The Libertine Liquor Bar

This is one of my top picks in Indy for craft cocktails. I really like the new space. It’s not so new anymore, but I like the dark descent to the basement to find a lively atmosphere. It feels like stumbling into a Prohibition-​era speakeasy, and I had the right password. The menu rotates, and they continually offer specials, so it’s difficult to pick out specific things. For example, just this weekend we had a Pineappleaquiri or something like that. It was a play on a Pineapple daiquiri, and it did not disappoint. One of my favorites is the Velvet Underground. Most recently, we had some Asian inspired wings that were delicious. Yes, the cocktails are around the $ 11-​$ 13 range, but at least they pack the punch needed to lift a big girl like me off my feet. I end up spending the same here for 3 or 4 drinks as I would having to buy 6 or 7 of the $ 5-​$ 6 drinks elsewhere. Whether it be food or drink, everything we’ve had has been wonderful.

Cool bar… however the bartender are awful. If you don’t order from the drink menu they don’t know how to make anything else. Tall blond bartender not great. They also made us move down because we were making the seating uneven.

Now I’m not much of a hipster these days but I think back to my time spent in this bar-​and maybe my inner hipster is making a comeback? The drinks are amazing. Strong enough to make you forget that crapy work day and still leave you wondering «how did they mix that so perfectly?» The steamed mussels are almost as good as Brugge. The bacon flight? My husband could only smile. Am I a 20 something year hipster? No. We had 2 hours before we had to go home and pay the sitter. But we had a good 90 minutes at the Libertine. I would give 5 stars but we waited forever for drinks at arrival. Turns out being a real hipster might give you faster service.

The perfect bar. Dark lighting with interesting visuals, aided by strong and unique cocktails make this the perfect setting. The food is also out of this world. The menu is from one of the best chefs in the midwest. My most recent visited had me devouring the deviled eggs. Three kinds with unique flavor profiles; the classic with its sweet egginess, the smoke trout balanced with the saltiness of caviar, and lastly the pickled beet topped with horseradish reminding me of the Slavic flavors of my youth.
The staff is engaging and you feel like they really love working there and sharing their craft. House made bitters and juices help add to wonderful flavors of the cocktails. Don’t come here expecting to get your Absolut and Cranberry, this is an adventure so live a little.

Looking for a nice, romantic place over some pretty strong, boozified cocktails? Look no further than the Libertine!
I hadn’t been to the new location, so I didn’t know what to expect, but it was a very nice atmosphere and change from their old location. Think Bakersfield basement but less crazy and a bit more elegant and classy. The artwork and photography around the place is a nice touch and the dim lights add to that perfect fancy cocktail mood.
The menu changes quite frequently, so I couldn’t suggest anything specific. I asked the waiter what his current favorite was, and I got what he suggested. It was great! $ 11 worth? That’s where I need to knock it down to a 4-​star rating. Yes, they’re delicious cocktails! $ 11? That’s a bit too much for someone like me on a budget.
So if you’re looking for something a bit fancier and very crafty cocktails (or wine or beer), definitely give the Libertine a shot (no pun intended)!

I enjoyed Libertine. We stopped in for just a cocktail and were readily greeted by the bartenders. Being in this basement bar really transports you — it’s dim, cool, and accented with interesting pieces of décor. Quite a difference from the sunshine and warm weather that makes walking on Mass Ave. a treat! We were in around 7 on a Thursday night and there were only a few other people in for drinks. I could see how it would get crowded later or on a weekend night as there isn’t a lot of space.
The cocktail menu has kind of a retro pop culture theme. I had no idea what half the ingredients were, but I’m of the mind that if you like the base liquor and it’s a good cocktail bar, the drink will probably be well balanced. I found that to be the case with the Morrison’s Door cocktail I chose. I was a little worried about the «raisin tones» that were listed under the description, but it worked. A well balanced cocktail. My husband went for the «bonded old fashioned» and enjoyed it as well. They have a small food menu which the Pizzology hostess upstairs raved about, but we were only in for drinks on that particular visit.
We didn’t have time to stick around, but I look forward to stopping back and perhaps trying out some of their edible selections in the future.

Hipster, mustaches, hats, and suspenders are the requirement at this joint.
Located underground to enhance the Chicago 30’s culture in Indianapolis. We shared the Glug Glug Jug for $ 38 and it gave us drinks for four.
The exposed brick, wood, and dancing man add some cool ambiance.

