If you know anything about me, I love the city of Muncie, Indiana. I went to school at Ball State University, teach at Ball State, and I spend a lot of time at local establishments. So when I saw that people visiting this site had been searching for a list of the best bars in Muncie, Indiana, I couldn’t help myself. I want to share my knowledge of the area and want to help support some of my favorite places around. This isn’t specifically bourbon related, but I have to give the people what they want! Plus you can grab some bourbon at a few of the locations, so that’s a big plus.
So here is my list of the top 6 bars in Muncie, Indiana. The bars are in no particular order, but I encourage you to explore each of the places on the list.
Here we go!
1 – Best Overall Beer Selection – Heorot Pub and Draught House
This should be no surprise to any of you who have read by blog post about the my journey to 100 beers, but the Heorot is one of the best bars in the Muncie area.
It doesn’t look like much from the outside. And once you walk in, you will be met with dim lighting, a nice wooden bar, and a feeling like you went to a mix between a british and viking pub (not sure that’s a thing, but you’ll understand). You will then see all of the tap handles and the coolers with beer. You will take a look at the menu and be overwhelmed with options. And then you’ll ask Buff (or the bartender working) for a suggestion and they will give you the perfect beer.
You might even see me in there on a Friday enjoying their pizza special and drinking a wonderful craft beer.
This is the craft beer mecca and it’s where almost all of the other craft beer bars got their start. If you look at Savage’s, the owner Joel loved going to the Heorot before opening his own place. The guys that now own the Heorot started as customers, opened their own brewery, and then bought the Heorot. These are just a few of the great stories of how the Heorot has changed the face of the craft beer industry in Muncie.
Plus they have a nice little bourbon selection. So even if you aren’t a beer fan, you can still find a nice pour. And you never know when the guy will hop on the piano and play a few songs.
1.5 – Best Large Brewery – The Guardian Brewing Company
And since I highlighted the Heorot, I won’t put The Guardian Brewing Company on the list (even though they rock) because the guys who own the Heorot also own The Guardian Brewing Company. I want to spread the love. Hands down the best brewery in the area, but they only serve beer. wine, cider, and pizza. That being said, the pizzas are dang good and so are the cheese sticks. Stop in a pour of Charlie or Haze Stupid the next time you are in town.
2 – Best Bourbon Selection – Trust Your Butcher Steakhouse
Again – This one shouldn’t come as a surprise as either. I did a full write-up on Trust Your Butcher here, but I wanted to put down a few highlights.
Once you walk into Trust Your Butcher Steakhouse, you’ll see that you have landed at a great place to get a pour of bourbon. The list has a ton of different selections and they aren’t priced as high as you would find in Indianapolis (still high for the Muncie area though). If you set the price aside, you’ll find that you are in the best bourbon bar in Muncie. I don’t think there is a lot of competition, but it still makes Muncie no longer a bourbon desert.
Bourbon Master Blog Post
I still stand by my statement that this is the best bourbon bar in the Muncie area. The only one that was even close to this was The Neely House, but it’s no longer in business (and I miss their brunch so much).
3 – Best Ball State Bar – The Chug
Before I give my rundown of The Chug, I want to share an actual review from someone I found online. This is an actual review.
Ohhh how I love and miss The Chug! Two things are certain if you attend my Alma Mater, Ball State University in Muncie, IN;
Ben From Yelp
1. You probably went to school with my brother, he was there for 9 years and
B. You will get plastered at the dive of all dives, known simply as the Chug.
You will not find a plethora of half naked sorority girls, fancy pants martinis, or any food (unless the popcorn machines working, which I don’t think it worked once in my 4 years at BSU). Ney, you will find cheap drink specials, SERIOUS drinkers, a glory hole up by the beer pong table, a sticky floor covered in who-knows-what, and a trough for peeing…if you make it to the bathroom (I had more than a few friends that didn’t make it). They have ski-ball, air hockey, pool, and above all else foosball and beer pong. No one is better than or above the Chug, but you will have a hard time getting your girlfriend there…if she does go, and she loves it as much as you do, then marry that woman for she is a keeper. It’s a tradition, a right of passage, you might get shot…it’s the CHUG!
I don’t think I could have summed it up better. I think I might actually try to hire Ben for a job writing real reviews of bars.
