I want to love bourbon street and give it 4 stars, but there's just nothing amazing about this place. The food is pub grade, the cajun honestly isn't anything to brag about. I'm not saying the food is bad by any means, but if you want something special try looking around. Everything else about bourbon street just screams pub, but if that's what you're looking for then by all means its a great joint!
Atmosphere: 6/10
Service: 7/10
Food: 7/10
This would probably be more accurate as a 3.5 star rating. I wasn't impressed but I have several friends that swear by this place so maybe I just went on a bad night.
Average little bar in a historic building. It's apparently totally original as the mortar has gaps that allow the wintry air to just come right on in. The tables can be quite chilly as a result.
I should have stuck to something cajun or the tenderloin but I decided to try the *NEW* brisket sandwich. While New Orleans is no barbecue hub, I would have expected a more traditional serving with the barbecue sauce on the table or at least on the side. The meat was swimming in sauce already applied.
I would also love to know the origin of the name. It's an odd choice to call something a distillery when it isn't. Bourbon Street and New Orleans aren't known for distilleries either so I'm hoping that there's a good story in there somewhere.
This place is walking distance from the law school (and probably other IUPUI facilities). Great friendly atmosphere! $1 beer night is Monday folks!!
The quesdillas are awesome. I love the nachos. I have had great salads there as well! Must visit!
Also when it's nice outside they have a great balcony :)
Every time I come here, I get the french dip. It usually doesn't disappoint. With that you get a side of coleslaw and your choice of fries or chips. I usually choose the chips. The portion sizes are awesome (or at least it took me a while to finish) and the service is generally quick. Would come here again.
Review Source:Decent place for food and drinks. Â I rarely stray from the buffalo chicken sandwich (which you have to ask for now since it is no longer on their menu), so I don't have much to say about their food. Â My friends have always enjoyed their meals and I've always been happy with the chicken sandwich. Â Outdoor patio and balcony are nice on the days when you actually want to be outside; the upstairs restaurant/bar seating area can get a bit crowded in the winter. Â Watch out for the steep stairwells!
Review Source:A great place for a drink and some bar food. Â The have good BBQ and a great outdoors seating area (on the second floor balcony and down the street). Â The interior is nothing great but the food is great and the beers are quenching. Â The beer selection could be better but this is one of my top downtown pub-food picks.
Review Source:There is a reason why this place is always busy.......it's just that good. Â They have quite the beer selection (draft or bottle) and always seem to have interesting menu choices when I eat there.
The food I would say is definitely above-par when comparing to similar places like this. Â They have a great outdoor seating area on the main level and a fantastic patio on the second floor, which wraps around half of the building to give great views of the city.
The service has always been quick and friendly, and definitely a must try for those who haven't been. Â They serve a wide variety of American food and lives up to it's name with some menu choices that have a Cajun/New Orleans style twist.
What do I always get? Â The Buffalo Chicken Sandwich (fried). Â It's the best in town....by far.
Pros: good location, decent food, yummy drink specials, outdoor seating
Cons: slow service
I was a regular at BSD when I lived downtown due to their walkable location and drink specials. Â It wasn't uncommon to walk down for a few drinks and order whatever was on special. Â The bartenders know their stuff, and I haven't had a bad drink here (not an awesome one either). Â Order a long island or a hurricaine!
I don't usually order food, but when I have, I've been pleasantly surprised. Â
There are two stories to this place, and I usually head straight up the stairs in the back to the second floor. Â They have a nice little corner with some old couches that is great for groups. Â This is also how you access the great outdoor seating on the upper level. Â It's nice to enjoy a drink up here when the weather is nice. Â
This place is 100% better with the smoking ban!
3.5 stars. Â Always good ... sometimes even very good. Â
Cajun fish preparations are quite legit and appropriately seasoned just like we've had in Louisiana. Â Etoufee is authentic and right up there with the best you can get in Indiana. Â The garlic bread + coleslaw that seems to come with every dish is a nice touch. Â I didn't love the red beans & rice here on a recent visit, but the smoked pork chop special was a nice change of pace.
