Lumino Magazine March 2005


	Loughmillers Pub and Eatery- Where social security means always having a seat By BETHANY JONES Located across from the state capitol and office building and in between two hotels, the convention center and a block or two from Monument Circle, Loughmillers is the best place to have lunch with coworkers or friends or a happy hour cocktail on your way home. It also happens to be a great place for political fundraisers and debate watching parties. ATMOSPHERE If you've ever been to a Hard Rock Café, you walk into a few pages of rock and roll history. When you walk into Loughmillers, you walk into a few pages of political history. The walls are covered with campaign posters, buttons and pictures of politicians both local and national. Loughmillers is the political version of The Hard Rock Café. Combine that with the familiarity and casual atmosphere of Cheers and you have Loughmillers Pub and Eatery. CROWD Because Loughmillers is located in between two convention center hotels, the crowd can change from day to day. There are the usual patrons from the state office building across the street, and you can usually find out of town visitors looking to spend $3 on the same Gin and Tonic that they would pay $7 for at the hotel bar. ENTERTAINMENT AND EVENTS Over the summer, Loughmiller's hosted a few political fundraisers, and I watched the presidential debates there this fall. Polly B. and Wild Dale – a pretty good cover duo - seem to show up there more than anyone else on weekends. SPIRITS From Amstel to Vox, Loughmillers has it all. GRUB Everything on the menu is great, but my favorite is the club wrap. I've never had a better wrap sandwich. The fried Gouda appetizer works if all you need is a few cheese sticks and for those running on a tight schedule, carryout is now available. PRICES Considering your choices in downtown Indianapolis, Loughmillers falls in the Applebee's price range. It's not as cheap as Subway or McDonalds but it's nowhere near the price of some of the more popular chain restaurants. I spent about $10 on a sandwich and a bottomless glass of ice tea. Of course, if you add a choice beverage and tip you may leave paying about $20 or more. WHY IT'S UNIQUE If you're a political junkie and get excited by old campaign buttons and signs, then this is the place for you. There may not be a pool table but there are two dartboards, with old-fashioned chalkboard scoring. You can't possibly see it all in one lunch hour so you have to go back again. Loughmillers is not a chain and it's not your typical local bar; and for the political aficionado, it just might be paradise. Loughmillers Pub and Eatery 301 W. Washington St. 317.638.7380 www.loughmillerspub.com 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Mondays through Fridays Closed for private parties on Saturday and Sunday; except for days when the Colts play home games.