My cousin and I went to catch up and play some games. This place has definitely changed since the last time I came. It seemed more cozy and welcoming. When you first walk in, it's a gaming room for the whole family! Then you walk into the bar area and there's lots of things for sale, from merch to beer to other games and books. The folks working were friendly and knowledgeable about events. My cousin ordered the beer flight and woke food. All was delicious. For the flight you could pick any beer or cider on tap. For food we got pretzel, chips and queso, chicken nuggets and grilled cheese. Everything came out relatively quickly. There is a ton space to play game in the next room over and wasn't too loud. There were several people who came to work or read and sat in the bar area and seemed content. Great experience! read more

We LOVE B&B! Whether it's for trivia, bingo, or just going to have a relaxing place to read or play some board games, it's always a great time! We used to love going to the one downtown on Mass Ave also before it closed. But we're thankful this one is still open and that we live so close to it. I've found so many Xmas gifts for friends/family here also. If you're looking to find some retro, classic games and/or books, this might be the motherload! It's tucked in on the backside facing Home Depot, but once you find it the first time, you'll never forget where it is! Go in, grab some games, a beer (or two), and hang out during a trivia night! You'll feel right at home. read more

I visited Books & Brews to see my friend perform for the brewery's 11th anniversary celebration. My good buddy is a bit of a low-key musical virtuoso (the guy can play six instruments!), and I got to see him play three of the six instruments on the Books & Brews stage. It's such an intimate performance area, and the sound and lighting are great. They have open mic nights here every week, and I can see myself coming back in the future to listen to more music. This is the "mothership" B&B -- the OG. I've been to some of the other Books & Brews around Indy before they closed, and this one definitely feels like an original. It's very ... lived in, let's say. The layout makes no sense, and there's a lot of stuff everywhere. But it's a cozy space, and lots of people, including families with young kids, were there when I visited. I like that there are "third places" like this that adults and kids can visit to to play games and eat and have a beer. (The adults have a beer! Sorry, kids.) The food at any Books & Brews has never been my favorite. In fact, I usually avoid it altogether and just get beer. But this time, my drink of choice was kombucha, and I got an "Oliver Twist," which is a soft pretzel with beer cheese. That reminds me: The food and beverages on their menu have silly little literary names. You have to know something about me: When I see silly little names on menus for ordinary food items, a switch turns on inside me and I become a defiant brat. I will never play along and say "The Girl with the Chicken Nuggie Tattoo" instead of "chicken nuggets" or "A Tale of Two Piggies" instead of "the ham and bacon sandwich." Nope. It's not happening. And when I ordered the "soft pretzel" instead of the "Oliver Twist," they understood me just fine. There is a huge wall of shelves filled with board games that you can grab and play at your table. There had to have been at least 50 or 60 different games. They also have lots of new board games for sale, as well as things like Magic the Gathering decks, Pokemon cards, Funko and geeky swag. Oh! And, of course, they have lots and lots of books, new and used. I couldn't tell if they were arranged with any rhyme or reason. So if you're looking for something specific, you might have better luck finding it elsewhere. But if you're looking to let destiny choose your next read, you might want to pop into Books & Brews and let the B&B powers-that-be guide you to the perfect book. read more

What a fun spot! Stumbled upon this on a Monday night and so glad we did. Not what we were expecting at all, but still fun. Beside a Home Depot, in a warehouse type building. Small bookstore/merchandise room when you walk in, walk through to the brewery portion. Small selection of beer and food available, tables for games and eating. Got lucky with some trivia that seems to be every Monday. The have trading cards and collectibles and games you can take to your table to play. Definitely a small community vibe here but the staff was friendly and welcoming. Food was solid, definitely not what they're going to be known for but tasty nonetheless. Got the tale of two piggies sandwich (ham and bacon) and Brie with crackers. Seems they rotate the names of their menu hitch is really fun too. Enjoyed our meal and trivia night, I'll definitely be backn read more

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Love their trivia nights. Such a fun and cute place to hangout. Kids eat free on Wednesdays too, so that's an added bonus.

