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    Nowhere Special Cocktail Lounge

    4.5 (61 reviews)
    ModerateCocktail Bars
    Closed 5:00 pm - 12:00 am (Next day)

    Nowhere Special Cocktail Lounge Photos

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    NOWHERE SPECIAL COCKTAIL LOUNGE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Trendy
    Intimate
    Upscale

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    Recommended Reviews - Nowhere Special Cocktail Lounge

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    Kelse S.

    This place is AWESOME. This came highly recommended from Yelp Community Manager, Liza G. We were in town for the weekend and wanted to check out some vibey spots, and Nowhere Special delivered. This spot is downstairs so the secluded underground vibe is really awesome. The lighting is low and tons of little spots around to sit and sip. Since I'm quite a creature of habit, I ordered the espresso martini and my boyfriend (also creature of habit) ordered an old fashioned. The bartenders were personable and great to talk to, and the drinks were great. The craft of the cocktails matched the vibes perfectly. You must check it out!

    Leslie-Ann J.

    Love this place. The bartenders are great. The vibes and the music are always on point at this spot. I love visiting here after work, concert or after dinner on Mass Ave. This place keeps on stretching my tastes and I like that. NS is perfect for a date night, girls night, or a group outing.

    Mahek S.

    matcha sour - 8/10 pornstar martini - 7/10 basement speakeasy lounge with strong drinks and dim lit ambience to set the mood. i personally found the drinks to be overpriced for what they were but they were tasty nonetheless. also they do have cheaper concoctions on the menu. great location! it was a nice place to meet up with friends and an easy walk to the restaurants on mass ave. street parking is available.

    dill celery cocktail
    Josie M.

    This place has gone down hill and I'm so disappointed. The menu graphics are so tacky, there's no table service (so tables are sticky for hours), and they increased their prices on top of all that. They are busier than ever so I'll give them that. Their glassware is generic and small. This place has gone from can't miss to won't go in my opinion. I'm sad about my favorite bar becoming what feels like just another wannabe cocktail lounge. Ps. It's March...it's time to take down the Christmas lights

    Kelly G.

    I had not heard of Nowhere Special, but I'm certainly glad I have now! It was quite busy and it appeared the espresso martini was a crowd fave. I changed out the brandy with vodka. It was very tasty! The only reason I gave 4 stars was for service. I'll chalk it up to being a busy night and certainly plan to return and will update if necessary. Regardless, it's great to see a new place in Indy with GOOD drinks and atmopshere.

    Abby M.

    The vibe was great with dim lighting and neat decor. There were lots of tables and spaces for seating. We went around 6pm on a Saturday and there was only a few other people. I wanted to love this place, and will be back to try again, but it was a miss for our first visit. The bartender didn't look up when we walked in. It was our first time and some others as well who were all unsure of whether to order at the bar or not. The bartender was somewhat rude when another customer asked where to order. My fiancé enjoyed his bourbon drink. I ordered a drink that had vodka, but after taking a sip it clearly was mezcal (the only alcohol I do not like). We took it up to the bar to ask, where the bartender doubled down that I ordered that drink. After not being offered to fix the drink, we bought another replacement drink anyways, and it ended up being a pretty good & different cocktail. I loved the ambiance & want to love the product, so we'll be back again in case we experienced an off night!

    Happy Hour version of "The Naked and Famous" cocktail
    Sarah M.

    My best friend and I stopped in here for happy hour on a Monday and had the whole place to ourselves. The bartender was really sweet and chatted with us and gave us drink recommendations and just let us chat. To start off, we both ordered the Naked and Famous from the happy hour menu because we love anything with mezcal. Next we had the espresso martini (we can never pass one up). Lastly, we decided we had time for one more drink before we had to head over to Kan-Kan for A/V Club, so we got a dirty martini. She made them extra dirty and gave us an another blue cheese stuffed olive to snack on since their kitchen wasn't open. They make them in-house and they were delicious! All 3 happy hour drinks came in super cute, mini versions of their cocktail's counterpart glasses. Perfect size for happy hour and same great flavor. I usually have only ever been here later in the evening when it's very packed (and loud), so I recommend stopping in during happy hour if you're looking for tasty drinks and a low-key vibe.

