Imbibe is a Bar located at 1105 Shelby St, Indianapolis, IN 46203. It has received 278 reviews with an average rating of 4.4 stars.
Monday | 5PM-3AM |
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Tuesday | 5PM-3AM |
Wednesday | 5PM-3AM |
Thursday | 5PM-3AM |
Friday | 5PM-3AM |
Saturday | 5PM-3AM |
Sunday | 5PM-3AM |
The address of Imbibe: 1105 Shelby St, Indianapolis, IN 46203
Imbibe has 4.4 stars from 278 reviews
Bar
"Just had my first "You people" comment directed at me"
"At least on weekends, this bar takes advantage of tourists"
"I went here on a night they had vendors selling art and jewelry"
"Well, this place has turned out to be my haunt"
"I've never had like a bar that I felt was my own, until this one"
Just had my first "You people" comment directed at me. Had a friend from out of town that just moved to Fountain Square, so took him to the Fountain square theater building to have some beers at Imbibe. After two delicious beers each of a fantastic bourbon barrel brew out of Kentucky, I noticed cans of "Old Style" and inquired of the price. $2. or something like that, so I asked if they had PBR as well. To which the bartender said, "no we don't, I don't like that we have these either, I don't want anyone asking for $2 beer in my bar, those people can go somewhere else." To which my friend asked if we were basically just told not to come back? Really Mr. Bartender? On a Friday night, at 7:30p with maybe 3 other customers at your bar, you want to be selective about which people come based on the beer they drink? Well, I won't be back, and am taking the place off of my list of cool places to take my friends that have never been. There are many other friendly people in Fountain Square that would be happy to take however much money we will spend. Even at $2 at a time...... Where is #poorcustomerservice. I think I found it. Proud to be one of #thosepeople. It's unfortunate because I love the area, I love this building and the other businesses located in it, and I even really like the owners. I just must have a different take on service because I don't think anyone should be insulted for the kind of beer they drink.
At least on weekends, this bar takes advantage of tourists. My SO and I are staying in Indianapolis for a long weekend and are staying in Fountain Square. We stopped into Imbibe for a few cocktails and to play pool once we realized they had it. It's $5 per hour for pool. This is pretty steep even if the bartender (the woman bartending on Thursday 10-22-20) didn't take 35 minutes to make two uncomplicated (three-ingredient) cocktails, which happened to us. She refused to pro-rate the pool time even though she was taking shots with two large groups that walked in after we placed our order for over half of our pool time. She knew when we walked in that we were not from Indy, knowing that we probably were not going to be back, and chose to ignore us at the bar. This is a shame since the cocktails were good, the other patrons were nice, and the atmosphere was good. But, overall, unless you are a local, avoid this bar because they will take advantage of you and make you overpay for the drinks and services that you receive and overall treat you like moneybag trash if you are from outside of the area.
I went here on a night they had vendors selling art and jewelry. One of the vendors was a girl selling earrings, I thought they looked cool so I asked if I could try one on. Before I could get it in my earhole the earring broke. When I handed it back to the vendor she started crying and I started to tell her it was ok and that I still liked them and thought she could fix it quickly. All of a sudden 2 big security guys come out of nowhere and tell me I have to leave, grabbing me and pushing me down the stairs. I had bo choice but to go with them despite me begging and pleading my case that everything was cool and that I didn’t do anything. They threw me out on the sidewalk and told me never to come back, all because an earring i was trying to buy broke. That’s the end of the story and it is the end of me ever going back to this god awful establishment. The bartenders suck too they have the worst attitude.
Food: 1
Service: 1
Atmosphere: 1
Well, this place has turned out to be my haunt. This is a pretty old place and local attraction. I didnt really know about it, but glad I had been introduced to it. A date had suggested it in whim one sunday, because she knew I liked karaoke, so we met for drinks and karaoke. It has a chill old school vibe lunge area, a nice size bar seating area, and a game room. It's usually pretty busy, but not uncomfortably packed. The bartenders that I usually working, Tessa and Marcus, are welcoming and friendly, and always treat me kindly. The food is tasty and constantly good. Always a great selection of local craft beer, and tasty canned and bottled lagers. Inexpensive and clean. Give it a try. Cheers.
I've never had like a bar that I felt was my own, until this one. Whenever anyone asks for recommendations this is the place I immediately recommend. It has such a great atmosphere. Last time i went it was a Friday night, and while sometimes it got busy. I never had to wait long for service, and it was quiet enough I could talk and relax with my date on a comfy couch. The staff is so friendly and its just a very chill place to get a few drinks without feeling like I'm surrounded by people on all sides, and having my ear drums blasted out from music. I have such fondness in my heart for this awesome place, and I cant wait to go back!