Love the people here! FAV Beers: Nancy - Citra-Hopped Pale Ale Clifford - Irish-Style Red Ale Charlie - Chocolate Milk Stout FAV nights: Open Mic Every Thursday Live Music 1st Fridays Wings are great! Hubby & I have been Mug Club members since 2018! $75 for Life! We actually joined for Fathers day at $50! Cool Mugs and great benefits! 3.99 Mug fills, discount growlers, Members specials like Free Hot Dogs. But mostly it is the people that keep us going back! Just feels like home! A place for people without a place! Books and Games are a bonus! read more

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We decided to stop by here as part of the Indiana Beer Trail (Tag-a-Brew) and we enjoyed the beer. We mostly enjoyed the company of the staff and other patrons that were easy going and great to talk to read more

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Welcoming. Whimsical. (book)Wormy. Worth your time. Adorable game shop and cozy place to hangout. read more

Just my favorite chill place. Non-pretentious, chill, welcoming and quiet. I visit every time I come to Indy. Also the beer is delish! read more

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Needs a new name! Came expecting cozy place for bibliophiles. Description online said used bookstore & brews. Instead it's all about games, group activities (puzzles, board games, D&D) and toys like Lego's and Pokémon. After exploring, there is one wall covered with no more than one individual's Clive Cussler Collection. It's a cool place and great for people who want to game, but a used bookstore or even book-focused, not so much! read more

While Books & Brews is not my favorite brewery in the Indy area, I always enjoy my time there. There are always a couple of really good beers on tap, but several of them are not quite to my liking, and there does not seem to be a ton of rotation in what they offer. I could be wrong on that, though, since I do not go here regularly. What really sets this place apart is the atmosphere. I always love browsing the books and games that are for sale while having a drink. read more

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Love the grilled cheese and super friendly staff. Really good service and the food came out quick.

Went to see a friend of a friend perform. He did an awesome job. As far as Books and Brews...not really our cup of tea ( or glass of beer ). Very few choices for non beer drinkers. I was very surprised they don't sell bottled water. Charcuterie board was pretty good. I felt like the layout was a big waste of space. The OCD in me wanted everything to be neater and better organized. read more

Pretty cool spot with games, books, and beer! It's a little confusing about paying since the register is in bar where it says no under 21 but you can be under 21 in the business read more

Great spot with good beer and simple, but delicious food. My husband and I love Books and Brews. They always have events going on. My stepson loves going for karaoke, trivia and bingo. It's also great for large groups! read more

I have only good things to say about books and brews. I've never seen anyone treated badly there. The food is good with super fun literary pun names. I am not a huge beer fan but I've been a mug club member now for a couple of years just based on the quality of the vibe and the amazing staff. Even for a non-beer drinker many of their beers are very drinkable any non beer love is heavily outweighed by the fact that you can spend time in their space enjoying a book a game or just company and never feel out of place! read more

Books & Brews - Three best friends enjoying life at bnb - Bookstores Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

Real high on fun factor. Just fine to relax and enjoy libations. Cozy spot with tons to entertain yourself or hang out with friends. read more

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Went in for live music this past Thursday evening! Music acts were good and selection of books and games and trinkets for sale. They have a very limited food menu but that's not what you come for you come for the open mics and collection of books. Also a Pilsner glass of hard cider was almost $9 not to be rude but that does affect my decision making on coming back for a beer while I read a book or do some work on my laptop. I love supporting local but I can't go broke doing so! read more

Love, love, love this place! The books, board games, and brews are so fun. I enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere and will definitely be back. The workers are extremely friendly and had very helpful suggestions for choosing a selection. Thankful places like this exist. read more

Books & Brews - Here is their current menu and selection. - Bookstores Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

I've been coming to the Books & Brews 'mothership' location for almost 10 years. I love the vibe! Everyone is welcome and the staff are always engaging and friendly. It's great to see so many gamers every time I've been there and supporting all age customers outside of the bar.The owner Jason has created a very special place that is welcoming to all. The beer selections are great with new tastes always on offer. Lots of live music as well! I encourage you to check it out as I have for many years! read more

A place for people without a place. Few places in the world can stand by that statement and say it with their chest. Have a nice malty Clifford and pick out a book (or bring your own!), or bring some friends or family and play a game (or bring your own!). Come in a bad mood and live in a happy mood (or bring your own!). read more

absolutely love B&B, every Tuesday evening my son and I play chess here while his sister does gymnastics, many weekends my girl friends and I stop in for a quick drink after a day out. The staff are amazing and friendly, the new book selection is hurting my wallet and the used books are filing gaps my library didn't know existed. Also the pretzel and beer cheese is life changing. read more

We can't say enough great things about this location. It has been a staple, go to place for not only my husband and I, but even our son enjoys going here. The beer is excellent with some pretty creative names...as are the sandwiches. If you are looking for just a chill night or a fun place for trivia, definitely check it out. You will NOT be disappointed. Oh! and while you're there..check out all the books and games! SO much fun! It is a place for everyone. read more

