The bullet holes are not decorative. Neither are the meat hooks.
And the blues band is definitely not there to provide background noise. This Indiana landmark has been collecting character since 1850, when it opened under the name Tremont House.
The old brick building has endured more than 170 years of changing streets, changing crowds, and changing ideas about a good night out. Its pressed-tin ceiling remains overhead, while live blues fills the rooms every night of the week.
Pork tenderloins keep the kitchen busy, and the basement preserves a few unsettling reminders of the building’s earlier life. It is a wonderfully odd combination.
Historic details, loud guitars, and a proper meal all share the same address. Some buildings preserve the past quietly.
This one turns the volume up.
A Building Older Than the Civil War
Few places in Indianapolis can claim they were serving guests before Abraham Lincoln became president. The Slippery Noodle Inn opened in 1850 as the Tremont House, and it is still running in that very same building today.
That makes it Indiana’s oldest continuously operating establishment in its original home. The building is also considered the oldest commercial structure still standing in the city.
It even earned a spot on the National Register of Historic Places, which is a big deal for any old structure.
Over the decades, the place wore many name tags. It was called the Concordia House and later the Germania House.
Then it became Beck’s Saloon, and during Prohibition it went by Moore’s Restaurant. The name everyone knows now arrived in 1963, when Harold and Lorean Yeagy bought the business.
Fun fact. The Yeagy family ran the Inn for about 60 years before Jason Amonett and Sean Lothridge took over in 2023.
That kind of long, steady ownership helped keep the building’s old character safe.
The address is easy to find at 372 South Meridian Street, Indianapolis, IN 46225, right in the heart of downtown. Visitors heading to a game or concert nearby can stop in without a long detour.
Look closely at the brick and windows on the way in. Those details have watched more than 170 years of city life roll past.
Bullet Holes, Bordellos, and Brave Escapes
Some old buildings have a quiet past. Not this one.
The Slippery Noodle Inn carries stories that sound more like movie plots than real history.
Historical accounts suggest the Inn may have served as a stop on the Underground Railroad during the Civil War. Enslaved people seeking freedom could have found shelter inside these walls.
It is a powerful thought to hold while sitting in the same building.
Later on, the place operated as a bordello, and that chapter did not close until 1953. Then came the wild Prohibition years, when the old horse stable in the back was reportedly used by the Brady and Dillinger gangs for target practice.
Yes, those gangs.
Here is the part that gets people talking. Bullet holes are still visible in the lower east wall of that back building.
Guests often ask staff to point them out, and many leave amazed that the marks survived so long.
The basement adds another layer. Meat hooks and water lines remain from the days when the space worked as a slaughterhouse.
With all this history packed into one spot, it is no surprise that some people claim the building is haunted. Whether or not ghosts roam the halls is up to each visitor to decide.
A little curiosity goes a long way here, so keep eyes open and ask questions.
Blues Every Single Night of the Week
Monday or Saturday, it does not matter. A blues band will be playing somewhere inside the Slippery Noodle Inn, and that steady rhythm is a big part of why people call it Indiana’s home of the blues.
The lineup mixes local, regional, and national acts. One night might feature a hometown guitar player with a loyal crowd, while another brings a touring band with years of road miles behind it.
Many celebrated blues musicians have played these stages over the years.
Fridays and Saturdays get even livelier. Two bands usually perform at the same time on separate stages, so guests can wander from one room to the next.
It feels a bit like a small music festival tucked inside an old building.
Music usually kicks off in the evening, so plan dinner a little earlier to grab a good seat before the first song. Arriving early also helps on busy weekends and game days.
Not in the mood for loud music? The front entry room tends to be a calmer place for conversation while the bands play elsewhere.
That flexibility makes it easy for groups with different moods to enjoy the same night. Some people come for one song and end up staying for three sets.
Blues has that effect, especially when the sound bounces off brick walls that have heard music for generations.
Wednesday Jam Nights Anyone Can Join
Got a harmonica collecting dust in a drawer? Wednesday might be the night to bring it along.
The Slippery Noodle Inn hosts an open blues jam every Wednesday, and it welcomes both seasoned players and brave beginners.
The idea is simple. Musicians sign up, take the stage, and play together, often with people they just met minutes before.