Craft cocktails and gastropub bites, served in a speakeasy-​style bar? Yes please! My first visit to The Libertine was for Devour Downtown. I was not expecting to be in the basement of the Pizzology building. But, after wining and dining for 4 courses at this underground watering hole, I soon realized that the bar’s location matches quite well with the ambiance. We were there on a Thursday, so it wasn’t terribly busy and the place was calm and chill. The glow of candlelight provides warmth and soft lighting when you enter the bar. I recommend sitting at the bar — it’s fun to watch your barkeep muddle mint and mix various liquids to make your elixir of choice. There are also tables and booths if you want a more intimate meal.
The Libertine has an ever-​changing drink and food menu, so you’ll always get to try something new and interesting if you’re a frequent visitor. Follow your server’s lead if he/​she recommends a particular cocktail or dish. Even if it doesn’t sound like your normal item of choice, I guarantee you won’t be disappointed. Try know their stuff and more than likely that drink or dish may not be available next time you’re in. One such dish… sautéed mushrooms… man oh man! They were buttery and covered with fresh herbs. I have yet to see it in the menu again, but if it ever is you can bet I’m ordering it again. The chef loves to pair wonderful flavors and ingredients you wouldn’t normally think would go together… but they do. Food is not just a meal here. It’s art as well… dishes are plated and presented nicely.
The same goes for their cocktails. Booze meets art! At my last visit, I got to try the bartender’s David Bowie tribute cocktail called Two Starman. It was BRIGHT BLUE and had a black lightning bolt draw into the frothy mix with syrup. Tasted just like a sweet tart! Yum yum!
I love taking people to The Libertine for a pre-​game drink OR as the after party. It’s chill, but still hoppin’ if you want a cool place to hang and enjoy some delicious boozy drinks.

What can I say that hasn’t already been said? This place is amazing. The staff are all incredibly personable and definitely know their way around a good cocktail.
I came from San Diego and was delighted to find a bar that met all of my modestly snobby standards (I’m looking at you polite provisions).
Basically if you want a top notch drink with great atmosphere and greater people, come to the libertine

Love this cool underground bar! Bartenders are for the most part friendly and accommodating to our taste palettes when it came to choosing a cocktail. I love their use of different and unique flavors for their drink mixes.

I feel like I’ve been writing a lot of poor reviews… I’ve had such a string of bad service. And I have to say, I’m so excited that this establishment broke that streak. I wish I could remember our bartenders name (long beard is all I’ve got.) because he was fantastic. Friendly, knowledgeable, on top of it. I’m very easy to please when it comes to service, but he just blew it out of the water. The cocktails were great, and seasonally available, so I’m glad we got them while we could. Mine was lightly sweet, delicate, and adorable… served in a teacup with flower petals floating in the mix, and aptly named «let them eat cake». My boyfriends drink, on the other hand, was sttong, heavy, and oh so smokey. We split a small plate of Brussels sprouts, broccoli, and garlic. So delicious, filling, and a steal at only 5 bucks. Yum!

Oh, Libertine. Are people telling you to go down the street for a drink? Don’t listen to them and listen to me. Each time I leave here I just look forward to the next magical time I get to experience it again. You’ll find this bar buried in the basement of Pizzology on Mass Ave and it fits the vibes this laid back bar puts off. We arrived a little after 7pm and it was almost completely empty (just how I like it), however shortly after we came in the tables filled up and there was standing room only. Each and every drink is handcrafted just for you, down to the garnish. If your drink is not on the menu, just talk to the bartender. Tell him (or her) what liquor you prefer and I bet he (or she) will whip something up for you that will make you fall in love with the place. This time around my husband got an Old Fashioned and I chose Morrison’s Door. Each were awesome (& strong). Worth every penny.
I will say that I miss the old location on Washington St. There was just something about that place… but even though it had to move I still give it 5 stars.

Every visit to Libertine is always an experience. Whether it’s learning about the difference between whiskeys and ryes, trying a funky cocktail that you’d never think of making yourself, or sampling some unusually delicious food for a cocktail bar, I really do enjoy Libertine.
I accidentally had an oxtail grilled cheese — I’m vegetarian and thought oxtail cheese was some fancy cheese instead of the tail of an ox — and was blown away by how delicious it was. I recognize that readers might call out the fact that it’s probably because meat is delicious, be regardless, cocktail bars don’t have to invest a lot of thought and effort into innovative, great food, but Libertine does it anyways, and it makes it much more exciting to visit.
I’d go visit more, but it’s a pretty loud place for a fairly cramped basement, with some very peculiar videos constantly playing on repeat. While all of this certainly suits the vibe, it’s rarely the vibe I’m down for on any given night. Still, if I’m looking for a great cocktail, Libertine is still the place.

