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bootleggers script neon sign

Step Inside Indy’s Only Password-Protected Speakeasy

Posted on January 30, 2023March 9, 2023 by Rebekah

In the 1920s and 1930s, Indianapolis played stomping grounds for a number of notorious gangsters — most famously John Dillinger — and the city is now home to numerous speakeasy-inspired establishments.

john dillinger poster and copper still at bootleggers

If you’ve been around for any length of time, you know I’ve never met a Prohibition-Era spot I don’t love. However, one Indy speakeasy still operates in a more authentic fashion than all the rest.

Most locals have heard of Bootleggers but finding it is another task altogether.

The address of the speakeasy isn’t advertised online, and there’s certainly no website or Google Business listing for the bar. In fact, just like in the Roaring Twenties, the only way to get into Bootleggers is to know someone in the know.

When we finally learned exactly where Bootleggers is (and what the entry password is) I couldn’t wait to visit. The experience was just as authentic as I expected it to be. You’re in for a treat when you get the chance to go.

bootleggers indianapolis speakeasy door close up

Upon finding the right door to the basement — a job in and of itself — you’ll turn an antique brass key to reveal the speakeasy’s gatekeeper. Say the secret password and you’re in!

Once you’ve gone down the stairway, you’ll be met with an incredibly authentic speakeasy experience. While some of the seating areas have contemporary furnishings, the bones of Bootleggers are anything but. You won’t find sleek paneling and ornate artwork here.

chairs by brick wall at bootleggers speakeasy indianapolis

Instead, imbibers are surrounded by the building’s original stone foundation, with brick walls scattered throughout.

In a restaurant culture where speakeasies have become glamorized, there’s no glitz and glamour at Bootleggers — and, frankly, that makes it all the more fun.

woman standing b y brick wall holding cocktail at bootleggers speakeasy indianapolis

Real Prohibition speakeasies made do with what they had in basements or back rooms. This is as close as you’ll come to the real thing 100 years later.

And, while the bartenders aren’t slinging actual bathtub gin, you can order from a selection of era-appropriate cocktails, including Old Fashioneds, Negronis, Gin Rickeys, Manhattans, and Sidecars.

bootleggers speakeasy drink menu on glass

As you can see [below], Bootleggers has a full bar, so if you’re in the mood for a 21st century drink, you can order that as well.

I highly recommend chatting with the bar staff if you get the chance. Everyone I spoke to was well-versed in the history of the establishment above Bootleggers. You’ll have the opportunity to hear some incredible tales.

bootleggers speakeasy bar area

If you’re sold on spending your next night out pretending you’re with Lucky Luciano or Al Capone’s outfit, Bootleggers is the place for you.

couple sitting on bench looking at each other at bootleggers speakeasy indianapolis

P.S. With Valentine’s Day approaching, it’s also a surprisingly good spot for a date night.

For a hint about the location and the password, follow me on Instagram (@_rebekahbarton) and send me a DM. Can’t wait to hear from you soon!

69 thoughts on “Step Inside Indy’s Only Password-Protected Speakeasy”

  1. Sarah says:
    February 3, 2023 at 2:45 am

    I don’t have insta, but would love a hint nevertheless! Surprising hubs with a babysitter and a date for Valentine’s Day and he has no idea. This would be such a cool thing!

    Reply
    1. rebekah says:
      February 6, 2023 at 11:04 pm

      I can’t post publicly but I am emailing you the hint!

      Reply
      1. Jason Settles says:
        March 2, 2023 at 9:17 pm

        Can you email me a hint as to the location?
        This would be such a cool surprise for my wife…and me.
        Thanks!

        Reply
        1. rebekah says:
          March 3, 2023 at 12:40 am

          Yes, I will send!

          Reply
          1. Sharea Clark says:
            March 5, 2023 at 12:59 am

            Does the password change often? If not, please send! Love this!!

          2. rebekah says:
            March 9, 2023 at 2:51 pm

            I have been told the password will be the same for the foreseeable future. Sending you an email! You can also follow along for more travel/speakeasy adventures if you have Instagram @_rebekahbarton

          3. Jim says:
            March 15, 2023 at 2:33 am

            Any help on the password? I found the location. This place looks great. Thanks!

          4. rebekah says:
            March 22, 2023 at 9:36 pm

            Emailing you! So sorry for my delayed reply. I’m just back from vacation today.

          5. MadCrow says:
            March 18, 2023 at 2:29 am

            Are you still sending email hints? Will be downtown this weekend and this would be an amazing surprise for our group!

          6. rebekah says:
            March 22, 2023 at 9:34 pm

            Emailing you! So sorry for my delayed reply. I’m just back from vacation today.

      2. Tracey flory says:
        March 26, 2023 at 12:02 am

        Could you email me the hint as well?

        Reply
        1. rebekah says:
          March 26, 2023 at 1:25 pm

          Emailed you!

          Reply
      3. Tammy says:
        March 27, 2023 at 2:28 pm

        I would LOVE the hint as well!!! Will you PLEASE email me, too ?!?!
        ♡♡♡♡♡♡

        Reply
        1. rebekah says:
          March 28, 2023 at 7:20 pm

          Emailed you!

