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    AJ's Lounge

    4.2 (30 reviews)
    ModerateBars
    Closed 4:00 pm - 3:00 am (Next day)

    AJ's Lounge Photos

    Business Info

    AJ'S LOUNGE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Intimate
    Live music
    Good for dancing

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    Recommended Reviews - AJ's Lounge

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    Reviews With Photos - AJ's Lounge

    Side salad and chicken tenders
    Shawn B.

    AJ's Lounge is a special gem in the city. Originally located off Indiana Ave, it relocated to S. Meridian street. There is a small parking lot and parking on the street. Some folks park according the street at the church, but use your own discretion! Inside is small, but plenty of seating. There is an electronic jukebox machine with tunes always playing. Service can be sorta slow depending on how many people are in there. But the wait is worth it! They have a pretty good stock of liquor options and when I tell you the drinks are STRONG, but affordable! The food is good, especially the fried fish! I wish they had an option to buy the fish or tenders al a cart, but oh well! Also, the women's bathroom is very clean!

    Long Island
    Nik L.

    I was seriously craving chicken wings and fish. I did not want the ordinary and wanted some entertainment with my good. I got a tip on AJ's because we were downtown. Although it had only a few reviews, I figured let's check it out. The food is good. I mean really worth the hassle of going downtown. They do have pretty decent parking out front and you may be able to park next door if the business next door is closed. The drinks are strong and simple. You know, the premixed margaritas, dark spirit and soda, white spirit and soda types. Don't expect to them to make you a complicated cocktail because they will not know how to or have the ingredients on hand. If you prefer your drinks neat or on the ice, you will be good to go. The bathroom is clean and not outdated so they get a star for that. The staff is nice so another star is granted. The food is really good so another star for that. The place is nice inside and they usually have musical entertainment so another star for that. A total of 4 stars for AJ's is definitely right on point. If their bartenders could make more than simple drinks and if they had ingredients on hand for higher end cocktails I would have given them another star. Go for the food and music...and strong drinks if that is what you are looking for.

    One of the pictures I found that I'm sure I posted before m
    Gelone B.

    I'm not sure why my reviews are disappearing! I KNOW I reviewed and posted pictures after my birthday lunch January 2016! I've checked in several times since then Warm and friendly bar that's divvy sheik! The drinks are well poured, live music on the weekends and a fabulous juke box during the week. Your "typical bar food offerings. My favorite is the chicken wings cooked well done and the catfish!

    Torria B.

    Hubby and I love coming here for after work drinks and food or weekend date night!! Located on the outskirts of downtown, friendly atmosphere. We love the catfish, fries, wings, stiff drinks, did I type catfish, wings and drinks?! The ambience is intimate but can be party style. The music is eclectic and controlled at your fingertip via an app or right at the jukebox! There is outside seating on a nice cool fall day or hot sunny if you like the heat. I never have complaints and love the superb customer service. Hubby likes to indulge in crown and crown and coke ;) and I, tequila sunRISE! Don't be shy, stop by and tell Ms. Gwen I sent you! I love how we can hang here alone or with our in-loves! See you soon!

    Best fried catfish and perch in town! Hidden gem. Check this place out. You will not be disappointed.

    Great service and a hidden gem. Very good catfish and perch. A slice of Indianapolis history. Give this place a try.

    Luckie D.

    Here is what you need to know.... * Unpretentious. No mixologist and martinis. * Strong drinks and cold beer at very fair prices * Check your attitude at the door and relax * The Mayor, an Exotic Dancer, a Doctor, Janitor or a grand-mother may share the next stool. * Patio Seating out back. * Street parking * Pizza or other food can be delivered * Great for after-work * The place has a soul * Ms. Gwen will treat you right

    Live DJ until 1or later if you keep requesting songs
    Sherrita N.

    Awesome adult atmosphere. The decor and ambiance make you feel welcome. Special touches like hand sanitizer, real flowers and air fresheners on the table meet all the needs. The chandeliers make you feel like you are in an Italian Bistro. The powder room host homey decor and a selection of ladies necessities available for use. All they are missing is a bathroom attendant to hand you a towel. The staff is so friendly and make you feel like you are important. The food came out hot, flavorful and crispy like I like it. They even put your drink in a special glass. A small space but a big party! If you like dive bars or "Hole in the Walls" you will love this spot. Definitely better than a hole but a small quaint spot with big potential for a great time!

    Karen T.

    AJ's lounge is a great place to meet friends for food, cocktail and entertainment. Very friendly staff too!The DJ was on point playing a mix of music for the mature crowd. Nice large back patio but the rain kept us inside. Had a great time!

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    7 years ago

    Good food, good music, intimate atmosphere be patient with the service Friday night. Crowded but fun. We'll be back.

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    9 years ago

    Food and drinks are good. Very relaxed spot. I went for an event and the crowd was large and service was a little slow.