    Alyssa W.

    Had such a good time at Nowhere Special with friends! The vibe was so good -- cool crowd, fun atmosphere, and the drinks were amazing. I took a chance on a goat cheese-infused gin cocktail with honeydew and lime (never thought I'd say that combo) and it was seriously life-changing. Still thinking about it. 10/10 would go back!

    Lion's tail
    Emm M.

    Great cocktail bar on Mass Ave. I got three cocktails there. All bourbon cocktails. They had a good variety of bourbon, tequila, rum, and vodka cocktails--the menu has so many options. The cocktails i got were all delicious. They also had surprisingly good food. I got a potato chorizo empanada and it was delicious. This is a basement bar and I love that vibe. Lots of pipes, brick walls, and speakeasy vibes. The waiter was very friendly and the service was quick for how busy it was. Definitely get here early if you want to come with a group. We went on a Saturday and it filled up.

    Down the stairs
    Kayla B.

    Accessibility: There's a full flight of stairs (into a basement) to get into Nowhere Special. This place is VERY low lighting, but there's very little on the floor to trip over. Large variety of seating including large arm chairs, low-top tables, and high-top bar seating. PROS: -Super cool space. Since they're in the basement, you don't get any natural lighting, but they made that work to their advantage with a lot of greenery, some neon lights, and a ton (a ton!) of mood lighting. They even have a faux fireplace down here! -Lots of different "vibes" depending on what you're going for. For dates, there are two-chair tables tucked into dark corners. For when that'd be awkward with a coworker, there are larger, well(er)-lit tables near the middle of the room. For large groups of friends, gigantic circular, upholstered booths. -Great Instagram areas if you want photos in front of the logos. Everything is gorgeously-lit here. -Bathrooms were clean. Two single, unisex restrooms for anyone of any gender. CONS: -I'm unsure if Nowhere Special is accessible for anyone who can't do stairs. They appear to have some sort of elevator (maybe?) near the front door, but it was locked when we tried it. -This place will definitely get loud with people in it. With low ceilings and lots of separate "rooms" without lots of space, this might be a place where you want to switch tables if you're in a room with a large party. (Nowhere Special's front door sign encouraged you to seat yourself!) -I'm leaving the taste of my drinks out of the final review consideration for this review. I HAD been planning exactly what drinks I wanted to drink at Nowhere Special for a few weeks leading up to the day. But then I showed up to find out that they had changed over the menu *THAT MORNING* to an all-new menu. It seemed to lack some of the uniqueness of the old one (like the drink that came in a lunch box!). The staff also said that they were learning to make the drinks along with me, and some of them came out super weird (we didn't even finish a few). They were probably some of the worst cocktails I've had this year. I'm hoping this is growing pains - but hopefully a sign to the manager that staff really needs to be prepped for and well-practiced on new menus before they hit the ground running. If it was based on drinks, this would be a 2-star experience and we wouldn't be coming back, so I'm leaving the taste of the drinks out of this review in hopes that this was really just the growing pains of a new menu and staff learning to perfect the recipes.

    Megan F.

    Nowhere Special is a great cocktail lounge located off Mass Ave. We were on our way to a concert, and it was the perfect spot to hang out before the show. I think this is a great addition to the area, as the bar is downstairs in a basement with dim lighting and a speakeasy vibe. They had plenty of seating and I thought the bar was well done. The cocktail menu had many of the classics as well as speciality cocktails with really interesting ingredients. I ordered one of the specialty cocktails, and although the it wasn't my favorite I'm still glad I tried something unique.

    Karla S.

    The vibe was great. We stumbled upon this place after dinner and we were looking for somewhere to have a drink. The name was interesting so we had to go check it out. I had a great time here and the drinks were unique and VERY good!

    Ambiance
    Kyle S.

    Really cool new spot in a basement on Mass Ave. way larger of a space than I thought it would be, it can seat a decent number of people. We were sat right away and brought waters by our attentive waitstaff. I ordered 2 cocktails as well as my date. They currently have a State Fair themed menu so I ordered a Corn Dog cocktail and a Deep Fried Oreo cocktail. Real fun and different! (Idk if I'd do the corn dog one again haha) Big reasonably priced menu with that rotating themed menu will definitely have me coming back.

