Indianapolis Spotlight: Slippery Noodle Inn

The Slippery Noodle Inn is an iconic and historic fixture in Indianapolis.

Here is a comprehensive overview of the Slippery Noodle Inn, covering its unique features, history, menu highlights, customer feedback, and contact information.

🎶 The Slippery Noodle Inn: An Indianapolis Institution

The Slippery Noodle Inn, often simply called “The Noodle,” is renowned as Indiana’s oldest continuously operated bar in its original building, dating back to 1850.¹ It is a premier blues club and restaurant that is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places.²

What Makes It Unique

The uniqueness of The Slippery Noodle Inn stems from its deep, multi-layered history and its status as a major regional blues venue:

• Historic Architecture: The building is the oldest commercial building still standing in Indianapolis.³ Features like the pressed tin ceiling (circa 1890) and the 100+ year-old tiger oak bar offer an authentic step back in time.⁴

   

• A Blues Mecca: Since being transformed in 1985, it has become one of the Midwest’s premier blues clubs, featuring two performance stages with live music seven nights a week, hosting both local and legendary national blues artists.⁵

   

• The Bullet Holes: A tangible relic of its tumultuous past, bullet slugs from target practice by the notorious Brady and Dillinger gangs during the Prohibition era are still embedded in the back wall.⁶

   

• Paranormal Activity: The Inn is famous for being rumored to be haunted, with stories of spirits tied to its history as a brothel and its role in the Underground Railroad.⁷

   

A Storied History and Significant Events

Founded in 1850 as the Tremont House, a roadhouse and bar for railway travelers, the building has served many different purposes:⁸

• Underground Railroad: During the Civil War, the building is said to have been a way station for the Underground Railroad, with tunnels in the basement reportedly providing refuge for those seeking freedom.⁹

   

• German Heritage: It was an early German club and went through name changes reflecting this heritage, including the Concordia House and Germania House, before changing to Beck’s Saloon during World War I.¹⁰

   

• Prohibition Era: During Prohibition, it operated as Moore’s Restaurant but secretly distilled and sold liquor and beer in the basement.¹¹

   

• Brothel and Tragedy: The upstairs rooms operated as a brothel until 1953, when a fatal knife fight between two patrons over one of the women led to a man’s death and a bloody knife left on the bar.¹²

   

• Birth of The Noodle: In 1963, the Yeagy family purchased the bar and, after a lengthy debate, renamed it The Slippery Noodle Inn.¹³ Hal Yeagy Jr. took over in 1985 and established it as a world-class blues venue.¹⁴

   

• Notable Performers and Visitors: Over the years, the club has hosted blues legends like Albert Collins, Buddy Miles, Edgar Winter, and Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown.¹⁵ Celebrities, including Dan Aykroyd (who has jumped on stage with bands), Harrison Ford, and Robert De Niro, have also been visitors.¹⁶

   

Customer Feedback Highlights

Customers consistently praise the Inn for its historic atmosphere and vibrant live blues music.

• Atmosphere: Reviewers frequently describe the ambiance as unique, historic, and welcoming, with an undeniable “flavor” of history around every corner.¹⁷

   

• Music: The live blues music is a major draw, with the two stages offering a dynamic and engaging entertainment experience.¹⁸

   

• Food Favorites: Popular menu items often highlighted in feedback include:

  • The Nachos Grande (often called the “Best nachos ever”)¹⁹

     

  • The Vegas Burger (topped with rib roast and bacon)²⁰

     

  • Fried Pork Chop Sandwich

  • Chili with Spaghetti

  • Buffalo Shrimp

Menu Highlights

The menu features classic American pub fare with some house specialties:

Location and Contact Information

For those planning a visit, here is the essential information:

• Address: 372 South Meridian Street, Indianapolis, IN 46225²¹

   

• Phone: (317) 631-6974

• Website: https://slipperynoodle.com/