Books! Brews! Can I move in. I'm serious. Food is great, drinks are amazing and staff is the coolest. My happy place! Ivana and Dale were great tonight. read more

Books & Brews - Return of the King is amazing! Plus blackberry cider! - Bookstores Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

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A friend suggested I check out Books & Brews for live music. The musicians were good but the performance space needs rethinking. The room has a towering ceiling, harsh lighting and marginal seating. The stage is in a corner and doesn't present the performers in an engaging manner. The background is indistinct and a piano is cluttered in miscellaneous stuff. People are regularly entering and leaving a room behind the stage as well as an adjacent restroom. A wall of toy figures was a distraction, as were adults trying to keep two young children occupied. Why have live music if the focus isn't on the performance? read more

Okay so first off their sandwiches are delicious! The bread is perfectly toasted and I had like Italian ham with provolone and it was perfectly melted. Served with broad ripple chips=perfect for the price and was delicious. I came on a night For The Office trivia. I got there around 6:45 and they ended up hitting capacity. So no one was allowed in, and there was a guy watching the door letting a few people in if a few people left. It was like watching the titanic live and seeing how would make it on the life boat. The trivia was a good time, but definitely get there early if you want a table or just get in. Staff of very friendly. Also to order food or drink you walk to the back where the bar is and they just formed a line with two ladies taking orders. You'll get your drink right away but my sandwich took about 40 minutes and they told me that inn advanced. Totally worth the wait! read more

Books & Brews - Noms - Bookstores Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

Books and brews is one my favorite Friday night hangouts with friends. The beer is good and the atmosphere is relaxing. The mug club is a great deal for the frequent regulars. The staff is wonderful and willing to accommodate the guests. This has become my Friday night ritual hangout with friends. I would recommend b&b to anyone. read more

Books & Brews - Mug club - Bookstores Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

Fun little lovely brewery book nook satisfying all sorts of cravings, social and engaging staff, plenty of space in a backwoods sort of atmosphere to forget all the busy roads right nextdoor. The menus offer all sorts, plenty I saw in one quick growler fill trip to entice readers and drinkers. Had planned to go for a sour or stout but upon seeing the chalkboard had to go through about five samples of the main menu! There is so much exotic malty brew goods here, difficult to explain even one, the sour threw me quite off. It was muddy spicy, a fruity cigar, rich but complicated like a long-term relationship. I went for it. Can now say having finished the growler over the week it wasn't near the best sour, quite sure it isn't a sour at all, but will stick with me as unique in all the unexpected ways. This is what this hole in the wall offers, a secret downtown club vibe open to all without pretense. I can see myself coming back over the years to try many a more brew. read more

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Great beer. Great service. What more can you ask for? We popped in after an appointment on that side of town. It's a very unique place. I wouldn't expect the beer in the back if I didn't know it was there. But we headed back anyways. We were greeted immediately. Our bartender was very friendly and knowledgeable about the beer menu. We ordered two flights and were very happy with our selections. Definitely a good choice! read more

Books & Brews - Our two beer flights. - Bookstores Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

Almost a year after my first visit, I felt an updated review was in order. I feel like I have gotten the chance to fully experience Books & Brews and I stand firm on my 5 (plus) star review. Here's an updated list as to why: -- Perks. In full disclosure, the hubs and I are now proud Mug Club Lifetime Members and I love the perks that are included in this offer. You get a cool, one of a kind, handcrafted mug that is yours to keep (and bring back and back and back). This mug gets you a bigger pour for less money. SCORE! You also get access to networking events with FREE BBQ once a month, early access to limited edition beers, discounted merch, discounted growler fills ($6 on Sunday), discounted mug fills, and a warm fuzzy feeling inside knowing you are a card carrying member. -- There is always something going on at Books & Brews. Board Game Tuesday, Trivia, Old Skool Nintendo games in the lobby, Open Mic Night, Live Music, Free Movies on Fridays... never gets old. Mondays are $3.99 pints for all and Mug Clubbers get $3 mugs on Thursdays to wash down the open-mic experience. $5 wine on Mondays. -- The staff. Super cool, down to earth, friendly, and they know about beer. You can often see the owner (Jason) and the General Manager (Matt) in the kitchen, walking around chatting with patrons, and doing what ever needs to be done as a part of the team. No egos here. Think "Cheers", but better. -- The crowd. Super chill. Diverse. Lots of regulars. Again, "Cheers" but better. -- The vibe. Laid back, casual, not rushy-rushy, familiar, industrial/purposeful yet comfy. -- The food. Still love it. I can totally appreciate what they serve and why. Careful thought went in to each offering that they serve -- high quality, local, super yum. So what if there is no lettuce or distracting condiments. Is it worth them having to install another sink? Me thinks not. Just enjoy the meaty, cheesy goodness and Broadripple Chip Company chips. Sandies are BOGO half-off Mon-Fri from 11a-3p. Kids eat free on Sundays. You're welcome. -- The Beers. Oh, the burrrrrs. I guaran-dang-tee ya that you can find something to try that you will like. Samples and flights are offered should you choose that route. I also love that they do new releases (small batch/limited edition/5 gallon) on Fridays and that they pair a specific beer with the theme of the movie being shown that night. Makes my geek heart happy. Don't drink beer? They have wine, too. -- The books. Yes, I still love books...and they have more now. I especially love that all of the beer names at B&B have a literary reference. Punny. So yes. Seek it out and GO -- it is tucked back in the plaza to the right of Home Depot off 96th. Just save us a spot to sit when you do. read more