Service can be hit or miss, and you definitely shouldn't go here if you don't have some extra time on your hands. Â Eating inside is *unbelievably noisy* and not very conducive for normal conversations.
All in all, I'm always happy to visit Bourbon Street because they simply have good food.
Really!? Are you serial? I stopped off here on the way to wine fest... waste of time. We thought we would save money versus eating at the festival. Paid $8 for a BBQ brisket sandwich and fries. The best part was the fries. The brisket was tough and rubbery. Â The BBQ sauce was sparce and not sweet or spicy, pretty bland in general. His pulled pork sandwich was dry and stringy. Â The slaw had BBQ sauce that was spilled over into it (Ihate when my food touches). The server had to be called off her stool at the bar to bring us a check, this was after we had to retrieve our own menus, and she never even asked if we would like a 2nd drink. Â When we ordered our drinks we were told there was only one frosty mug left and 2 out of 3 of our drinks were delivered in plastic cups. They were not busy and had no clean dishes? Â Overall very disappointed and will not be retruning in the future.
Review Source:My friend and I walked here from our hotel so it was nice it was so close(University Conference Center). It was such a gorgeous day so we sat at the outside bar and we were quickly greeted by our super nice waitress. She was helpful in guiding us through the menu. I ordered the pulled pork sandwich and my friend ordered the brisket sandwich. One of us got the hot chips(homemade potato chips) and the other got the fries. My sandwich was delish! I ignored the bun as it was going to be a waste of space for me and devoured the pork, which was perfectly tender. I tried both the fries and chips and both made good side items. Each dish also came with a side of coleslaw which didn't have a lot of flavor, but tasted fresh. There were quite the crowd of bikers(motorcyle) inside, which you would have never have guessed unless you ventured in to find the restroom. Definitely worth trying!
Review Source:I'm really struggling to find the words to describe the conflict my heart is having to review this place. Â There are so many things that I LOVE about Bourbon Street Distillery. For one, this place serves amazing food. Â My favorite items on the menu are their pulled pork/beef brisket sandwiches. Â You receive a sandwich piled with meat on a plate that has any empty space filled with french fries. Â Let me tell you, the food is absolutely delectable! (+2 points for the unnecessary SAT word? Thanks) Two, when it is warm outside, there are few spots overlooking Indianapolis with a better view, it is bewitching! (+4) Three, and most importantly, there are $1 beers on Mondays. Â Let me repeat that, there are $1 beers on Mondays. Â I hear that if you repeat something three times you have a better chance of remembering it. Â
DOLLAR. BEERS. ON. MONDAYS.
OK, I digress. Â With those three things, Bourbon Street should have 5 stars. Â In fact, even their customer service is above average. Â On Monday's, the bartenders are trusting enough that they even allow you to tell them how many beers you've had! That's right. Â An honor system. Â I wouldn't trust my friend to take a couple fries off of my plate when I'm not looking let alone tell me how many beers he/she's had. But that's the culture of this place! If you've ever been to New Orleans, it is very reminiscent of that scene. It is definitely the Indiana version of New Orleans. Â Kind of like the Taco Bell of Cajun restaurants--it does the job, but it's no substitute for the real thing. Now, if they had Big Ass Beers, Hurricanes, or Beignets, I'd truly be back in NOLA!
BUT, there is one thing that I am simply unable to overlook. THE SMOKE! Depending on the night, the smoke in that place can be suffocating! Â
In fact, now that I think of it, this place is the Tim Tebow of bars/restaurants. Â There's definitely a love/hate relationship depending on the night. Â On some nights, (i.e, if you're looking to partake in the $1 brewskis, or during non-rush hours) this place is a home run, can't miss option. Â But on others, holy golden calf, you leave smelling like a human ash tray.