Was here from out of town came here with my sister and girlfriend. We all ordered different cocktails. I had an old fashioned which was the worst one I have ever had. The bartender had a very heavy hand. A heavy hand does not equal a good cocktail. My old fashioned was so strong it tasted terrible. A good cocktail is about balance, not amount of alcohol. I suffered through about a quarter of my beverage before we all left. The atmosphere was something you would expect from a dive bar but the place was too big to be a true dive. Would not return. There are much better options on the same block. I would definitely not recommend.
Stumbled in here to extend a drunken night after the Slippery Noodle. We were ecstatic to go upstairs to scope the game room out. Lots of pool tables open and available for enjoyment. We played a few games and hung around. The place was clean and everyone was lowkey and minding their business. Every time I’ve been, l’ve been glared at by a hipster. In my humble opinion it’s a part of the experience of Fountain Square as a whole, so don’t take it personal just know they hate you for not having a septum piercing. Judging by the photos on here, it looks like they have great food. I look forward to coming back!
Shocked I haven't reviewed this place until now. I first visited Imbibe around 2010. My friend Tom brought me there because I couldn't find a place in town to make a good Sidecar. This is back when the side room on the left was open. Needless to say, they're one of three places in town that made a great Sidecar and still do. (The Ball and Biscuit, and the Brass Ring Are the other two). Everything is reasonably priced here, and there's nothing pretentious. I'd give these people your money. The game room upstairs is free and a great addition but I tend to stay downstairs for the drinks.
I want to give this bar 5 stars so bad but the service ruined everything! The food, atmosphere and music were on point especially for a low key Thursday night. The bartender, JC couldn’t be bothered to check on us or look us in the eye at any time during our visit. If you’re not a regular at this bar you are made to feel as if you’re intruding. We checked out early and went to a friendlier bar called Sam’s that was way cooler, cheaper and had an incredible bartender named Dylan who saved our night. Unfortunately we won’t be back to Imbibe.
It was not a good experience. We were going to stay 4 days but after one night we left and found a different place. It is downtown so alittle noisy early morning.. Our refrigerator didn't work we had to pay for our water that should be complimentary in our room. The only good thing was the bartender he was very nice and he helped with anything we needed. We got in late and ordered food and he was very polite. But they do nickel and dime you for everything. I'm going to give a 3 just because it was clean and very nice facilities.
I had the brisket sandwich and my girl had thr pulled pork sandwich, both of the meats were very good but they weren't a composed sandwich. It was meat put on bread, no other condiments, nothing to make it a true sandwich. Out bartender when we got here had less the 10 people to attend to but took over 5 minutes to even bring us a menu, and moved so slow, she wasnt very attentive at all! I would come back again but think this place could be really good if they just stepped up their food and drink game!
I enjoy going to Imbibe. The food is delish. The drinks are innovative and oh so good! The game room upstairs turns into your own personal fair. I highly recommend. Thee only thing I would suggest is they change the hours online and on their door for the time the bar opens. My friends and I arrived about 440p. We left and came back at 450ish someone was setting up. We left again, called and was informed that the bar opens at 5p. It would be nice if the time were indicated on the door.
I go for the game night they have every 2 weeks. Very chill vibe. But lots of fun people come out to play. I was new and everyone made me feel welcomed! Drink selection is good and I enjoy the burger on the menu. Also, I am not a huge tater total fan. Usually places cook them too soft and the cook here makes them crunchy and perfect every single time! I come here to have tater tots and don't eat them any other place! Great food and the bartender Casey is the best! Funny & personable!
I stopped here towards the end of a drunken night to grab some food with friends. I didn’t realize this was such a popular spot in Fountain Square! The only reason I’m giving this a four is because I need to try other food! Will definitely be back though. Photo 1: Wings These wings were delicious! I wanted to try their dry rub to see how it compared to other dry rubs I’ve had and I was not disappointed!! I would highly suggest!
The worse bar in FOUNTAIN SQUARE! They have people make fake reviews! It’s really NOT 5 stars!! Don’t even waste your time!!!! I would give them 0 stars if I could. They have a new bartender and he’s absolutely TERRIBLE. The big blonde hair guy with the bifocals!! & the drinks are way OVERPRICED!!! Used to frequent this bar all the time but will not be returning!!
