Chumley's

Bar, Eatery

838 Broad Ripple Ave
Indianapolis, Indiana, 46220-1961
United States

// CLOSED //
PLACE STATS
Average:
3.86
Reviews:
15
Ratings:
22
pDev:
8.81%
View: Place Reviews
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
 
Rated: 4 by aasher from Indiana

May 21, 2015
 
Rated: 3.66 by neckbracesub from Indiana

Mar 30, 2015
 
Rated: 4 by Nat1975 from Indiana

Oct 10, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by lilsmizzul1225 from Indiana

May 31, 2014
 
Rated: 5 by ToddGingerich from Indiana

Feb 27, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by MSandahl23 from Indiana

Oct 09, 2013
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Reviewed by mdvatab from Indiana

3.5/5  rDev -9.3%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3 | selection: 4
It had been 7+ years since I'd had the chance to stop into Chumley's, but finally did so on an afternoon of Broad Ripple bar hopping.

Upon walking in, we were hit by a cloud of smoke. Definitely a reminder of how bars used to smell before most of them went smoke-free. We weren't there for a serious tasting or anything, though, so we didn't sweat it.

Aside from the smoke, Chumley's still had the great college bar vibe that I remembered it for. A large room, lots of tables (although most of them were full of IU fans there to root their basketball team on.)

The draught beer menu is EXTENSIVE. I'd love to get a peek into their cooler. Must be huge. The menu listed beers available during Nov.-Jan., so a couple of the ones I requested were either no longer being served, or had not yet been tapped. Nonetheless, we were able to order a few delicious glasses of Founders Breakfast Stout, and my second glass was FFF Arctic Panzer Wolf. This was my first time to have either of these on tap, and really enjoyed them. All indications are the Chumley's does an excellent job at draught line maintenance, which is impressive given their selection.

Our waitress was admittedly busy waiting on many tables, but it sometimes took a bit longer than we would have liked to get our beers. Again, no big worries. The place was busy, so we understood.

Will definitely be back!
Dec 11, 2011
Photo of zhanson88
Reviewed by zhanson88 from California

3.86/5  rDev 0%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 3 | selection: 4.5
I came to Chumley's as part of a group following a wedding reception. Saturday night....yeah it was packed, as was all of Broad Ripple. Hot as hell that night too. I don't know Indy at all and was not familiar with the bar, so when I made it up to the bar I was pretty impressed with the long row of taps. I immediately was excited by several that I spotted. I ended up getting Double Trouble, Alpha King and Gumballhead, and if I had more time/had been more sober I could have kept going with many more. Like I said before, it was packed, so service was pretty slow but I won't hold that against them too much. Overall, not sure the next time I will be in Indy but I would definitely come here again. Pretty solid selection and I enjoyed it a lot.
Jul 25, 2011
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Reviewed by 1Adam12 from Indiana

4.38/5  rDev +13.5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5 | food: 4
Of course I'm sure it depends on what time of day you go. If you go at night, when ripple is INSANE! the service just can't keep up. As for me, I'm older, so I went during the day and the service was perfect. Atmosphere was laid back, but if you go on the weekend nights, it's full of stupid young 20's kids. The selection makes up for everything. You can get alot of good beers. I got world wide stout and 90 minute plus a few others. I got a breaded tenderloin that was massive. Wasn't the best I've ever had but was good none the less. Prices are pretty decent. Ex...I got a 12 ounce pour of WWS for 6.50. A 12 ounce bottle around here costs at a minimum 8.99. They also have special tappings so that is nice. They tapped KBS just 2 days ago. I'll be going back.
Jul 19, 2011
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Reviewed by cwcolby74 from Indiana

3.79/5  rDev -1.8%
vibe: 2.5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5
This place has its good and bad. It's big. It has a lot of seating. It has more than 100 different kinds of beer, many of which are on tap. It's centrally located in Broadripple. The servers are cute and attentive.

My two negatives are only as major as your individual tastes. They allow smoking, which I hate. And it has really poor filtration so toward the end of the evening it gets terribly smoky. Second, it's in Broadripple, so you'll get a younger crowd. Lots of college-age kids, and younger working people (non-professionals, in most cases). I'm not judging, I'm just saying you'll get a mixed bag, and it gets very crowded.

But if you want a good variety of beer at a fairly reasonable price, this is a much better place to go in Broadripple than most places.
May 07, 2011
Photo of sweemzander
Reviewed by sweemzander from Illinois

4.33/5  rDev +12.2%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4
Stopped in here for lunch during my trip to Indy.
Walking in, it looks like a typical sports bar with big screens all over, a pool table in the far corner, and some random arcade games.
A great selection of local and imported taps however. I dont recall the exact amount, but there were at least 24 or so. Mostly local breweries which I can appreciate with some other randoms from around the country as well as a few imports as well to choose from.
They had a sweet menu of different classic bar foods as well as a killer burger selection that took me a while to choose. The burger turned out great and the setting was perfect; a good burger, a pint of local beer, and the sports playing up on the big screens. I really couldnt complain; a great bar to have closeby for a quick bite and a beer.
Apr 26, 2011
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Reviewed by JToad from Indiana

4.22/5  rDev +9.3%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4
Stopped here on a Monday night before going to a concert.

