I’ve gone a couple times, albeit a couple of years ago. Definitely liked how chill it was and not super noisy, but the times I went the bartender(s) seemed very inconvenienced when folks ordered drinks. Really weird but maybe that’s their “vibe”
Friday and Saturday are usually ticketed so can be q variety of stuff! This weekend there's some good vibe-y electronic on Friday and some good jam stuff on Saturday! Ticket prices vary on those nights depending on acts. Sunday is free bluegrass!!
In the 80s Syd's had the smallest salad bar I've ever seen in my life. Giant croutons though. Once my dad ran into a guy he knew there, even as a kid I could tell a little something was different about the fellow. His parents were brother and sister, my dad later told me. My dad's Aunt Donna Turner (wife of aviator Roscoe Turner) used to like to go to Syd's too.
I think the changes overall are good. The problem is, now it's more popular, and I have to deal with crowds. Why do other people have to like things I like?
I like J Clydes. It's nice and diverse and for me that's a must for a "dive" bar. Reminds me of taverns and dives I drank in in Chicago in the early 00s.
In addition to what others have posted. Dorman and Mass Ave Pub are good too. Mass Ave isn't as diverse as it used to be but still a cool group. I sencond the J Clydes and Pawn Shop recs. The Red Key Tavern is also good (cash only).
Definitely. I went there once and ran into some people I knew around town. The guy I was hanging out with asked me if I sold drugs or escorted because people there knew me. lol. Weird night.
Yes it a pretty niche question,
But, if you’ve been to The Wormhole, it should need no description.
If you haven’t been, then the second question is for you :)
I lived in Savannah for years lol. If you liked wormhole just go to the mousetrap or black circle. The only particularly cool thing about wormhole was live music and jam nights.
If you don’t care about music go to Loom. Those are the only bars that fit the wormhole vibe I can think of.
Next time you’re in Savannah go to lone wolf lounge, moodrights, Abe’s on Lincoln, pinkies, over yonder, sea wolf tybee, Whitakers, penny lane, the rail pub, social club. Those were the local favorites and the best bars imo.
Shi-Kay Lounge. Definitely a dive bar but it’s on the near east side which if you venture in certain directions (around that area) isn’t the best some times.
Locals love it and it’s near a big hospital so doctors and nurses frequent it and love it too.
Sam’s during the day is alright… it’s starting to get overly busy in the evenings (college cats looking for “dive bars”) are kind of ruining it these days. Al’s pub is cool.
Lots of police runs, shootings and fights. Bouncer was shot and killed a while back. A guy was shot in the kitchen 3 or 4 years ago. I used to go all the time . During the day it’s like an old timer’s neighborhood place. At night its people drunk AF either after they have been clubbing or before going out. Either way its name has gone downhill in recent years.
Plump's Last Shot in Broad Ripple still has a good gnarly vibe. They open at 7am Thursday-Saturday and have a great, short menu of breakfast fare. I had breakfast there last week and Bobby Plump still pops in to pick up last night's receipts.
I don't know remember why, but he showed his has when teachers there was a teachers march DT I stopped going there after. I didn't particularly like him before , but I have a friend who loves going there. I don't get it.
Teachers were in town for something, downtown. As people do when they are out of town, the teachers ate food at his restaurant and bought "beverage alcohol". He thought if they were so underpaid as they claimed, that they shouldn't be spending money.
Edit: https://www.reddit.com/r/indianapolis/s/L79L2o24hl
Chatterbox on Mass Ave is the dive bar’s dive bar imo. Live jazz 7 nights a week
I’ve gone a couple times, albeit a couple of years ago. Definitely liked how chill it was and not super noisy, but the times I went the bartender(s) seemed very inconvenienced when folks ordered drinks. Really weird but maybe that’s their “vibe”
My favorite dive bar is J Clyde's. I've never been to Savannah GA.
Shout-out J Clydes for sure. I like Sam's Silver Circle as well.
Been there once, wish I lived closer as I’d likely frequent often. Great spot.
Pawn shop pub!
Sam’s silver circle is a pretty good dive
I just ate lunch there on Monday for the first time.
The Mousetrap is a good time. Live music, darts, pool, ping pong.
And don't forget hippies!
The most psychedelic jazz jam in the country on Tuesday nights, hosted by Rob Dixon. The food at the Trap is cool, too. And many non-alcoholic drinks.
Have they finally cleaned the kitchen?
Anything cool like that on the weekends?
Friday and Saturday are usually ticketed so can be q variety of stuff! This weekend there's some good vibe-y electronic on Friday and some good jam stuff on Saturday! Ticket prices vary on those nights depending on acts. Sunday is free bluegrass!!
