I decided to give this bar one more chance, as I wanted a beer, and it was raining. Solution? Walk the block it takes to get to the Living Room Lounge.
We weren't sure if there was a cocktail waitress on staff, so we sat at a table and waited for a few as to not be rude. Sure enough, the waitress came over to our table and asked what she could get us. I jokingly said, "Did you come over here just to see our IDs?" because a lot of times, people rush over to me, expecting me to be under 21. She looked at my ID, and said "Yeah, pretty much!" Then, she looked at everyone else's IDs and said, "You guys are old!" and walked away.
Not only did she offend us, but she failed to get our drinks. She made other rude comments throughout the night, and although the bartender/manager apologized to us, I refuse to ever enter this bar again.
Me thinks not.
What can I say? Â The Living Room Lounge is a victim of its environment. Â The shoe fits and they wear it well. Â Grungy, but comfortable. Â Decent drinks at a great price. Â Definitely wash hands well after going into the head. Â I stopped in with some friends early on a Friday evening to throw a few back and see where the night would take us. Â The karaoke guy started slingin' mics at about nine o'clock - then the party started; within an hour there were quite a few people who filed through and the place was hoppin'. Â The server was very attentive to our ever-slurring requests, she made sure we were happy. Â This is the kind of tavern were you can go have fun on the cheap, but you should try to keep your wits about you since you're not exactly in Mr. Rodger's neighborhood...at night.
We boogied at about 11pm, but we could tell that this place was going to go all night long...I'll be back to sing my jam.
Friday Karaoke. I don't need to say more and I can't comment on anything else about the place.
No, I don't contribute my vocal stylings, but it's a great joint to watch onstage train wrecks and occasional genius of every style imaginable. From 20-year-old hip hoppers to 90-year-old Merle Haggard fans, music theater buffs to middle-aged men singing Journey in dock shoes...everyone's here. As we left saying last time...haven't seen a group of people this diverse and having this good of a time except in a movie party scene. The only place I'll zing TLRL is in the beer department, pretty stiff prices and pretty patchy selection. Oh well, as Shelby might say, this is more of a pour-a-well-drink-in-your-head place anyway.
Disclaimer: This review is mostly for their Friday night karaoke
My girlfriends and I were looking for a place to let loose and belt some tunes, and a yelp check lead us right to the LRL. Â Karaoke starts at 9PM on Friday nights, and it's good to get there between 8:45-9:15 if you want a good place to sit and watch people embarrass themselves. Â
I've gone a few times, and each experience has been a good one. Â The karaoke setup is pretty neat, there are two computers where you can search for and request songs. Â Then, on the screen that shows everyone the lyrics, the next four singers and their song is listed so you don't have to wonder when your turn will come. Â I really like that, since I have missed a few karaoke turns with a poorly timed bathroom break.
This place is smokey, which I really hate. Â I always smell like smoke when I leave, but it is a small price to pay for karaoke! Â Also, the bartenders (all young girls) don't really know the bar. Â I've asked for special liquors before only to get a blank stare and an "Uhh, I don't think we have that" when I can clearly see it from my seat. Â But again, I'm here for karaoke and don't really mind at all.
All in all: best karaoke in Indy! Â
PS: No more Sinatra karaoke, PLEASE!
These reviews have to be a joke. The place is always dirty to the point of disaster. The normal client base is not only dangerous but also bothersome. Ive never spent more than ten minutes there without being asked for change. I am a dive bar fanatic, this place is just not worth anyone risking.
Review Source:This joint deserves an update and an extra star.
This is one of my favorite bars in the downtown area. From the minute one walks in the door, the experience is awesome. Just sit back, enjoy a cheap drink, and take it all in. The music, the conversations, the decor, the bartenders, all of it.
