Dorman Street

Dorman Street is a neighborhood bar near Mass Ave that perfectly captures the “hole-in-the-wall” vibe. It has a large patio, one pool table, and an old-school jukebox that adds a great retro touch. The atmosphere is laid-back, and the crowd is mostly friendly regulars, which gives the place a comfortable, familiar feel. The bartenders are nice, and the drinks match the chill vibe here—nothing fancy but exactly what you want in a classic bar. Prices are a bit on the high side for a dive bar, both for food and drinks, but not unreasonable. Just something to keep in mind if you’re expecting budget dive prices. This is definitely the type of place where you’d want to keep things cool and blend in, as it has a local feel that’s best appreciated when you’re on good terms with everyone. Overall, if you’re looking for a relaxed, low-key bar experience with a bit of character, Dorman Street is worth checking out.

Cozy, cool dive bar. Drink prices are fair, and bartenders know their stuff. I've never tried any of their food here, but both times I've been here the service has been great! Nice outdoor patio area, pool table, and a juke box (which could use some upgrades on music options). Will definitely be back!

The staff was friendly and with good conversation. Music was limited with their jukebox. The drinks are a little 6 the atmosphere is overall good.

HORRIBLE SERVICE. The female bartender was so rude that it is just downright ridiculous. How is this place in business? She shorted me $10 on my change from a $20 bill after buying one drink. She then got mad at me and acted like it was my fault and that I'm a liar for asking for the rest of my change. After dramatically counting her drawer twice, she realized that she in fact did make a mistake and that I was right. Then she THREW a $10 bill in my face and walked away!! I'm sure she'd deny it if any manager of this place even cared to ask (which based on all of these other similar views they don't seem to).

Always a favorite, relaxed spot with a great patio area

Service is immaculate. Top tier place for a lazy afternoon drink or a late night beer. Perfection.

Great dive bar! Bartender was great, prices below average. Love it!

Right at the end of the block, this place is one of the rare gems that doesn't seem like it shines until you put it under light. The mac and cheese is the stuff of legends. The bartenders are in tune with the community and what's going on in town, and make great conversation. They've got a pool table that WORKS and a back patio with plenty of tables and chairs. There is also a cat sometimes. Making friends at a place like this is easier than it is hard, and for that and a few other reasons, makes this a very special place.

Fun environment, great menu of snacks that pair well with cheap beer. Bartenders are generally pretty quick and friendly. Had one okay experience with a somewhat rude bartender but I haven't see her working there in at least a year so it seems her rudeness was possibly recognized by management.

This place is super cute! There are pool tables and jukebox. There's a outdoor seating but I didn't get to see it but was told by a regular. They have a great variety of drinks but their food options are not great. The pizzas are like frozen Jacks pizzas. Bags of chips you would see in kids lunches, microwaved pretzels. They have a good spinach dip served with regular tortilla chips. The bartender was really nice and attentive. I'd put 3.5 but not able to. If food was better definitely would be 4 stars. The atmosphere is cozy and I loved the womens bathroom being in Dr. Who's blue phone booth

Super fun dive bar. Good atmosphere, friendly staff, and a great place to play cards and grab a drink. Had the spinach artichoke dip too - typical bar food but it hit the spot. Also, saw a local celebrity so it's obviously the spot to be! Can't wait to come back.

Unfortunately, Jamie was our bartender tonight. Been to Dorman hundreds of times and always had a great, friendly time, but she was so surly and angry the minute we walked in we were shocked. Something bad may be going on in her life, and if so I'm sorry, but that's no excuse for treating us so crudely. Normally the staff here is tops. We all have bad nights, but she was so abusive and rude we couldn't shake her hateful attitude off. I have great reviewed hundreds of amazing bartenders. This was my worst experience in a decade - the absolute low of all service I've experienced in Indianapolis. Dorman, please get back on track, we love you.