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I found this place as I searched for someplace new to meet a friend after work. It's a little hard to find, but well worth the trip. #1 - The staff is very knowledgeable, friendly and in sync. #2 - They offer live music - but not wildly obnoxious - you can visit over it. #3 - They have a mug club. Buy a mug & become a member of their club - discounts on pours. As you walk inside, you immediately enter a bookstore. I didn't spend too much time there, but love some of their 'gift' items and whimsical tees. The sign to the brew lounge reads 21+, so if you have kiddos, you'll need to order out front. I loved that they created some of the beer handles out of old book spines. They have their own brews on tap, in bottles, bullets and by the pint/half pint pours. I ordered a flight of 4, 4 oz pours to try several beers and was surprised how much I enjoyed each of them before moving to a pint of Tinker, Taylor Books & Brews. Their menu offers a variety of meat/cheese plates, sandwiches & kids menu all with fun names. We got the Frankenstein plate, which was enough for us to nibble on. As I checked the time, I realized that we had spent over 3 hours visiting and enjoying ourselves. I ordered a bullet to take home we bid farewell to our new brew friends. On the way out I noticed a large empty room, perfect for a party, meeting or get together. Do inquire. You won't be disappointed making your way up North to experience it for yourself! read more

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Interesting combination for a brewery... I was always curious about this spot when I would drive by on 96th and see the sidewalk signs for Books and Brews. I love beer and I like to read, so why not check it out while I'm in the area. First off, this place is hard to find. It's located in a strip mall, but is not visible on the main streets, and off to the side of Home Depot. You walk in and it looks like a book store, when we came by there was no one manning the store front. But once you walk through a doorway towards the back, you're in for a surprise! There is a kitchen on the right followed by a bar. On the left is table seating, and some guys were playing chess when we were there. The shelves above the bar are lined with donated books. There was also some board games that you can play. There was a chalkboard menu with the daily taps, I think there were at least 12 taps listed and each had cool book-themed names, such as "A Man for All Saisons". We opted for 2 sets of craft beer flight (total of 8 tastings) and the Frankenstein plate which was a charcuterie plate with cheese and crackers. We had a good time chatting with the bartender and a regular who was sitting at the bar with us, they were schooling us on the Books and Brews concept and giving us pointers on which local breweries to check out. It's a small operation and pretty cool, too. I would definitely recommend stopping by to check out this spot. Plus the craft brews were pretty good! read more

Books & Brews - Beer flight! We're ready to take off! - Bookstores Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

Always a fantastic experience when we come here. Tonight was exceptional. It was pretty quiet, but being able to come in with our 10 year old and play video games while having dinner without worrying about the cleanup is FANTASITC. Our brewlegger was super attentive and made the BEST sandwiches. #MugClub4Lyfe read more

I've only ever stopped in once just for a quick beer so I didn't review it back then, but I went back after my husband became a fan of one of their beers recently. Books & Brews is such a unique space/concept! It's kind of like a library/bookstore but not and has a brewery in it! You can actually buy the books in there, and the space is divided into different rooms - family friendly, bar only, and a book/event space up front. They also have trivia weekly, and I think I may have to come back for that because I was nailing the questions since we could hear from the other room! You order at the bar for pretty much everything. We didn't have any food or snacks this time, but they have plenty of tasty-sounding options with ingredients from local suppliers/vendors that you may know - Broad Ripple chips, Smoking Goose, etc. They also serve bottles of Circle City Kombucha and Ash & Elm Cider! So you really can't go wrong since they have something for pretty much everyone. All the beers are literary-themed which is fun! It is somewhat hidden away beside the Home Depot. There is also a shelf full of fun group/party games that my husband and I played just with two of us, and it actually was a fun diversion from just chatting over a couple of beers! FYI - not all games are family-friendly but are a hilarious option for adults! read more

