You know the feeling. You're standing on Illinois Street in downtown Indy, staring at the iconic navy blue awning of St. Elmo Steak House. It’s legendary. It’s also usually packed three weeks out, and sometimes you just don’t want the full, stiff-white-tablecloth commitment that comes with a three-course ribeye dinner. That’s where things get interesting. Most people don’t realize that if you head upstairs—or trek up to the Northside near Fishers—you find a completely different animal.
1933 Lounge by St. Elmo isn't just a waiting room for people who couldn't get a reservation downstairs. Honestly, for a lot of us locals, it’s the preferred destination. It’s darker. It’s louder in a good way. The leather is softer, the lighting is moodier, and you can get that world-famous shrimp cocktail without feeling like you need to wear a tie.
The Speakeasy Vibe That Isn’t Trying Too Hard
There’s this trend lately where every "speakeasy" requires a secret password or a door disguised as a vending machine. It’s a bit much, right? 1933 Lounge skips the gimmicks. The name itself is a nod to the year Prohibition ended, and the aesthetic leans hard into that post-repeal celebration. Think rich woods, brass accents, and an atmosphere that feels like you should be discussing a business deal or a secret affair.
The original location sits right above the main St. Elmo dining room. It’s narrow, intimate, and feels like a well-kept secret despite being right in the heart of the Wholesale District. Then you have the Fishers location at The Yard at Fishers District. That one is expansive. It’s got a massive bar, a great patio, and a slightly more modern "cool" factor, but it keeps the DNA of the downtown original.
It’s about the legacy. St. Elmo has been around since 1902. When Huse Culinary decided to branch out with the lounge concept, they didn't just copy-paste the steakhouse. They distilled it. They took the best parts—the service, the high-end spirits, the signature heat—and put them in a room where you can actually breathe.
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That Shrimp Cocktail: A Warning
If you’ve never had the St. Elmo Shrimp Cocktail, listen closely. It is not "spicy" in the way a jalapeño is spicy. It is a chemical reaction.
The 1933 Lounge serves the exact same dish as the main restaurant. They use a proprietary horseradish that is freshly ground, and it will quite literally clear your sinuses before the shrimp even hits your tongue. It’s a rite of passage. You see people at the bar all the time—first-timers taking a massive glob of the sauce, thinking they're tough, only to have their eyes well up two seconds later.
But here’s the pro tip: order it with a side of their toasted baguettes. The contrast between the icy, sinus-clearing heat and the warm bread is basically the only way to survive the experience.
The Menu Beyond the Heat
While the shrimp gets the headlines, the food at 1933 Lounge holds its own. You aren't relegated to just "bar snacks." You can get a legit filet mignon here. You can get the Elmo Burger, which is arguably one of the best high-end burgers in Indianapolis.
What’s cool is the "Sliders" section. Most places do boring beef sliders. Here, you're looking at:
- Filet Sliders: Topped with bordelaise and fried onions.
- Fried Chicken Sliders: Usually served with a spicy mayo that actually has some kick.
- Prime Rib Sliders: These are the sleepers on the menu.
They also do these Brussels sprouts that are charred within an inch of their lives and tossed in a soy-ginger glaze. It’s the kind of dish where you tell yourself you’ll only have one, and then suddenly the bowl is empty and you’re wondering if it’s socially acceptable to lick the glaze off the bottom.
The Liquid Gold: Infusion #1
We need to talk about the bar program. 1933 Lounge is a cocktail bar first. Yes, the wine list is deep because it pulls from the St. Elmo cellar (which is massive), but the "Infusion #1" is the undisputed king.
It’s Elmo Cola.
Basically, they take bourbon and infuse it with Madagascar vanilla beans and black cherries for several days. Then they serve it with a small bottle of Coke on the side. It sounds simple. It sounds like something you could make at home. You can't. There is something about the ratio and the soak time that makes it dangerously smooth. If you aren't a "bourbon person," this is the drink that changes your mind.
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They also lean heavily into the classics. Their Old Fashioned isn't some neon-orange monstrosity with a muddled salad at the bottom. It’s clean. It’s balanced. They use quality ice—the big clear cubes that don't melt in thirty seconds—which matters when you’re paying $16 for a drink.
Why the Fishers Location Changed the Game
For years, if you wanted this experience, you had to go downtown. You had to deal with parking, event traffic from Lucas Oil Stadium, and the general chaos of the city center. When the Fishers location opened, it changed the math for everyone living in Hamilton County.
The Fishers spot is huge. It feels more like a "see and be seen" lounge. It’s got a wraparound bar that is usually three-deep on a Friday night. But interestingly, the service doesn't drop off. That’s the Huse Culinary touch—they train their staff to be "career servers." These aren't just college kids looking for a summer gig; these are professionals who know the difference between a Highland and a Speyside scotch without checking a cheat sheet.
The "No Reservation" Myth
One thing people get wrong: they think they can just stroll into 1933 Lounge on a Saturday night at 7:00 PM and get a table.
Good luck.
While it is a lounge, it has become so popular that reservations are highly recommended, especially for the dining tables. If you’re a party of two, you might get lucky at the bar, but even then, you’re competing with people who have been sitting there since 4:30 PM.
The downtown location is especially tight. It’s a smaller footprint. If there’s a Colts game or a big convention at the Indiana Convention Center, forget it. You need to plan ahead.
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Is It Worth the Price Tag?
Let’s be real. This isn't a cheap night out. You’re paying for the brand, the quality of the meat, and the fact that they probably have one of the best spirit collections in the Midwest.
A couple of drinks and a few appetizers will easily run you $100 before tip. If you decide to go for the full steak dinner in the lounge setting, you're looking at $150+ per person.
Is it worth it? Yeah. Because you aren't just paying for calories. You’re paying for the fact that when you walk in, the music is at the right volume, the temperature is perfect, and the bartender knows exactly how to make a Sazerac. It’s one of the few places in Indiana that feels truly "metropolitan" without being pretentious.
Actionable Steps for Your Visit
If you're planning to head to 1933 Lounge by St. Elmo, don't just wing it. Follow this blueprint to actually enjoy the night:
- Book the "Right" Time: If you want the vibe without the 45-minute wait for a drink, go on a Tuesday or Wednesday. If you're going downtown, check the Lucas Oil Stadium schedule first. If there's a concert or a game, the lounge will be a madhouse.
- The Order: Get the Shrimp Cocktail (obviously), but share it. If you eat a whole one yourself, your taste buds will be numb for the rest of the meal. Follow it with the Filet Sliders and an Infusion #1.
- Dress the Part: You don't need a suit, but don't show up in gym shorts. Dark denim and a decent shirt will get you through the door without feeling out of place.
- Parking Hack (Downtown): Don't fight for street parking on Illinois. Use the valet at St. Elmo or park in the Circle Centre mall garage. It’s a two-minute walk and usually cheaper than the surface lots.
- The Fishers Patio: If you're at the Northside location during the summer, the patio is the move. It has its own bar and a much more relaxed, airy feel than the dark interior.
The 1933 Lounge isn't just a spin-off. It has eclipsed the original restaurant for a certain demographic of diners who value atmosphere and craft cocktails over the formality of a traditional steakhouse. It’s the evolution of a 120-year-old brand, and honestly, they nailed it.