Thirsty Scholar

So this is my first time here and I was not even greeted upon entry.
The service is extremely pretentious as well as unclear.
Asked what type of muffins were available and I was cranberry, Apple and banana nut.
Even though I asked for Apple the server decided not to tell me that it was an APPLE AND CRANBERRY MUFFIN.
Being that I asked for «Apple» I would assume someone would clarify that it’s not just Apple
I see a lot of people that come here and see the reviews are pretty good but this was a terrible experience. I live close by and I shan’t be back.
Sadly I was expecting something much better.

Thirsty Scholar is a great spot to study or meet up with some friends. It’s small and clean. I went there for wine last Sunday with some friends that I met at a prior engagement. The waiter didn’t come off very friendly. He suggested we try some of the expensive wines, but seemed a bit offputting when suggested something more reasonably priced. I also ordered a side of whipped cream – judge me – because I didn’t want to indulge in heavy, caloric desserts before dinner (also breaded desserts are carby). The whipped cream was served in a small side bowl, but it was enough for me. A few glasses of wine later, my stomach began to rumble in balls of fury. I asked the waiter how much it would be for another side of whipped cream. He sat there, almost thinking to himself and then replied, «About a dollar,» He responded unenthusiastically. I was bit thrown off and responded, «Did you make that up in your head just now?» He gave an offputting smirk and looked at me like I was taking precious time from his day. I ordered the whipped cream, paid the $ 2 for two small sides of whipped cream, and still tipped him. I know it seems silly but I didn’t like his attitude nor the way he seemed to be making up a price whilst standing in front of me. It was a bit rude. The waiters – yeah the hippie chick isn’t off the grid either, she’s been rude before – should really take a happy pill. They make the place unenjoyable.

This is a great place to pull out your laptop and enjoy a nice latte! They are open till 1am, so that’s nice if you need to get something done. I usually get the English toffee. Also they provide local music some nights to enjoy. Hungry? –their quiches and food selections from Penn & Palate are great!

I love going to the Thirsty Scholar for chai lattes and Intelligentsia Coffee. They’re in a great location, and the hours are really good. I was a little disappointed with the service the last time I was in, as I had to wait to order drinks and I had to wait for my check. But it wasn’t anything worth not going back for. My latte was beautiful and tasted just as good.

If you’re looking for a place to zone out and work, this is it. Nothing spectacular about the intelligentsia coffee they serve. Small but decent selection of local beers.
Food is delicious but small.
Staff seems kinda put off by questions sometimes.

The four star rating has never been more accurate.
Atmosphere is a favorite in Indianapolis for a cup of coffee. Perfect for studying, the tables feel comfortable and solid.
The coffee is inexpensive compared to other Indianapolis shops. However, they lack a variety of coffee drinks. The menu looked like a Starbucks.
The coffee was made well and I was satisfied with it. Barista made me feel awkward ordering. Kind of quiet and eye rolls abounded. At least acknowledge the order with a yup or an ok. I didn’t know if she heard my order or not.

The Thirsty Scholar is a great mixer of hipster, retro, and quiet.
I loved the solid tables that didn’t wobble and yet are large enough to spread all my books and laptop everywhere.
The atmosphere is great and excellent for conversations and study.
I gave four stars because I was a little disappointed with the coffee selection. The menu reminded me of a Target Starbucks.
All in all, if you are wanting a great, retro atmosphere with quality coffee, and cheap prices, The Thirsty Scholar is a great choice.

It’s really cool having a coffee shop/​bar in my apartment building (Penn Arts). It has a really «hip» feel but it never feels pretentious. They have a good selection of coffee drinks and desserts and even have some local beers on tap. I think they just got some kombucha as well. They do poetry readings and shows here but it never gets wild and crazy. This is a great place to grab a table and get some work done while sipping on a coffee or a beer.

I love this place for a study area! It has plenty of seating, large windows with natural light and a historic yet hipster décor. You can have coffee or tea in the day time, or if you’d like, beer or wine. I’ve had their diablo coffee and enjoyed it. I’d like to rate the space and drinks aside from the food. The food I’ve has been fine but nothing special and it is overpriced. Overall, I’m a fan and I like to study here! There are a lot of med students and residents that seem to study here too, so its nice to run into classmates.
I’ve heard they have music some evenings, so that might be worth checking out too.

I moved to the neighborhood just before Thirsty Scholar opened. As the 16^th street corridor continues to develop, it’s become one of my go-​to spots in the neighborhood. Whether I’m there getting work done, meeting with clients, or playing games with friends while a local band plays, I really enjoy it.
Of all the coffee shops in town, this one gets my vote for the best atmosphere. The crowd changes based on the time of day, but you’ll find people ranging from their early college years to trendy twenty– and thirty-​somethings to neighborhood veterans. I’ve only ordered off their draft selection which includes brews from 3 – 4 Indiana establishments. Though priced a little high compared to other establishments ($ 6 for a draft pint), the wine and beer selections are pretty solid. They do have a limited food menu, though I’ve never ordered anything.
Tip: Be mindful of when you go there. The seats tend to fill up quickly.

My absolute fav! The environment is like a bar but it’s a coffee shop where you can also get wine and beer. How brilliant! The menu is a wide range of items that consists of snacks, drinks, sandwiches, coffee and dessert.
The item I get every time is the bbq chips with Parmesan peppercorn dip… Never disappoints! Great environment — it is a little dark if you are trying to read or look over paperwork. Awesome place for business meetings. On the weekends it definitely has a bar vibe. Luv!

