Dorman Street — Restaurant in Indianapolis

Dorman Street is an interesting place. By all outside appearances, it's a hole in the wall bar with little to offer. But, that's not really true at all. It's an eclectic place whose denizens are varied. Depending on when you come in, the place could be filled with hipsters, young professionals, artist types, older crowds, etc. The common thing between each group is that almost everyone is willing to make a new friend--the atmosphere almost demands it.

It offers pool and darts which, on the weekend, are always in use. There is a jukebox that has a very diverse song collection. The one shortcoming of the jukebox is that the songs almost never get rotated. But even that somehow figures into the Dorman Street charm.

There is a back patio. During the summer, it offers a nice respite from the sometimes busy indoor area and it's also used by those who still indulge in smoking.

The food they offer is the standard affair. Pizza and mac and cheese is what the place is known for, though I'm pretty sure they cook the stuff in a toaster oven.

While Dorman Street has the standard affair to offer people, it's really the people that keep me going back. The diverse customers and even the awesome bar staff contribute to a fun and...

1st time visit on a Sunday evening.... What's there to say about an old bar in a tight-fit cottage neighborhood in the shadow of the interstates cutting through the city? The service was warm and welcoming when we entered. Sharon invited us to take a seat at the bar. Drinks were priced per usual off of the tap. From the bar we spotted the single pool table, so we approached to play since it was open and the crowd was light. We caught sight of the dart machine and our attention was diverted for a couple of games of Cricket/200. The crowd in the bar grew as we played. A group of 3 guys taking on the pool table shortly after we finished our first game of darts. We shared some floor space at the end of the table, easy enough to accommodate. Offering a few 6+ top tables along with the smaller tables, it was easy for individuals and groups to find a place to sit. The patio was quite larger than expected. It was nice to sit and talk while the city sang its song in the background. A large collared Tabby hopped down from the fence to meet us at our table, or rather its table. A simply beautiful cool Sunday October evening! We will most likely...

Sad to report the stereotypes of how they treat heterosexual men are true. Kinda shocking as I have not experienced that at a bar in a long time. I met friends up here a handful of times and it was all right, but one time I dropped in solo and felt like I was being stared down and eavesdropped on from the very start. I was playing pool and having a generally good time, but then they had someone come over and question me all about where I came from and who I was with. It was absurdly uncomfortable, but it fit too many stories I had heard of this place from other straight guys. It’s just the kind of judgy environment that doesn’t justify a dingy place with an overpriced and average draft list, an absurdly dirty outdoor patio space that should have lots of potential and a “food menu” that is literally frozen pizzas bought from the grocery store and a pretzel. I initially loved the idea of a neighborhood bar like this, but I can’t see...