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    Ask the Community - Nowhere Special Cocktail Lounge

    What kind of food do they have? Should I make sure to eat before going there?

    They have snacks and small plates that are worth trying, but if you want a full dinner, it's probably best to eat elsewhere and hit up Nowhere Special before or after.

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    The Vault Indy - The vault door.....got the code!

    The Vault Indy

    4.4(98 reviews)
    2.1 miBates Hendricks, Downtown
    $$

    I was in town for a convention and staying at an AirBnB nearby. A couple nights we didn't want to…read morego out, so we went to the vault. It is a modest size bar. You enter through a speakeasy type door. I'm not a huge fan of these but it is fine. Inside there is a decent sized bar and a mixture of different table sizes. When our group went in person the service was just horrible. The saving grace was that the food was outstanding. Another night I just did pickup. Again the food (wings and fries) was outstanding. The food was ready a little bit after the projected time, but not egregiously so. So overall great food, decent atmosphere, but the service could be better. This seems to be a consistent complaint across reviews, so hopefully the managers/owners are paying attention and can improve things.

    We were a bachelorette party that attended the restaurant on March 28, 2026. There were two girls…read morethat had gluten allergies and we made it known to the server. There were two menu items that we inquired about the ingredients and if they were gluten free. The server asked the cook and we were told they were gluten free. Everything else they ordered was marked GF on the menu. Both girls ended up sick and one ended up in the ER with gluten contamination. Staff needs to be better trained. This could end up being a deadly mistake. Think twice if you have food allergies before dining here.

    Photos
    The Vault Indy
    The Vault Indy
    The Vault Indy

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    Wiseguy Lounge - Dirty Smash....its like a minty spin on an Old Fashioned

    Wiseguy Lounge

    4.5(153 reviews)
    0.1 miMass Ave, Renaissance Place, Mile Square
    $$

    One of the best speakeasies in Indianapolis! They recently completed a renovation, and the expanded…read morespace is a huge improvement. The lounge is much larger now, with additional seating and a cozy lounge area in the back featuring comfortable couches. It feels much more open while still keeping the intimate speakeasy atmosphere. This is one of my favorite places for craft cocktails because there's always something new to try. Their menu changes seasonally, so even if you've been before, you'll usually find new creations alongside their signature cocktails. The drinks are true works of art, both in flavor and presentation. On my most recent visit, I tried a cocktail off the Pride menu called the Stonewall, and it was absolutely delicious. It had a beautiful pink color, and I loved the glass it was served in. The presentation is always top notch. Service was good. The drink was also only $10, which is pretty cheap for the quality compared to other places. We didn't stay long this visit, but it's always one of my go to spots to relax, catch up with friends, and enjoy expertly crafted cocktails. An added bonus is that you can order food from Goodfellas Pizza and enjoy it while you're in the lounge, making it an even better experience.

    This is a nod to speakeasies of the past. It's not as difficult to get in, though. No password…read morerequired. Just walk into the Goodfellas Pizza and go to the left. Or walk in through the patio doors on the outside to the left. Once inside you're greeted by dark wood and leather everywhere. And whiskey. Lots of whiskey. They have several whiskey flights available at different price points. Come on Fridays when all the whiskey flights are on sale.

    Photos
    Wiseguy Lounge - Frosted pear (on a older seasonal menu) to the left and sun kissed sweetheart - both are delicious

    Frosted pear (on a older seasonal menu) to the left and sun kissed sweetheart - both are delicious

    Wiseguy Lounge
    Wiseguy Lounge - Mother's love

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    Mother's love

    Sundry and Vice - Sharing cocktails with our good friends tonight.