I have no idea why it took me so long to visit this place! I knew where it was, heard all the good things about it, and it took my friends suggesting it after work for me to go! I'm always visiting businesses in the CCIC nearby, and I've walked the neighborhood so there really was no excuse. However, I'm so glad that we went when we did. Obviously, it's cold and snowy outside right now, but the interior is clean and inviting. I love all the throwback stuff inside - vintage movie posters, a real jukebox, and a cigarette machine. Our bartender was super friendly, and I wish I could remember her name! Definitely do not miss the "combo meals" aka cocktails. I had the most delightful combo of hard orange soda, tequila, triple sec, and something else (I forget)! It was a large drink, and my friends had to try it and immediately loved it! (And they're normally just beer drinkers!) I can't wait to visit in the warmer months so I can chill on the patio. This place is really the best combo of a dive bar and high-end cocktail bar. I'm told the crowd can range from older patrons to young hipster types. I think I fall somewhere in the middle, but this is a great spot that replaces some bygone dives that we used to visit. It's so chill, and I feel right at home. One of the TVs was tuned to an old episode of the Simpsons (when it was still good), and that just made the vibe even more fun!

Save your money. Go to a number of choices in the Fletcher Place area instead. ( nearby )This place here is a dump and the bartender is rude, for sure. If you were to tell me the beer and drinks were just a couple bucks, then, ok, I'd deal with it. But no, not the case. The owner needs to get a new bartender. We would have spent more money there if not for her. The outside space has potential to be charming and inviting, but, no- it's not. Cigarette butts everywhere and huge bushes and landscape WAY overgrown. Could be a cute area, but, owner missing the opportunity here. Dirty, nasty and rude.

Dorman Street is such a solid spot to spend your time after work for a beer or on the weekend. The back patio is nice and there are several tables. My favorite part is the pool table. It is 25 cents. I love how much it blends in with the neighborhood. The bartenders are nice and very knowledgeable. John is a great bartender and always takes care of his patrons.

Fantastic neighborhood bar. Stumbled upon this and wow! I'm such a fan. It's tucked away in a neighborhood and if you are driving too fast you might miss it. It's not the most fancy or luxurious place, but, it's cool the bartenders are amazing and the vibe is great! They have decent liquor and a pool table and a jukebox. There's plenty of parking along the street that you don't have to pay for which is a bonus! Again, the servers and bartenders are amazing such a great attitude which sometime seems to be hard to find. There were people there that were working, people playing pool, and people who appeared to be on dates. Many people also rode their bikes and just stopped in for a quick drink. I love the come as you are vibe that it has. Everyone appears to be welcomed which I love! This will definitely be a place I add to the rotation when in the mood for something simple and not spent a ton of money for drinks.

Looks like a neighborhood dive bar, but is really just a an old building. Nice selection of beers. Had the spinach artichoke dip, it was good. Portion size enough for two. Will definitely visit again.

Dorman Street is -the- definition of a dive bar to me. It's on the corner in a neighborhood, the interior is quite interesting. Most recently, a friend and I stopped in to grab a drink after dinner. I ordered my go-to, an old fashioned. Honestly, it was the worst old fashioned I've ever had. Luckily, the service was very attentive and friendly to make up for the drink. I never have issues with parking as it's surrounded by neighborhood streets. There's an outdoor patio but I've learned it's usually crowded with smokers. Definitely worth a shot if you've never been, but maybe pass on those old fashioneds...

When you walk up the sidewalk to the bright Yellow "homey" establishment, anything from the Beatles to Nina Simone might float out to greet you. Inside, there is a sense of finding a "Cheers" of your own (but way more cool). You can play both of these artists, and more of your choosing, on the classic jukebox (see my photos, awesome factor!) while playing pool for a quarter. Darts are in the back too, if your game. .....whuuut? Ok, I'll black up, just a quarter. I loved this simple thing. So my "feels" Can you say "cozy" about a bar and have it still be a cool place to want to go? Well, I am, and it's cool. Because Dorman's just is. It's whatever you need right when you need it, especially those times you didn't know you needed it...lol... but just showed up here only to realize that you needed it bad. Yes, Dorman's feels like your favorite pair jeans. And you don't even have to wear these jeans in, because right from the moment the coaster is tossed, you are a regular. "You are here". It's cozy and comfortable day or night... But not dull, and definitely the place to go for drinks. Food? Well, it does have a small page of food choices with items like Walking Taco, and Mexican Chili, but do not expect a full dining array. However, from what I saw and heard, aside from the many beer options, the folks behind the bar really know their cocktails and are always on the ready to shake things up for you to try. If you know what you think tastes good, they can create a concoction to please! If you still aren't sure, check out these Elite Yelpers Brittany S., Adam B., and Jeremiah C.. and their reviews. Be fun! Be smart. Be generous. Be kind.

