Melody Inn

I'm not sure I could call Melody Inn my favorite concert venue in Indy, but it is a place I absolutely love and it caters to types of music I don't always hear elsewhere. Melody Inn is at 38th & Illinois in the Butler-Tarkington neighborhood and pretty much across the street from Tarkington Park. I lived at the high-rise at 38th & Meridian for a while and still frequent this area. The "Mel" was established in 1935. It's a historic venue that definitely gives off a dive bar/retro vibe. For live music, there's typically a cover charge around $5 (check the calendar to be sure). Parking in the area is free (street/lot across the street). You can still sit at the original oak bar, hang out in the PBR lounge, visit the Smoker's Garden, and even sit in a vinyl booth from Indy's gone but never forgotten Teepee Restaurant. Melody Inn has an incredible jukebox (obviously not during live music).Every Saturday night is Punk Rock Night (my favorite). The Mel has beer on tap (pretty limited), in cans, and in bottles. They also carry ciders. They have a limited food menu (pizza, chicken strips, corn dogs, and a handful of snack-type foods). This isn't gourmet food - it's dive bar "I got the munchies" food. Local brews include selections from Triton, Sun King, and Three Floyds. While I think Melody Inn is mostly known for its Punk Rock Night, you can also catch hillbilly, rockabilly, rock, comedy, metal, indie, pop, and other types of music here. I've always associated the venue with punk, however, there's something to please everyone here. They have a newsletter you can sign up for on their website. Melody Inn will book local acts. All acts have to be over age 21. They have high expectations for acts promoting their appearances (along with the entire bill). They don't book cover bands, however, they do have tribute nights. While the area here used to be somewhat rough, Butler-Tarkington has improved quite a bit. The park has been updated, Tea's Me is right across the street, and I've just never had much in the way of concerns here. In terms of accessibility, things are pretty decent here for a general admission place. Audiences tend to be pretty considerate (even the punk rock folks!). and the staff here is top-notch. This is just a great place to see local bands and to experience of of Indy's oldest bars/music venues.

This small little bar is one of my personal favorites to see live music. The stage is like right there and the musicians are like right there in front of you. It's a more personal setting with a nice little bar that keeps up with food and drinks like magic. On a busy night, you might see 2 bartenders, but usually its just one, making pizza's serving drinks and keeping the place cool. Back patio for smokers is nice place to hang out as well. Lots of personality in here and everyone seems friendly.

It's a dive bar. You get to watch live music, drink, and watch/interact with the local wildlife.It's what you would expect.

I cannot vouch for the inside of the bar itself, but one evening before catching a flight out of Indianapolis back home to Texas, I stopped to take a photo of the exterior of the Melody Inn just to pay respects to the late legendary surf guitarist Dick Dale, who played gigs at the Melody Inn. Love the cool neon signage gracing the bar's exterior, which really lights up the street at night.

Perfect divey music bar! From rickety tables and seating to the walls covered in graffiti, band stickers and who knows what else (Indycar parts, clown lights, art, etc). I've grown to love coming to see original music here especially for punk rock nights. Usually three bands play and it's a combo of local talent and a band or two from out of town.There's a combo of craft beer (a small number of taps and cans/bottles) and domestics (cans/bottles)There's always a shot special listed and though I am not a shot taker, I can tell you that the types listed look to be typical and I'm sure there's a selection enough to make most drinks and shots you can think of. Prices are reasonable for everything I've had there. They even have a small menu of affordable bites to eat. On most nights I've been there for live music, there is a cash only cover but the venue has an ATM.Beware parking. There's a lot across the street and a decent amount of parking on Illinois St but take a lesson from me, though the parking on 39th certainly LOOKS like regular street parking, it is not. It's classified as parking for the city park and most of the time you're at Melody Inn (after dusk), that park is closed, which means that parking there wields a hefty fine!

Exactly everything you'd want!! I saw an amazing line up here, featuring The Bobby Lees, Nuke and the Night Shift, and local group Potty MoVth.. one of the best shows I've ever been to... the people working here were warm and helpful. The food was amazingly priced and for bar food it was excellent. This was my first punk show and The bands were seriously incredible.. and I was basically just able to kick it and drink with all of them. A+

We've been coming here for a while now post Covid-19 Part II. Amazing staff and great owners that actually serve drinks. We leave the pretentious people of Geist/Fishers and come here instead. It's an awesome dive bar with eclectic decor, that gives it an "I don't care" vibe. We go to house - punk - and today's bluegrass music night.

Just saw bro-fi play here. The music she played was amazing and the staff was so friendly. The bouncer even went outside to make sure my friend got to her car safely.

Cool venue. Classic brick walls and graffiti. Nice place to catch new bands... Boho's paradise. Limited seats and tables so be warned...

Found this place on Reddit and was absolutely blown away by it. The punk scene was the coolest thing I've ever experienced, loud music and good drinks. 11/10