Blues works well for this because many songs follow familiar patterns that players can pick up fast.
For those who would rather listen, jam nights offer something special. Nobody knows exactly what will happen next.
A shy guitarist might surprise the whole room, or a drummer and a singer might click so well that the crowd cheers like they rehearsed for weeks.
Here is a helpful tip for first-timers who want to play. Show up early, bring a tuned instrument, and be ready to share the spotlight.
Jam sessions are about teamwork, not showing off.
Audience members can help too. A little clapping and encouragement goes a long way for someone stepping on stage for the first time.
These nights show the friendly side of the blues community, where talent is shared freely and new voices get a real chance. It is also a great midweek break.
After a long Monday and Tuesday, few things beat hearing live music made right there, on the spot, by people who simply love to play.
The Tenderloin That Fans Drive Back For
Ask Hoosiers about their favorite comfort food, and the pork tenderloin sandwich comes up fast. The Jumbo Tenderloin at the Slippery Noodle Inn is one of the most talked-about plates on the menu.
Picture a crispy, breaded pork cutlet so wide it hangs over the edges of the bun. It is a Midwest classic, and many first-time visitors from other states try it here before anywhere else.
Former Indiana residents often make a point to stop by just for a taste of home.
The rest of the menu keeps the comfort food theme going strong. Guests can choose from burgers, steaks, sandwiches, and pasta dishes.
Popular picks include the Nacho Grande and the Cajun Chicken Alfredo Fettucini, which brings a little spice to a creamy favorite.
Starters are worth a look too. Mozzarella sticks and breaded mushrooms are easy to share.
The Slippery Noodle Sticks, bread filled with melty cheese, make a fun snack while waiting for the band. Wings, onion rings, French onion soup, and seasoned tater tots also have plenty of fans.
Portions tend to be generous, so splitting a starter is a smart move for small groups. The menu works well for lunch, dinner, or a late meal.
Come hungry, and maybe skip the big snack beforehand. That tenderloin takes up a lot of plate.
Hungry After Midnight, No Problem
Late concerts and big games have a way of making people hungry at odd hours. Downtown Indianapolis visitors often discover that the Slippery Noodle Inn is ready for that moment.
The full menu runs until 11 PM every night. After that, a late-night menu takes over, so guests can still find something tasty when most kitchens have closed.
It is a lifesaver after a long evening out.
Hours stretch later toward the weekend. On Wednesdays and Thursdays the doors stay open until 1 AM, and on Fridays and Saturdays they stay open until 2 AM.
Sunday is the early night, running from 4 PM to 11 PM, while Monday and Tuesday close at midnight.
Location makes late visits even easier. The Inn sits just a short walk from Lucas Oil Stadium, so fans can head over once the final whistle blows.
Parking is often available nearby, and some guests even find spots right across the street.
A quick tip for game days. Crowds can build fast before and after events, and a smaller special menu is sometimes offered during big happenings.
Arriving early or waiting until the rush calms down can make the visit smoother. There is something cozy about eating a warm plate of food late at night while a band plays nearby.
The city may be winding down outside, but inside these old walls, the night still feels young.
Tin Ceilings, Tiger Oak, and a Grown-Up Vibe
Look up in the front room. The shiny pressed tin ceiling overhead was installed around 1890, and it is believed to be an original feature of the building.
Below it stretches a tiger oak counter that is more than 100 years old. The wood shows the kind of rich grain that is hard to find today.
Brick walls, vintage photographs, and old framed stories fill the rest of the space, giving every room a classic club feel.
The Inn is bigger than it looks from the street. Room after room opens up, and even regular guests sometimes discover a back room they never noticed before.
Staff members are known for sharing history, and some guests have been treated to short tours of the upstairs and basement.
One important detail for planning. Since March 2023, the Slippery Noodle Inn has operated strictly as a 21 and over spot.
The change came after the new owners learned from the Indiana Excise Police that the old license did not allow all-ages dining. The owners have said they are open to exploring family-friendly options in the future.
For now, that age rule shapes the mood. Evenings feel relaxed and grown-up, perfect for date nights or catching up with old friends.
Bring a valid ID, settle in, and let the old wood, warm light, and soulful music do the rest.
