Great bar that we stumbled upon when my team and I were in Indy. The service and recommendations they provided were great! I really wish I remember the drinks we had but there was 4 of us and we kept choosing different drinks. Between 3 rounds I think we tried all the drinks on the menu at some pt. THey were all good. Great atmosphere and just a really chill place to grab a drink! read more

This is the only bar in Indianapolis that is left that cares about Indianapolis. Everyone here has been here since the beginning (15 years) (mostly, some new people, but you wouldn't know it). The owners care about the staff and the neighborhood, and the bartenders are the best at what they do. This place sums up what is the best about being in this city, and anyone that comes here should count themselves lucky for being in the presence of such friendly service. Scott, Dawn, Jesse, Tammie, Brent, Carly, Brynn, and Scottie in the kitchen- all the best, and if I missed anyone, all the love! read more

We went here late after a couple of hours at Kuma's...they stated that the Seitan Nachos were the bomb...so we walked & ordered them. Aloof staff, poor service, nachos were basically a bag of plain / purple tortilla chips with beans on them. There was no seitan, it was all thrown together and terrible. I can see how this place would be good for cocktails only, the vibe is neat and I love classic films so seeing them played in the background IS cool..but, as a nearly 40 year old Vegan woman who loves food....they fell flat in that department. I'm not sure I would give them a second try unless I had to. read more

Bartender said I was "too loud" for having an emotional conversation with a good friend (standing at the bar on the far side from most people) and when I countered he said he could "kick me out". This bar loves their regulars, who apparently don't talk at the bar... so disappointing for fountain square read more

I'm sure this is a perfectly nice place and I might just be a case of I was there on an odd day at an odd time. On the surface, it seems like a place I should enjoy being at, but even with the front garage windows open, the place had a "we're cooking a lot of different things" smell to it. The yelp drink I had was one of the most expensive of the week and honestly, not that good. I spent about 20 min here. 10 min was used to talk about the weird food smell and 10 min was to judge the drywall / painting job done in the men's bathroom. There's a 45% chance i'm just too boring of a person for this place, a 60% chance my review is accurate, and a 5% chance i suck at math. read more

I want to move to Fountain Square now just so the Brass Ring can be my neighborhood bar and I can become a regular then stumble my intoxicated butt home every night after great drinks, awesome conversations with strangers and admiring the beautiful bar. This lounge is everything I want in a bar, great service, lovely patio, cool vibe. Beer/cocktails: 5/5 Service: 5/5 Location: 5/5 read more

Perfect first date material. I went on a Monday evening, around 7:30pm and was one of a handful of couples in the bar - great timing if you actually care to hear what your date has to say. Atmosphere is fantastic - cozy, romantic lighting, provided via candlelight. Generally enough room between tables to not feel like you're sitting on top of the people next to you (this changed, however, around 10pm, as people started packing in and things became a bit tighter). Drinks were strong and very reasonably priced. My date and I each had two cocktails and rang in somewhere around $25 before tip. Felt like we were cheating. I mean, at B&B/Libertine, you'd easily pay double, granted the experience is slightly more upscale, but honestly, I didn't miss it. All in all, a great bar with good service, nice ambiance, strong drinks AND without the guilt of dropping outrageous sums of money on alcohol. read more

Everything about this place makes me want to say, "This place is so me" or more accurately, "I want to be this place." My husband and I road-tripped from St. Louis to Detroit and stopped in Indianapolis for a night. For our first time in Indy, we did some research, and ended up staying at an Air Bnb in the Fountain Square neighborhood. We got in at about 11:00 at night and from the fabulous Yelp! Reviews we headed to The Brass Ring for a night cap. Our waitress is my best friend in another life. If memory serves me, her name was Jess. My husband had a dirty martini and I had one of their specialty cocktails--a gingerito (a mojito made with ginger instead of mint). After confirming that they had St. Germaine I ordered the standard St. G and vodky. Jess replied, "Can I make a recommendation." YES!! I DOWNED two of the delicious off-menu cocktails made with a cucumber-infused vodka. I need to mention the ambiance. Black walls and low lounge-like light. Bing, Dino, Frankie sang on the stereo. The TVs were all on Turner Classic Movies. A trait based on other Yelp! Reviews. The patrons were fabulous as well. Hipsters, nerds, lame couples (like me), drunk basketball coaches--a beautiful group almost curated to perfect the laid-back, no-frills, cool vibe. We did not order any food but the menu looked to match the scene as well. Some interesting choices mixed with bar standbys. The experience was perfect. Go there. Now. read more

