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    Golden Ace Inn

    4.5 (36 reviews)
    InexpensivePubs, Irish Pub
    Closed Closed

    Golden Ace Inn Photos

    Business Info

    GOLDEN ACE INN ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Divey
    Live music
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Golden Ace Inn

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    Tracy A.

    I love, love, love the Golden Ace! This is a dive bar on a part of East Washington Street long forgotten and left to urban decay. For this reason, some people may raise an eyebrow about going there on any day apart from St. Patty's Day. It's been made well known that this is one of the best parties in the country on St. Patty's Day, and it is! They set up a tent outside, bring in a band from Ireland, and the typical St. Patrick's Day libations. Cover is a reasonable $5, and the drink prices are average. Cash only on St. Patrick's. Always a huge crowd, always a good time. Apart from St. Patrick's Day, I still like to stop in on occasion, as they have live music, trivia, and other activities. Even if there's no activity, I like the burgers, the drinks, the family, and the charm of the place. It's like visiting an old friend.

    a band performing in a tent
    Julie B.

    The best place in Indy to celebrate St. Patrick's Day! Reasonable beer prices, cover charge, and a fantastic atmosphere! With live music, a wide range of ages, and decent weather for Indiana in March this place was packed. I can't wait to come back to enjoy more events and try the food everyone says is phenomenal!

    Golden Ace Cheeseburger.  Heaven on a bun.
    Rick G.

    This is everything a bar should be. Cozy, warm, inviting, in an odd sort of way. It's got it's own unique character. The moment you walk in, you know you're not in some corporate knock off Irish bar, you're in the real deal. You'll find lots of (low key) activities here. Jam sessions, trivia night, spontaneous games of Euchre, and friendly conversation. And, dare I say, the best cheeseburger in Indy. Quite possibly, in the midwest. The mixed drinks are generous and cheap. Beer is cheap enough, too. This really isn't a place you want to drop in for a quick bite. It's a place you want to linger, people watch, and escape the real world for a while.

    This was a delicious burger!
    Ethan H.

    Let's hear it for a place with an interesting history, local flavor, and a surprisingly good burger. The Golden Ace Inn opened in 1931, less than a year after the repeal of prohibition. The owners, Irish immigrants from Donnegal, later changed the name to "Emerald Isle", in an effort to highlight the Ace's identity as an Irish pub. But Indiana at the time was still a stronghold of the KKK, which didn't like the Irish-Catholic nature of the enterprise. Business plummeted, and the owners changed the name back to Golden Ace. Even so, the place remains Indy's oldest Irish pub. Today, the son and grandson of the original owners still run the place and tend bar. They have increasingly added the family name to the place ("McGinley's Golden Ace"), and that's how a lot of the locals know it. You'll also notice shamrocks on the outside walls and a variety of Irish paraphernalia. But don't let that fool you. Shamrocks are sometimes a sign of a fake Irish pub -- a pub trying too hard to make a buck on St. Paddy's Day. But in the case of McGinley's Golden Ace, it's the real deal. And it's really really wonderful. And seriously, that burger was really quite decent ... especially for the price.

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    1 year ago

    Wonderful family owned pub in Indy! Highly recommend! Food good, and great atmosphere, :)

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    14 years ago

    was supposed to be the best burger in Indy but I have had better but still a good place for a mom and pop shop

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    Ask the Community - Golden Ace Inn

    Review Highlights - Golden Ace Inn

    i live in muncie now, but of all the places i miss in indy, this is the one i miss the most.

    Mentioned in 10 reviews

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    SNUG is a charming and lively pub that much lives up to its reputation for being well, snug! We…read moredon't mind because everyone was in good cheer and we got to enjoy live Irish music. The potato leek hand pie was delicious and so were the Che Chori veggie Shepard's Pie Empanadas. We of course had to try as many of the Irish specialty drinks including the SNUG Butter Beer with SHANKEYS WHIP, Ginger Beer and Vanilla Cream. We had never tried Shankey's before but immediately picked up a bottle at Total Wine with If you LOVE Ginger Beer definitely try the Irish Mule S9. We also enjoyed the BELFAST COFFEE made with Pangur Potin, Shuv Cold Brew, Simple, Vanilla Cream and Cardamon. Snug Whiskey Fest is coming! May 15-17, 2026. Exclusive Tastings, TWO Brand Expo events, Festival Bottle Releases. Snug Whiskey Fest is Brand Storytelling, One Drop at a Time.

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    Golden Ace Inn - pubs - Updated June 2026

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