Combining old and new, there’s the Bulldog Bar & Lounge, which opens on Friday for dining at South Broad Ripple.
The decades-old building at 5380 N. College Ave. has undergone technological innovation, additional dining areas, and a new name. This is actually the old name.
With three concepts under one roof, the bulldog opens in the old Moe & Johnny spot. Moe & Johnny’s had been in operation for over 20 years before closing during a coronavirus pandemic.
We are not downplaying the legacy of a sports bar.
The new bulldog has 50 screens, including a video wall.
“We wanted to make it one of the best places to watch a match in Indianapolis,” said co-owner Brian Nodeler.
However, there is also a brunch and a fashionable bistro-type area with mimosa and vodka flights in mind. Equipped with an open kitchen, diners can see the cooks at work.
And in the coming months, the Bourbon Lounge will open in 7,500 square feet of space.
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The main feature is two 24-tap walls that allow guests to serve their beer in ounces using a wristband linked to the customer’s credit card. The screen there will display a description of each selection. Six taps are for red and white wine only, two taps pour draft cocktails.
There is still a full-service bar, but Knoderer believes that customers will get a kick by taking a self-service route.
“It’s a great feature for anyone who wants to try craft beer and a variety of beers, and it helps with customer service,” he said. “If you want to drink, you can try different beers, ciders and wines by drinking cocktails, drinking drinks or pouring yourself. Self-poreing is a very fun social thing. is.
Bar, brunch, pouch menu
Chef Tory Walker leads the kitchen with gourmet bar snacks, specialty smashburgers, sandwiches and Neapolitan pizzas.
We offer a brunch menu on weekends.
Walker is a graduate of Ivy Tech and has recently gained followers as a private chef and catering. His specialty smoked meat (there are nine smokers and grills in his house) is excited about the fine bar food, including pork ribs from the scratch kitchen.
“I won’t reinvent the wheel, but when I do something, like a combination of cheese and a hamburger, I want to make sure it’s made in a way that the cook behind me knows it’s lovingly made. I think, “he said. “It will be the best they had that day.”
He makes 23 sauces in-house.
Turkey club meat and pulled pork sandwiches are smoked at the back.
The brunch menu includes a bourbon french toast chicken sandwich.
Traditional biscuits and gravies are offered, but walkers may be forced to prepare brisket gravies as well.
The vegan version is also one of many vegetarian options (Kinoatacos, cauliflower steak, vegan chicken patties).
There is also a menu for four-legged diners, where you can get a whipped cream cup of burgers, grilled chicken sandwiches, carrots and peanut butter.
Neighborhood jewels
Prior to Moe & Johnny’s, the building was run from 1974 to 1994 as The Bulldog, a favorite of many Butler University students, including Knoderer, who frequently visited the site while studying for an MBA.
Knoderer wanted to open a bar with a trendy self-pore tap. Vales, who owned the old Moe & Johnny property while considering a location on the north side, pitched it to Knoderer last fall as the perfect location for the concept.
Bales’ business partner Caroline Smith has collaborated on real estate, renewable energy and Salton Mass restaurants. Her stamps are everywhere in the luxury brunch areas she designed.
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After Moe & Johnny closed, Bales said he was approached by many space-seeking concepts, from Mexican food to pizza.
“I wanted to keep it in a neighborhood facility,” he said.
Twenty Tap, Fat Dan’s Deli, The Jazz Kitchen are just around the corner, and The Bulldog will set up a bar and dining facility in the area where its predecessor was a pioneer.
“We think the whole corner will be a great place for people to go. It will be a great and lively corner for everyone to enjoy,” says Knoderer. “It’s the best corner on Broad Ripple.”
The goal is to get promoted in college. Butler Blue appears in detail around the property, and the game room opens with a wall depicting the Hinkle Field House, a college basketball arena.
Not only is it a popular meetup spot for athletic events before and after Butler, but we also want to host family and friends in the gaming area at dinner.
“Many of my friends remember the bulldog and the good times of the day,” said Nodeler, who graduated in 1990. “So I felt it was an opportunity to regain the Bulldog’s name. Young and new people are coming back.”
Marcus Bethea, general manager, said the neighborhood is hoping for a reopening of the place.
“Currently there is a lot of hype behind it. So many graduates have contacted me,” he said.
Bulldog Bar & Lounge, 5380 N. College Ave., Indianapolis, 317-377-4735, bulldgbr.com are open Monday through Thursday from 11am to 1pm. Friday 11am to 2am, Saturday 9am to 2am, Sunday 9am to 12am.
Please contact the IndyStar reporter Cheryl V. Jackson (cheryl.jackson@indystar.com or 317-444-6264). Follow her on her Twitter: @cherylvjackson..