Oh, goodness, I should be here more often. Why am I not? Good lord, from my eyes this place should be packed -- every night. Are too many people married with kids in this area and not going out? Parents should rotate their nights to watch Lacey and Lewis, because this place is worth every inch of compromise. It allows smoking... but I didn't notice the smoke? Weird, eh? Dimly light. Prompt service -- both at bar and table. Kind patrons at bar ready to hobknob -- same with the bartender(s). A whole slew of beers in bottle / cans and a few on draft, including PBR on Draft and Sun King OPA in a can -- a mighty fresh can I might add. I came here for a business drink meeting and we were never rushed and had terrific table service. I'm ready to cozy up here more often for longer stays -- especially with that drink menu. read more

One time when I was about 14 I crashed a scooter and it hurt. Guess I learned my lesson. I guess what I'm trying to say is The Brass Ring is a pretty chill place, and you won't hate your evening here. #jimmyfallon read more

A must see if you visit Fountain Square. The ambiance is very cool with a old piano and safe which are used by the wait staff. The liquor selection features a better thank average selection of hard to find spirits. The food is also refreshingly good and a nice difference from normal pub food. They offer unique menu items that are sure to please such as shrimp tacos or fiesta salads. If you haven't tried a Pimms I strongly recommend it. Also I find the clientele always friendly and talkative - it's great to make new friends and have good conversation !! read more

The Brass Ring Lounge - Great liquor selection! Plus tasty food! A great place! - Lounges Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

Nice place..great "aura"...seems classy enough... food received raves from other table.... BUT...C"MON ON ! Really ? Smoking ? Relatively new place and they allow smoking ? I just don't get it. The genius leaders of this city can't seem to allow us to enter the 20th century (not mentioning 21st)...in terms of smoking laws and protection....the cops can protect us utilizing 100mph chases that end in a death...but the damn city council can't pass a common sense smoking law to primarily protect workers...and ...make it a hell of a lot nice for the rest of us... smoke free indy....give em your support ! read more

This is a cute little place just a block away from Fountain Square. The atmosphere is excellent + I highly recommend grabbing one of the outdoor seats. The servers were really friendly. (It was odd, though, to have a war movies on the 2 televisions while listening to lounge music in a gangster/Vegas themed bar...but there's worse things in life than juxtaposition). The lounge music was great. And Goldilocks with the sound. Not too loud, not too soft. Oddly, there is nothing around the place -- at least nothing we could see. But worth the trip. read more

Great bar, with a decent program, small but well-curated draft beer selection, and a fantastic selection of spirits. It's usually busy, with a young crowd verging on hipstery, but redeemed by a little south-side grit. The food is actually awesome, particularly the pizzas. You have to trust me on this, since the vibe doesn't imply that this would be the case. Crispy, thin crusts and minimal toppings make it the perfect bar pizza. I'm addicted to the taco pizza; like, I eat it so much INS is about to come after me. In the summer, this is a great place to sit outside and chill. Props to the attentive staff too. read more

The Brass Ring Lounge - Taco pizza and a Fountain Square Lager. - Lounges Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

I've been to this bar, in Fountain Square, more times than I can remember. In fact, some of those times may be completely erased from my memory. Why? $6 Manhattans. And they're good. It's weird that I've been here so much because I don't A)own a fixed gear bike B)have an ironic mustache or C)wear a light up vest. We've always gotten GREAT service here. If you've never been here before, yes there's a strong hipster-ish vibe, but there's no bad attitude. Here, you'll see lots of people from the Fountain Square area from all walks of life, and in all age ranges. Everyone is there to have a good time, and the servers and bar tenders tend to be friendly, quick, and make good recommendations no matter who you are. The ice cream dessert things are beyond. I don't know why, but to me bourbon and ice cream are a good combination. They have some very good potato skins available with a variety of topping combinations, some sausages from Claus Meat Market, little flat pizzas, and a handful of other food. Vegetarians and meat eaters alike will find something tasty to nosh on here. I love the decor. Think art deco, rat pack, pin up girl type stuff. Swanky, yet accessible. Sometimes there's even pianist and singer in a sparkly dress, singing songs from another era. There's a good-sized patio with large picnic tables. On the weekends, it often gets very crowded, the later into the night you get. My only gripe is that I can't STAND being in here in the winter due to the smoke. In the summer it can get kinda nasty too, even with those garage doors open, but it's usually pretty tolerable. If this bar was to go completely non-smoking, I'd probably go broke. read more