Food: 1
Service: 1
Atmosphere: 1
Best place to play pool at alot of tables and cheap hourly rate...music,food,drinks all on point.. great place to go with a group of friends or go on a date.. most definitely be back again
Price per person
$20–30
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Smoked Pulled Pork Sandwich, Garlic Knots and a Zombie Dust, Build Your Own Cheese Pizza, Smoked Chicken Wings 10
This place has a great draft selection and a decent list of bottle and can options for beer as well. The late night food is some of the best bar food around. It's been recently renovated. The upstairs houses pool tables, ping pong tables, and dart boards. The hourly cost most nights for the equipment is $5/hr, but on Fridays and Saturdays it's $10/hr. Really cool, chill place that isn't usually too crowded!
The atmosphere is really nice and cozy. My husband and I came here for the first time. The bartenders were very short. They looked miserable lol and acted as if they were agitated whenever someone ordered. The food ….. very sad. Worst than average bar food. I was so looking forward to this place based off the pictures online. So much potential for this bar.
Best thing about this place is the game room upstairs. I haven't tried their food, but their specialty drinks are basically just college shots (once it was actual homemade jello shots) and the beer choices are really limited. Bartenders tend to have a lackluster demeanor and overall it just seems like they don't specialize in anything.
Has an awesome game room upstairs and it's hard to beat the historic feel of the building. Rarely busy which is a shame but the drink prices are a tad high and the food selection pretty standard bar fare. Still a great place to wind down after a night out in Fountain Square or to have a casual night with good company.
I love this place, tucked away, small, intimate, plus they have a great game room upstairs. UPDATE: They have since moved across the hall to where End of the Line used to be and more recently, Sidekicks. Still have the game room upstairs and have added pizza to the menu. Great place to end a night in fountain square.
Love the service ordered a tenderloin was really big but really thin I will not order that again my girlfriend ordered a grilled chicken and was happy with that and we also had a sampler which included an earrings and jalapeno poppers chicken wings and I can't remember what else but that was excellent
Retro bar that has a wonderful laid back environment. Looks like they had a billiards and game room, but my group didn't wander over there. They had different types of seating arrangements, which was super cool. A nice place to chill instead of being in a crowded place.
Been visiting sporadically for a few years. Bar is great experience and vibe, I think this is well known! But today I got the pleasure of meeting bartender KC; helluva guy! Excellent customer service, even better personality. Ill be back on mondays just to see him.
Worst tenderloin in the world. Margarita was un drinkable. Service was horrible. I will never come back. I recommend no one eating here. They should close down.
Price per person
$20–30
Food: 1
Service: 1
Atmosphere: 1
Imbibe was friendly, multi level place in a classic theater building. Pool hall, social up stairs, good space to chill, game room and tunes. We tried the house smoked pork nachos. Look forward to exploring the roof top during the warmer season.
I came to play bored games with my friends. Staff was friendly and food was good. I loved that they still had Halloween decorations up the Monday before Thanksgiving. It was very spooky.
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Upstairs cream sofa (Game Room)needs to be desinfected amd cleaned since it had a very unpleasant smell. Carpet needs to be replaced in Gaming Area as well especially stairs, maybe add plank\tile?. Food and drinks were great at the bar!
The big blonde hair guy with the bifocals always does a great job whenever I come here!! Highly recommend this place. Definitely a bar that stands out in the Indy area!
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Great place to hangout and have some drinks and hangout with friends and co-workers. Always fun and kitchen is open late
Price per person
$30–50
Recommended dishes
House Made Garlic Knots, Chili Cheese Tots
This place is a favorite for my gaming group - lots of space upstairs for events, good food (especially for bar food basics), good drinks, and open quite late.
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
This place has so much potential, if someone would just do some deep cleaning. Clean the pool tables, bathrooms, change a few bulbs and fix the air hockey table this place could ace in fountain square.
Great establishment with an awesome staff. I enjoyed the game room upstairs and John Holmes, the bartender, made my visit very comfortable while traveling solo. He was charming, attentive and engaging.
I LOVE the game room and comfortable seating upstairs. They also have great food, but I advise you to split a dish. It took two people to finish the pull pork, and there were a lot of leftovers.
Looks like a place where you can smoke cigarettes inside. James had excellent customer service. His hospitality was fantastic. I would recommend for a low key night with a small group of friends
Great addition to the area. It does feel a little frat house reck room like, but hey it's a bar with games what do you expect. Drink prices are decent, and an open late kitchen is always a plus.
Great spot for food, drinks, and fun! Laid back atmosphere and great drinks. Staff is very friendly. Have pool upstairs and tables to sit and lounge. Would recommend the fried and garlic knots.