Don't read about it, just experience it.
strange, but solid bar. Â varied crowd ranging from low to high. Â lots of light from the windows on the north and east sides. Â a large square bar sits in the center and divides the bar north/south. Â the north side, the larger side, has eating and a couple pool tables. Â the south side is darker, but has eating tables and a small stage. Â note the stripper pole attached to the stage is not brass. Â to the east of the bar are a few high tables along the windows. Â the bar itself has around 5-8 stools on three sides. Â the food is above average and the bartenders know what they are doing. Â frequent half price on ALL alcohol, so two beers were only $3!
Review Source:The Living Room Lounge is a a bit of a dive bar. Â The draw, for me at least, is karaoke on Tuesdays and Fridays. Â For that reason, as well as the crowd that goes along with it, I think it is worth a visit. Â Admittedly, I am a horrible singer, but it's still fun. Â And the crowd is typically pretty supportive, especially if you have a bit of stage presence. Â The really good singers don't start until later in the evening, so if you are bad, new or nervous, get there early. Â In addition to karaoke, the LRL has fairly decent drink specials on a regular basis. Â They have a pretty robust menu too. Â Typical greasy bar food, but who wants a salad when you're at a smoky bar?
Review Source:Went there last night (Wed) night to celebrate a girlfriends birthday and fell in love. STRONG drinks...that are CHEAP!! Wednesdays are 1/2 price drinks and they are not watered down...If you are on a budget that's the place to go!! The music was lively some ole' skool hip hop and the crowd was electic with whites blacks businessmen and drunks and everyday people..its a place to chill and just have a good time without breaking the bank or neck trying to get to dressed up!!
Review Source:After going to karaoke at the Metro and Olly's for years, I decided to take a chance on Living Room since so many of my friends suggested it. The karaoke is computerized, it's simple and easy. Walk up to the kiosk, put your name and song in. Viola! The clientele is a mix of young downtowners and after-work suburbanites. Food is good too. Try the cheeseburger if you don't mind too many calories. The only reason this place didn't get 5 stars was because of the service. Our table of 8 never had the same server and the servers kept forgetting to wait on us making us got to the bar several times to order drinks. Then we were over-charged for drink. However, in the end the server fixed the total. Totally worth it on a karaoke night, maybe just sit at the bar.
Review Source:The Living Room Lounge is unique. Â Really diverse mix of people come here, which makes for some interesting people watching. Â Surly bartenders so watch out! Â I've seen people get on their bad side and then conveniently get ignored the rest of the evening, even if they are sitting at the bar! Â
This is the only bar I've ever been in that I've seen 2 women and a dude randomly start pole dancing on a Wednesday night. Â Never notice the pole? Â Neither did I til I saw that happen - It's on that sad little platform of a stage!
I LOVE this hole in the wall. It's The Best In Indy!!!
Dark, dingy, dirty decor...cold, cheap, constantly coming cocktails...perfect.
Karaoke with Norm on Friday nights is always a hit. Some amazing singers, and, well...others...mixed in. Norms makes them all (mostly) sound good.
Greasy, tasty bar food. The nachos are HUGE. Enough for 4...easily. Same with the tenderloin. Enormous!
Great bar staff. You may have to wait a little while if they are packed, but it is always worth it.
I have been coming to the LR for over 7 years. Wow! I remember when it was one small room with the corner fireplace. Now, it's much bigger, with a fireplace in the wall. It is still that same old LR feel. Stinky, anything goes, fun, disgusting, alive kind-of place. Hey, I met my husband here years ago and you can still find us there on Fridays (and maybe a few other days), enjoying what is the one, the only, LR.
Oh, Living Room Lounge. How I love you at night and hate you the next morning.
If you love divey bars, karaoke, and/or eclectic mixes of people, LRL is the place for you. Come here on a Friday night and tell me that you didn't have fun at karaoke night. I dare you. You can't possibly do it. You might have to take three showers when you get home and wash your clothes a few times, but you will have fun. When I lived in Indianapolis, I always knew Friday nights at Living Room were always going to be a hilarious mess. I mean that in a good way.
