Varsity Lounge

Five of us, who were frequent customers many years ago, decided to check out the bar after hearing rumors of its demise. Walked in around 6:30 p.m. on a Sunday. No customers. No heat. No hot water (so no drinks in glasses). No jukebox. No atm. No tv’s. Trash from the pervious night scattered throughout on the floor. Bartender, in her own words, was dressed in her pajamas because she was rushed. Can not believe this dump is still open. Didn’t use to be this way. Wouldn’t go back even if the drinks were free for a year.

A couple of us were downtown looking for a new place to try. We were kind of wanting to go to a sports bar because it was NFL season and we kind of wanted a different scene than the usual Champs or BW3. Well, boy did we get it.
So we see the Varsity Club, thinking hey that sounds like a sports bar, so we walk in, my girlfriend and her friend and it was pretty crowded so we spot a table in the back corner and head towards it. As we walk by i see a buffett of tacos and other finger food stuff. So we sit down and Im thinking ok this is pretty cool, a couple tvs free buffet and its pretty happening. I look around a little and notice pretty much everyone there was a guy, ok not pretty much, everyone except for the two girls im with are male. Ok, no big deal right, its a sports bar, I take a better look… No one has any type of team jersey on or for that matter is even paying attention to the football game on. Whats going on here, I start to feel kind of weird!
My girlfriend and her friend dont really notice anything, they are just talking between themselves. So I get up to go to the restroom and check out the buffet and everyone is staring at me. Im kind of starting to feel uncomfortable now, I walk back to my table and one table in our area is looking me up and down with a very frightening grin on his face, one guy even winks at me. I sit down and say we need to leave, they are like why its not bad in here. I say, look around. They take a few looks and I say isnt it weird that no one is watching the game or even dressed remotely close in any type of sports apparel. They say oh ya, i guess it was weird how everyone stared at you when we walked in and not us.
Needless to say this is a gay bar, which is fine and I have nothing at all against the gay community, it was just a total shock to me. I guess we should have noticed the rainbow color flags hanging outside and all around the bar, and the sign that said «parking in rear». I just had totally different expectations of what I was getting into here.
The two stars are not really for any reason because we did not try any food or have any drinks, I guess because I was just really uncomfortable!

OLD BAR NEEDS NEW LIFE
Varsity Lounge, thought to be one of Indiana’s oldest bars, is struggling and may be beyond repair.
The current owner-​operator is very nice and well-​intentioned, but probably needs to include a business partner or let a new owner try to breathe new life into the place.
Statistically, experts would say it has declined so much it cannot be saved. Because of the Varsity’s history, that would be a sad ending to a long life and a disappointment for the community.
Fortunately, there are plenty of alternative watering holes in the area… in fact there’s one just 100 feet north of the Varsity called Thirsty Scholar. It’s nice, new and trendy.

is varsity lounge still open???

Oh, Varsity, how do you stay in business? Yeah, OK, the food is not-​bad bar food. The drinks are OK. The atmosphere might be neighborhood-​divey if it wasn’t so, well, uninviting and borderline-​depressing. It does seem brighter than it used to be, but with the Varsity, that isn’t necessarily a good thing. And those booths — at some point, their age becomes less charming and more just uncomfortable. People who like it really like it though!

To the redheads at the Varsity… You two are awesome!!! It’s what the bar has needed for the longest time, just great people with (as Thomas would say) great energy! Jeremy is by far the best bartender who also sings karaōke while still tending bar and Thomas well he is just a dancing fool! The two together are enough enjoyment to watch that there is no other place you have to go for entertainment! To the new owner I have to say this… These two are by far the best decision you have made to the bar! Thank you! Now let’s see more of the redheads working the bar!

Edit: they switched hands again. Now it’s kinda creepy. Can’t put my finger on exactly why. Just feel weird there. And last time I was there they didn’t have the nachos anymore.
Original 4 star review: You don’t have to be gay to love this place. The food is mostly typical bar food although their fries and chicken sandwich are actually pretty kill. But the best dish I’ve had would be the nachos. Since they’ve switched hands the staff is very friendly. Especially the red head. I would recommend this place for anyone who is a little different but looking for a bar with a home town feel.

Joe the barkeep (5 *****Stars) during the week is just Charming, great service with a smile, the food’s ok, great bar to relax late in the evening,

I played an all ages punk rock show around the corner and needed a bar, stat. We saw the beer signs and joked that with our luck, the Varsity Lounge would be a gay bar. We got our beers and noticed the rainbow Bud Light mirrors. Irony is a device best left for those who understand it better, but I think it bit us in the ass. Evidently, Varsity is one of the longest running bars «of that nature» in the country. Bartenders were cool, funny, welcoming, and let us carry out a case of longnecks. All in all, it’s a pretty chill joint for straight punk rock kids needing a suds fix.

The Varsity Lounge is a dark, retro vibe, gay bar that serves food. The well drinks are amazingly cheap (but your lips are numb after just one). The food’s okay and reasonably priced (but avoid the specials; they aren’t the freshest). If you’re in the 16^th and Meridian area and want to drink midday in anonymity, grab a quick takeaway meal, or pop in and purchase a bottle of your favorite poison, this is the place.