Entry No. 9 — the Indianapolis file — filed under: secret history
Slippery Noodle Inn
Operating since 1850 as Indiana's oldest continuously operating tavern, this building formerly functioned as an Underground Railroad station, a Prohibition speakeasy, and a brothel. In the back room, original bullet holes remain embedded in the wall where John Dillinger and the Al Brady gang used the space for target practice.
The story
Founded in 1850 as the Tremont House, the Slippery Noodle Inn holds the crown as Indiana's oldest continuously operating tavern housed in its original building. Walk through the front door at 372 South Meridian Street and you are stepping onto floorboards that have soaked up nearly two centuries of subterranean history. Before it became a downtown music institution, the building served quiet, perilous roles as a stop on the Underground Railroad, a Prohibition-era speakeasy, and a brothel.
The tavern's most violent artifacts sit quietly in the back room. During the 1930s, Midwest bank robbers like John Dillinger and the Al Brady gang frequented the place, using the rear brick wall as an indoor target range. You can still walk up to the back room today and run your fingers along the genuine 1930s bullet holes left behind from their shooting practice.
What it's like
Expect a sprawling, brick-walled den split across two performance stages where live blues takes over the room. Your first move upon arrival should be heading straight to the back room to scope out the gangster target-practice marks before the crowd fills in. Grab a seat near the rear, order a local craft beer alongside a massive Indiana fried pork tenderloin, and catch the band on the main stage. Just make sure to confirm current operating hours before heading out, as schedules can vary.
The move: Order a local craft beer and fried pork tenderloin while sitting near the rear wall to inspect the 1930s bullet holes, followed by live blues music on the main stage.
- 📍 Downtown / Wholesale District
- 💸 $$
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 372 S Meridian St, Indianapolis, IN 46225
Hours: Added 2026-07-21 — confirm current hours before you go.
Pair it with
- Bootleggers — Follow up your 1850s speakeasy tour by ringing the bell at this gritty Prohibition bunker hidden in a historic stone basement nearby.
- The Vault Indy — Keep the 1930s outlaw theme alive by heading to this neighborhood speakeasy tied to local bank robber history.
- Ray Bradbury Center — Trade 19th-century tavern lore for mid-century sci-fi archives at this massive single-author collection just down the road.
Good to know
What was the Slippery Noodle Inn originally named?
It opened in 1850 under the name Tremont House before eventually becoming the Slippery Noodle Inn.
Are the bullet holes in the back room actual artifacts?
Yes, the lead slugs embedded in the rear wall are original bullet holes left by John Dillinger and the Al Brady gang in the 1930s.
Is there live music every night?
The venue features two performance stages and historically hosts live blues music up to six nights a week, though you should verify current schedules before visiting.
What food is the tavern known for?
They serve classic pub fare, most notably the traditional Indiana fried pork tenderloin paired with local craft beer.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Official site · wthr.com · Wikipedia
last checked: 2026-07-21