The drinks are cheap, the bar staff are typically friendly, the bathrooms are disgusting, and the music is loud. What more do you need?
I kind of love this place on weeknights. SUPER cheap drink specials. Â It's very dive-y but that's what I like about it. Â The service last time we went sucked but I will excuse that because it was the last game of the Final Four and it was packed, and they were having problems with their taps. Â The chicken wings were really good. Â They have their own free lot, which is great for downtown, and a nice outdoor area. Â The crowd is VERY diverse and this place is packed with local flavor.
Review Source:I come to LR whenever I am visiting a friend of mine. Actually, I'm from Chicago, and I always come out for the Friday  night Karaoke that definitely beats any karaoke I've seen here in chicago!  The drinks are wayyy cheaper at LR than you can find in Chicago and while the crowd of the bar has changed in the last year or so (from strictly local neighborhood folk to a mix of locals and UI Frat college guys) the energy is always great at this bar and the drinks are cheap.  I remember before the remodeling that you could dance Coyote Ugly style on the bar and that was quite fun. You can't do that now, but it's a good place for karaoke and cheap fun!
Review Source:The Living Room was undergoing extensive renovation in the early part of 2008 when I first visited the bar/restaurant. "Bustling business" was my impression. The fireplace was working, there were groups of nearby working people at the tables. The televisions were all on. There were three barmaids tending the crowded bar. The place wasn't pretty but it was working on character and had potential to be something other than a sports cave. The tasty Angus burger (available in multiple patties, oh heaven), fries, slaw, and pickle slice (nice touch always), reinforced that potential. Then, the economic downturn became more apparent and by early in 2009 when I last visited, it was markedly darker, less cheery, and conserving resources. Still, the food remains tasty and (if the least knowledgeable barmaid isn't tending) the mixed drinks nicely made.
Review Source:On a cold & rainy night in the ..............., middle of a cold October Friday night, the bright Orange Neon lights beckoned me one more time,
i had read about their kitchen being open from 7AM-2AM (early to late) & that they had Outdoor seating, actually tables between the bar & side street, across from the halfway house (yes a.e. it's still there), & large seating outback, i wanted to sit out back,
Trish, our barmaid/waitress warned us that they had turned the lights off back there & it could get rowdy (cool)! We're Very Relaxed Here"
on the way toward the back, i was surprised what a diverse crowd it was, Â literally a melting pot of people
Karaoke, what i call SCARY-oke was hoping on the stage,
it had begun to mist outside, we had to sit @ a table in the parking lot light glow (since they'd turned out the lights)
While enjoying a much needed drink after work with a friend
the other 2 people out there talking, one (the birthday boy) starting throwing up through their lattis table while his friend comforted him (we've all been there) my appetite Almost left, then his friend apologized to us for relieving himself next to the fence instead of using the inside bathrooms, well stay close to your friend in need
Trish, took quite a while to get our order & back to serve, she was slammed @ the bar & probably had  to ride the Moss-pit to get to us
i ordered the certified Angus Super Deluxe burger (came with fries & coleslaw) the sandwich was pretty good, my friend enjoyed the fries, i thought not too bad, the coleslaw tasted packaged
i may go back to check out breakfast or lunch
but i doubt it,
but everyone seemed to be having a good time
Trish was very nice
i did take a $5 rose with carnations home because i was late & had been drinking
I'm surprised LRL is listed as a Restaurant. This is a Bar that offers fried foods to feast upon. But it's a Bar.
It just happens to be a newly-expanded bar boasting 3 pool tables, a stage and more indoor seating to accommodate an eclectic mix of amiable and dedicated drinkers. But it still retains that proper dive-bar feel (last time I visited it was 25 cent beer / $2 pitcher night, there's still the half-way house across the street (so I'm told) and the fact you can look through and see your food being prepared doesn't alter a thing), so it's all good.
Not sure what the current music mix is like. Last few visits consisted of karaoke one night, hip hop the next. Interesting mix of people though, s always.
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