Nicky Blaine's Cocktail Lounge

This place has a great dark, smoky, cozy vibe decorated in deep rich colors and with ample super comfortable leather couches. The cocktail and cigar menus are both extensive, and there is a nice selection of appetizers and snacks. Sadly, despite the place being over half empty, service was almost non-existent. I waited 30 minutes after finishing my only drink for a waiter to return, but alas, no. Meanwhile he visited the ladies nearby 6-7 times in the same interval. After giving up and going to the bar for help, I explained I had been waiting 30 minutes (originally wanting a second drink, but at this point just wanting to leave) and the only response I got was "oh." No apology whatsoever. I don't why I was ignored after my first drink was delivered as I was polite to the staff, dressed appropriately, quiet, and didn't make any special requests.

Online this place looked quant and unique so I decide to choose this bar over the popular chain that was up the street. When I walked in I was greeted by the host who told me the bar had open seating. I then asked if I can check out the cigars and I was told "the bar has a menu" which threw me off because I would prefer to see the cigars I'm going to purchase rather than looking at list, but whatever. When I sat down the bartender asked if I would like a drink so I ordered. I then informed him that I would like a cigar. He brought me the menu and the informed me that I could also check out the humidor which is what I wanted to do in the first place. At this point I already had my drink so I walked to the same host and asked for the humidor and he told me that I had I could now access it but I couldn't bring my drink inside the humidor because "people spill their drinks inside all the time" and suggested that I leave my drink on a random table that wasn't visible inside the humidor. Anyone that works at a bar should understand why this is a terrible idea. At this point as a customer I felt insulted as if I was being treated like a toddler instead of a paying customer. I skipped the cigar and went to the chain up the street which is what I would recommend everyone else to do.

My friend and I went here for a cigar and drinks. The lounge was really cool. Lots of comfortable leather couches and chairs. The cocktails were delicious. The server recommended some great cigars for us. I look forward to going back!

Had a wonderful cocktail here with my brother! It’s got the best vibes and even better worker! Brian is a great and makes good recommendations and then a good cocktail. You can’t go wrong here. Highly recommend taking a date here or go out with friends if you want somewhere fancier and high class.

Great dark and moody atmosphere and friendly service. Very comfortable seating and great selection of cigars.

Gotta be one of the USA’s most comfortable cigar lounges. Good music (not too loud to talk over), comfortable chairs and sofas, excellent service. Cigars were priced fairly. $5 cover absolutely worth it.

If you're looking for the ultimate escape in downtown Indianapolis, look no further than Nicky Blaine's Cocktail Lounge. Tucked away beneath Monument Circle, this subterranean speakeasy-style gem feels like stepping into a classic Hollywood film—think Casablanca meets Mad Men, with a dash of retro Indy charm. From the moment you descend the stairs, you're enveloped in an intimate, dimly lit atmosphere that's pure elegance plush filled with leather couches in cozy yet spacious areas, perfect for a romantic date, catching up with friends, or unwinding after a show, dinner, or following a Colts game. Unlike loud nightclubs, here you can actually hear your conversation while savoring the vibe—soft jazz or Sinatra tunes often playing in the background. The cocktails are nothing short of masterful and the signature martinis are legendary. The bar is fully stocked with premium scotches, bourbons, and whiskeys, and the bartenders are true artists who offer spot-on recommendations. Pair your drink with something from their extensive cigar selection (one of the best in the city), and you've got perfection. It's the kind of place where locals and visitors alike feel like VIPs. Nicky Blaine's isn't just a bar; it's an Indianapolis institution, and it lives up to the hype as Indy's original retro cocktail lounge. This is a must-visit. I can't recommend it highly enough—I'll be back every time I'm in town!

I was in Indianapolis for the weekend, for the Indianapolis marathon. We came here Saturday night after a good steak dinner to celebrate. This is one of the best cigar bars in the world!, Seriously. It is perfection We were able to meet the owner, Simon, who is cool, friendly, outgoing, and very proud of this amazing place. It’s an easy, five star, easy thumbs up.

After numerous visits to Indianapolis, Nicky Blaine's has become a requisite, no questions asked necessary stop when in town. I'm not a cigar smoker but this has absolutely no bearing on my love for this establishment. Once you descend to the bottom of the stairs, especially on a cold winter night, Nicky Blaine's welcomes you into its warm embrace and the now-familiar inviting comfort of the numerous cozy chairs and couches from which you know you'll enjoy some amazing cocktails and great service. With the vast number of drink choices and ( for those who indulge ) even greater selection of cigars it is the ideal spot to spend time. There is a very good selection of food options as well if you want to make a whole night of it. This continues to be a must-stop for us while in town and I often find myself singing its praises to others. Walk down the stairs and enter a place of old-world comfort and cocktail goodness. Can't wait for the next visit.