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    Ask the Community - AJ's Lounge

    Review Highlights - AJ's Lounge

    We love the catfish, fries, wings, stiff drinks, did I type catfish, wings and drinks?!

    Mentioned in 5 reviews

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    The Inferno Room

    The Inferno Room

    4.1
    (410 reviews)
    0.9 mi
    $$

    I found out Indy has a Tiki bar and this one seemed to be the popular one in the city so I decided…read moreto go. I went there late at night and by looking at the outside there was nothing that really stood out to me, BUT as soon as I stepped in it was a WHOLE vibe! Their tiki bar experience from top to bottom was decked out in tiki figures and every tropical decor you can imagine, it definitely felt like I was walking into a Hawaiian resort. The drinks were so fancy and they came in a fancy glass, tiki mug, or coconut shaped mug which I loved! I ordered the Tambaran Firedancer and I'm so glad I did, it came with a whole fire show and it tasted great. It had the right combination of alcohol and other juices. I also ordered the coconut cream pie and it was good. EDIT: My experience was so great that I came here again the next day and had an even better experience (didn't think they would too off the first one lol) The staff were so friendly and welcoming to me, they really made the night unforgettable! Second night I ordered the Corsair of Umbar and the basket of fries. The fries were amazing and definitely made my list of top five favorite fries!! The drink was good, but I wasn't a fan of the Fernet. Finding a parking space was easy since they have a parking lot, but the parking lot is pretty small.

    Hmm, bummed to say I'm knocking my rating from a 5 to a 3 star based on the food. As some others…read morehave mentioned, they updated their menu since I came here last year and not for the better. I came with two friends a weekend ago and the waiter said how they had a new chef and new menu and how great it was! So, we tried the pollo boracho, which was... fine. I mean, it's just braised chicken with veggies, which is tasty, but I miss the Polynesian options they had a year ago... drinks were still excellent, and service was good! We wanted to sit in chairs with backs and when they sat us at a table with stools, we asked and they didn't really offer a solution. There were some highbacked chairs in the corner, but the table between them was small and low to the ground... I wish the waiter had just asked us to wait 15 minutes for someone to leave, but that was not an option, apparently. Leaving the old photos from my visit a year ago, including the old lettuce wraps.

    Photos
    Side bar area
    Side bar area
    Front entrance
    Front entrance
    Waiting area and stairs

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    Waiting area and stairs
    Strange Bird

    Strange Bird

    4.5
    (400 reviews)
    4.8 mi
    $$

    Seriously, this was one of the best meals I've ever had. Strange Bird truly has something for…read moreeveryone - whether you're planning a night out with friends, a date night, or celebrating a special occasion, it's the perfect spot. The staff, drinks, food, music and overall atmosphere are consistently exceptional. The cocktail menu is fantastic. My personal favorite is the painkiller - a delicious blend of coconut, rum, orange, pineapple, and nutmeg. It's served in a skull glass and tastes absolutely perfect. I also appreciate that they make their noodles in house! Have you ever had a meal you can't stop thinking about? That's exactly how I feel about the shoyu ramen. It features their noodles, truffle zest, pork belly, egg, veggies and chicken in a deeply flavorful broth. Order a side of rice and dip it into the broth and thank me later! Patio seating available.

    I had very high hopes coming here after all of the awesome reviews on this place, and I left a…read morelittle bit disappointed, because I personally don't think my experience lived up to the hype. We came in on a Friday night at 6:30 with no reservation, and had to wait ~5 minutes for a table of two. We were sat at a high top at the bar, which we appreciated. Our server greeted us quickly, and checked in a few times throughout the night. Service was average, nothing spectacular but nothing to complain about. I had a hurricane to start off. Packed full of the good stuff, and one was definitely enough for the night. Appropriate price for what you get. This drink is what brought my review from a 2 for the food to a 3 in total. We started off with pork Bao buns. The bun was spongy, but somewhat dry. The pork lacked any sort of flavor, and the sauce on it didn't do much for me. The next part of the meal was the most disappointing for me: the curry chicken wings. Let me tell you- I was excited for these. These lacked any sort of flavor at all, and the only thing saving it was the ranch. The wings had a good crisp, but the sauce was lacking taste. I had the Shoyu ramen for my main. It was a pretty average bowl of ramen, but for the price, I expected more. The pork in it was flavorful, but the chicken in it was odd in my opinion with an unexpected herby flavor. Overall, service was average (but we appreciated getting sat fast), drinks were strong (and saved the meal) and the food was average. Would go if invited by a friend, but probably would not return on my own.

    Photos
    The ceilings and lighting are so fun here!
    The ceilings and lighting are so fun here!
    GF Gomae Salad - The Star of the Show
    GF Gomae Salad - The Star of the Show
    GF Teriyaki Twice Fried Wings

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    GF Teriyaki Twice Fried Wings

    AJ's Lounge - bars - Updated August 2026

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