Get your drink on: The 20 best bars in Indianapolis

Update: See our list of the 30 best bars in Indianapolis.

Bakersfield,334 Massachusetts Ave., bakersfieldmassave.com, (317) 635-6962.

Wash down your street fare-inspired tacos with over 100 tequilas and whiskeys or beer served in a frosty boot mug at this modern honky tonk bar. Bakersfield is busy every night of the week if you're looking for a hot spot on Mass Ave.

• Best for: Late night tacos and margaritas with a rock-and-roll soundtrack after a concert.

1933 Lounge,127 S. Illinois St., stelmos.com/1933-lounge, (317) 635-0636.

You'll feel like you're in a hidden speakeasy overlooking Downtown. This sexy, swanky Prohibition Era-lounge is tucked away above St. Elmo's Steakhouse; order the famous shrimp cocktail and sip an Elmo Cola, a bourbon drink made with bourbon-soaked cherries and your own mini bottle of Coke.

• Best for: A romantic evening or a post-dinner cocktail with close friends.

Libertine Liquor Bar,608 Massachusetts Ave., libertineindy.com, (317) 631-3333.

Located in the basement of Pizzology, the hip-yet-intimate bar has a vintage vibe with help from the black and white films, haunting music, exposed brick and dim lighting. The craft cocktail menu is creative, ranging from boozy to light and refreshing. Try the Gathering Storm, made with coffee and orange-infused bourbon, fernet branca and bitters, complete with coffee beans.

• Best for: Impressing a date after dinner at Pizzology.

Nicky Blaine's,20 N. Meridian St., nickyblaines.com, (317) 638-5588.

Grab a seat on a leather sofa in this dark, sophisticated smoky cigar lounge. Whether you bring your own cigar or pick one from their vast selection, this is a cigar lover's paradise.

• Best for: Catching up with an old friend or celebrating a special occasion over dirty martinis.

Chatterbox,435 Massachusetts Ave., chatterboxjazz.com, (317) 636-0584.

Essentially a dive bar, the Chatterbox has live music seven nights a week and has been open for over 30 years. The eclectic interior and small patio out front are perfect for meeting new people over a whiskey and great tunes.

Plat 99,333 S. Delaware St., thealexander.com/dining/lounge.asp, (317) 624-8200.

The Alexander's mixology lounge is full of vibrant and colorful energy with high-end bar snacks (don't miss the truffle popcorn) and expertly mixed drinks. Try the L'heure Verte (The Green Hour), made with St. George Absinthe, a raw sugar cube and ice cold water. This swanky spot looks like it came straight out of SoHo, but it has a Midwestern hospitality.

• Best for: Art lovers. Don't miss the incredible artwork in the hotel lobby.

• Best for: Free jazz nights Sunday through Thursday. Leave your mark on the graffiti-covered walls.

Slippery Noodle,372 S. Meridian St., slipperynoodle.com, (317) 631-6974.

Open since 1850, this blues bar is Indiana's oldest continuously operating bars. Throughout its time, it's housed a restaurant, a stop on the Underground Railroad and even a brothel.

• Best for: Tapping your toes to live blues seven nights a week. Thursday nights, don't miss half-price drinks.

Kilroy's,201 S. Meridian St., kilroysindy.com, (317) 638-9464.

If you're looking for a place to watch sports, look no further than Kilroy's, which is packed wall to wall with TVs. Originating as a college bar, Kilroy's gets rowdy at night with recent college grads enjoying cheap drinks and the stuffed breadsticks.

• Best for: Watching a game while sipping Long Island 32-ounce mini pitchers, which are half price ($5) on Wednesdays.

Bu Da Lounge,148 E. Market St., budalounge.com, (317) 822-8522.

Bu Da Lounge combines a cigar bar, sushi restaurant and club all into one concept.

Dance to a DJ starting at 11 every Friday and Saturday night in this multi-level posh lounge.

• Best for: Starting your weekend with a Dirty Geisha martini and top-notch sushi.

Howl at the Moon,20 E. Georgia St., howlatthemoon.com/indianapolis, (317) 955-0300.

Wildly irreverent dueling pianos rule this loud and rambunctious spot, keeping the crowd engaged (and drunk from drink buckets) all night long. Get ready to engage in some sing-a-longs, dance-offs and dirty humor.

• Best for: Roasting a bride-to-be during her bachelorette party, complete with Jello shots and special serenades.