Nicky Blaine's is the OG! From the moment you walk down the stairs to the lighting of your cigar you feel like you're traveling through time. The ambiance is very classy and the staff genuinely wants you to have an epic time. The cigar assortment is very diverse and the drinks / food menu are an incredible value. The cigars might be a few bucks more than Burn but you probably spend less because drinks are cheaper.

I always LOVE coming to Nicky Blaine's. Great, welcoming, cozy environment. Not overly smoky. Good music but low enough you can hear the people you're with. Their banana split and grass hopper dessert martinis are my favorite drinks in the city of Indianapolis. Highly recommend. Service is always quick, polite, and helpful in making recommendations for cigars.

This place was awesome. $5 cover charge to go down the stairs. Opens up to a big lounge. Cigar selection was great. Although I couldn't get what I really wanted, the late hour Churchill from Davidoff. Decided to get a nice My Father cigar, the Judge. Drinks were great as well, and the pricing was decent. Overall if I were to stop by Indy again....definitely a spot I would go to.

Nice- relaxed- not packed with people. It is a Smokey scene but hey, it's a cigar bar. Would go again.

One of the few places in Indy where you can eat and drink and relax and smoke indoors (or inhale second-hand smoke, like me, because I don't smoke). I knew nothing about Nicky Blaine's before walking down the red steps and entering the red doors. But this place is super cool and unusual, and it's definitely a must-visit if you want a classy place to enjoy old school cocktails. My cocktail of choice was a Dean Martini with two bleu cheese olives. It was cold and clean, and the olives lent a little briny saltiness to the drink. It went down a treat. They have a menu of appetizers and other nibbly things to eat, but I just visited for drinks. When you enter, you can choose to sit at the bar or at one of the leather couches. We chose the couches, and it was very relaxing. Nice music was playing, the servers are friendly and professional, and the lighting was dim enough to make everything nice and fuzzy around the edges. Nicky Blaine's is definitely a place I'd visit again for a little drink.

For a cigar lover it was very nice. They have an extensive collection to choose from & staff was knowledgeable. Unlike many cigar bars, you could plan a light meal here, which is nice if you want to make the experience an evening out. The food was decent & served fast. The atmosphere is fun, relaxing. Only downside was a cash cover charge with no notice. Then we go in, there were like 4 customers present (it was early in the evening). It would be nice to know on the website if you have to have cash on hand prior to arrival. It is located downtown, so give yourself time to park. Reservations depend on the day. Cover? I don't know, maybe just applies to weekends? Since there was no live music, dancing, or entertainment, it was unexpected. However, is a nice experience for cigar smokers.

Absolutely amazing! The fact that it's a cigar bar kinda sucks, but otherwise this place is the very definition of what a speakeasy should be.

Okay, so this Friday night with one of my friends was a night of 'firsts.' We attended the Indianapolis Circle of Lights. Very beautiful & not as packed as we expected. I've had Nicky Blaine's on my places to visit lists for a while. I do not frequent cigar lounge or smoke them however I like the ambiance & dranks I was taken aback some with it being a $5 cover. Again, I don't frequent. Just wish more places in Indy would skip covers especially if before 10 (we were there approx around 820/830). I ordered the 'pestotomato' sandwich with chips & a pickle spear. It was fast and I really enjoyed the pickle. I do wish that more pesto would have been spread. I ordered a yummy French 75 (I typically sub gin for tequila, add lavender syrup) however I did a lavender gin. I'm all about the aesthetics & presentation of my cocktails. I loved my drink just wished it had a garnish. For my smoke, I went with the Brown Sugar. So good. I will definitely be returning as it was a smooth low key night.

This is one of the best cigar lounges in the world. Seriously. It is absolutely perfection.

Wonderful cocktail lounge. Always inviting and relaxing. Clean and great music too. Drinks are always top notch as well as the service.

My husband and I stopped in for drinks after a comedy show on a recent Friday night. We hadn't been here for over 20 years, but I was pleased to see that not a damn thing had changed in all that time. It's cozy and dimly lit. It's classy yet casual. The clientele was diverse- everyone from couples on date nights, single men enjoying a smoke and drink, groups of out of town football fans, and old regulars. The drink menu is extensive, but they're happy to craft something off menu, as well. I don't smoke anymore but my husband enjoyed a cigar that the waitress helped him select. It was a treat to sink into a big leather couch, enjoy a well-crafted cocktail, and forget about the world for a while.

