Checkered Flag Tavern

"5 Star Dive Bar"

About Us

At Checkered Flag Tavern, located in the heart of Indianapolis, IN, we've been serving up a memorable dining experience since 1947. Renowned for our live music, delectable food, enticing drink specials, and award-winning wings, we offer an inviting atmosphere perfect for any occasion. Guests can enjoy darts leagues, pool tables, and dine al fresco on our patio. Our unique 21 & over environment and prime location make us a standout choice. We are excited to grow and continue serving Indianapolis and its surrounding communities. Join us to celebrate life with great beer, wings, and music!

Our Story

Checkered Flag Tavern has been serving great food and live music to the people of Indianapolis since 1947. Our current owner, Stacey Snead, took ownership 10 years ago and completely renovated the building, turning the Checkered Flag Tavern into what it is today! Stacey grew up working in his parents’ restaurant and is well-versed in the industry. His years of experience make him a great addition to our team and he has made us a go-to restaurant for your night out!

Our food is fresh and homemade, and we have a constantly rotating specials menu. We’re not afraid to try new things here at the Checkered Flag Tavern and our customers love us for that! We often have live music entertainment and get traveling bands that you can’t see play anywhere else in Indianapolis.

We like to keep things fresh, new, and exciting! Stacey and our whole team are very happy with all the success we’ve had in the past and are looking forward to continuing to serve our lovely community for many years to come.

We are best known for our delicious food, live music, drink specials, and award-winning chicken wings. Our fun 21+ atmosphere makes us a popular dining spot with many in-house entertainment options like pool tables, dart leagues, and patio seating. We are a lively venue located in one of the best spots in the city. We look forward to growing our business so that we can continue to provide good food, amazing music, and award-winning wings to Indianapolis and the surrounding areas.

We’re proud to be a place where people can come together and celebrate life! For any questions about our menu or live music, contact the Checkered Flag Tavern at (317) 247-6209 to learn more.

Areas Served

Marion County, IN | Hendricks County, IN | Morgan County, IN

What We Offer

Our Specialties include:

Barbecue
Wings
Wide Selection of Hard to Find Tequilas & Bourbons

Our Services include:

Live Music
Big Acts
Won Q95 Bacon Fest 3 Years in a Row
Won Indy Stars Best of Wings and Bar Food
Nominated Best Wings 4 Years in a Row
Patio Seating
Catering
Dart Leagues
Pool

Our Products include:

Beer

Testimonials

On 9/26/2026 Shanna Novosel had this to say:
Food and Don are amazing!!!!

On 9/26/2026 melissa r had this to say:
BEST burgers!

On 9/23/2026 john siegel had this to say:
Omg this place is amazing!!! Loved our server/bartender. Everything was great The smoked wings are the best I've ever had. Brussel sprouts are amazing and a great burger Eat here with the locals and you won't be disappointed.

On 9/21/2026 Rob Huffman had this to say:
My wife and I were in town for a conference and our flight was delayed. We were looking for a local spot that had WiFi so that we could have a drink and catch up on email before we went to the airport...we sure did pick a WINNER! On the surface, "dive bar" appropriately fits for the Checkered Flag, but don't judge a book by its cover. We could quickly tell this was in fact a local joint, primarily catering to regulars, but once we struck up a conversation with the bartender (also our waitress), Tina, we realized just how lucky we were to find this gem. Tina was AWESOME and could not have been more friendly. As was Don, who came in to relieve Tina. Food - and drinks - were fabulous and reasonably priced. Can't recommend this place enough and, when we're back in Indy, we'll make a point to visit the Checkered Flag!

On 9/20/2026 Megan Huffman had this to say:
What a find! My husband and I were in town for a conference and had extra time before our flight left and found the Checkered Flag Tavern (we searched sports bars near the airport). From the outside we were not sure but are SO GLAD we walked in. Great food (wings - yum and onion rings - double yum!), drinks on point, amazing service (thank you Tina and staff) and friendly atmosphere (the locals were all so nice). Wish we lived closer because we would become regulars for sure. I've heard they call this place the "Five Star Dive Bar" which I would agree with ... but my tag line for them would be "a neighborhood joint with a welcoming smile".

Contact Us

Checkered Flag Tavern
5725 W. Morris St. Indianapolis, IN 46241
Phone: (317) 247-6209
Email: checkeredflagtavernindy@yahoo.com

Close to the Airport

Where To Find Us

Payment Types Accepted

MasterCard, Visa, Debit Cards

Our Hours

Holiday Hours May Vary. Please Call For Details.