Bourbon St has become a staple for me the last four years I've been in Indy. Â The main draw has always been: 1) dollar beer night on Mondays (Coors, Miller, and Bud) and 2) the patio overlooking downtown Indy. Â The space has a worn-in feeling which is actually pretty inviting. Â There's also enough television sets to enjoy a game without arching your neck too much. Â The patio makes this a great place for a warm summer night to enjoy a beer and chill with your friends.
The entrees and food here are very underrated. Â The chicken wings and fish n chips are among the best I've had in Indy and the burgers are always perfectly seasoned in a cajun-style. Â The pulled pork sandwich is a winner too. Â Definitely try the fish entrees as well for something (slightly) healthier. Â
My only significant gripe is how poorly ventilated this place is: the smoke fumes can really overwhelm you after an hour or so if you're sitting indoors. Â Also, be forewarned that especially on a Monday night, the crowd can get really fratty. Â Overall though, if I can't think of another place to go for a drink downtown, Bourbon has always been a reliable place for a tipple.
You know, this is just one of those popular local bars that I've never jived with.
The location is OK and it's a good place to watch people.
The food is average, at best, and the drink specials range from decent to average.
When downtown was lacking outdoor seating, this was a good place to hit up. Now, it's just out of the way and adds nothing more than that offered by other bars and restaurants in the downtown area.
Thanks for a great meal and visit.
2nd floor bar area was very comfortable. Â Food was excellent - the tuna was very well prepared, seasoned just right and served with very tasty sides. Â The generous pork medallions were even better, with the best rice and bean side we have ever had.
Keep up the great work!
Burboun Street is a tasty and fattening southern-style place disguised as a mediocre (and cheap) downtown bar.
There's nice outdoor seating on the 1st and second floor, with more or less actual views. Walk in and you'll notice plenty of smoking, unfortunately, and the bar always sees some business even on a lazy summer afternoon.
As for my first impression of the food, the oyster sandwich was pretty great. Featuring big and pretty tasty oysters balls. The fries and coleslaw are about average, but comforting. On other visits the sandwiches could be better but still not bad at all.
The service is generally cool and quick here, even from the bar. But better is the price. On the first visit we didn't spend even our whole Groupon with a lunch and drinks. So we took home a good snickers cheesecake. A pretty great bar and pretty good food for not much cash.
About the only place in Indianapolis within walking distance of the law school, so I ate here 3 times (both lunch and dinner) during my training.
The food was pretty much just plain old bar food. The bbq was better than expected, the jambalaya worse. The ribs were tender and full of flavor. The black and bleu salad was good, my friend enjoyed the Cajun chicken salad. The cajun burger was cooked well, but I expected a little more kick to it. Fries were nothing special. Drinks that weren't beer came out in styrofoam cups.
The beer selection on draft was not good. I got a Sun King beer in a can and the can was very dirty. Had to ask for a glass after I explained, was not offered a new beer. Service was adequate, not amazing. Accommodated our group of 8 fairly well. Got better after some initial grumbling and then no complaints when we asked for separate checks.
Better service and better beer selection would help this place a lot.
Po'Boy missing lettuce and tomatoes from my blackened catfish. Â The "French" bread was very stale. Â At least the fries were good. Â Liked the margarita ($3.50) and Dos Equis ($3.00) specials on Tuesday night. Â
The worst part was all the smoking. Â I just smelled disgusting on the way home. Â It was nice enough where people who liked to smoke, should've just sat outside.
With the smoke, the prevalence of $1 beer I do not drink and the meaty crowd that generally makes up the crowd (read: meaty as in Ed Hardy + Leather Chap goatees = long lost father son combinations), I never thought I'd like it. I never thought I'd get over the smoke (even if it was just walking through it to get to the balcony).
