Imbibe Lobby Bar

The drinks are pretty good and well priced. The downside to this place is you’ll be surrounded by guys with bronytails and women that try really hard to make it look like they «woke up like this,» and not in the good way. There’s also an abundance of hipster beanies placed juuuuust right so their bangs are exposed. This is the hipster equivalent of the flat billed hat. I’ve gotten a little off track. Back to the main point – good drinks, good prices.

I met up with someone here for a drink as a «first date.» I’m trying to ignore how lousy the date was and judge Imbibe on its own charm. Disclosure: Please take the review with a grain of salt as I’m not a major fan of Fountain Square. This little dive has a nice view of the fountains. I watched some grandpa sitting at the fountain as his grandkids played in the water. Fountain Square has an interesting feel (hipster to a fault). This bar — for me — left a lot to be desired. The seating is a bit awkward (maybe I don’t like the whole lobby bar thing). But the selection of drinks is good. I had the French martini i and — -for not being a big martini person anyway — I enjoyed it. If you like your drinks strong, you’ll get it here. In my opinion it’s a nice place to grab a drink at the beginning or end of night of other activities but I don’t think I’d spend too much time here hanging out. To each his own. Drink up.

This is another one of those really small intimate places that is great to just chill. I’m not sure if I would call it «hot first date» status, but it’s a chilled place.
The only thing I can really complain about is when you are having an excellent conversation, just boozing a bit and then all of the sudden that dreadful «breaking the seal» feeling comes upon. So, you have to stop the conversation, look around to figure out that the bathrooms are located on another level and then run up the stairs that looks like it’s taking you to nowhere and tire yourself out to stand at the urinal.
Now to be fair, I am being a little dramatic about that scenario, but still, it is inconvenient.
However, I think it’s nice that this place is kind of quiet and you can actually hear what the person sitting across the table or sitting next to you at the bar is saying. It’s a great place to have a conversation with a friend and make plans to see what you’re going to do with the rest of your night in Fountain Square.

Walking around the Fountain Square neighborhood with our jaws dropped admiring the tacky neon signs, we wandered into a vision-​a vision called the Imbibe Lobby Bar. Paging David Lynch! We found your hangout in Indianapolis. The Imbibe Lobby Bar felt like we fell into a timewarp or maybe that was the Rail Splitters talking. It felt like an airport bar in the 1960s.
Apparently we came back for an ill-​conceived nightcap before gunning our way to Greg’s. We just couldn’t quit the Imbibe Lobby bar. We’re not sure we ever left.

Big fan of this place. It’s a tiny bar with a terrific atmosphere. Quiet and intimate, it’s perfect for dates or just having a conversation. This bar specializes in cocktails, and while they are a bit pricier, you get your money’s worth. Bartenders are friendly and attentive. In my experience they’ve never been too busy, but there was a lot of people there on Friday night. Great place to kick off your evening or to stop for a drink after work.

We walked in at about 30 minutes after midnight. This is one of the few places in Fountain Square open that late on a Saturday. The place wasn’t busy at all. Maybe 10 people including the three of us. It is very small though, which makes it cozy, but also makes it seem full with just the few people that were there. I think that 20 people inside would make the place feel crowded.
On the upside, they make great drinks, and the pricing isn’t bad. $ 6 for a Jack and Coke, $ 8 for a couple of drinks that were a little more complicated and made with better liquor.
I would definitely go back.

Four stars for being one of the only places in fountain square open this late. This place has kind of an odd set-​up, which I feel is what keeps me from loving it. Their cocktails are great, made by awesome people, but the atmosphere is kind of cold and disjointed. It’s difficult to find a place to sit, because there are only a few tables. So, if you are sitting, odds are you have someone hovering over you in the cramped standing space. Awkwaaaaaard. I feel like if they moved some things around, this place would be awesome. Great food, great drinks, poor seating arrangements.

I love this Fnt. Sq. late night hangout! The bartenders are friendly and make excellent cocktails. If Brook is working, ask her to whip you up something special… she will surprise you with an elixir that is interesting and delicious.
They are the one place in the area that’s open late. Nab some pot stickers off the food menu if your hungry.

*** I was recently informed that the magical Brian no longer works here. So the short version of my review is: good atmosphere, bad drinks, wouldn’t make a point of going back. Read on for the long version. ***
All the other reviews say this place rules because of the mysterious Brian, and since I went there and had a mediocre drink and Brian WASN’T there, I can only assume that Brian really is the magic that makes Imbibe worth visiting.
My friend (an Imbibe regular) had been going on and on about it and about Brian, so we stopped in for a drink after doing some other putzing around Fountain Square. The ambiance was nice — not too noisy, very cozy, it was definitely an ideal place environment-​wise to go for a drink and conversation.
The menu had a good mix of classic and new drinks and they had some really good specials as well. Our server was very nice and attentive without being annoying. We didn’t get any food but the nachos looked pretty tasty.
I got a negroni and it was really so-​so. For $ 8, which is on the reasonable end of steep, it could have been better. My first mistake was not specifying the gin, which was not good, and there was also not enough Campari. My friend got the caipirinha and it tasted slightly rotten — like perhaps the lime was beginning to go bad. (I realize it’s an exotic-​ish cocktail, but I have had this drink before and it’s not supposed to taste like rotting fruit.)
I realize I sound fairly ridiculous but I really like my cocktails, negronis are my favorite, and I was pretty disappointed with this one.
I’d go back because I hear Brian is the wind beneath this place’s wings, but I really do think it’d be worth asking if he’s work ing before you sit down, because it was kind of a total bummer without him.