Tuesday: 11:00 AM - 1:00 AM
Wednesday: 11:00 AM - 1:00 AM
Thursday: 11:00 AM - 1:00 AM
Friday: 11:00 AM - 3:00 AM
Saturday: 11:00 AM - 3:00 AM
Sunday: 11:00 AM - 12:00 AM

News

🎶 September Live Music Lineup 🎶
We’re closing out the season strong with an awesome lineup:
🎸 Sept 4 & 5 – Casper McWade
🎸 Sept 11 – Branden Martin
🎸 Sept 12 – Pure Grain
🎸 Sept 18 – Billy & The Tall Boys
🎸 Sept 25 & 26 – JB Aaron
Make plans now to join us for great music and good times!
#LiveMusic #SeptemberEvents #CheckeredFlagTavern #FallVibes #LocalBands

🏍️ September Sunday Bike Day Finale! 🎶
Let’s wrap up the season with an incredible lineup:
🎤 Sept 6 – Casper McWade
🎤 Sept 13 – The Cold Hearts
🎤 Sept 20 – Ty Hornback
🎤 Sept 27 – Final Bike Day of the Season with Billy and a Short Boy
Don’t miss the last rides and live music of the season!
#BikeDay #EndOfSeason #SundayMusic #CheckeredFlagTavern #LiveEvents

🎶 August Live Music at Checkered Flag Tavern! 🎶
Keep the summer vibes going with an amazing August lineup:
🎸 Aug 7 – Kam Bugger
🎸 Aug 15 – Nick Sizemore
🎸 Aug 21 – Alex Williams
🎸 Aug 28 – The Auburns
Great music, great atmosphere—don’t miss it!
#LiveMusic #AugustEvents #CheckeredFlagTavern #SummerVibes #Nightlife

On 8/20/2026 this was posted:
Join us every Sunday for live music and great vibes:

🎤 Aug 2 – Taylor Hernley
🎤 Aug 9 – Ty Hornback
🎤 Aug 16 – Casper McWade
🎤 Aug 23 – Rachel Holt
🎤 Aug 30 – Billy and a Short Boy

Ride in, hang out, and enjoy the music!

#BikeDay #SundayVibes #CheckeredFlagTavern #LiveMusic #MotorcycleLife
Expires 8/19/2027

On 7/1/2026 this was posted:
🏍️ July Sunday Bike Day Music is ON! 🎶
Cruise in and enjoy live music every Sunday this July:
🎤 July 5 – Billy and a Short Boy
🎤 July 12 – Dallas Moore
🎤 July 19 – Drew Lasley
🎤 July 26 – Joe Johnson
Nothing beats live music, bikes, and a great crowd—see you every Sunday!
#BikeDay #SundayFun #LiveMusic #CheckeredFlagTavern #RideAndRelax

Expires 6/30/2027

Info

Menu
Catering Menu

FAQ

What kind of food do you serve?

Our menu includes:

Smoked wings
Brisket Philly Cheese Steak
Pulled Pork Sandwich
Lobster Mac & Cheese
Blackened Mahi Mahi
Loaded Baked Potatoes
BBQ Ribs, Fried Walleye, and more

Do you host live music or events?

Yes! We regularly feature live bands, tribute nights, and Tunebot Music Bingo every Wednesday.

Is there outdoor seating available?

Yes, we offer patio dining for guests who enjoy eating al fresco.

Do you have games or entertainment?

Absolutely! We have darts leagues, pool tables, and host music bingo nights with prizes.

What is Checkered Flag Tavern known for?

Checkered Flag Tavern has been an Indianapolis staple since 1947, offering a 5‑star dive bar atmosphere, award‑winning wings, live music, and a welcoming community vibe. Guests love the combination of great food, cold drinks, and entertainment options like darts, pool, and patio dining.

What are your hours?

Tuesday–Thursday: 11:00 AM – 1:00 AM
Friday–Saturday: 11:00 AM – 3:00 AM
Sunday: 11:00 AM – 12:00 AM
Holiday hours may vary — please call ahead for updates.

Do you offer catering?

Yes! We provide catering services for events, gatherings, and special occasions. Contact us for menu options and availability.

Do you host private events or parties?

While we don’t have a dedicated private room, we welcome groups and can often accommodate gatherings depending on the day and time. Call ahead to discuss your needs.

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