I've never dined inside for this very reason, which is a shame because the general two level bar w/ megatrons aplenty would typically leave me aplomb. Alas... I drive by this place all the time and think, well, if the balcony is empty maybe I'll find my way up there one day.
Then, an Indian Summer day this past Sunday came to town -- 80 degrees. I'm in a tee shirt. It's October. And I want to be on a balcony. And look at that... it's completely empty. Good deal.
Buffalo Wings. Cajun Chicken Salad. BBQ Chicken Quesadilla. Now if one is to consider purchasing a tortilla filled with cheese, meat, sauce, onions and peppers... this is the place to do it. Something's going on in their sauce. Something is *also* going on in their Buffalo sauce -- as in, "excuse me, what levels of heat do I choose from?"
"Buffalo."
"Buffalo? That's all?"
"Yep."
"My dreams come true!" A restaurant foregoes ninnies who need heat options for their wings (to me asking for heat levels for wings is like asking a Michelin Star Chef to cook something in a certain way).
Then, I ask about the sauce: "Oh it's Frank's and some other things the Chef added."
Yeah, this bar has a chef. And clearly they take your everyday sauces and add something nutty to them (both the 'cue 'dilla & buffalo wings have a unique flavor).
I did make the mistake of not asking how much a Sun King Osiris is here ($7/can). Sheesh. I hope this helps SKB somehow. I might be the only one drinking SKB here as it's a macro beer haven.
The service was all pro and all business. Seriously. She never chatted with us and was on top of it the way her neck tattoo was on her neck.
When I want bar food without a smokey bar or a meaty scene (read: off peak hours), I'm coming here.
Would have given 4 stars but for the smoking. Really? In 2011? I know it's the Midwest and you do things differently there, but come on! Send the smokers to the alleys where they belong.
Service was friendly and warm, if a bit slow. We were anxious to get to the Muse show at Verizon and, to be fair, didn't tell the waitress. Gave several suggestions about what she liked and didn't and what moved well.
Perhaps I was thinking brewery instead of distillery, but the beer selection wasn't very creative. No locals on tap (I think they have two, but both were out on our visit).
Pork chops could easily feed two. Delicious, sweet/spicy sauce. A touch overdone, but I also didn't ask for them to be done a certain way. Still moist and tasty smoky goodness. Pork medallions were good, not great.
Salads were basic iceberg but the new creole vinaigrette was a tasty creation.
I've never had a cigarette in my life, so perhaps you won't mind it as much as I did. Second floor and outside areas offer an escape, but you have to walk through the first floor to get there. Ditch the cigs and allow the only vice to be the liquid kind because you've got a great little place there.
I would totally upgrade them to 4 stars if the service was better. Â It's so nice to relax on the patio with a great drink and really, really good food. Â The prices are great as well, especially for downtown. Â
But really, the service is soooo slow. Â I've actually had to get one of my friends stay behind and pay for me one time when I had to leave and we hadn't seen the waitress in a half hour. Â
They recently (finally) upgraded their TV to HD so now it's a great place to watch a game. Â Get there early to get a good spot.
Went for lunch, and OK, the calamari appetizer is really, really good. The other food seems to be pretty typical bar food. A friend said the pork tenderloin was very good. The hamburger was nondescript -- not bad, but nothing special. The service started out OK but, as noted by others, became increasingly absent -- to the point that we had to wander around the place trying to find someone to pay for our meals. The building is pretty cool, and the place seems to be fun for people to hang out and drink, but there are plenty of other places with this quality of food.
Went back for dinner, and had a completely different experience: fast, attentive service. And by the way, HUGE dinner portions.
I really liked dining at this place!
Its not often I get to indulge myself with Cajun food.
We sat upstairs in the patio and got to see downtown of Indianapolis skyline- since it was summer it didn't get dark until past 10pm.
Drank some yummy sangria and enjoyed our meal.