It is safe to say that I will never ever come back to Dorman Street saloon again in my lifetime. My friends and I came here for a beer to hang out and shoot the breeze. We were waiting for a couple of friends, and when they finally arrived, we learned they were assaulted in the parking lot by a couple strangers for no reason. Later on, these strangers came in and tried to start a fight with my friends in the bar. Luckily, one of the staff stepped in right away and told them to leave right away. It was a few minutes before they calmed down and things went back to normal, but all of us settled our tab right away and left the establishment, since we did not want to stick around any longer. I will say Dorman Street Saloon is not exactly in the safest part of downtown, so that is a negative effect in itself. The staff does seem professional and the craft beer list is OK, but not great. They do have a food menu, but from what I have heard, it is not worth writing home about. I was here several years ago with friends, and I was not impressed with the saloon. I wish I had positive feedback for this saloon, but after my experience, I will tell my friends to stay far away from Dorman Street Saloon, because you could get assaulted by someone when you least expect it. It is not worth your money or your time to visit this establishment.

The Dorman Street Saloon is great! I'm absolutely in love with the back patio! It can get pretty packed at night but during the day it's mostly a peaceful place to relax. That is, unless the Loud Lady is there. She is a customer who is so obnoxiously loud that she may break the eardrums of weaker people. She makes the entire place loud in either competition or sheer attempts to try and communicate. If she's there, turn around and leave - you'll know her when you hear her. Oh, and the bartenders are great!

Five Star Dive Bar! If you live in Indy or say you are from Indy and don't know about this place, then I don't know about you! Perfect place for a shot and a beer. They have an eclectic bar, tables for gathering, and pool tables. Great staff!

Ever since the passing of our dear Andy, Dorman hasn't been the same. Truly this year even. For an owner to claim that abusers are banned and then let that abuser into the bar. Truly, truly, damn. I will never give one cent more of my money to this establishment. To be so irresponsible as to not care about the safety of your patrons. RIP Andy, you were the guardian of what was right. Dorman is a joke now.

Worst service of my life. If you want someone to act like they're giving you service and then get ignored this is the place for you. Zero stars. This bar went into the toilet, used to be a cool place.

This is one of my favorite neighborhood spots. The mixed drinks are great and the pints of the day are always a tremendous value. I always find a beer I like there and they usually have some oddities. The pool table and darts are cheap, and the clientele is local. During basketball season there is always Pacers game on, any other time there is a cheesy movie that you just can't stop watching. I kind of resent this place being called a "dive bar": it's not, it's just an old school neighborhood place that serves up great cocktails. The kind of place where you can order a PBR or an Aperol spritz (I recommend the latter). It's not pretentious or trendy. It's just a friendly relaxed place that is great for spending a Sunday afternoon or a cold winter night. I appreciate that they always have plenty of bicycle parking, too.

Dorman Street is one of my favorite bars anywhere. The atmosphere is a bit grungy and dark, but welcoming and fun at the same time. There is a wide variety of craft beer and cocktails, as well as a wide variety of patrons that frequent this establishment. Seriously, you will see all walks of life at this little dive bar, but that's part of the fun. The bartenders are experienced and friendly, and there's always some fun kitschy movie playing. Inside, there is a pool table (games are only a quarter!) and a dart board. Outside, there is a large deck with patio tables under trees - great environment on a warm night! Do yourself a favor and pop in to check this place out if you've never been.

The tall, white, bald(ing) bartender is what I would consider racist. I came with a group of about 8. I was overlooked multiple times while clearly waiting for service at the bar (read: look and walk left to right, seeking patrons to serve, multiple times) until a white friend of mine, who was standing behind me, was asked what he wanted to drink. Only then, because he told the sh*thead of a bartender that I was there first, was I served. Here's a gauge: there were three white patrons sitting at the end of the bar, chatting amongst themselves, and the bartender walked past me, again, and asked if they were doing alright. They were. My black friend (we were the only two in the bar) had the SAME experience; I watched from our table. She was served only when another white friend of ours walked up next to her at the bar. I would give 2 stars because of the cider selection, but at the bar took that last one away. I will continue to share my experience with this bar, because it needs to be heard. Or maybe the service toward folks with pigment is how they keep their bar exactly how they want it. Won't get a dime more of my money.