A very chill and laid back environment. There's a couple of pool tables, pinball machines, and other cool games to play, which cost$. Also the food & drinks are ALWAYS on point. ✌️ …
Pretty cute bar… definitely need to do better as far as security but like 90% of the ppl who work here are amazing people! Def a vibe
Food: 4
Service: 4
Atmosphere: 3
Great local bar in fountain square. They have karaoke Sundays from 8 PM to 12 am ran by a great company. Come enjoy drinks made by the awesome staff or some food. A great chill place.
Does not follow the governor's mask mandate and will not serve people or allow entrance to people that have a medical condition exempt under the Indiana mask mandate.
Laid-back vibe. Good selection of local beers on tap. Didn't explore the menu or the space next door, but I would return here if we found ourselves in Indy again.
This is a great place with a ton of seating and nooks for small groups or large groups! Great for private conversations or big gatherings. The drink was prime!
What happened? The OG staff who were attentive and awesome are gone and drinks are mad expensive now?!?! Fountain Square is dead, long live Fountain Square!
It was a slow night but the drinks were good, the food was good and the service was amazing.
Food: 3
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
4 pool tables, darts, ping pong, pinball machines, air hockey upstairs. At midnight, they offer buscuits and gravy for cheap! If you're into that.
It's a pretty chill place with a good drink selection. The staff are very friendly and are pretty much everything you want out of a bar staff.
Low-key bar with a big game room upstairs. Perfect for a drink or two after work. Not the biggest tap list but standard drink prices
I looove karaoke Sundays! the DJ is really nice and actually interacts with the crowd and the singers :) super cool place in general
Old school hotel lobby bar atmosphere. Great food available from Smokehouse next door. Good selection of drinks. Friendly bar staff.
Fantastic way to spend an evening. Game room is $10 an hour and drinks come out perfect. A comfortable low-key spot to relax.
The best Salted Caramel White Russian ever!! That was my first time having a caramel one! Delicious! Highly recommended!
Great hang out spot. Love the whole building. The bar tenders(women) are the best. I love it there …
Average bar downstairs with great home made garlic knots and white queso cheese. Has a excellent game room upstairs
Great atmosphere. Enjoyed the game room upstairs for a company event. Great food, friendly staff and a stiff pour
One of the few places in Fountain Square that 1) stays open late and 2) has games and things to do upstairs.
Good service good food good drinks. Also pretty sure the only place IN fountain square that has pool tables.
Great place to play pool on a Sunday night at 2a.
Price per person
$1–10
Atmosphere: 4
The staff was great and took very good care of me and my Husband . We will be going again and again
Great little place in fountain square for beer and food. Check out the classy gameroom upstairs.
Excellent cocktails in a really lowkey place. Great place to grab drinks and talk with friends.
Awesome great food ..love the games upstairs. Has a great set up environment for all familys
Decent drinks. Good bar staff, lots of pool tables, darts, and ping pong on 2nd floor
The service is ✨️
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Nice little bar, it is a nice place to grab a drink. It is not a loud, crowded bar.
FABULOUS food and service!! A hidden gem for sure! Will bring more friends asap!!!
Tons of pool/ping pong tables. The place looks old but fun place. would recommend.
My favorite spot hands down
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Best bloody marys, fantasic chilly cheese fries, amazing mojitos. Freindly staff.
This place smelled like urine. Tere was graffiti all over the women's restroom.
My favorite place in Fountain Square. Relaxed, cool vibe, great staff.
The bar staff is great and the pinball upstairs is always a good time
Great late night haunt in fountain square. Perfect for a nightcap.
The food was great service was good. It's a nice chill environment
Love the staff. Very homey. Tess always has a smile on her face!
Love this cozy bar! Good comfort food and all the tasty drinks!
Don’t ever go here. Never had so many eye rolls and bad service
Very chill atmosphere for a low key nice evening with friends.
Always a great & unique time! Love the people we meet, too! ♥️
Best place in Fountain Square! Great food and great game room.
Great atmosphere, with space to move around. Attentive staff.
Really good food and.a pretty good draft beer selection too.
Good food and nice place to meet friends for a drink or two.
I liked it so much the food
Price per person
$20–30
Cool lil laid back joit to chill and play with you friends
I liked the upstairs 90s corporate office lounge vibe.
Love the game room and the drinks are always good!!
Great dive bar with a ton of pool tables upstairs!
Good food, beer selection, fun, and good company!
Comfy place with a lot of cool stuff upstairs.
Great atmosphere. Prices aren't bad either!
Good place. Food sucks besides the fries
Great food. Staff was nice and friendly.
Decent beer selection and friendly staff