Jess is the best server!! The drinks are amazing! Always a stable place to visit for last call! It's so comfortable!

Literally so insane that you have to pay a $5 cover to enter this bar. Not the cover bar vibe at all. Almost entirely empty on a Saturday night. If you're charging a cover at this place it should at least cover your first drink. Really a waste of time and money but the drink was good.

A Downtown Indianapolis classic. Downstairs and just South of Monument Circle, everything about Nicky Blaine's is Old School Cool and classy. Cigars, wine, beers and liquor selection are excellent, and they do have some food (but no one goes here to eat!). A great place to end your night after an ISO concert at Hilbert or to start a downtown Indy Night Out at any of the attractions. I have also done a couple of fundraisers here as well, as it is one of the "destination" places that Indy natives don't always find their way to, on their own! Great for mtg folk from out of town who are staying Downtown in one of the hotels. And always interesting people watching during Downtown sports or tourist events! Never quite sure who might post up! Always a quietly, understated elegance and efficient Staff that somehow handles the hustle & bustle with grace. And the old booths & woodwork from the King Kole let you know you are in a place with history & substance! Now go make some of your own!

A great place to unwind, relax, and enjoy a nice glass of your favorite bourbon or whiskey and a cigar of your choice. At an HR conference , I needed a place to put my feet up. Thank you, Nicky Blaine's! I enjoyed Maker's on the rocks and a Nub Maduro. Pleasant conversation at the bar and a very friendly staff. The club was not overly smokey and lots of seating options for larger groups. Definitely recommend.

Located in the heart of downtown just off Monument Circle tucked in the basement is this sultry little cocktail lounge. This wasn't my first time in Nicky Blaine's. I had been several years ago with a group of girlfriends. But was looking forward to it. The lights were dimmed and the air smelled of sweet cigar smoke while music was softly playing in the background. We sat ourselves and were instantly greeted by our server. I settled on Werewolves in London (SOHO Lychee liqueur, X-Rated passion fruit liqueur, and pineapple juice) It was absolutely delicious. My friends got the Snickers and chocolate martinis. My reason for not giving it a stellar 5 star was the service. As she was setting my drink on the table she spilled half of it and didn't say anything and just walked away. Now these martinis are $15ea and half of mine was on the table. I ended up asking for another and she finally cleaned the spilled drink after it had sat there for a good 20-30 min. *A side note: There is a cash only cover on weekends*

I pinned a fair amount of hope on Nicky Blaine's Cocktail Lounge: the homage to the coolest restaurateur in the world, that it serves classic cocktails, and the nearness to my hotel room. Nicky Blaine tags itself: 'Indy's "Original Retro Bar "[that] offers a unique experience . . . From Martinis to Manhattans and so much more, we present classic cocktails with a modern twist.' First of all, does retro mean $5 cover? Though after previously walking across Monument Circle, I realized why, to keep out the . . . unfortunately political correctness and threat of lawsuit preclude further narrative (as does why the wooden Indian was removed). Unfortunately I also failed to realize it's a cigar bar, with an emphasize on the word "cigar" and a deemphasis on the word "bar." It has a great look, overstuffed sofas and chairs with a long sinuous bar over there, and the rich red wall paper over rich wood wainscoting that shouts "I'm a classy bar . . . or a bordello!" A Manhattan and a Negroni were ordered. You know a "classic cocktail" might not be one, when a bartender simultaneously pours the all the ingredients into a glass filled with crushed ice, like he was a stogie smoking Tom Cruise in the movie Cocktail. The place just stunk, both figuratively and literally.

Took my husband here for part of a Christmas gift. He thought it was awesome. It was such a cool place. Very classy, comfortable, had great ambiance, and staff was very kind and knowledgeable. Cocktails were great, I recommend the French 75! Also nice that all seating was good distance from other groups so there was good airflow with all the smoke. This is a place that feels like you can sit and talk for hours.

Very enjoyable cigar bar. Just as I'd expect with comfy leather chairs and sofas throughout. Decent Biurbon and cigar menu. I would definitely return for another round the next time I'm in Indy.

Adorable speak easy style lounge! Amazing selection of cocktails with creative names and concoctions. Chill atmosphere. Owners are out and about and welcoming! Highly recommend!