Reasons Why You Should Visit Dorman Street Saloon: 1) You can go to the bathroom through the Tardis; 2) Super cheap craft cocktails, especially for how close this place is to downtown/Mass Ave; I'm talking $8-$9 for drinks contain peppered gin, plum vodka, jalapeno-ginger syrup, celery bitters, and the like; 3) History appreciation; Dorman Street has been around since the Prohibition, under different names; 4) Small, but great craft beer tap list. There's a fairly large selection of bottled beers for the size of the location; 5) The clientele is friendly and ranges from blue-to-white collar, growing a little more hipster the later it gets...hipster in an awesome way; 6) The atmosphere is laid back, comfortable, a tad divey, and unpretentious. The jukebox is diverse; I've heard everything from Johnny Cash to Beach House. Street parking is abundant and I've felt safe walking back & forth from car; The only major flaw I've found is that Dorman reeks of Febreze or similar air freshener at times, perhaps to camouflage its prior allowances for smokers. I can't wait to try out the patio once the weather warms up.

It's quite possible that my experience would have hit 5 five stars had I been able to put my boots up on the counter and smoke uh big cigar. Nonetheless, the travel channel on the tube, surprisingly delicious cocktails and charming Cottage Home neighborhood surroundings made up for the difference. Walking in to Dorman, you'd think Coors Light and the local VFW all rolled into one - with a tinge of leftover smoke in the air from it's time as a smoke-friendly establishment. Leave your assumptions at the door, because you're going to find anything but Coors in this cozy local beer haven. Highlights of my visit: jukebox, travel channel, laid back, clever cocktails like basil and strawberry and pineapple with pepper simple syrup. Most of all, I think Dorman's location on Cottage Home tugs at my heart with that neighborly Icanwearmypajamasinhere feel.

Dorman is an Indianapolis staple among my friends and me. One would call this a dive bar because there's no flash, a little grit, and the bathrooms are slightly scary (but like we don't care bc it's almost to be expected??). Drinks range from dirt cheap beer specials to festive mixed drinks. There are TVs, darts, pool, and a jukebox for entertainment in addition to the Indianapolis locals that dwell there, which will undoubtedly provide entertainment on their own. I enjoy Dorman! Both indoor and outdoor seating is nice, and the service is pretty good. Parking is always a breeze too!

I just found my new favorite dive bar! I went on a double date here recently and had a blast. For starters, the women's bathroom was painted like the tartis from Dr. Who. There was an old school cigarette machine. Plus darts and pool. What more do you need in a dive?? There is inside and outside patio seating. There were tv's inside playing The Office (a personal favorite of mine) and the bartender was very friendly and helpful with recommendations. They had a good alcohol selection. They had a board with signature cocktails. I tried the #3 and #4. They reminded me very much of summertime and were both amazing. They came in huge glass cups. I was shocked by how big they were. They were $10 each. Definitely will be back to try the rest of the signature cocktails!

It's really hard not to immediatlely fall in love with Dorman Street Saloon. With all of the bourgeois bars and restaurants opening up on Mass Ave, it's refreshing to have a comfortable dive nearby for when you just want a simple, affordable drink with some friends. I'm all for innovation, but there's a reason places like this are classic. The beer and liquor selections are top-notch for a dive, and pretty solid regardless, with a lot of craft and local choices. The scene is also one of the more eclectic I've encountered in Indy. Everyone is wearing something just a little outrageous, and it gives the whole place a vibe of self-confidence and inclusion that makes Dorman Street way more accessible than most of the more recent entrants into the Indy booze scene. My only push -- I'd love to see some improvements to the food! Honestly, it doesn't matter much, and I'll still keep coming back regardless, but if you're serving food at all, it's awesome when it's also delicious. I always drink more if I want to eat more, too.

This is a hidden hangout for locals around the area. Even when you are walking by if you don't know about it because it is located in an old house it's easy to miss. The inside is a typical dive bar atmosphere but I like that they have an outdoor patio area (since it is very dark inside) and they offer more than just your typical domestic beers. As someone who likes craft and even ciders more than beers I have never had an issue finding something to drink and their prices are decent. There is street parking available which is a great plus as well. I have only come for the beers but I heard they serve food including frozen Tostitos pizzas which though is not my cup of tea a lot of people that frequent say it's the best drunk food!