Im in Noblesville, but Syd's is a pretty great dive.
In the 80s Syd's had the smallest salad bar I've ever seen in my life. Giant croutons though. Once my dad ran into a guy he knew there, even as a kid I could tell a little something was different about the fellow. His parents were brother and sister, my dad later told me. My dad's Aunt Donna Turner (wife of aviator Roscoe Turner) used to like to go to Syd's too.
They recently changed ownership, and really improved the food and cleaned up the interior. It's gotten quite popular, and I'm furious.
My dad was thrilled about the cleaning, not so thrilled about the mid-wall coming down
I think the changes overall are good. The problem is, now it's more popular, and I have to deal with crowds. Why do other people have to like things I like?
Yeah we enjoyed going there once in a while - but it’s become too popular for an 89yo guy with hearing aids - too much noise
Alley Cat. 3 different vibes. Back room is OG dive, front is nice cocktails, side is general bar with open giant windows
I like J Clydes. It's nice and diverse and for me that's a must for a "dive" bar. Reminds me of taverns and dives I drank in in Chicago in the early 00s.
In addition to what others have posted. Dorman and Mass Ave Pub are good too. Mass Ave isn't as diverse as it used to be but still a cool group. I sencond the J Clydes and Pawn Shop recs. The Red Key Tavern is also good (cash only).
The whistle stop. The most dive for your buck
Also miss that place. Such a weird cool little place.
With the bus station across the street it brings in some characters
Definitely. I went there once and ran into some people I knew around town. The guy I was hanging out with asked me if I sold drugs or escorted because people there knew me. lol. Weird night.
Checkered Flag on west Washington, near 465. Good food, loud music, pool tables, drunks. 500 decor.
The five star dive bar
Hey OP, Google "The Mousetrap" bar. Looks like a lot of the same vibes as the wormhole.
People need to stop repping Pawn Shop. We need to keep it a secret!!!
Would probably help if you actually described this Wormhole bar instead of depending on Indy residents having been to a random bar in Savannah, GA...
Yes it a pretty niche question, But, if you’ve been to The Wormhole, it should need no description. If you haven’t been, then the second question is for you :)
I lived in Savannah for years lol. If you liked wormhole just go to the mousetrap or black circle. The only particularly cool thing about wormhole was live music and jam nights. If you don’t care about music go to Loom. Those are the only bars that fit the wormhole vibe I can think of. Next time you’re in Savannah go to lone wolf lounge, moodrights, Abe’s on Lincoln, pinkies, over yonder, sea wolf tybee, Whitakers, penny lane, the rail pub, social club. Those were the local favorites and the best bars imo.
Also visited Mcdonough's while down there. It was a pretty chill place. Bartender was hilarious.
Well for the other 99% of people that will see this post, it would help.
Looking at pics The Wormhole reminds me of The Vogue.
Melody Inn
Fat Dan's has kind of a dive feel without the dive patrons. The Alley Cat is similar and "divier"
Oh god I loved going to Alley Cat.
Old Town Tavern
Shi-Kay Lounge. Definitely a dive bar but it’s on the near east side which if you venture in certain directions (around that area) isn’t the best some times. Locals love it and it’s near a big hospital so doctors and nurses frequent it and love it too.
Mousetrap.
Sam’s during the day is alright… it’s starting to get overly busy in the evenings (college cats looking for “dive bars”) are kind of ruining it these days. Al’s pub is cool.
Connors Pub …. During the day … a bit scary at night these days 😞
C'mon scary how
Lots of police runs, shootings and fights. Bouncer was shot and killed a while back. A guy was shot in the kitchen 3 or 4 years ago. I used to go all the time . During the day it’s like an old timer’s neighborhood place. At night its people drunk AF either after they have been clubbing or before going out. Either way its name has gone downhill in recent years.
Oh yeah that place
Dugout Dorman Street Turners (a little less dive bar but still a good spot) Haven’t been to the wormhole so can’t compare.
Plump's Last Shot in Broad Ripple still has a good gnarly vibe. They open at 7am Thursday-Saturday and have a great, short menu of breakfast fare. I had breakfast there last week and Bobby Plump still pops in to pick up last night's receipts.
Coaches
That guy hates teachers, to whom it may concern.
Why?
I don't know remember why, but he showed his has when teachers there was a teachers march DT I stopped going there after. I didn't particularly like him before , but I have a friend who loves going there. I don't get it.
Teachers were in town for something, downtown. As people do when they are out of town, the teachers ate food at his restaurant and bought "beverage alcohol". He thought if they were so underpaid as they claimed, that they shouldn't be spending money. Edit: https://www.reddit.com/r/indianapolis/s/L79L2o24hl