Our Story

Your home away from home.

Inside Downtown Olly's

Downtown Olly's is proud to be a safe haven where everyone is welcome, regardless of gender, sexuality, race, or background.

Finding a comfortable and accepting space can be difficult, and we want to be that special place for you. Whether it's to make new friends, let loose and have a good time, or just take a break from the world outside — we truly believe our bar can be your home away from home.

So come on in and join our diverse and loving community.

Since 2002
Rooted in downtown Indy, on the site once known as “Brothers.” Two decades of welcome.
Venue of the Year
Named 2022 LGBTQ Venue of the Year — a staple of the Indiana LGBTQIA+ community.
Pride, every June
We sponsor and ride our own float in the Indy Pride Parade each year.
Meet the Team

The people running the place

C
Carrie
General Manager

Add a short bio here — how long Carrie has been with Olly's and what she looks after.

carrie@downtownollys.net
L
Lisa
Marketing Manager

Add a short bio here — what Lisa handles, and how to reach her about events or press.

marketing@downtownollys.net

More than a bar

Downtown Olly's has been part of Indianapolis's LGBTQ+ community for decades, on the corner of Illinois and St Clair at the north edge of downtown. It has outlasted recessions, a pandemic, and the slow disappearance of gay bars across the country — and it is still here, open from seven in the morning until three the next.

That range is the point. Olly's is a diner at breakfast, a lunch counter in the afternoon, a bar in the evening, and a stage at night. Drag shows, karaoke, trivia and live music run through the week, most of them with no cover. The Backyard, our covered patio, holds the bigger nights.

Everyone is welcome here, whatever your gender, sexuality, race or background. That has been true the whole time, and it is not a marketing line — it is the reason the place exists.

Recognition

LGBTQ Venue of the Year
2022 - Check the awarding organisation before publishing

Press & media enquiries

For interview requests, filming, photography, press passes and media relations, contact Lisa, our Marketing Manager.

marketing@downtownollys.net

In the press

Indianapolis Monthly
An ode to Downtown Olly's
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IndyStar
Gay and LGBTQ bars in Indianapolis
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WRTV
2022 LGBTQ Venue of the Year
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WISH-TV
On Indiana as a welcoming state
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them.
The 24-hour gay bar
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Visit Indy
Official visitor listing
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IndyStar
Late-night places to eat after 1am
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WISH-TV
Affordable dining in Indianapolis
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WISH-TV
Flatbread pizza and the fried green tomatoes
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WISH-TV
Golden Girls themed brunch
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WTHR
Dining Out For Life, supporting the Damien Center
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BroadwayWorld
The Zombie Ball
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WISH-TV
Ways to celebrate Pride in Indy
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The Columbus Dispatch
Downtown holes-in-the-wall worth knowing
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Downtown Indy
Downtown Indy listing
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Do317
Indianapolis events listing
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Tripadvisor
Reviews
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Yelp
Reviews
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Rainbow Index
LGBTQ+ venue directory
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OutXOut
LGBTQ+ venue directory
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Qlist
LGBTQ+ venue directory
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Gayout
LGBTQ+ venue directory
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Axios Indianapolis
Eras Tour weekend in Indy
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Wikipedia
Encyclopedia article — opened 2002, 2022 LGBTQ Venue of the Year, and the 1970s "Brothers" history.
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IndyStar
IndyStar, 2013 — feature on Indianapolis gay bars (10+ years of coverage).
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NUVO
NUVO, 2018 — bar crawl highlighting Indy's LGBTQ history.
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Indianapolis Monthly
Indianapolis Monthly, 2025 — downtown neighborhood bars roundup.
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Out Traveler
Out Traveler, 2022 — national LGBTQ guide to Indianapolis.
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Out x Out
Out x Out — "open since 2002… one of the city’s leading LGBTQ+ venues."
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TravelGay
TravelGay — international gay travel directory listing.
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GayCities
GayCities — LGBTQ city guide with reviews & photos.
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misterb&b
misterb&b — Indianapolis LGBTQ bars & clubs guide.
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Visit Indy — LGBTQ Nightlife
Official Visit Indy LGBTQ nightlife city guide.
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do317 — LGBTQ Bars
do317 — curated guide to Indy LGBTQ bars.
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Lex
Lex — top Indianapolis queer bars & nightlife guide.
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