I always seem to end up here after a fun night out, but the thing I love about Dorman Street is that it doesn't matter what group of people I've been hanging with! A little hipster, a little dive, a dash of nerd and even some cool kids. Everyone truly seems welcome. Perks: great beer selection - lots of local choices - I've yet to be disappointed! The jukebox! The real deal, none of this pick from your phone crap. The pool tables - though get there early if you want to call dibs! The Tardis bathroom (need I say more??) There's a decent sized parking lot across the street and street parking available pretty generously nearby.

Soooo, I came to this joint (slang for place) to meet a friend one night and almost missed it because it is legitimately a hole in the wall! This place was adorbs! I liked it because it was a super chill environment and I loved the pool tables and the telephone booth bathrooms (so creative)! I ordered the pineapple cider which hands down has been my favorite cider ever!!! So good! I also got the soft pretzels and cheese which was a great price for how big the pretzels were! We sat and talked for about 2 hours and it was worth it. Not too busy (Wednesday night from 8:30-10:30pm) but picked up around 10pm. The bar tender was coo and attentive. I would definitely go back. It's like one of those bars you see on TV!

This is a very neat bar- super old and historic and in good shape. They have a wide selection of drinks, the staff are friendly, and they have a nice outdoor seating area. Can't wait to visit when the pandemic is over so I can shoot pool

An Indianapolis institution. Don't let looks deceive you. This is a great space to go. If you're looking for an Indianapolis neighborhood bar that has it all this is the spot to go. There is a wide selection of both mixed drinks and beers. The have a large selection of craft beers. Great spot if you're looking for a low key spot to grab a drink.

Anyone who only opens in afternoon and on is OK in our book. Late nite owls we are! Excited to go try it!!!!!

Herbal cocktails , craft beers , dark seating area and fun little patio. Love the neighborhood and the graphics on the exterior of the building . Colorful crowd and good bartenders.

Best bar I've found in the area. And probably the second best jukebox I've seen in my life. .25 cent pool. And an exceptional drink and beer list. Great barkeep and honestly the best most artistic bareback ever. So yeah, go here.

Your classic dive bar. I believe they have food, which I'm sure is great, but we have only ever had their drinks. They are different from other dive bars around because they have more craft beer selections. They have a pool table and plenty of seating. I have heard the Basil Berry cocktails are addicting. All around its a place to frequent often!

Bartender: A+ (friendly and fast and works like a wizard behind the bar) Cocktails: A+ (high-quality booze, fresh-squeezed juices, great combinations) Beer: A+ (large, balanced selection of craft beers in cans, bottles, and on draft) Decor: A (quirky, genuine, fun, acceptable lighting) Jukebox: A (nothing totally crappy, that your drunk self mistakenly thinks is great) Space: A (pool table, big and small tables, L-shaped bar) Clientele: B+ (no one looking for trouble, most people are cool, but every time I've been there's some train wreck of a human being who's feeling important [LOUD] and their diarrhea of the mouth is equal parts entertaining and utterly annoying) Food: I (for incomplete) So far, the soft pretzels with cheese were perfectly baked and very tasty, and the pizza smells and looks fantastic. There's hummus too. I have yet to try enough food to dispense a grade. Why do people still call this a dive bar? Have you never actually BEEN to a dive bar? Dive bars do not squeeze fresh juice. Dive bars only have cans because bottles are weapons and kegs get stolen. Dive bars do not serve innovative cocktails and craft beers from around Indiana and the nation. Dorman Street Saloon is NOT a dive.

Hanging Tuff. I care about the structural integrity about the saloon of our stomping grounds. I take the owners by their word... if they felt the roof might just cave at any moment because the floors are so damn rickety; then, well, new floors it is. And new walls oh my. And wait a second, a new pool table felt? And, it's purple? And, it's still a quarter to play? This is change I can believe in. And, a redux on their fridge, and tapped kegs of Sun King are on the way. Heck to the Yes! It's the little things... like how they serve their Sun King in giant mugs that make me feel timeless and awesome and, well, like I'm in a painting.

I just love the vibe of this place. I love where it's located right in Cottage Home neighborhood and how some people have driven right past it mistaking it for one of the old homes. Well, it is an old home or built like one. As you enter, it kind of feels like you're walking into a house party that a friend of a friend to the guy who works at the bookstore happened to mention to him as they were discussing the merits of Kurt Vonnegut's Breakfast of Champions. The jukebox is a classic filled with anything from Ella Fitzgerald to Portishead. A pool table and darts will keep folks occupied, and in the warmer months, you might enjoy the patio. Don't let the house party vibe fool you into walking up to the bar and automatically ordering a Miller High Life. While you can get that, you might want to first take note of all of the craft beer options as well as the craft cocktails they conjure up. My personal favorite right now is the Judas. The bartenders are not some frat guys tossing around drinks. They know their way around the bar and will make you a great cocktail. If you're a Dr. Who fan, you'll appreciate the entrance to the bathroom, and there is usually something on the TV that I can't take my eyes off of. One time it was Harry Potter, and more recently near the holidays, Home Alone.