I've waited way too long to review Brass Ring, and for that I am sorry. We started going here in the summer right when they opened at 4pm (love, love, love afternoon beers)- with the garage doors open and the sunlight pouring in, the Brass Ring instantly won me over. They always have great music (live or otherwise) and old movies playing on two tvs that are present but don't overpower the bar like other places. The owners Dawn and Scott are so sweet and truly care that their patrons are enjoying themselves. It is not unusual that Dawn will introduce you to everyone at the bar and by the time you leave you've done a shot with everyone. You can feel that this establishment is a labor of love. For a tavern, they also have great food. All the usual bar foods-pizza, quesadillas, nachos, potato skins-but with some special culinary twists. They also have great veggie items like salads, wraps and hummus with pita. The menu is constantly evolving and the best part is-they serve food till 3am! This month, Brass Ring is open 7 days a week, which is totally awesome because I always want to go on Sunday. read more

Great place to sit outside and people watch. Two Hearted on draft was all I needed to see. It does have the least level parking lot I've ever seen for a business. Hilarious. read more

Speak easy vibes. Classic black and white movies can be seen illuminating the back wall of the bar in two screens. Great cocktail menu with both classic and one of a kind cocktails. The gin-jito is my go to. I still haven't tried their cuisine- that's what return trips are for! read more

We stumbled across The Brass Ring while visiting friends in Fountain Square. We were specifically in search of a restaurant with a patio and this place fit the bill. I can't speak to the inside of the restaurant as we seated ourselves on the patio upon arrival (seating is first come, first served open seating). This location was superb, just a block or two off the square. We were promptly greeted by a very friendly and helpful server who explained the beer list. They had 4 beers on tap that they rotate frequently. In addition, they have a full bar with a nice selection of bottled beers. We tried both local IPAs on tap which were excellent. As far as food goes, they have a few specialties that are very unique. Their appetizer menu wasn't the traditional cheese sticks and spinach dip that seems to fill most app menus. We ordered the pineapple curry. It came with focaccia bread to dip. Yum! Highly recommended. Another page of the menu that caught our attention was the loaded baked potato page. They have a number of different specialty loaded baked potatos and an order allows you to mix and match three. They're enormous, so bring someone to share your order with. We ordered the Mighty Aphrodite, loaded with hummus, tomatoes, feta and kalamata olives; the Sultry Seniorita with pork, black bean and corn salsa, and plenty of cheese; and finally a little more traditionally, the Miss Piggy loaded up with bacon and cheddar jack cheese. read more

I'm looking forward to the summer. When I came here in late January, I left feeling disgusting. My purse and coat smelled like rank cigarettes for days. It got very smoky, and so humid you could trace on the windows and your marks would be gone in 5 minutes. My eyes were burning. I was glad to leave. Apparently it's much better in the summer. I get it, I get it, people want a place to smoke. Well, it drives me away, and it's hard for people who are trying to quit. Okay, that's out of the way. I dig the old movies with closed captions. I've finally seen "Soylent Green" thanks to the Brass Ring. I haven't tried the food yet, but I hear good things. I'm looking forward to trying one of their tasting nights, too. The drinks I've had were well-made and delicious. The waitstaff and crowd are friendly, and I like the old-school vibe. read more

My friend and I were driving cross country and this was our 4th day of spending 10 hours in the car. It was a Sunday night and we were an hour from Indy, we both looked at each other with the same thought in our brains "we need a beer...ASAP". Yelped it immediately and the brass ring seemed like an obvious choice. I had never been to Indianapolis before but because of this bar I have a pretty good taste in my mouth now of the city. We walked in it was dimly lit with black and white movies playing, crowded enough for a Sunday night, and our server took our beer order quickly. Pretty good selection of beer on tap, and a lot of local brews. The food was pretty good too, but I rank this place 4 stars because of the vibe not the food I ate. But long story short this place was just what we needed for a nightcap on our cross country drive, and if I lived in the neighborhood I would be here ALL the time. read more

Great environment. Fun people. Yummy (way too easy to drink) cocktails. Hubby and I went on a Monday night after my birthday dinner. It was the perfect way to wrap up a great date night. I have no idea what uber-cheesy foreign language film was playing on the TV, but it was a great icebreaker for talking to the people around us. I'm definitely going back for a classic cocktail. read more