Wow there was sooo much food- what came with your entree was side salad and I got honey mustard which is my favorite dressing and etouffee. Holy that is amazing stuff- its like rice with this amazing shrimp gravy over it. To die for. Â This paired with the soft pork medallions hit the spot.
My company ordered ribs as finished licked the bone clean.
I definitely enjoyed it here.
I went as part of a group to Bourbon Street Distillery (as seems to be the theme as of late), and wasn't quite sure what to expect. I ordered the nachos as an entree, and a local craft beer (thank heavens I was not subjected to Sam Adams like so many of my fellow guests chose--in this city, it is a crime for a restaurant to not carry at least one of our local beers). Both of which were good, but not stellar. I was bummed to discover several things that make it pretty unlikely I'll return:
Onesies: It stands out in my mind that there was smoking inside, but I may be completely mistaken... I can't be sure. If it is the case, my advice is: Be upscale, make it non-smoking. Anymore, I find it stupid that any business would subject its non-smoking guests to the toxins its smoking guests are so unwisely inhaling into their own lungs.
Twosies: That whole thing about being a great view of downtown out the window is about to end... What will help Bourbon Street Distillery stand out after that?
Threesies: The portions were ginormous. Whereas a few entries ago, I mentioned that my Americanness suggests I would prefer portions meant to split a gut, this was a bit overwhelming. An oyster po'boy that could feed three? A steak the size of my cat? Plus sides? Plus beers? No wonder Americans are reputed around the world for our portions and our wastelines, if this is representative of the heartland's plate size (which I believe it is, having been in the midwest for six years). I'm not sure how to say this, but I don't want so much food. Especially when I'm not blown away by it.
I sound harsh. I don't mean to be. There are just concerns I have that lead me to wonder how they've stayed in business so long, other than their location, which is about to lose value due to the building going in next door. Also, this may seem silly, but Bourbon Street is in New Orleans, and with the exception of the aforementioned po'boy, the rest of the food was pure midwestern. Am I supposed to feel more foreign because of the name alone? Sadly, disappointed. I'll take fixing the smoking issue though; if they go non-smoking, I'll give it another go.
Alright, I'm from Kansas City and I will say that the meat here is good enough to pass for KC smoked. They didn't go too heavy on the BBQ (which usually means they are either trying to cover up a crappy smoked job or don't know any better). I had the pulled pork sandwich and loved it- good meat, good serving size, the bun was just a little soggy in one spot (but I had a salad next to it), and the service was quick.
I will also say that the drink specials were good and varied.... but, where was the craft beer? Indy, in recent years has developed quite a few great brews and with a downtown restaurant of this popularity a little homage would be nice.
This place has great sandwiches and I really enjoy sitting on the upstairs patio during the summer. Â Their breaded tenderloin, pulled pork and buffalo chicken sandwiches are actually quite good.
One of my main complaints is their beer selection. Â I would be here more often if they'd offer a few craft beer selections. Â There are some great craft brewers in Indianapolis and it would be nice to show some community support. Â If they were to extend the list beyond the local microbrewers, even better. Â (note: blue moon and sierra nevada do not count as craft beer. Â Go for sun king, flat 12, bells, three floyds, etc). Â I think this would be a big draw especially in the winter months, when I'm not there to sit out on the patio.
I end up here with fellow students from IUPUI since it is close to campus. There are always a lot of college kids, which I guess some people like but I would not really pick this place on my own.
Good things: dollar domestic beer on Mondays, and solid specials on "Beers of the Month" which are usually craft beer. The food is good but not great. There is also a pretty great porch on the upper level...this is why it got 3 stars, since I can avoid smoke in a small space. There are a lot of big tables upstairs if you have big groups.
Bad things: loud college students (for me), it is VERY smokey, and the times I am there it has been busy so the waitresses seemed to be super rushed and not terribly patient (not really their fault, just the kind of joint it is.) *they were not mean at all, just not full terribly cheery.