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I'm such a fan of Books 'n Brews and their entire concept! It's such a nice place to grab a drink and dinner after work without dealing with the loud/craziness of some bars. The beers are all delicious, and I've enjoyed each food item I've had as well. They've got the perfect spread of appetizers and sand which entrees, my favorite is the "babe" which is pulled pork. The beer cheese pretzel is a must! Also, as a bonus, all of their beers and food items are named after book titles. They offer weekly events such as trivia, open mic night, etc. I've attended for Star Wars trivia in the past and they had great questions. I believe the themes can be found on their FB page. Apart from those activities, there are a variety of books for sale in the bookstore sections, board games to play while you're there and even a video game/tv setup. I believe there are quite a few locations all over central Indiana now, highly recommend checking them out! read more

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I love the Nancy Bru beer here. That said, this place has the most unusual location of any Brewery in the city. Kind of behind Home Depot in a semi-industrial area. Walking in the front door is just like any other bookstore, but the fun is around the corner. This is small batch brewing, smaller tanks and tighter space for the Brewers, but the bar area has plenty of seating for patrons. Gaming is popular here and encouraged with a nice selection of games on hand. They brew a lot of beers here and have them available for growler fill and by the bottle. They offer a nice food menu, but I usually just come for the beer. Once I shared a sandwich and it was awesome, so I can only assume everything is first rate. The staff is great here, they work well together and make it a pleasant experience. read more

Books & Brews - Part of the extensive menu here with a glimpse of the brewing room. - Bookstores Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

I would have to say...this place is a gem though the location is a bit hidden. Tucked away in a industrial strip mall across from Home Depot on 96th street, Book and Brews is what happens when u marry a traditional local used bookstore with a neighborhood brewery. When u first walk in you really do feel inspired to read or maybe play a rousing game of Uno or Clue with friends, but then a quick 2 steps and you walk into the next room which is where the real goodness is found...BEER!! The emphasis is on locally brewed beers...but there is a good variety to be found to fit ones drinking needs. No wines though! They also offer smoked meat and cheese tray and sandwiches. What makes this place unique and even more fun is their movie room. Have you ever watched Purple Rain with a room full of Prince enthusiasts...well if not...then you've never watched Purple Rain the right way!! The staff was very nice and attentive and the atmosphere was cozy but relaxed and fun. I would definitely refer friends to this spot and hope they add more cultural variety of old skool films to their roster...my friends and I are ready to return!! read more

Books & Brews - Movie a night fun! - Bookstores Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

I love this concept. In the front there are tables, books, games, restrooms, a TV, and a couch. In the back there are two rooms - one is tables, the other is the pub. Kids are not allowed in the pub, but the are allowed elsewhere. On our way back to Indy from a trip, we thought "I don't wanna cook". Then I found that kids eat free on Sundays (also on Thursdays I think) at Books and Brew. So away we went. We had hummus with olives and warm pita for an appetizer. We all had grilled cheese with Broad Ripple Chips. The adults added a brew to the meal. It was a nice place to hang out and unwind after the trip. We played games with the kids, talked, and colored. I really liked the beer. The grilled cheese was okay. It was good but not "Wow!" I do wish there was a few more options besides the sandwiches - but regardless- it was a fun night. PS - the bathrooms were big and clean. We don't use changing tables any longer (yea!) but as note - the changing table in each restroom is a real piece of furniture. Nice. read more

Books & Brews - Book in the front - Bookstores Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

Love heading over to the Mothership. Fun place to meet friends with or without kids. The Mug Club is an amazing opportunity and the food is nothing to scoff at. Great place to sip and play some board games. It is also known for having trivia nights, movie nights and other events. read more

Books & Brews - Bookstores Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

I like this gem of a spot! Super tasty sandwich combos and inexpensive brewed-on-site beer that's all literature themed (at least the names are). Ample seating & free parking. SKIP TRIVIA. Honestly, it's 40 questions about raaaaandom stuff no one knows. I got 2 out of 40 and came in second place. At least it's free and winner gets a $20 gift card. The beer changes frequently, so don't get attached to a particular brew. That's what happened to me! They have a stack of board games that are up for grabs and super fun to pass the time with while drinking. You can purchase their glasses for $10 (you get a used one). I did and I love it. read more