Part of the Gay Indianapolis Guide — bars, events & things to do.
Indianapolis, Indiana
Gay-owned restaurant and bar in Indianapolis's Saint Joseph, since 1999
English Ivy's has been the neighborhood gathering spot for LGBTQ+ Indianapolis since 1999, tucked into a corner of the historic St. Joseph district just north of downtown. Regulars call it Indy's "gay Cheers," and the comparison fits: it's a restaurant first, with a from-scratch kitchen working a locally sourced, seasonal menu — Friday prime rib, fish and chips, seared scallops, and a weekend brunch built around house-infused Bloody Marys. Esquire named it one of the 32 best gay bars in America in 2022, praising the easy, unpretentious feel and fair prices. It runs more on warmth than spectacle, which is the point. The crowd skews loyal and local, the patio fills in warm weather, and it works equally well for a quiet weeknight dinner or a slow Sunday recovery. For a traveler, it's the place to eat where Indy's gay community actually eats rather than a tourist stop. Programming stays low-key and recurring: drag bingo and the long-running 'Bag Lady Bingo,' held the last Saturday of each month, anchor the events calendar.
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