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The pubs, clubs, bars and 'Kathi's Corner' of Broad Ripple Village in Indianapolis.

The Bars of Broad Ripple
The Pubs, the Clubs and 'Kathi's Corner'

Broadripple offers a broad variety of pubs and clubs.

For those looking to broaden their Indianapolis nightlife experience beyond downtown, there is Broad Ripple.

And with more than a dozen bars lined up side-by-side, plus a few more around the corner, this is more than a ripple in the landscape. The main road, Broad Ripple Ave., is broad with bars from one end to the other. Inside are inviting interiors and a predominately college crowd from nearby Butler University.

Framed by two nightlubs serving as kind of "bar bookends" are enough down-home drinking spots to get crippled in the Ripple. There are so many, in fact, that only a few get lines on the busiest of nights. This being Indy, the code is casual, even in the clubs, so most people are jammin' in their jeans.

Broad Ripple does broden out from beyond these borders with even more spots. This classy side features martinis, a wine bar and fine dining in a feature we call Kathi's Corner. Additionally, we also present a couple of cool calls in Indy's NE area.

Bars & Pubs [Broad Ripple Map]

The B52s would be proud of their funky song namesake in Broad Ripple.

The rockin' bar on Broad Ripple Ave., is Rock Lobster. Like many places here, it's rustic in appearance but that's part of its charm. No holding back here for fear of damaging the decor. This is a large, casual bar with a sweaty, fog-filled small dance floor, two large areas in the rear and a relaxing "VIP room." But, true to the Rock's demeanor, it's hardly exclusive, for "everybody here is a VIP" is the Rock's mantra. The crowd is young, fun and eager to party. It has a loose dress code; shorts and even beach sandals are okay in those warm summer months. Lines start around 11; cover is $2 on Friday, $5 Saturday. It's "sister" bars are next door – the drink and dance Mineshaft Saloon and sports-minded Average Joe's.

Another really fun packed place is Pepper's. This two-in-one bar has dancing to hip-hop and other modern music downstairs and rock upstairs. Often, there's a band. Go between the two for the best of both worlds.

For just hangin' there's Old Pro's Table. This casual college hangout is for slammin' drinks with friends – new or existing. It has sports on its several TVs, some arcade games in the back and while it's crowded on weekends, there's hardly ever a line. No cover, no dancing. During the slower weekdays, it seems the "Old Pros" of Old Pros always stop in for a few.

These pool players pocket their fun at the BR Tavern.

Similar in attitude and a bit more popular is the Broad Ripple Tavern. It has its own beers, but not exclusively. What it does have is pool tables and a second bar in the back that attracts the biggest crowds. Those looking to relax a little more do so by the front bar. It's a friendly place. No cover, no dancing.

Like beer? Then you'll love Chumley's Beerhouse Bar & Grill – there's some 50 taps and another 99 bottles of beer on the wall. When PubClub arrived, it had Jimmy Buffett playing, served up one of our favorite beers and had a kitchen open past past 10 p.m., a rarity in Broad Ripple. Yes, this made us happy. Large glass doors open to the street and give the place a very airy feeling. With sports as the subject here, it's one of the larger non-dance bars in the area.

Landsharks has fins to the right, fins to the left, but also some bait in town. It's a narrow, loud dance bar playing mostly hip-hop and it features various domestic beer specials all week.

Clubs

The patrons like up for the dancing in Broad Ripple.

Vogue is long-standing Broad Ripple club with a theater marquee for a facade. It's hot for live music during the week – many mid-range national acts play here. It's a full nightclub on weekends, though to be honest several local girls complain about the men being overly "grabby."

Dives Down The Street

Off the beaten Broad Ripple path are a couple of pubs pouring pints. They are a bit hard to find, but cross the canal at Westfield Blvd., and go up about three blocks.

One of note is Plump's Last Shot. Bobby Plump was the basketball player who hit the last-second shot in the 1954 Indiana state high school championship game that inspired the movie Hoosiers. His namesake bar has old memorabilia on the walls, including a team photo and a newspaper article from the game on an upstairs wall. Otherwise, the place is quiet by Broad Ripple standards, though it does have a porch from where, in the summer, one can sit and sip beers while the more healthy-minded people of the area are sweating it out on the adjacent rollerblading and running trail. Going into Plump's is like walking into somebody's house; you almost feel like knocking first.

A couple of doors away is the Broad Ripple Brewpub. It, too, is like visiting a house, although a large one separated into many small rooms. The living room would be the cramped bar area. This is mainly a dining and quieter pint place for those mid-30s and forward.

Cocktails in Kathi's Corner

Kathi L. (left) with another Indy socialite Kathi R., enjoy martinis in style.

A longtime Indy local, Kathi L., has good taste in life. As such, she gives us her personal favorites to enjoy class with wine, martinis or cocktails in Broad Ripple. All the establishments are on Westfield Blvd, centered mainly around Guilford.

"There's a good mix of quality food and fun, hip bars here," says Kathi L. "I love the Corner Wine Bar. It's next to Ambrosia with great Italian food. It's also got the Blu Point, an old, original bar and the Monkey's Tale with jazz and a patio that's perfect in the summer.

"If you're looking for a lounge atmosphere then go to Midtown Grill. It's a hip, very cool bar, very eclectic. It's got a South Beach look but without the South Beach attitude.

"And for dancing and just a nice place to hang out, there's the Red Room. It's up a set of stairs across from Corner Wine Bar and gets really crowded on weekends. One side has a bar and dancing and another side is for conversation. The crowd is older than on Broad Ripple, and it's a classy place but not too classy, if you know what I mean."

Editor's Editions: We would like to add Wellington, a tiny (perhaps the smallest bar in Indy?) English pub next to Corner Wine Bar. In fact, there's a door to connect the two, which shows that opposites do indeed attract, we suppose. Be careful walking into the place; it's so small you may get the back of a dart in the head. A couple of doors down toward Broad Ripple Ave., is Bleeker Street, a nice, semi-upscale bar which gets going after 11 p.m.

Kathi's Corner bars bring smiles to the faces to those who go there.

Late Night/After Hours

Connor's Pub is sometimes like Animal House. It looks like a fraternity house, has bands and often gets people coming in from the other bars for a late-night look.

Those looking for food line up at La Bamba, a small Mexican eatery on Broad Ripple Ave. It has "burritos as big as your head" and they taste best after a night of heavy drinking. Otherwise, they are just okay. But it's that need to be fulfilled that's most important this time of the morning.

The Northeast

There is life ouside Broad Ripple and downtow in Indy. Especially if it's Wednesday. That's when much of the party people are likely to be at Lulu's Restaurant & Cocktails, an upscale almost-Vegasy lounge in the Fashion Mall Commons shopping center.

Nearby is D'Vine The Wine Bar, an eclectic stop for wine, martinis and dinner. Martinis are half-price on Thursdays ($4) but the crowds come in on Fridays and Saturdays. It, too, is in a shoppiing center.

And keep an eye on the space formerly occupied by the Vapour Louge. It's being revamped and if it's anything like it's predessor, it promises much potential.

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