Typical Sports bar atmosphere, wouldn't expect the beer selection at a place like this, so I was very excited to see they had something like 50 taps and a load of bottles.

Bartended seemed fairly knowledgeable about the product, although when I asked for a certain IPA, (can't recall which) she told me they were out, then proceeded to pour the same beer for the guy next to me. When I asked her about it she said, ohh whoops I didn't realize what its full name was. I settled for a New Albanian Elector, which was great. Beer list wasn't current, as I saw a Founder's Breakfast Stout tap handle and it wasn't listed, but again a nice pleasant surprise for my 2nd beer of the night.

Food was very good. This place is known for their burgers, and I had the Mac-n-Cheese Burger, which was delicious! Prices were resonable, paid like $8 for the burger and beers were $4-5.

All in all, this place is worth it for the beer and food alone. Service was friendly, just a few minor mishaps. I would definietely go again.
Nov 02, 2010
Photo of lbaker
Reviewed by lbaker from Indiana

4.6/5  rDev +19.2%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 5
Went here for the Colts and Ravens playoff game. Place was packed but we were able to put together a table. Atmosphere was great, but I was afraid we wouldn't get service with the place as packed as it was. I was wrong. Our waitress was awesome, no one at the table ever had an empty glass! I was really shocked, definetly thought we would get lost in the crowd. Saturdays are a must with all local Indiana beers on sale, make sure to get you some Upland Wheat and 3Floyds Gumball head on draft! Can't be beat. And for a place known for its beer selection their food is awesome. Had the chumley chicken sandwhich and im 99.99% certain it was the best chicken I've ever had. Everyone was definetly impressed and you will see me sporting the Saturday jersey there for Super Bowl!
Feb 02, 2010
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Reviewed by Cutefont from Ohio

3.98/5  rDev +3.1%
vibe: 3 | quality: 4.5 | service: 3 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.5
Chumley's is has an awesome selection of beer and always has a good selection of rotating taps. I also like their chili made with Bell's Two Hearted! Yummy! If you sit at the bar I have found the bartenders to be most helpful and knowledgable.
I find that if I do not get a seat at the bar the service is lacking. The wait staff is slow and sometimes totally doesn't even get around to me. I have also found the wait staff does not seem to know their beer which is a big no no in my book. Its also in broadripple around a lot of other bars so it tends to attract people who really are not craft beer lovers and have no clue what a true gem this place is. I love the fact that they have large T.V.s and pool tables but dislike that the music gets so loud you can not have a decent convo over a good beer.
I prefer to go midday or on day day of the week aside from the weekend
Sep 27, 2009
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Reviewed by JohnWaynes44 from Wisconsin

4/5  rDev +3.6%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 2
Chumley's is two different bars, depending on the day of the week and time of day. It is a pretty laid back sports bar through the week and in the afternoon on the weekends. It has lots of TV's and a long bar with adequate seating. Pool tables flank the bar and are very accessible any afternoon or early evening.

Chumley's, located in the heart of the bar scene in Broad Ripple, becomes a stop-off for young and loud twenty somethings. Dance clubs are right next door, so expect some staggering, idiots mixed in with your die-hard locals.

Check out the fresh taps (50), which are rotated frequently. There are always a few surprises when I stop in. Very nice selection. Avoid the food. Plenty of great places to eat in this little village before you start drinking.
Jul 31, 2009
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Reviewed by Rainne from Ohio

3.78/5  rDev -2.1%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4 | food: 3.5
This is a pretty fun and relaxing place just to hang out and enjoy some beer. Selection is really large. Lots of taps and a lot of bottles too. It's one of those loud places where there are a lot of TV's and lots of loud talking but if you come at the right time it can be pretty calm. Service is usually good but not great and the people aren't there to chat about beer. Food was also pretty good but not fantastic. The real draw is all the taps. I like to get my beer on tap if I can and get my bottles at another store so this is a great place for that. Lots of micros to choose from. All in all if you come in the late afternoon it can be a great environment but even when it's busy if your there for the beer then you'll be fine.
Mar 23, 2009
Photo of JamesS
Reviewed by JamesS from Indiana

3.28/5  rDev -15%
vibe: 3 | quality: 3 | service: 3 | selection: 4
Seems to be mostly a younger crowd, but it was nice to sit right out along the side walk and enjoy the scenery as I tried a couple of beers.

