What to Expect

Let’s just stop right there for a second and savor the sound of… BBQ and Taproom…together. Even if you weren’t coming for live music, it’s worth the trip for some of the best BBQ in the city.

 If you just need a snack to hold you over while you enjoy a craft beer and some live music, set an alarm for your taste buds: pork belly burnt ends, smoked and tossed in a peach-bourbon glaze. I could stop there, but I’ll keep going—smoked wings, brined and coated in dry rub, or the chili cheese dippers.

 If you’re coming in for a full meal, this is the real deal. Nothing shipped in or reheated—everything goes from their on-site smoker straight to your plate: sausage, chicken, brisket, pulled pork, ribs. Check out the full menu here.

The taproom is dog-friendly, family-friendly, and music-friendly—and on any given night, you’ll probably see all three. They rotate guest taps from some of Indy’s best breweries—Guggman Haus, Chilly Water, Bad Dad Brewing, and Centerpoint, to name a few—so there’s usually something for everyone.

 As for the ambiance, it’s low-key and comfortable. The space works both indoors and outdoors (weather permitting), and bands will play in either setup depending on conditions. If you absolutely must check in on your favorite team, there are TVs—but they don’t dominate the room. This isn’t a sports bar. Want to keep kids entertained? You’ve got options

Let’s all learn to love algebra together (said no one, ever). Hang on though—let’s make it simple. Solve for x:

 2x + craft beer + high energy + familiar songs = great time

 I’ll do the work for you… x = Downstairs Dads.

Let’s put it this way: if you don’t have fun at a Downstairs Dads show, it might be a you thing. Their setlists are built for entertainment and engagement—sing along, or just sit back and take it in. Here’s a sampling from a recent show: Set Fire, Son of a Preacher Man, Simple Man, With or Without You, Can’t You See… wait, hold on. Downstairs Dads? Who’s covering Adele and Dusty Springfield?

 The Dads have a ringer.

 Like most of the local bands featured on Indy.Local.Live., I usually have some connection to the group. In this case, it’s Mark Berry (bass/vocals) and Eric Sheets (acoustic/vocals). And while those guys can hold their own—including the occasional surprise falsetto—the real secret weapon is Emily Reissner. She brings serious vocal punch, putting her own spin on artists like Dolly Parton, Dolores O'Riordan, and, yes, Dusty Springfield.

Could Downstairs Dads be eyeing a deal with Warner Music Group? Maybe. But it feels more like a group of good people playing music they love—and having a blast doing it. And that energy is contagious.

I’ve never walked away from a Downstairs Dads show without feeling a renewed love for live music—and like I just had a kick-ass time