The Chug makes this list because it is the last standing original bar in the Ball State Village. Brothers moved in and killed all that was good and holy about the Village (RIP Locker Room, Dill Street, Cleo’s, and everything that came before those places).
Is it a dirty dive bar where the floors are sticky? Yes. Is it an institution? Yes.
And that’s why it makes my list of the top bars in Muncie, Indiana.
4 – Best Food and Drinks – Savage’s Ale House
If I have to pick my one favorite out of this entire list, Savage’s Ale House would be my pick. As much as I love the Heorot, the Chug, the Guardian, etc, I will always be a Savage loyal.
I’ve celebrated here. I’ve started a business here. I have probably gained 10 pounds here. I’ve spent more money than I would like to admit here.
Savages is the perfect mix of a dive bar, a craft beer bar, and a great restaurant. They have a killer beer list (half rotating and half everyday beers). Their food is out of this world good. I recommend grabbing the Shedtown, the Muncie Burger, the loaded fries, or the Beer Battered Tenderloin (when it comes back on as a special).
I personally recommend the Shed Town (Chicken sandwich with bacon, jalapeños, and ranch) or the grilled cheese (sounds dumb, but it’s a ton of cheese with mozzarella sticks in the middle). If you are looking for a drink, great rotating taps, but the house favorite is the $1.50 PBRs and the Chuckberry. (21 and over).
5 – Best Small Brewery – Northern Tropics Brewery
As I mentioned, I am not putting The Guardian Brewing Company on the list because I highlighted the Heorot earlier. So that’s why this category is listed as the best small brewery. And the award goes to Ted and Northern Tropics!
If you head down to the south side of Muncie (past the Walmart and almost to the bypass), you will find this greenhouse called Northern Tropics. And at this greenhouse, there is a brewery. And it’s awesome!
It’s small, but it has some killer beer! The last time I went, there were over 15 beers on tap and I liked almost all of them. All brewed in house (literally on the other side of the room) and all packed with flavor. Ted (the brewer/owner) knows what he is doing and does it well.
If you haven’t stopped by yet, make sure to stop and grab a pint. You won’t be mad. And then grab some plants to take home.
6 – Best Spot For Local Craft Beer Lovers – The Fickle Peach
I was going to make this a list of the top 5 bars in Muncie, Indiana, but I couldn’t leave out a really awesome local establishment. The Fickle Peach is a great local bar in the downtown Muncie area and it is a great local hangout. They have a lot of different beers on tap and I have heard they are one of the top locations for Bell’s in the state (can’t verify, but it wouldn’t surprise me).
They have a massive menu of beers on the wall to the left when you walk in and then around the corner you will find pool tables, old school Golden Tee golf, and even a Skee Ball machine. They host a few different types of trivia each week (if I could get my wife to join, I would love to attend a few) and they are usually open for most major sporting events. I would suggest following them on Facebook for their most up-to-date offerings.
I call this a local establishment because that’s what you see there. A lot of locals. And that’s a great thing.
Final Thoughts
Even though I highlighted my top six bars in Muncie, I know there are a few that I left off the list. It’s not because they aren’t awesome, but I had to narrow down my list just a bit. So you might also want to stop by:
Vera Mae’s – For a great cocktail
Elm Street Brewing – For some crazy beers (they are awesome in sours)
Clubhouse @ Accutech – They just opened a brand new bar and it looks awesome – Plus the golf simulators
Brothers – If you want to be swarmed with college students
Tonne Winery – If you love wine, you will love this
1925 Pubhouse – Good beer and decent bourbon selection
Mark III Taproom – I’ve never been, but I have heard it’s a great place
I’ll be honest, I am a huge fan of small dive bars or neighborhood bars, but I haven’t been to many on the south side of Muncie. And I think my opinions or recommendations for the Muncie area are skewed towards the downtown area. This is due to my college years and my love for craft beer. I cannot discount the bars on the south side of town (Buttonhole, Ro-Jacs, Lil Triangle, Red Dog, etc) because I really haven’t been to those bars. I have a feeling most of them have some great drink prices, amazing people, and a good time waiting for me, but I just need to make the stop.
If you find yourself in the Muncie, Indiana region and you are looking for a drink, make sure to check out one of the amazing establishments listed above. You won’t be mad and you will most likely be coming back after you realize there is more to Muncie than trains, Ball State, and David Letterman.
Cheers!