I like the vibe here and the drinks and food; but some rude employees. It's more of a regular bar.... My boyfriend and I came here to get a drink and some appetizers. There were only a few regulars at the bar that the (owner?) in the hat was talking to. (I have seen them there frequently, so know they are regulars). Anyways, they forgot to put our order in, busy talking with regulars. We kept staring at the kitchen since starving and assumed we were forgotten about. The woman from the kitchen waved at us rudely and sarcastically; thinking we were staring at her. Then shortly after we saw the manager see us and run to the kitchen..... I like this place i think that that just poor customer service. read more

Low Key - Laid Back - NOT A MEAT MARKET!!!! I love the Brass Ring Lounge - it is one of the few bars I actually enjoy going to. If you are looking for loud dance music and with the bass bumpin - look elsewhere! This bar is great for relaxing and talking and enjoying the people you are with. Love the pin-up bombshell themes - could do with out the old movies on the tv with sub-titles going (it's just distracting and the bar doesn't need it) Best time to go is spring and fall when they have the big doors open and you can sit and people watch as you enjoy your beer and your company. Love it!!! read more

Very salty waitress for no reason. Decent atmosphere and cocktail list. A solid 3.5/5 dive bar.

If I ever return to this place, I'll be able to give a more detailed review. I really did not try anything on the food menu as I had just eaten and this menu looked very simple bar food which never excites me enough to eat twice. The drink specials were $3.75 for well drinks (1 ounce pours) and the cocktails such as an Old Fashioned were $8 with an up charge if you want to call your own whiskey. All in all, I wasn't impressed or disapointed. It was a run of the mill type of place that isn't drawing me back anytime soon. read more

Ahh, the Brass Ring, for when you feel like getting schnockered in a classy environment. I love this place, it has so many of my favorite things: patio seating, delicious food, beautiful people, and Turner Classic Movies on the television. There is really not much else I could ask for in a drinking establishment. I love the art deco feel, the sultry atmosphere, and the amazing variety of alcohol they have available, and the drinks are reasonably priced. There is just something in the air at the Brass Ring...If you don't feel at least 50% sexier just entering the place, something is wrong with you. This would be a great place to take a date, fellas, your lady will be impressed. read more

I have to say, when I first started to frequent this bar 3 years ago, it was my favorite place in the world. I happen to be one of those people who run through McD's after a night of drinking and lay in bed watching Turner Classic Movies while I drunkenly try to dip my nuggets. So what better than a place to drink and watch TCM without the mess in bed? Unfortunately, this place has become a little less of an escape and too much of hassle to go to now. There is always an interesting mix of hipsters and prepsters trying to be hipsters. There's not really a place to sit on a weekend night. That being said, the drinks are typical. The food is decent. And if you go on a weeknight when it isn't too busy, you might meet an interesting person and actually get to enjoy the movies. read more

I was quite happy to learn that this place was opening in Ft. Square but was wary of cocktail prices that sometimes give you sticker shock when you go other lounges closer to downtown. I was pleasantly surprised to get a really tasty cosmo for less than $5! This place is really a great spot to drop by for a nightcap and enjoy the local flavor. The interior is really fantastic and there is outdoor seating as well as the open window bars that line the exterior. Ignore the Bud's Supermarket for eye candy and watch the blue lights adorning the top of the Wheeler Arts Building beyond! The music is catchy and the bartenders friendly and helpful. I intend to go back for a meal and hope to see some live music here in the future. This is a smoking establishment. read more

The Brass Ring is probably my favorite bar in Fountain Square. The bartenders know how to make just about any kind of cocktail, and the drinks turn out delicious and strong. The beer selection is extensive, too. The servers are quick and polite, and the prices are spot-on as well. The crowd is usually hipsters and artists, which affords the place an intimate and cool feel. The front of the building is a main entrance flanked by two garage doors that open up in the summer to provide a refreshing breeze. One can't help but be lured in by the swanky music and friendly chatter. It's a great place to start an evening and then meander to some other venues in Fountain Square or downtown. Just get there before 7 as that's when things get busy on the weekends. I haven't tasted much of the food, but it's pretty tasty from what I hear. read more

This classic local joint is actually one of the few places that is open in Fountain Square past 10PM during the week. Although I haven't eaten here, their cocktails and beer selection are great! read more

