Axios Indianapolis
Tom’s Watch Bar opens in Indy
By Justin L. Mack
December 16, 2024
The mind behind the McGriddle has moved his high-end sports bar concept to downtown Indianapolis.
Why it matters: The grand opening of Tom’s Watch Bar gives Circle City sports fans with a slightly more sophisticated palate another option for catching big games.
The big picture: The bar’s arrival also injects new life into a section of downtown undergoing a significant transformation.
- It sits just across the street from Circle Centre Mall, which has grown more accustomed to closure announcements than grand opening celebrations as a drastic renovation plods along.
- It’s also just steps from an ongoing Indiana Convention Center expansion poised to reshape the Indianapolis skyline.
? Justin’s thought bubble: It’s also a head turner that’s likely to elicit a lot of “what the hell is that?” responses from folks who might not have been downtown in a while.
- The idea that you can see the game from anywhere at Tom’s seems also to apply to standing outside it.
- It’s impossible to miss with street-facing screens that blast light onto the 100 block of Illinois Street.
Driving the news: The Indianapolis location, its 13th total, officially opened Dec. 2.
- Axios Indianapolis was in the house for a recent gathering to check out the menu and the man behind the idea.
- Co-founder Tom Ryan brought McGriddles to McDonald’s and stuffed crust to Pizza Hut in the early ’90s. He also launched the Smashburger chain in the mid-2000s.
What he’s saying: Ryan says Tom’s Watch Bar is built to replicate the live-viewing experience with the next generation of sports fans in mind.
- “Think about the sports bar you were in last. They’re a little dingy, they’re a little sticky … and they’re a little bit old. And the next generation is looking for something very, very different,” Ryan said.
- “Tom’s Watch Bar is an expression of that creativity. To bring sports watching and viewing as part of the occasion that people are integrating into their lives.”
Zoom in: Tom’s packs 135 TV screens into the 10,000-square-foot establishment, featuring a central oversize “stadium” screen and surround-sound speakers.
- The audio system lets fans tune into their preferred games so they can hear the action at their seats.
- Tom’s also encourages planning in advance by putting its entire schedule of games online up to two weeks in advance.
Yes, but: With so many TVs, and a concept that centers around being able to see the game, chances are if a match is happening while Tom’s is open, you’ll probably find it on one of their screens.
- “If it’s worth watching, it’s on at Tom’s,” Ryan said.
If you go: 140 S. Illinois St.
- Open 4pm-12am Monday-Thursday; and 11-12am Friday-Sunday.
Go deeper: Check out our review of the wings at Tom’s
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