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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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    Reviews With Photos - Nowhere Special Cocktail Lounge

    Cava & Pornstar Martini
    Jessica B.

    We wanted to step out for some cocktails for a chill date night. We went Saturday night & it wasn't overly packed but there was no lounge seating available so we sat by the bar. Our bartender was really cool & drinks were really good. I had the Pornstar Martini, which was the perfect amount of citrus & topped with champagne. Delicious! He had a glass of Cava. We call ourselves the Pagne Gang so it's only right lol. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The music was very diverse and we appreciated that.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The football game was on too, he appreciated that lol. Overall, I would definitely come back & bring the girls too for a girl's night out.

    Yvette A.

    [[HIGHLIGHT]]I love speakeasy, chill vibe but I've never really had a good experience here.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]The place is usually busy, and since it's seat-yourself, finding a spot can be tough.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]The space isn't tiny but not very large either, and the seating is spread out.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]The area by the fireplace is nice, but it tends to fill up quickly.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I've tried several cocktails from the menu and haven't found one I enjoy. Service is hit-or-miss, I'm never sure if anyone will come to your table or if you have to go up to the bar yourself. We usually end up going to the bar to order. Because of all this, I usually don't end up spending much time here.

    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. [[HIGHLIGHT]]This spot is downstairs so the secluded underground vibe is really awesome.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]The lighting is low and tons of little spots around to sit and sip.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] 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. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The vibes and the music are always on point at this spot.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] 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 [[HIGHLIGHT]]basement speakeasy lounge with strong drinks and dim lit ambience to set the mood.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] 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. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The menu graphics are so tacky[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]], 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. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Ps. It's March...it's time to take down the Christmas lights[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]

    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. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Regardless, it's great to see a new place in Indy with GOOD drinks and atmopshere.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]

    Abby M.

    [[HIGHLIGHT]]The vibe was great with dim lighting and neat decor.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]There were lots of tables and spaces for seating.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]We went around 6pm on a Saturday and there was only a few other people.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] 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. [[HIGHLIGHT]]I loved the ambiance & want to love the product, so we'll be back again in case we experienced an off night![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]

    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! [[HIGHLIGHT]]The vibe was so good -- cool crowd, fun atmosphere, and the drinks were amazing.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] 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.

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    Page 1 of 2

    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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    Wiseguy Lounge

    Wiseguy Lounge

    4.5
    (153 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$

    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.

    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.

    Photos
    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
    Mother's love

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    Mother's love
    Sundry and Vice

    Sundry and Vice

    4.4
    (65 reviews)
    0.4 mi
    $$

    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!

    Photos
    Interior
    Interior
    Chanel No 5
    Chanel No 5
    Sundry and Vice

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    Strange Bird

    Strange Bird

    4.5
    (399 reviews)
    4.1 mi
    $$

    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 love trying new ramen spots so I was excited to try out Strange Bird. I visited on a Sunday…read morearound 5:45 pm. You will definitely wait to be seated if you come at dinner time. We waited for about 40 minutes. They have a tiki bar vibe within the restaurant and definitely pride themselves on their unique alcoholic beverages. On this visit we didn't indulge in any speciality drink but by the look of it, people love them. My partner and shared a couple things during our visit. We ordered the gyoza, karage and the tonkotsu ramen. We ordered an extra side of noodles as well. I thought it was interesting that they offer the option to add on noodles but once I received my order I understood why. I would say portions are kind of light. I was happy that we added another bowl of noodles. The noodles were more of a thick cut noodle and I believe they are homemade. The noodles were not my preference but I was still interested in trying something new. The food was pretty good but I not sure if it on par with some of the other ramen that I have had. The karage was good and so were the gyoza. The vibe is very fun within the restaurant and has a great aesthetic for a date night.

    Photos
    The ceilings and lighting are so fun here!
    The ceilings and lighting are so fun here!
    GF Gomae Salad - The Star of the Show
    GF Gomae Salad - The Star of the Show
    GF Teriyaki Twice Fried Wings

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    GF Teriyaki Twice Fried Wings
    Thieves

    Thieves

    4.5
    (120 reviews)
    6.5 mi
    $$

    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.

    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.

    Photos
    Aperol spritz
    Aperol spritz
    Bathroom
    Bathroom
    Inside

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    Inside
    Astrea Rooftop

    Astrea Rooftop

    4.1
    (69 reviews)
    0.8 mi
    Luxury
    Rooftop seating

    Such a fun brunch spot! Unfortunately, the rain kept us from enjoying the rooftop, but the inside…read moredefinitely didn't disappoint. The space is super cute and has plenty of great photo opportunities! They were passing out cocktail samples during our visit, which was such a fun surprise and a great way to try something new. Our table ended up sharing a margarita pitcher and a cinnamon roll, both were delicious! Everyone in our group enjoyed their meals as well, so definitely a win all around. Service was good overall, and we never felt rushed while hanging out and enjoying brunch. The only small hiccup was that the extra plates for our cinnamon roll were placed on a nearby table, so we weren't sure if they were actually meant for us. The interaction felt a little awkward when we asked, but it was nothing major and didn't take away from the overall experience. I'd definitely come back, especially on a sunny day so I can finally check out the rooftop!

    Astrea has an amazing view when it come to sunsets! Snag a seat outside if it's available! The…read morevenue is very beautiful! I've been to Astrea 3 times. My last visit during brunch was good as far as the service and the tentativeness of the the sever, however the food was lacking. For $18, I'd expect a little more. My potatoes as turkey sausage weren't hot, and the portion of potatoes was small. I asked if those two my items could be warmed or remade and there wasn't a problem with that. When my potatoes came out a second time, they were actually hot and crisp. My other experience in the evening was good. The fries were fresh and the lamb chops were flavorful. I will say the bartenders do a good job with their drinks!

    Photos
    Astrea Rooftop
    Astrea Rooftop
    Astrea Rooftop

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    Nowhere Special Cocktail Lounge - cocktailbars - Updated August 2026

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