Truly an amazing place to visit! Friendly staff, amazing selection of all sorts of spirits and let's not forget they have an amazing selection of FINE cigars! Be sure you visit this fine establishment the next time you are in Indianapolis!

Wandered into this place after a team dinner and wow! Coolest lounge I've been to in a long time. Right out of the Rat Pack era. An entire menu dedicated to martinis and cigars. Yes, you can smoke a cigar and enjoy a classic cocktail. The vibe here is jazzy and classic cool. Stuffed leather chairs and couches, polished wood bar, bartenders that know what they are doing. Fantastic spot to chill and relax where you can have a conversation and enjoy a fine cigar. Food is limited to appetizers however a pretty good selection and some things you might not expect. If this was a franchise I'd buy into it. Of course then it wouldn't be as cool.

A great place to go and enjoy a cigar/ drink. Located in the heart of downtown, you have to stop by and experience this great lounge. The ambiance is very speakeasy feeling- and usually has a good crowd on weekends. I wish it was a bit more aired out, but nothing too terrible. I always enjoy their martinis or old fashioned and my husband loves their scotch on the rocks along with a cigar. They have a good variety of cigars from all price points. Great for a solo, date or group activity. They have sofa chairs, tables and a bar as well.

Great cocktail/cigar lounge in the heart of Indianapolis. Extensive menu of drinks and cigars in an old school, relaxed atmosphere. Great prices too!

Stopped in for the first time last night, we were in town for PRI and wanted to grab a few drinks to end the night and our bus driver actually recommended this place for cigar smokers. The vibe is very low key, relaxing and was accommodating for our handicapped friend. Our server Brooke was awesome, and told her we can't wait to be back next year! It's hard to find exceptional service and this place nails it.

Great lounge spot for cocktails and cigars in downtown Indianapolis! Great service , huge couches

I love Nicky Blaine's! The staff is awesome. The space has a really relaxed vibe and is the perfect place for a kickback with the guys. The drinks and cigars are a bit pricey, but it's well worth it for the experience. Shoutout to Mark and Brook for always offering A1 service!

The general vibe here is so comfortable and the service is exceptional. The food is only okay, but I doubt that's why anyone goes. Pull up a leather sofa, order a drink and relax with the right company.

so, I am into cocktails, since Covid anyway, and had known about this cocktail bar for quite some time... finally decided to patronize tonight. However, I entered and asked about sitting at the bar and getting a cocktail. I was told sure. Then some other guy came out with a stack of bills in his hand and said I needed to give him $5 for the privilege of entering. Seemed sketchy to me. I told him I just wanted to spend money at he bar, but he said something about Friday and Saturday being a charge. No live music. Not too busy. I never carry cash. I left.

Great atmosphere and service. Highly recommend! Will be back for sure! The old fashioned was perfect even for their house bourbon. Next time I will have food for sure.

When we first walked in we loved the atmosphere and it was such a cool speakeasy type of vibe. The menu is vast and there's lots of food and drinks to choose from. We sat at the bar and everything was great. It was just me and my friend and we are both young women. We didn't feel very safe here. Older men were trying to pop into our conversation and wouldn't take the hint to leave. Another old man came up and asked if he could take our picture?? we said no and he didn't take no for an answer and proceeded to take pictures of us. The bartender told him to stop but that definitely was uncomfortable. Cool place but minus 1 star for safety. Also the meat and cheese tray was basically just deli meat

I smoke cigars occasionally so a few of my coworkers told me to check this lounge out. We went on a Saturday and it was around 8:00 pm. It wasn't packed but I must say the location was perfect. There's a $5 cover charge to get in. I could see this being ok if it was later in the night and it's a hot spot but it was dead as a door nail. We paid the cover anyway. It's situated downstairs and the look is on point. It has a jazz/ speakeasy feel. It's not too smoky and there's lots of room to mingle and roam around. Our waitress was nice but she wasn't very attentive. I guess I'm just use to Blends service (another cigar lounge here in Indy). There weren't a lot of people and she didn't ask if we wanted a cigar or not. When we gave her our drink order it came out watery so I sent it back. The second time around my drink still didn't taste good. We had some Cuban cigars with us so we just smoked those since we weren't offered anything. Not sure how the food is but I was turned off by the drinks and level of service we experienced. I didn't want a cigar or food after having the drinks. We were ready to go after being there 45 mins. Unfortunately while cashing out and leaving the bartender passed out and the ambulance was called. Hopefully everything was ok with him. I'm always up for giving establishments another try. Next time we will go later when there's more of a crowd. I do like the decor and the location. Other than that I can't really say anything about their cigars or food. We actually went to Blend after leaving there...

