MacNiven's

The newest great beer place in downtown Indianapolis. A Scottish-theme bar with lots of Scottish beers among the 12 beers on draft and 80 or so interesting beers in the coolers.The minimalist bar back pays homage to classic pillars and adds a contemporary lighted glass block booze rack. Rock music on the sound system, 5 small TVs, open windows to the street. Classy. 3 pictures of Ursula Andress in the men's room - also classy.

Basics

339 Massachusetts Ave. (across from Bazbeaux Pizza).

317-632-SCOT(7268) (voice)

Opened: 2004
Owners: Stuart Robertson, Troy Gregory.

Mon - Thurs 11am - 1am
Fri - Sat 11am - 2am
Sunday closed

Casual dress.

Seats maybe 100 tops on a crowded night.

Reservations not taken.

Entertainment

There's a couple of small TVs but the sound is off. Conversation is the main pastime.

Suitability factors:

Sitting at the bar Busy, conversational, artsy and beer folk.
On a date Informal. Very suitable.
Out with the guys If you're out for a night of interesting beers. Could become a place to meet a future date.
Business dinner Good place for an impressive, yet inexpensive lunch.

Representative Beer Menu

Scottish beers, as we said, are the specialty. You'll find 2 Belhavens, 5 Broughtons, Caledonian, Fraoch, McEwans, Orkney Skullsplitter, Pyramid Tilted Kilt, 2 from Taquair House, Three Floyds' Robert the Bruce, and more.

One night's tap list was: On CO2: Robert the Bruce, McEwans, Upland Wheat, Smithwick's, Harp, Bass, Newcastle, Bells 2 Hearted, Holten Festbock. On nitro: Belhaven Scottish, Young's Double Cream, Guinness, and Boddingtons. Most at $5 / 20oz.

The beer menu is listed by style rather than by country - a good touch. Bottled beer runs from $4 to $10. Have a shandy with any draught beer for $3.50.

There are also 22 single malts available from $6 to $10.


Representative Food Menu

Appetizers $6 - $9
Soups $3 - $5
Salads $5 - $9
Scottish Entrees $6 - $11
Fish $9 - $18
Pasta $9 - $15
Sandwiches $6 - $8
Deserts $5