    Sundry and Vice

    4.4(65 reviews)
    0.4 miChatham Arch
    $$

    Went to Sundry & Vice for an evening outing! The drink I had was the "End of the Deal" based off…read moreone of my favorite movies - Love Don't Cost a Thing. My drink was refreshing and it hit the spot. The service was great as well. My bartender was very knowledgeable about the featured drinks for the evening and I trusted her guidance and enjoyed my drink! I enjoyed the ambiance and vibe of S&V! This was my first time going on a DJ night that was themed and I had a great time enjoying the sounds and dim-lit environment. People vibed out and the movie was also playing on the big screen. This bar is great for solo outings, or a night out with friends! Highly recommend.

    Was looking for a good mocktail since I am doing dry January. So I did some research on the…read moreinternet and found that Sundry and Vice had several mocktails listed on their menu. It was also a big plus it is located in one of my favorite hotels in the city. My friend and I arrived right when they opened. The bar is beautiful. It is spacious with tons of seating. My friend and I decided to sit at the bar. There were two bartenders working. Both super nice guys. I told them I was wanting a mocktail that actually tasted like a cocktail not just some juice or soda. The one bartender made me a cocktail based on the flavors I liked. It was delicious. Definitely one of the mocktails I have ever had. The service was great. The drink was amazing. This is now one of my favorite bars in Indy!

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    Sundry and Vice - Interior

    Interior

    Sundry and Vice
    Sundry and Vice - Espresso Martini

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    Espresso Martini

    Strange Bird - Jiro-kei ramen

    Strange Bird

    4.5(404 reviews)
    4.1 miIrvington
    $$

    Seriously, this was one of the best meals I've ever had. Strange Bird truly has something for…read moreeveryone - whether you're planning a night out with friends, a date night, or celebrating a special occasion, it's the perfect spot. The staff, drinks, food, music and overall atmosphere are consistently exceptional. The cocktail menu is fantastic. My personal favorite is the painkiller - a delicious blend of coconut, rum, orange, pineapple, and nutmeg. It's served in a skull glass and tastes absolutely perfect. I also appreciate that they make their noodles in house! Have you ever had a meal you can't stop thinking about? That's exactly how I feel about the shoyu ramen. It features their noodles, truffle zest, pork belly, egg, veggies and chicken in a deeply flavorful broth. Order a side of rice and dip it into the broth and thank me later! Patio seating available.

    I had very high hopes coming here after all of the awesome reviews on this place, and I left a…read morelittle bit disappointed, because I personally don't think my experience lived up to the hype. We came in on a Friday night at 6:30 with no reservation, and had to wait ~5 minutes for a table of two. We were sat at a high top at the bar, which we appreciated. Our server greeted us quickly, and checked in a few times throughout the night. Service was average, nothing spectacular but nothing to complain about. I had a hurricane to start off. Packed full of the good stuff, and one was definitely enough for the night. Appropriate price for what you get. This drink is what brought my review from a 2 for the food to a 3 in total. We started off with pork Bao buns. The bun was spongy, but somewhat dry. The pork lacked any sort of flavor, and the sauce on it didn't do much for me. The next part of the meal was the most disappointing for me: the curry chicken wings. Let me tell you- I was excited for these. These lacked any sort of flavor at all, and the only thing saving it was the ranch. The wings had a good crisp, but the sauce was lacking taste. I had the Shoyu ramen for my main. It was a pretty average bowl of ramen, but for the price, I expected more. The pork in it was flavorful, but the chicken in it was odd in my opinion with an unexpected herby flavor. Overall, service was average (but we appreciated getting sat fast), drinks were strong (and saved the meal) and the food was average. Would go if invited by a friend, but probably would not return on my own.

    Photos
    Strange Bird - The ceilings and lighting are so fun here!

    The ceilings and lighting are so fun here!

    Strange Bird - GF Gomae Salad - The Star of the Show

    GF Gomae Salad - The Star of the Show

    Strange Bird - GF Teriyaki Twice Fried Wings

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    GF Teriyaki Twice Fried Wings

    Thieves - Cheers! Cabernet Sauvignon

    Thieves

    4.5(121 reviews)
    6.5 miBroad Ripple
    $$

    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
    Thieves - Aperol spritz

    Aperol spritz

    Thieves - Old Fashioned

    Old Fashioned

    Thieves - Bathroom

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    Bathroom

    Nowhere Special Cocktail Lounge - cocktailbars - Updated September 2026

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