I hadn't been to The Brass Ring in awhile, and I'm glad we got here early the other day. There were several tables available to choose from, but not long after we had been seated, the whole joint was packed. They ended up running out of Jameson, so I had to switch to 7&7s with bitters, and that was okay. I think they forgot the bitters a few times. That's okay, too. Eventually, it was so incredibly smoky inside that I got little relief from going outside or to the restroom when I needed to. While in the restroom, I overheard the strangest conversation betwixt two girls who were dressed pretty much the same, wearing over sized glasses (fake glasses) about cock blocking. What? I know it's cool to go here, but don't be stupid. read more

The beautiful bar is the star of the show. Service is generally good and the tap list isn't extensive but usually quality and always something local. The classic movies on the TV screens are a nice touch and a great distraction when you're not involved in a conversation. I wish I was a bigger cocktail drinker so I could comment on that. I've also never been for food. It's a great end-of-the-night hangout spot and last call saloon. I always see a familiar face. read more

Brass ring is the perfect bar for all ages. It always has a mix of people and the atmosphere is different from any other bar in Indy. The food is really delicious whether you are drinking or just want some dinner. They have a great cocktail selection and usually have multiple beers on tap from either Bell's or Fountain Square. The old time feel to it is my favorite part. It is a great bar to sit and talk or even bring a deck of cards and play. The black and white movies playing and the quieter music is a huge plus. When it is nice the outdoor seating is great to bring your dog and have a drink. The servers do a wonderful job and now even know my drink of choice. Brass Ring is by far my favorite bar in Indianapolis. read more

I've stopped by here quite a few times over the yrs and always get my Ella Fitzgerald, Rosemary Clooney, Billie Holiday groove on. Hard to drink beer here, just doesn't seem right, always sit at the bar, think about something, think about nothing place is always in a steady flow. Liked most of what I hit up over the yrs, Manhattans, Rusty Nails, Sidecars all here and usually on the strong side. My companions enjoyed their Martinis not my thing, they tasted like what a drink should be I suppose. Décor cool, TCM on the tube could be 2pm but would feel like 2am inside, chill out have a drink and decompress. Good job ring, I'll be back. read more

This place was close to the vrbo that we were staying at...we were just looking for a spot to have a few drinks late at night. It would have been fine, except the service was practically non-existent. Not sure if our appearance didn't fit the vibe they were going for (we are in our early 40's) or if it was just a bad night. Everyone around us had table service, we had to go to the bar for everything. Not normally a big deal, but we felt invisible in there. Cool atmosphere, 2 stars is based solely on the service that we received. read more

Three words: TAKE ME BACK! Huge selection of alcohol. Good drinks. Amazing food. Cool atmosphere. The place was pretty dead when we arrived, but it has an awesome atmosphere. Old movies playing on the tv, cool artwork from back in the day and a Gatbsy-esque feel that makes you wish you were born in the 20s. I had the chicken philly wheat hot wrap, which is the BEST chicken philly I've had in my life and the spinach and artichoke dip with chips was really good too. Josh got the philly steak wrap, which he also said was delicious. The best part he says was the drink. We can't remember the name other than the fact it has the word mouth in it, but it was an awesome combination of sweet tea, sweet tea vodka and pomegranate. The service was quick and the waitress was nice. The outside looks a little beat down, but ignore it and go inside. I promise you won't regret it. read more

Bartenders and waiters/waitresses are always super friendly. There are solid meatless options, good beer on tap and in bottle/can and there is a rad porch. The tvs are always on old black and white movies....which is a nice touch. Another late night favorite of mine. Can be a bit smokey in the winters, but it gets pretty aired out in the summer months. read more

If anyone has read any of my reviews you know I enjoy a few things - good prices, patio, and unique food. This place has it all! I decided to try something new in the FS area and have passed Brass Ring Lounge a few times. Tonight a group of 4 of us decided to drop by for a beer and a bite. The beer selection is great. You can also do other cocktails. The food, that was awesome! Try the curry appetizer - I wanted to drink the bowl. Ok, the winner - the potato skins. We are talking potatoes cut in half filled with awesomeness! They are so filing you don't need to order a lot. An order comes with 3 and it is perfect for sharing. The Greek style has humus - who ever would have thought?! Great spot. read more

I don't know why I don't eat here more often. Their food is fantastic. Guess I am just always distracted by their fantastic selection of alcohol, making it easy for them to make any cocktail you want. The only thing better than the food and drinks is the fantastic service by by the best bartenders, waiters, and waitresses in Fountain Square. read more