          Reply
  2. Nikki says:
    February 8, 2023 at 3:32 am

    Such a fun read! Would love a hint, as well (and am similarly IG-less), please! 💌

    Reply
    1. rebekah says:
      February 9, 2023 at 5:49 pm

      Thank you, Nikki! Sending you an email as well!

      Reply
      1. Chris says:
        February 11, 2023 at 5:00 am

        Sounds like somewhere me and my lady would enjoy. Could we speak more privately?

        Reply
  3. Luke Burkhart says:
    February 16, 2023 at 5:34 pm

    Hi Rebekah I sent a dm I have some friends from out of town that I think would love the experience of finding it. I can also give you an email as well. Thank you!

    Reply
    1. rebekah says:
      February 17, 2023 at 12:59 am

      Hi Luke — hope you guys have a blast!

      Reply
    2. Patricia Lucas says:
      March 27, 2023 at 2:33 pm

      This speak easy looks amazing and the mystic about the place is intriguing! would luv the password to come enjoy ur speak easy.

      Reply
      1. rebekah says:
        March 28, 2023 at 7:19 pm

        Emailed you!

        Reply
  4. Tiffany Olmstead says:
    February 16, 2023 at 7:53 pm

    I am heading there for my 40th tonight and would love a hint! I followed you on IG but didn’t know where to find it! Thanks!

    Reply
    1. rebekah says:
      February 17, 2023 at 12:59 am

      Hi Tiffany — hope you guys have a blast! Just shoot me a DM on Insta if you need any help!

      Reply
  5. Geni Pollard says:
    February 17, 2023 at 8:02 pm

    Hi,
    Hubs and I would love a chance to get to see this awesome place! We are only here until end of March for work!

    Reply
    1. rebekah says:
      February 21, 2023 at 12:29 am

      Hi! Yes, reach out on Instagram @_rebekahbarton. If you don’t have Instagram, I can send you an email.

      Reply
  6. D Lee says:
    February 18, 2023 at 11:10 pm

    Me and my wife were trying to check it out? Anyway I would be able to receive a hint? I know the location but not the password?

    Reply
    1. rebekah says:
      February 21, 2023 at 12:29 am

      Hi! Yes, reach out on Instagram @_rebekahbarton. If you don’t have Instagram, I can send you an email.

      Reply
      1. Linda Gale Scrogham says:
        March 1, 2023 at 3:58 pm

        Lgscrogham@yahoo.com.
        Would love to visit can you send me a hint to the Bootleggers please?

        Reply
        1. rebekah says:
          March 2, 2023 at 4:27 pm

          Yes, I will send!

          Reply
  7. Melissa Miller says:
    February 21, 2023 at 5:41 pm

    Could you send me a hint to my email? Would love to try it out for my birthday. 🙏🏼🙏🏼

    Reply
    1. rebekah says:
      February 23, 2023 at 11:33 pm

      Of course!

      Reply
  8. Jordan says:
    February 26, 2023 at 1:57 am

    Hello, I would love an email. Tonight is my husbands birthday and we would love ti have the experience

    Reply
    1. rebekah says:
      February 27, 2023 at 2:53 pm

      Hi! So sorry I just saw this. Your email is not listed! If you have Instagram, you can reach out @_rebekahbarton. Otherwise, feel free to email at rebekah.barton88@gmail.com. 🙂

      Reply
  9. Stephanie says:
    February 27, 2023 at 7:42 pm

    Such a great and fun read! I am new to the city and trying to find and visit all the of speakeasies in Indianapolis. I have visited only 2 so far and I loved them! The history and the aesthetic were top-notch. I can not wait to visit more and read about your fav Indy spots.
    Will you please send me a hint via Insta (I messaged you there as well) or via email? Thanks again for this blog:-)

    Reply
    1. rebekah says:
      February 27, 2023 at 11:34 pm

      Hi Stephanie! So glad you’re here and thanks for following along on Insta!

      Reply
  10. Sara Rink says:
    March 1, 2023 at 3:07 pm

    Hey there! I have a birthday coming up and would love to visit this speakeasy! Can you send me a hint via my email please and thank you!!

    Reply
    1. rebekah says:
      March 2, 2023 at 4:27 pm

      Yes, I will send!

      Reply
  11. Kascha Koelling says:
    March 5, 2023 at 12:20 am

    This would be such a cool date night idea! I would love a hint if you could send me one!

    Reply
    1. rebekah says:
      March 9, 2023 at 2:51 pm

      Sending you an email! You can also follow along for more travel/speakeasy adventures if you have Instagram @_rebekahbarton

      Reply
  12. Chandra says:
    March 5, 2023 at 1:50 pm

    Would love to visit this speakeasy with my husband for his birthday. Please send me the password. Thanks

    Reply
    1. rebekah says:
      March 9, 2023 at 2:51 pm

      Sending you an email! You can also follow along for more travel/speakeasy adventures if you have Instagram @_rebekahbarton

      Reply
  13. Wendy says:
    March 7, 2023 at 1:30 pm

    I would love to take my GF who just recovered from Cancer as a surprise. It’s on her bucket list! Hint would be so appreciated!

