The Bulldog returns with video wall, self-service beer taps and upscale bar food
Corrections & clarifications: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated the website and a closing time for The Bulldog Bar & Lounge. The establishment, bulldogbr.com, will operate from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Monday through Thursday; from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday; from 9 a.m. to 2 a.m. Saturday; and from 9 a.m. to 12 a.m. Sunday.
The old and the new are coming together with The Bulldog Bar & Lounge opening Friday for dine-in service in South Broad Ripple.
The decades-old building at 5380 N. College Ave. got a tech makeover, additional dining and drinking areas and a new name – that’s really its former name.
With three concepts under one roof, The Bulldog opens at the old Moe & Johnny’s spot. Moe & Johnny’s operated for more than 20 years before closing during the coronavirus pandemic.
It’s not taking lightly its legacy as a sports bar.
The new Bulldog has 50 screens, including a video wall.
“We wanted to make it one of the top places to watch a game in Indianapolis,” said co-owner Brian Knoderer.
But there’s also a swanky bistro-type area with brunches, and flights of mimosas and vodkas in mind. It features an open kitchen, allowing diners to see cooks at work.
And, in the coming months, a bourbon lounge will open in the 7,500 square foot space.
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A major feature will be two 24-tap walls that allow guests to serve their own beer by the ounce using wristbands linked to customer credit cards. Screens there give descriptions of each of the selections. Six taps will be dedicated to red and white wines and two will pour draft cocktails.
There’s still the full-service bar, but Knoderer thinks customers will get a kick taking the self-serve route.
“It's a fantastic feature for people who like to try craft beers and different beers and helps with customer service,” he said. “If you want to drink, you can go have a cocktail or have a drink and self pour and try lots of different beers, ciders and some wine. It’s a pretty fun social thing to do to do the self-pour.
Bar, brunch and pooch menus
Chef Tory Walker is leading the kitchen with gourmet bar snacks, specialty smash burgers, sandwiches, and Neapolitan-style pizzas.
A brunch menu will be offered on weekends.
Walker is an Ivy Tech graduate who in recent years has amassed a following as a private chef and caterer. His specialty in smoked meats (he has nine smokers and grills at his home) and is excited about the high-end bar food, including pork belly, from the scratch kitchen.
“I’m not going to reinvent the wheel, but when we do things, even like pairing the cheese with the burgers, I like to make sure it’s made in a way where you know the cooks in the back made it with love,” he said. “It’s going to be the best thing they have had that day.”
He will make 23 sauces in-house.
Meats for the turkey club and pulled pork sandwiches will be smoked in the back.
The brunch menu will include a bourbon French toast chicken sandwich.
Traditional biscuits and gravy will be offered, but Walker might be compelled to prepare a brisket gravy, as well.
Also, a vegan version will be among many vegetarian options (quinoa tacos, cauliflower steaks, vegan chicken patties).
There’s even a menu for four-legged diners, able to get their own burgers, grilled chicken sandwiches, carrots or peanut butter whipped cream cups.
Neighborhood gem
Before Moe & Johnny's, the building operated from 1974 to 1994 as The Bulldog, a favorite of many Butler University students, including Knoderer, who frequented the spot while studying for his MBA.
Knoderer wanted to open a bar to feature the trending self-pour taps. While considering a northside location, Bales, who owned the old Moe & Johnny's property, last fall pitched it to Knoderer as the perfect spot for the concept.
Bales’ business partner Caroline Smith – they’ve worked together in real estate, renewable energy and the Salt on Mass restaurant – came aboard. Her stamp is all over the upscale brunch area, which she designed.
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After Moe & Johnny’s closed, Bales said he was approached by many concepts from Mexican to pizza that wanted the space.
“I wanted to keep it a neighborhood establishment,” he said.
Along with Twenty Tap, Fat Dan’s Deli and The Jazz Kitchen steps away, The Bulldog is set to up the bar and dining factor in the area in which its predecessor had been a pioneer.
“We just think this whole corner is going to be a great place for people to go. It’s going to be a great vibrant corner for everybody to have fun,” Knoderer said. "It's the best corner in Broad Ripple.”
The goal is to have promotions with the University. Butler blue shows up in details around the property and the game room will open with a wall depicting Hinkle Fieldhouse, the university's basketball arena.
It wants to be not only the go-to spot for pre- and post-Butler athletic event meetups, but also host families at dinner and friends in the game area.
“A lot of my friends, we all remember The Bulldog and all those good times we had back in the day,” said Knoderer, who graduated in 1990. “And so we just felt like it was an opportunity to recapture the Bulldog name and have young and new come back.”
General Manager Marcus Bethea said the neighborhood is anticipating the reopening of the location.
“There’s so much hype behind it right now. So many alumni have reached out to me,” he said.
The Bulldog Bar & Lounge, 5380 N. College Ave., Indianapolis, 317-377-4735, bulldogbr.com, will operate from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Monday through Thursday; from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday, from 9 a.m. to 2 a.m. Saturday and from 9 a.m. to 12 a.m. Sunday.
Contact IndyStar reporter Cheryl V. Jackson at cheryl.jackson@indystar.com or 317-444-6264. Follow her on Twitter: @cherylvjackson.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: The Bulldog Bar & Lounge returns in South Broad Ripple in Indianapolis