It's a whole vibe, great cocktails, I got a vanilla cigar and tried the charcuterie plate. It's really a hidden gem downtown! Great for a date night!!!

Old school cigar bar - big leather chairs and coaches. Fantastic places to grab a drink find a good cigar and spend some time with some friends

Referred to us by our bartender at McCormick & Schmicks since they stay opened until midnight. What a wonderful find! Well worth the $5 entry to what reminds me of a NY speakeasy walking downstairs thru a beautiful wooden door. Red curtains, comfy couches, full bar, low red lighting, high tops around the bar area, cigar menu & they serve food. Absolutely excellent service also & at the end of my cigar, a tasty, flavorful La Gloria Cubana Maduro, the whole staff poured them & us a shot a Grand Mariner, at closing. Talk about a wonderful welcome to Indy, like a family or like we were regulars feel. Love this cigar bar & located in a beautiful location w/in walking distance to hotels, sites, restaurants & bars. All Covid rules in place & we've recommended many of our friends to check it out we were so impressed! This gem is a must if you enjoy the smell & relaxation of cigar bars.

Visited many times in the old location and first time in this location. Somewhat larger bar and cigars are a newer thing from then. I can see how it could get pretty smokey. Had a few drinks, martinis are a good park of the premium menu but they have about anything you want. Light menu but the hummus was good with well toasted pita points. Good service and very friendly. There was a cover charge early so not sure what that was about.

Best atmosphere in Indy - Old school classy cigar lounge! My best bet for a cocktail before or after dinner.

Is a great experience happy with service and selection. Would recommend to everyone when traveling to Indianapolis.

Been here many times. Cool, unique spot. Came tonight and was told $5 cover. You take care? Nope. There is an ATM across the street. Guess it's too much to add a cover to your bill on top of your $15 cocktails. Sorry, who carries cash anymore? Won't go back.

Classy cigar bar with the mood lighting and soft seats, like something out of the 40s to 70s except modern. Great place to have a drink or two and enjoy a stogie.

Great place for a late afternoon cigar and drink. Great service and also great cigar selection

3/29/22 our bartender was welcoming and humorous. I ordered a strawberry & crème martini, DELICIOUS!!! Lastly, in case you haven't done your research this is a cigar smoking lounge... be prepared to have your smell senses altered.

This place is fantastic! A great selection of cigars and whisky paired with personable staff who make great recommendations. And the lounge itself is classy and comfortable. I went twice while I was in Indianapolis- once to work and once to have drinks- and it was great both times.

Love the old school Sinatra atmosphere I fly to indi just to go to Nicky Blaine's for the night. Don't ever change-a thing!

Pretty cool concept in Indy! I've only seen cigar bars outside of the states and didn't know that smoking indoors was still allowed in some establishments. I am not a fan of smoky places or cigars, but ended up here after an engagement party. Nonetheless, I am pretty impressed with the cigar selection (not sure if they're great cigars, but they just have a large variety!). Nicky Blaine's also has a large selection of food (appetizers, snacks, and desserts) as well as some pretty interesting cocktails for those who do not smoke. Also, there are non-alcoholic drinks for those who don't smoke or drink! There's a $5 cover charge when we went. We arrived around 11 pm on a Saturday night. The doorman was very friendly and was accommodating to our large group of 9.

We love Nicky Blaine's but our recent experience was not stellar. It was not busy when we first got there but it did take us awhile to get served. The music flipped from Frank Sinatra to 60's diner pop cheesy music. When we asked why they said it was bc the staff gets sick of Frank Sinatra. They did run our of grapes for our Betty Page martinis which I found strange. It just seemed a bit off last night.

I love coming down here I only wish they weren't downtown but other than that they are awesome even if you don't like cigars the atmosphere is nice the couches are comfy and the drinks are superb the staff is also very accommodating their snacks are delicious and their prices are just right. if you want to enjoy a nice cigar this is a place to go. There is a $5 cover charge after 8:00 p.m. it is definitely worth a trip, highly highly recommend it

You know, if you've got the lung capacity to sit in a smoke filled room for a few hours, this is the place. Cigars reign and the drinks are no filler, just booze. Service is exemplary and consistent. Great snacks and a selection of stogies a mile long. Be prepared to either burn your clothes or do laundry as soon as you get home. Don't miss this one of a kind in Indy!