Indianapolis has quietly built a genuine agave scene. The city's better cocktail bars now keep deep blanco selections, staff who can talk through highlands versus lowlands, and margarita programs built on fresh juice instead of sour mix.
This guide is being expanded with a full venue-by-venue breakdown. In the meantime, here is what we look for when we judge a tequila bar in Indiana.
What makes a great tequila bar
A short, opinionated list beats a wall of bottles. We would rather see fifteen well-chosen tequilas with tasting notes than a hundred labels nobody on staff has tried.
- At least a handful of 100% agave blancos available by the pour
- Fresh lime juice, always
- Staff who can explain why one bottle costs twice another
- Water served alongside neat pours
- Glassware built for sipping, not shots
How to order
Start with a blanco neat before you order a cocktail. It tells you more about the bar than any menu description, and it gives the bartender a reason to talk to you about what else is open.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Do Indianapolis bars carry premium blanco tequila by the pour?
- Yes. Most of the city's cocktail-focused bars keep several 100% agave blancos available neat or on the rocks, in addition to their margarita program.
Some links on Indiana Loves Tequila may take you to third-party retailers. Availability and pricing can change.