This place is absolutely charming. We came here on New Year’s Eve for a stop and a cocktail before the final event. The staff was very friendly and knowledgable and the service of was great. I had a French 75 and it was superb!

Everything I had was tasty but the menu is too limiting for me and drink prices on the high side. It’s a place I would go to for a short time but money goes quickly here.

It’s a great place to come and try something different. We may not come here frequently, but each time has been fun. You pay for craft cocktails or you can choose beer and wine as well.
My only negative is that is gets crowded pretty easily.
At least give it a try if you’re on Mass Ave.

Can the Libertine please go back to their old location? This new location makes me feel like I’m being held hostage in a basement somewhere. It’s just too dark and the lack of windows leaves me feeling claustrophobic, especially when it’s crowded.
Despite the interior, the drinks are good, but in my opinion, not worth the high prices that they charge. Also, I just can’t get excited about ordering a cocktail when I’m unsure what 50% of the ingredients are. I understand that I’m not a mixologist, but I’m also not living under a rock, so I feel like I should be able to read an ingredient list and know what most of the stuff is.
Alas, I think this new Libertine is just not my style anymore. I will remember the old location with fondness, but will take my cocktail sipping elsewhere.

Libertine may be my new favorite cocktail spot on Mass Ave. I had never heard of this place or been to a speak easy in Indy until a friend suggested we go over the weekend. I am a fan of Mass Ave downtown and was definitely on board to try this place out. Situated in the basement of Pizzology, it has a nice, cozy, 1930s prohibition vibe. You walk down some stairs and are greeted with the brick walls, dim lighting, and bartenders decked in suspenders (love it).
We had to wait a few minutes to enter because it was at capacity. They let two of our party of four go in. My sister and I found our way to an opening at the bar and were instantly impressed with their liquor selection and cocktail list. Looking around we didn’t notice it to be overly packed and I instantly became grateful that management there cares about the experience enough to not let it get wall to wall full of people– so cool!
I wanted to see these bartenders skills so I told him what I like and had him create me a drink. TO DIE FOR. All I know is it was vodka, with a cucumber and I believe mint on top. Not sure of the other ingredients but it was mixed to perfection. All of my friends enjoyed great craft cocktails as well. We we able to snag a table after only a few minutes and retreated there the rest of the night. There is a screen set up that is playing what I think is live footage of downtown indy– once again, SO COOL.
This space is unique and a great place to grab a cocktail with friends. Definitely more upscale than $ 2 you call its– so be prepared to fork over a few dollars for drinks.

I stopped by the Libertine while I was in town on business. I really dig the dark basement vibe, and the decoration is cool, too. I was the only patron at the time, and enjoyed sitting at the bar for awhile.
Now, my bartender was an interesting fellow. He felt the need to explain every ingredient to me, or ask me, «do you know what — is?» Like, uh, dude I know precisely what pretension is.
Anyway. I was super annoyed by him, but the drinks were great! My favorite was the Tiger Lily — love spicy drinks! The maraschino cherries are quite sweet, btw.
Prices are about average for craft cocktail joints like this — the drinks always pack a punch, so two drinks max for me!

This place is different from most bars I’ve been to. It has a speakeasy kind of vibe, as it looks like others have noted. It’s in the basement of Pizzology, so it feel like you’re going somewhere hip/​secret. It’s also got a hipster vibe to it.
The drinks are expensive, but they are drinks you really can’t get anywhere else. I had the Tiger Lily. I don’t remember the exact alcohol involved, but it had coconut liquor, basil, and cayenne pepper in it. It was very good. Worth the price (~$ 11).
The atmosphere is very chill and vintage/​hipster.

Libertine, libertine, I want to love you but alas, I’m a beer guy and you’re a cocktail girl. I knew what you were and I still fell for you, maybe it’s the fancy pants drinks, the oh so cool crowd, the «hidden» location, it’s not you, it’s me.
Ordered 4 drinks, 2 were wonderful, 2 I thought I was drinking cinnamon schnapps, 4 drinks, and 2 shots later, I left $ 64, behind and yes went to a bar, bar. Bartenders are great, décor is cool, I’m sorry that I led you on, can we still be friends?