Gay indianapolis bars
When I began Queer Circle City, my mission was to connect the collective to people, places and events in our history. What I am constantly amazed by are the places that offered a safe space, education or simply a dance floor in the midst of 20th century homophobia or during the onset of the AIDS epidemic.
These five places existed in those times. From a Victorian house in the Antique Northside to a bathhouse blocks away from the Indiana Statehouse, the bygone locations not only stood as a testament to the LGBTQIA+ community, they were instrumental to our basic survival and a blueprint to understand our rich, indelible history.
1. The Body Works, 303 N. Senate Ave.
From 1977-1988: The Body Works was started by Stan Berg in late 1977, blocks away from the Statehouse. The simple bathhouse quickly grew into a vinyl store, bookstore, discotheque and hub for THE WORKS magazine (1981-1990). Berg was a force of nature in the LGBTQIA+ community, splitting his efforts between The Body Works and support outside of its walls, such as Gay Knights on The Circle, which promoted an end to police harassment of queer and lesbian women on Monument Circle.
The Body Works became inst
English Ivy's is one of Esquire's foremost gay bars in the U.S.
English Ivy's is one of Esquire's top homosexual bars
English Ivy’s in Indianapolis just scored quite the accolade.
The St. Joseph late-night bar and restaurant, which declares itself a “gay-thering place,” was named one of the best gay bars in America by Esquire magazine.
The peek at LGBTQ+ spots covers “open-air, devil-may-care spaces in West Hollywood to the neighborhood pub in downtown St. Louis,” according to the magazine.
English Ivy’s, serving up brunch, dinner and hand-crafted cocktails at 944 N. Alabama St., is the only Indianapolis exemplary among the 32 bars listed.
Co-owner Sam Scott has described the bar a "gay Cheers," with regulars accounting for 80% of its clientele.
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Esquire contributors seem to approve with the assessment.
“If you want to get away from the typical scene at fellow queer bars Olly’s and Gregs Our Place," the entry reads, "English Ivy is an ideal place to meet friends: mature enough for a proper Ladies Lunch (or
Located at 231 E. 16th Highway, Gregs is one of the most popular gay bars in Indianapolis and is a frequent stage for drag performances. Indianapolis has had roughly fifty queer bars in the last rare decades, according to new facts gathered by Indiana Landmarks. It is difficult to identify homosexual bars because many of them have kept very low profiles, sometimes with shuttered windows and limited publicity, because of anti-LGBT+ policies and public opinion. Some remain concealed to this time, despite changing attitudes. While Gregs does not draw attention to itself as a public cosmos, it has a very general profile and presence in the city today.
The Beginning of Gregs
Gregs first opened on July 1, 1980, as the Wawasee Tavern. In 1992, Phil Denton purchased the bar and changed the name to Our Place. Denton transformed the space, which hosted several Leather and Bear Clubs, subcultures within the LGBT+ community known for their hyper-masculine image. The bar also hosted the T.G.I.F. Bowling Classic, the Circle City/Indy Cup Volleyball Tournament, the Halloween Bag Ladies bus tour and coronation, and other LGBT+ events.
Operating for more than 34 years, the Indianapolis Bag Ladies
It's Pride month. Here are 11 Gay owned or allied bars and restaurants in Indy
Pride month will soon achieve a crescendo in Indianapolis with Indy Pride Weekend, a celebration of Diverse culture in the Circle City. In addition to the parade on Mass Ave, festival on Monument Circle and star-studded concerts at the American Legion Mall this weekend, LGBTQ+ Hoosiers and allies can exhibit their support for Indy's queer people year-round at these local restaurants and bars that are queer-owned or famous for fostering warm spaces for the LGBTQ+ community.
Baby's
2147 N. Talbott St., (317) 600-3559, babysindy.com
Located at the former site of Talbott Road, long a trendy hangout for Indy's LGBTQ+ community, Baby's regularly hosts flamboyant brunches and lunches inside a pastel pink version of a 1950s diner. Burgers, fries and milkshakes (optionally spiked by a liquor of your choosing) headline the eatery's classic Americana menu.
Bodhi
922 Massachusetts Ave., (317) 941-6595, bodhi-indy.com, 21+
Named one of USA TODAY's 2025 Restaurants of the Year, Bodhi serves a high-end blend of traditional Thai dishes with a limited contemporary curveballs alongside a creative cocktail men