For the most part, it is your usual Broad Ripple bar, the service was good but not great. The food selection was pub food and looked good, but I didn't try any, as I had all ready eaten at the Broad Ripple Brew Pub.

The beer selection was really good for this type of bar, though. They had a tremendous number of beers on tap. They had Amstel, Bass, some Bells, Boddingtons, Boulder, Dark Horse, Harp, Leinenkugels, Molson, Oaken Barrle, Pyramid, Red Hook, Sam Adams, Sierra Nevada, Stella, Stone, UPland, Warsteiner, and Youngs.

Prices varied anywhere from $2.50 to $4.00 for a draft.
Jul 03, 2008
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Reviewed by Nesued from South Carolina

3.7/5  rDev -4.1%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4
Stopped by this place while walking around the area. Saw the wall of taps and wanted to see what they had. Was about 8:30pm on a Friday night.

50 taps, all looked active. Menu also reported 100 bottles available as well.

Environment:
Sports bar environment. Loud both from the T.V's and the talking. Young crowd with alot of attitude and posturing. Pool tables were in good shape and after grabbing a glass, I walked over.

I sampled an Arrogant Bastard Ale on tap. My first one from a tap and it was served in a typical pint glass.

Would make for a good hang out if I was about 10-15 years younger
Oct 15, 2007
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Reviewed by kdmorse from California

3.73/5  rDev -3.4%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 3.5
This is a tough review for me to write becaues it's one of my favorite Broad Ripple haunts...

A: The atmosphere depends mostly upon your time of arrival. If you arrive early (or on a weekday), the crowd is small and subdued. TV are showing sports and the radio is going strong. Arrive late and it is overrun with frat boys in pretty pink shirts and girls in cleavage shirts (which I don't mind at all). Either way, the focus is on people, sports, and noise and not on beer.

Q: Great place. Good mixture of beer, people, and fun. Prices are fair and (some) employees know something.

Ser: Depends on the time, but I've never had great service from a waitress. The bartenders are good and generally serve me quickly and don't mind a quick question or two even on the busiest Saturday night.

Sel: 50 taps. 100 bottles. 10/150 beers worth noting. A good variety of Upland, Bell's, and 3F. Arrogant Bastard pints under $5. Several Sammy Smith's. I think menu is designed to impress drinkers who think import = quality.

F: Don't know, but my friends have been impressed with the value. (Right down the street from the greatest drinking food ever: Broad Ripple Bagel Deli)

V: Like the prices, especially for Broad Ripple. Most expensive thing on the menu (a tie) $6/bottle, which is Grolsch Amber and some others. Good beers can be found for $4-$4.50/pint.
May 25, 2006
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Reviewed by BAbaracus from Texas

3.9/5  rDev +1%
vibe: 3 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4
I wandered in here one Saturday afternoon as the last of the Indy multi-tap pubs that I hadn’t tried yet. Unfortunately it was the Saturday that Notre Dame was playing USC, so every loud frat daddy cliche I’d been told about the place was fully on display. I have to score low on the service since I couldn’t get the time of day of any of the waitresses. I’m sure this was because I was flying solo and the rest of the tables were all pretty packed; they probably thought I wasn’t worth the tip by comparison. Nonetheless, this is poor service by any stretch of the imagination. Looked to me like around 50 taps, but there was still a dearth of micros that weren’t overfamiliar. I respect the fact that most of the Indy pubs give a lot of draught space to local and regional beers but the net effect is that it seems you find the same things everywhere you go. The usual Bell’s amber, Oberon, etc. Maybe Upland’s Wheat or Dragonfly, etc. Three Floyd’s Alpha King, Robert the Bruce, etc. Kinda dampens the mood for exploration a bit. Overall this seemed like a good place to bring a large, rowdy party but it’s certainly no chill out spot, and the atmosphere doesn’t lend well to, say, perusing the taps or getting a good whiff of your beer.

UPDATE: I've gone in several times since this review was written and, while the waitress service can definitely be hit or miss, the bartenders themselves have all been attentive.
May 24, 2006
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Reviewed by zerk from California

2.94/5  rDev -23.8%
vibe: 2.5 | quality: 3 | service: 2.5 | selection: 3.5
Chumley's is located on the main street running through Broad Ripple, making it a hangout for the just-out-of-college crowd. It's normally very crowded on the weekend, and quite smoky. They have a lot of TV's, making it a good place to go to watch a game. They also have a few pool tables. The tap list is pretty decent, with 50 taps, and a few of those dedicated to local and regional breweries like Oaken Barrel, Upland, and Bell's, although too many of their taps are devoted to macro for my tastes. They also have a decent selection of bottles. Prices are decent, but the atmosphere is too noisy and smoky for me to want to go there too often.
Apr 04, 2004
Chumley's in Indianapolis, IN
Place rating: 3.86 out of 5 with 22 ratings