    Reply
    1. rebekah says:
      March 9, 2023 at 2:51 pm

      Sending both of you all the best — will shoot you an email! You can also follow along for more travel/speakeasy adventures if you have Instagram @_rebekahbarton

      Reply
  14. Tara says:
    March 8, 2023 at 1:21 am

    Going for an anniversary trip this weekend; would love a hint!

    Reply
    1. rebekah says:
      March 9, 2023 at 2:50 pm

      Sending you an email! You can also follow along for more travel/speakeasy adventures if you have Instagram @_rebekahbarton

      Reply
  15. Pingback: Visit the Hidden Speakeasy In the Bottleworks Hotel Lobby | Rebekah Barton
  16. Ernie Yarborough says:
    March 10, 2023 at 2:30 am

    Love the Speakeasy vibe & always wanting to try something new close to home. Just heard of Bootleggers last night & while I don’t have Insta (even though everyone tells me I should, lol), I would love a hint on Location & any password info. you may be willing to provide. Email always available!

    Reply
    1. rebekah says:
      March 10, 2023 at 6:36 pm

      Emailing you! Also highly recommend Insta (I’ll be posting from Scotland and Ireland — including speakeasies — all next week)

      Reply
  17. Kasey says:
    March 22, 2023 at 5:04 pm

    Ahhhhh I want this for my birthday! Please send me a hint <3

    Reply
    1. rebekah says:
      March 22, 2023 at 9:34 pm

      Emailing you! So sorry for my delayed reply. I’m just back from vacation today.

      Reply
  18. Kelly Combs says:
    March 24, 2023 at 7:08 pm

    I would love a hint on the password!

    Reply
    1. rebekah says:
      March 26, 2023 at 1:26 pm

      Emailed you!

      Reply
  19. DeMarco Bogan says:
    March 25, 2023 at 1:53 pm

    I’d like to check them out for my b-day. Do you mind sharing the location and password?

    Reply
    1. rebekah says:
      March 26, 2023 at 1:26 pm

      Emailed you!

      Reply
  20. Donnie says:
    March 25, 2023 at 2:29 pm

    My wife and one of her long time girlfriends are looking to go somewhere different and have mentioned a speakeasy. Any chance at a few hints I could give her to find it would be great and help gain me some hubs points. 😅. Thanks

    Reply
  21. Megan Bennett says:
    March 25, 2023 at 7:49 pm

    We would love the password. We live downtown and this would be an amazing date night.

    Reply
    1. rebekah says:
      March 26, 2023 at 1:25 pm

      Emailed you!

      Reply
  22. Steve Bullock says:
    March 27, 2023 at 2:33 pm

    I do not have insta-gram, I would love a hint to the location, and the password. Thanks

    Reply
    1. rebekah says:
      March 28, 2023 at 7:19 pm

      Emailed you!

      Reply
  23. Michelle Selvey says:
    March 27, 2023 at 3:12 pm

    Hello, my husband and I seen a segment on the Indy Now show this morning. Bootleggers looked like it would be a very intriguing place to visit. We always look forward to great new adventures! Help with hints on the location and password would be greatly appreciated! Thank you in advance! I don’t have Instagram.

    Reply
    1. rebekah says:
      March 28, 2023 at 7:19 pm

      Emailed you!

      Reply
  24. Josef S says:
    March 27, 2023 at 3:50 pm

    Hello Rebekah, straight from Al Capone’s stomping grounds in Cicero (Chicago). Will be in Indy early April. Any way I could get the location and Password for me and my gal? Thanks

    Reply
    1. rebekah says:
      March 28, 2023 at 7:18 pm

      Of course — emailed you!

      Reply
  25. Diane says:
    March 27, 2023 at 8:39 pm

    Would love to take my Husband.
    He will love this place!
    Can you please send any hints on location and password?
    Thanks!

    Reply
    1. rebekah says:
      March 28, 2023 at 7:17 pm

      Emailed you!

      Reply
  26. Kaleb says:
    March 27, 2023 at 8:56 pm

    Hey! Loved your article 🙂 Moved downtown about 9 months ago and would love a hint to the password if you’re able 🙂

    Reply
    1. rebekah says:
      March 28, 2023 at 7:16 pm

      Thanks! Emailed you!

      Reply
  27. Brian D Wear says:
    March 28, 2023 at 7:09 pm

    My Wife and I will be in town this weekend and this sounds like a fun date thing to do, However we do not know the area and would definitely need some hints? As to where to start etc.

    Reply
    1. rebekah says:
      March 28, 2023 at 7:15 pm

      Emailed you!

      Reply

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I’m Rebekah Barton, a lifelong lover of all things fashion and sparkly. I’m a Hoosier by birth but my heart resides in Manhattan, and I make it there as often as I possibly can. I found my place at the intersection of “mom life” and style, for the everyday woman who wants to elevate her look.

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