A fun little dive bar. They usually have pretty good craft beers on tap and the staff is super friendly. It is usually pretty empty or maybe that is because it is usually a later night stop for my friends. The inside is pretty run of the mill dive bar, but they do have a Dr Whoish phone booth that opens into the women's restroom. One of these days I'll remember to take a pic. Check it out, but keep in mind what I described above. If you are looking for a hoity, toity place then you may want to by pass it, but if you are looking for a divy, hipsterish bar then give it a try!

We just discovered this place recently via a friend. Being set back from the main streets like it is, I'm not sure we'd have ever found it on our own. It's really a hidden little gem east of the heart of downtown. Walking in, it seems like just your average neighborhood bar. However, pop open a bar menu and you'll find it's anything but. They have an extensive list of signature cocktails that fit just about any craving. I had the J Cutler the first time which is a gin drink. Just sweet enough, but not too sweet and made with their homemade pepper-infused simple syrup. Next, I had the Judas which is made with plum vodka and features the same syrup. The nice thing, as far as signature cocktails go, is that they are very consistent. The drinks taste the same regardless of which bartender you order them from. While we have not tried the food here, a friend with us did order the pretzels and they looked delicious. He gave them a thumbs up. The atmosphere is a pretty standard bar. They have stools for the bar top, a few tables, and of course a pool table. They have a very nice fenced patio out back with a few tables as well. Perfect for a summer afternoon. The people are very nice and efficient, although it can take a little while to get a drink when they're busy, as the signature cocktails take a bit longer to make. Overall, I'd highly recommend this place.

This is probably my favorite bar in Indianapolis. There are a lot of breweries that I visit more frequently, but walking into Dorman Street always has that special end of the day feeling and I end up drinking way more than I planned on. I love this bar when it's nearly empty on a summer afternoon and the patio is open. I love this bar when it's packed to the gills on a frigid winter night and just walking in fogs up my glasses and gets me a little tipsy. I love this bar after work and before a long weekend and during stay-cations. I have never had a bad time here. Sing it with me: I love this bar. Seriously, what's not to like about a divey little joint with a bunch of craft beer (taps and bottles)? What's not to like about a wood floor and delicious cocktails? What's not to like about a jukebox and pool for a quarter a game? I always end up meeting interesting people here. The drinks are strong, the bartenders are good at what they do, and I swear there's magic in the air. Everybody needs *that* bar, and for me that bar is Dorman Street. Never change.

Dorman Street is the quintessential awesome neighborhood bar. I know a few people who live within a few blocks and walk to/from regularly. I live relatively close so I can either walk or take a 3min Lyft/Uber there. I wouldn't necessarily call it a dive bar because it definitely doesn't give that vibe. The clientele are mostly yuppie hipsters and the drink menu doesn't reflect just standard Bud/Coors/Miller/etc etc. It's always a great time at Dorman because you never know who you're going to see, the service is amazing, and their prices are never outlandish. It may appear dilapidated, but everything else about Dorman is fresh.

Every time my friends and I go out we always end the night at Dorman's. This bar might be small, but they have great atmosphere and the jukebox has amazing music! More importantly the bartenders know how to pour a noce stiff drink. They also have decent food here. I would highly suggest the 4 cheese mac'n' cheese with some garlic dill breadcrbs. It is amazing. The biggest issue i have is cleanliness of whole place and the bathroom. The men's bathroom floor is dirty and seems like it is caving in

Everyone loves Dorman. If you've been there, you love it. And, if you've been there, you knew what you were walking into before you got there. Dorman is a purpose driven establishment. And, its purpose is being void of any stupid theme or over-stimulating business model. Dorman is what you want your regular bar to be: great beer on tap, decent prices, good mixed drinks, good juke box, and friendly people everywhere. It is a true potpourri of people from all walks of life. Inside the music is loud enough to enjoy. There is lots of open floor space to mingle and talk, but enough tables to always find an open seat. There are pool tables if you feel the need to keep your hands busy. Outside is the true Dorman experience. A great patio for night sipping. It is exactly what you want it to be. No themes, loud noises, over-ambitious table service. It feels more like you just grabbed a beer and are sitting on your own porch. It is a great place to unwind. Rarely do you go to a bar and get exactly what you want out of it. But, with Dorman, I always do.