I can really get into the Thirsty Scholar as a coffeeshop/​place to work, which is what I’ve experienced it as. When thinking about it as a small plate/​alcohol place, I feel like they’re trying to do too much.
I honestly had the best chai tea latte I’ve had in Indy here. With the «for here» mug and friendly service, I think the price is right, as the drink far exceeds Starbucks quality.
I was a little taken disappointed by the lack of baked good choices. Don’t get me wrong, there were some, but nothing like I’ve been accustomed to at some other local coffee shops. I decided to go with the cinnamon scone, which I enjoyed, but am not sure it was worth the $ 3. A little high of a price point in my opinion.
Overall, a great place to work. Ample tables in the place, most of which have always been filled with those on laptops when I’ve been in.
I thought it was a little confusing in the back lot in terms of parking — as there were only certain spots marked as merchant parking and the rest said «resident parking only» and warned about towing. Yet, when I got inside, I saw signs that said parking was available anywhere in the lot from 6 – 6. I guess I’ll know for next time that you’re able to park anywhere in the lot, since I will most definitely be back!

Best dirty chai in Indy!!! I love this drink here because they mix chai flavor and espresso perfectly and always give me some beautiful coffee art. I am a sucker for a great atmosphere and design element and with the vintage bar and exposed piping, this is one of the best. If you sit at the bar, you get a great view of 16^th. This place is becoming so hip, they started filming movies here.

Thirsty Scholar is a cool hip spot to grab some coffee or a local beer. The vibe is super chill and the baristas are great at making espresso drinks. It’s the kind of place you could go in the afternoon to grab a coffee and read a book then head back in the evening to meet friends for a drink. The décor is a modern Art Deco that makes you feel like you are at home but like a really cool version of your home.

Cool place, but workers are too cool for school. Visited twice in last two days. I wish workers in these places acted like they appreciated my business, I always try to be nice. That’s why Starbucks is taking over the world, at least they have some personality.
Coffee is pretty good, but I got the 16 oz coffee, which I will upload a pic of. Hard to believe it’s that amount.
I’ll be going to the nearby Starbucks from now on when I’m in the area.

I love having a cozy coffee shop that also serves tasty local beer. Perfect place to spend Sunday afternoon with a book or with friends. They have a nice space to sit outside as well. This area of downtown is only getting more popular. New restaurants and renovated spaces are all around so I expect the Thirsty Scholar will continue to grow in popularity.
They are open early and stay open late. I often see a mix of students studying and just hanging out there on Fridays and Saturdays.
Lots of street parking available around the building. Super easy to also park on Talbot or Delaware.

I am not a coffee drinker, but I love the coffee shop vibe created by professionals of all ages and stages in their careers; from the work from home mommy blogger to the collegiate professor grading papers and determining the fate of young twenty-something’s on their final exam that walk through the doors.
Here you will find a calming energy and plenty of workspace for you to do you, whatever that may be.
I have never ordered coffee here, so I can’t vouch for the taste, but the aroma is amazing. They always have a decent selection of beers on tap and are constantly rotating their taps. And nothing beats a glass of Pinot at noon. Except for maybe two glasses.

Dear Thirsty Scholar,
I wanted to like your hipster atmosphere mixed with your Chicagoan coffee and your integration of alcohol in a relaxed immersion coffee shop but mostly I wanted to like you because Martha Stewart has frequented your establishment whilst in Indy. Unfortunately, it’s an unrequited love that cuts deep. On several visits your baristas have been unpleasant, is it my absence of black rimmed glasses, my colorful attire, my chipper attitude that screams uncool kid? Although I think your coffee is phenomenal, your lack of service disappoints me and you’re never open early enough for when my weekday morning espresso addiction calls out. So I say to you Thirsty Scholar, I wish I was cool enough to be part of your club and to be considered one of your own, but until then the one sided love
affair lives on inside of me, only to be provoked when the free spirit calls out.

Instantly a favorite for daytime remote working.
Why?
— good drinks
— good food (they make most on-​site, but get the quiche fresh from elsewhere. try the quiche!)
— both breakfast and lunch food
— good ambiance
— good music level
— big (free) parking lot
— ample indoor seating, bar-​style and tables
— outdoor seating
— walkable shops to visit during a break
Okay, but any gripes? Even little ones?
— It’s a stretch, but I guess the chairs could stand to be a little more comfortable, but I was there 8 hours and I survived. I went outside when I felt restless.

I came to Thirsty Scholar in search of the perfect local coffeehouse to get some work done. I’m not a coffee drinker (too sensitive to caffeine & don’t like the taste) so I cant comment on any of their coffee. There’s not a strong coffee smell when you walk through the door though.
I tried their spinach & feta cheese quiche. It was very yummy but came out still cold on the bottom. The barista reheated it for me with no problem (although she was surprised that it was still cold). The bottom crust did get a little soggy because it was microwaved but I personally didn’t mind. The side and top crust were still perfectly flakey.
Their current teas are displayed in jars underneath the menu board. They had 8 loose leaf teas during my visit. I didn’t see them at first so I had to ask. The barista explained the blends and even pointed out the caffeinated teas since it was obviously my first time. According to their website menu, they get their teas from Kilogram Tea.
I opted for the 333 Blend, which is a rosehips, peppermint, and chamomile. It wasn’t anything special; the flavors were all very light. The peppermint was not a sharp mint, which some people may prefer.
There is free wifi here – you just have to ask for the password. The parking lot out back (Penn Arts lot) is open for customers from 6am-​6pm, which makes it very convenient. There are also a few metered spots in front.
I really liked the ambiance when I came in on a Friday afternoon. Everyone there had a non-​alcoholic beverage and were working away on their laptops or readings. It was a great environment to work in.