sold-out show here recently and found it to be just too damn crowded for the allotted space, which limited our enjoyment of the music and also made me think it's not terribly safe. We did end up finding an intimate spot by a garbage bin near the back where we could sort of see the stage and chit-chat with the drunkards who were also back there for easy access to the bar. And we were definitely happier there than we would have been near the stage, where everyone had to sacrifice elbow room and the option of a bathroom trip in favor of a better view. We would have been a little happier in the premium seating (which was sold out before I was able to book), but, lesson learned. I'd just rather be at a place where capacity is more limited but the setup is geared toward ensuring the audience has a little more comfort.

    Photos
    Turntable
    Wall in the bar area
    Wall in the bar area
    Turntable

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    Alley Cat Lounge - lounges - Updated August 2026

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