This is actually one of my favorite bars to go to in Indy. I am just completely astounded that I have never given it a review. First of all, I LOOOOOOVE the location of it. It's close to Mass Ave. in case you want to go somewhere else, but I like that it's away from everything else in a quaint and cute little neighborhood. It's a great place to go for just chilling out, having a few drinks and gossiping with your friends about the latest news. It's also a great place to go and get silly and make a fool of yourself attempting to play pool when you've had one too many gin and tonics. They love their spices and herbs. They have some real unique drinks that they create and usually involve different ingredient, especially basil and pepper. They also have some things to snack on, such as pizza, chips and dip and much more. They're also one of those bars that have that handy cigarette machine if you've ran out or forgotten to bring them, but as a typical cigarette machine at a bar, they are kind of pricy. My favorite thing about this bar is that beautiful patio they have. It's so spacious, it's under a tree with a big privacy fence. It's probably one of the loveliest patios to a bar that I've ever seen. I love the staff there too, because they really are some down-to-earth people who really seem to enjoy their jobs! The mens bathroom is kind of jank, but you're not really going to a bar to hang out in the bathroom, so it's not a big d to me. But I do like that the women's bathroom on the outside is painted like the Dr. Who tardis. I think it's super cute. I really just believe this is a bar that everyone should experience at least once. I think it definitely has a little something for everyone.

Came here after a double date with some friends and we had a great time! This is definitely a dive bar but it's quality. The decor is pretty cool on the inside, with lots of old posters, a jukebox, and even a functioning cigarette machine. They also have a really good selection of beer as well as some talented bartenders than can make you just about anything you want to drink. The outside porch area is also nice if you smoke. If you like dive bars give this place a try, you won't be disappointed.

Divey awesomeness. What else can I say about this kick ass neighborhood bar? I could say that the juke box is bad ass. I could say that the craft beer list is pretty sweet. I could say the staff is on their game. I could definitely say that this beautiful, old, historic building is packed full of stories, experiences, and good ghostly vibes. I could also mention that John Dillinger was rumored to have drank here while stalking his next bank job just a couple blocks away. I could go on and on, but you should just go and grab a drink here, in its divey awesomeness.

Dorman Street is fantastic. It's like putting on a pair of slippers when you get home. There's nothing pretentious about it, you just walk in, order a drink, sit down and stay for hours. Drinks are reasonably priced, the rotating selection is always good, and some of the food options are pretty good. The mac and cheese is especially tasty. The patio is fantastic if you can find a seat. All in all, it's a quite nice evening that starts (and ends!) at Dorman Street.

Easily one of my favorite spots in the city. Great drinks. Great service. You should come!

The friendliest and one of the cleanest dive bars in the United States! Absolutely fantastic! Cheap drinks friendly bar tenders! All great they even sang songs with us front he jukebox! Amazing if u are in Indy looking for a cool low key vibe and cheap drinks!

dorman street is a perfect example of how the term "dive bar" is overused. as another reviewer suggests, dorman street is definitely not a dive bar, not even close. it's basically just a hipster hangout. wanting to visit for a long time and should have read yelp a little more closely. maybe it's always been a hipster place, but i would have swore it was just a good neighborhood bar with solid bar food. service is good, food is alright, beer is beer (as you'd expect, plenty of craft beers and your usual beers, PBR of course), but the atmosphere is just...not for me (avoiding a long diatribe here). physical attributes of dorman are well done. come in the south door and there are a few lower eating tables. bar is on the est wall, additional seating opposite and north of the bar. very comfortable. stone bar top that lacks a rail. tiled bar face. stone box footrest. nice wood flooring with a mix of walls and decor. lower lighting, but not dark. nothing wrong with dorman street if that's what you like. just know.

Dorman is great! But do they really fit the description of yelps "dive bar" list? You're not going to get dinner here. They only have a small menu of appetizers. That's it. Otherwise it's awesome! You go there to drink and socialize, but not eat.