Severin Bar,40 W. Jackson Place, omnihotels.com/hotels/indianapolis-severin/dining/severin-bar, (317) 634-6664.

The Severin Bar inside the Omni Hotel has a warm, chic interior, from the chalkboard signs and wood walls to the mustard-colored couches and bright INDY sign. The bar prides itself in being a local supporter, carrying Wilks and Wilson syrups, Prohibition gin and locally-sourced food.

• Best for: $3 local drafts on Sundays. Pair it with the Indiana Board, packed with locally-sourced meats, cheese and pickled veggies.

Blu,240 S. Meridian St., bluindy.com, (317) 955-8585.

Dance the night away to house or top 40 hits, or jump over to Hydeaway (connected to Blu in the back) for some hip hop at this party spot. Guest DJs from Mark Farina to Snoop Dogg have graced the decks here.

• Best for: Animal Haus on Thursdays, the wildest college night in Indianapolis. Enjoy guest DJs and try a famous margarita bomb.

Tastings — A Wine Experience, 50 W. Washington St., awineexperience.com, (317) 423-2400.

Whether you're a novice or sommelier, Tastings has a wine experience for everyone. Load a card with money and choose the wines you want to sample until you find the perfect glass.

• Best for: A glass of vino before a night at the Indiana Repertory Theatre. Save some money on Sundays with half price bottles of wine.

Coaches,28 S. Pennsylvania St., coachestavern.com, (317) 917-1191.

Just a stone's throw away from Banker's Life Fieldhouse, this cozy, no-frills sports bar is great for a casual night out with friends. With a good draft beer selection, fair prices and tasty pub food, Coaches could be considered the Cheers of Downtown Indy.

• Best for: Tuesday nights, when DJ Metrognome and guest DJs play classic hip hop.

Tini, 717 Massachusetts Ave., tiniontheave.com, (317) 384-1313.

Tini is a play on words for the martini bar, but could also be due to its teeny interior. It's comparable to a bar you'd find in Chicago's Boystown; TV screens play music videos to entertain the lively crowd, so you'll be bumping to Beyonce and other upbeat music all night long. Try the spicy mango martini, you'll be shocked how good Tabasco sauce tastes in a mango martini.

• Best for: Monday nights, when you can see your favorite diva videos while drinking $5 Ketel One cocktails.

Union 50,620 East St., union-50.com, (317) 610-0234.

Not many bars in Indy have wine on tap, or skee ball. But Union 50 has both — plus live music five nights a week, shuffleboard, classic food dishes with a modern twist (such as kimchi meatloaf and poutine), craft cocktails and an ultra-cool patio right off of Mass Ave.

• Best for: Playing skee ball while drinking a Sloe Gin Fizz, made with Bone Dry Gin, Hayman Sloe Gin, lemon and egg white.

The Rathskeller,401 E. Michigan St., rathskeller.com, (317) 636-0396.

Set in the historic Athenaeum Building, The Rathskeller's German-themed restaurant and bar is best known for the giant (and always packed) Biergarten in the summer. Live music plays almost every weekend.

• Best for: Patio drinking when the weather's warm. Try something from the large German beer selection, many of which you've probably never heard of.

Tow Yard Brewing,501 Madison Ave., towyardbrewing.com, (317) 638-9273.

Located within walking distance of Lucas Oil Stadium, Tow Yard stands out with live music and a locally-sourced kitchen. Grab an outdoor seat for a great view of Downtown and see how many bottles of beer you recognize on the wall.

• Best for: Deuce's Open Mic Night every Thursday, featuring music, poetry, stand-up and comedy — plus $10 pitchers and $1.50 wings.

Tomlinson Tap Room,Indianapolis City Market, 222 E. Market St., tomlinsontaproom.com, (317) 423-2337.

Enjoy fresh, local beer on 16 well-curated rotating taps. During the day, you can watch the hustle and bustle of the market below you.

• Best for: $10 growler fills on Thursdays.

MacNiven's,339 Massachusetts Ave., macnivens.com, (317) 632-7268.

This rowdy and raucous Scottish pub is a gem on Mass Ave. for craft beer lovers.

Don't pass up the Scottish Eggs or onion rings if you need some authentic pub fare to accompany your drinks.

• Best for: Sampling a wide variety of Scottish beers, most of which are on tap.