Imbibe is lovely. I think it is the most lovely bar in town. You want a well made cocktail, a quiet place to chat, and just feel at ease, Imbibe is for you. It’s not over the top. It’s not pretentious, it’s just Imbibe. A cozy bar where you can drop for a drink and be on your merry way.
Cocktails: ⁴⁄₅
Service: ⁴⁄₅
Location: ⁴⁄₅

I guess I just don’t get it. Nothing stands out (to me) about Imbibe other than its bacon-​scent… which I don’t particularly care for. It’s OK. I just heard so much hype for so long… The let down was due I suppose.
I agree with another reviewer. Would be a better establishment without the TVs.

It sorta reminds me of a bowling alley bar I was in a long time ago, and I like that. That’s not to say anything bad… it just reminiscent. Had a Manhattan after a dinner elsewhere. The service was great and very helpful, although, it was not crowded so we’ll bear that in mind.
Kinda retro, very laid back (on my visit). Check it out!

We literally stumbled upon imbibe while walking around fountain square after a few drinks at another establishment. It is crazy small but has a really friendly, casual environment. They make some old school and unusual drinks, so if you want to try out new things, then this place is ideal. I’m a strict vodka person and dislike most alcohol, but my usual vodka sprite was string and well made, so I’m pleased. My hubby ordered something pink and anise tasting, which would be delicious if you’re into that. We stop off here now as a night cap to wind down from an earlier bar/​dinner experience, so not necessarily a place I would go strictly to hang out for hours on end, but a fun place to pop in for a quick drink or more intimate meeting with a close friend.

I’m sorry, but what drunk son of a bitch (are we allowed to swear on Unilocal?) planned the streets of Indianapolis?
…Two driving-the-wrong-way-on-a-one-way’s later, Brian at Imbibe was taking good care of my sister and I. Fantastic Singapore Sling and Sidecar cocktails eased our stresses and the Beatles (playing at a reasonable volume) calmed our frayed nerves.
My favorite part about Imbibe was the ambiance: the place seemed to be straight out of the early 60s. And I don’t mean a modern bar trying to do a 1960s look-​I mean it’s like the place hasn’t been touched in 50 years. Small, not flashy, but super cool.
My only minor gripe is that these old-​school standard (albeit perfectly made) cocktails had the same price-​point as the creations at all those trendy mixology bars you’ll find sprinkled around up-​and-​coming Chicago ‘hoods. Are the drinks in Chi cheap and I’m just spoiled? Either way, I think I may have been under the false assumption that Indy nightlife would be much cheaper than Chicago’s…
But I digress. Imbibe was lovely; I hope to visit again.

I hate to be a downer but I’m not sure I get all the hype about this place. Perhaps it was just vastly different from what I expected as I had no clue it was situated in the middle two restaurants in a hallway of sorts. We sat at a table and it took the bartender a loooong time to get our drink orders. We wanted the drink special but they had run out of it which was a bummer. There was decent people watching which is always a plus but I’m not sure I will return as the location is pretty out of the way for me.

When you think neighborhood bar for a quick drink? Imbibe. When you think of a place to watch Jeopard with Brian on Friday night? Imbibe. When you think of chilling out with some of the Square’s typical hoodies for hours talking about how much you love the bar, love Brian, love the cocktails, love the hood? Imbibe.
I am pretty sure Imbibe is amazing because of Brian. He makes some of the most delicious cocktails I have imbibed… haha pun. I love coming here for a quick drink to start or finish the night. I looove getting appetizers from Smokehouse. Who doesn’t want to put cocktail drinks and bbq together?! Not me!!!
Even though it is a lobby bar, there’s so much going on to sit and people watch. It’s a fun funky place despite the fact it’s crammed between two other restaurants. Imbibe really has it’s own vibe compared to Smokehouse and The End. I enjoy coming here with the hubby and running into neighbors from the Square and enjoying Brian making damn awesome cocktails. I will keep on coming… because like I said bbq and cocktails equals awesomeness.

Bill… I mean Bryan. It’s Bryan right? Well… either way… he makes the best Ramos Gin Fizz in the state. If you’re looking for a Ramos, don’t even consider asking the elves out there… Bryan is the Santa of the Ramos Gin Fizz.

I love this place. I love the ambiance, I love their snack mix, I love that they play 80s new wave and early 90s indie, I love that the bartender has long hair and wears Bauhaus t-shirts…this is my kind of place.
They also have a massive cocktail menu and I enjoy trying a new one off the list each time I visit. The food always looks and smells amazing — I haven’t eaten off the menu, but I did steal some cheese off the cheese plate a friend ordered and it was delish.
It is small, probably only about 20 people can fit in there, so you probably won’t be too happy if you don’t like being up close and personal with strangers like you can be when it gets busy.

I like beer and the beer is definitely plentiful in Fountain Square. But, when I have a thirst for a stiff classic cocktail, I go to Imbibe.
And, if I’m tired of the smoky bar scene and desire a cozy, classy, non-​smoking lounge atmosphere, I go to Imbibe.
And, if other food establishments have closed their kitchens for the night and I have a hankering for an awesome late night bar menu, I go to Imbibe.
Seriously, you’ve wasted enough time reading this insipid review. Go to Imbibe! Ye shan’t be disappointed.

This is a small bar, but in a good way. It has an intimate feel and is non-​smoking. The music was at a level that allowed conversation. They only have three or four beers on draft, but make good selections for those choices, including Sun King, which is a favorite. Their bottled beer list looked good as well. We didn’t have any food when we went, but it looked like you can get some selections from the Smokehouse on Shelby next door. The people I went with had some mixed drinks and enjoyed them quite a bit. All around a cool place.