I stopped in at Bourbon Street on Sunday before the Colts game. I haven't been as dissatisfied with an eatery in a VERY long time.
The place was crowded. 3 hours before the Colts game - that's understandable! There were 2 open tables upstairs but I was advised by the waitress that those were reserved. Except - they don't take reservations. I know, I tried. So why were some people allowed to reserve tables?
Someone in our party spoke to the manager who promised us the next table. We waited in the bar area for 45 minutes and were being assisted by another server who agreed to help us get seated. Two tables got up to leave and new patrons immediately sat at those tables.
When we complained to the server who was helping us, he said he'd "take care of it" but then didn't even speak to the patrons - he just bussed the tables. He came back and said that we couldn't seat our 6 people at that table - it wasn't large enough - baloney! He was a wimp and didn't want to ask them to wait their turn.
I know they don't care since the tables were filled - but I guarantee our party would have dropped some serious cash on drinks, etc. If my patronage doesn't matter to you - I will NEVER return. There's plenty of other restaurants in town that will gladly take my money and treat me with respect.
The name is misleading as they are not a distillery as they do not make any alcohols.
This is a tale of two places...
1) The inside is really smokey and almost unbearable to even walk through if you are not a smoker. Â 2 stars
2) The outside has a pretty nice patio downstairs and a nice deck upstairs. Â Great to get a bucket of beers and enjoy the afternoon. Â 4 stars
Although it may look a little divey like a New Orleans pub and there is a touch of theming, the food is not overwhelmingly cajun or very tasty. Â
Overall a pretty good place to have a drink and a barfood type snack outside.
From the outside the BSD looks like a cool place to hang out. Â Get a little closer, though, and it has more of a dive vibe.
The inside is very smoky, which is not my thing, so we hung out on the small-ish patio. Â There's just not that much atmosphere being on that street corner; there are other places I'd rather hang out.
Points for the 80s music though.
Walking into the place, it doesn't really inspire you to want to eat, but you'd be mistaken if you didn't--some of the best food I've ever had in my life was from here. Â If you like Cajun, then you are definitely in the right place. Â I get a cajun chicken quesadilla every time I come here and it's always incredible. Â I also got a daily special once of swordfish with barbecued pico de gallo and it was absolutely amazing. Â The barbecued pico was ridiculously good, and the fish was cooked perfectly. Â
They also have what are probably the best drink specials downtown, and the bartenders are always very generous with their pours. Â Finding a decent special or bartender downtown is good enough, finding both in one place is awesome. Â It's also not super loud, so it's a great place to hang out with some friends and drink (great outdoor seating), but definitely not the place to be if you want to dance or get crazy. Â Also, the service is always pretty good. Â The servers are usually attentive and friendly. Â Basically, if you are in downtown Indy, hungry and/or thirsty, then you absolutely cannot go wrong here.
Out of towner, stayed at the Courtyard across the street.
The downstairs has a cozy feel with the wood everywhere, felt like someone home instead of a bar.
Bartender was nice to look at, it you are in the mood for fried food it was good..calimari. Â Did not eat the burgers but they looked good coming out of the kitchen.
I am in Indy a couple of times a year and I would go back. Â it is probably more fun in the warmer weather.
Bourbon is one of my favorite places to grab a good lunch. However it is also one of my favorite places to sit outside and grab some brews. The food is good on most occasions, although I can't forgive them for ousting the open faced NY strip sandwich, it was my absolute favorite dive bar grub in Indy.
The service is usually inattentive and on the rash side, however its permissible in most cases because the crowds are usually huge and the clientèle can be on the trashy side (nothing bring out the worst in us servers like shitty white trash/ghetto tippers). However for the most part the bar caters to the IUPUI crowd, some nights it seems almost exclusively.
If you're looking for some good grub and can pass on the service, hit this place up, especially in the summer when you can grab a patio seat upstairs, its pretty outstanding for the most part...don't let the looks fool you!
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