After doing some shopping in downtown Indianapolis, I decided to grab a bite to eat at Punch Bowl Social, a dining and entertainment destination that opened earlier this year. I had heard great things about Punch Bowl Social but had never ventured inside myself. I am glad I finally did.
The first thing I noticed upon entering was the magnitude of the venue. There are two entrances to Punch Bowl Social, one off 120 S. Meridian St., and one inside Circle Centre Mall. I entered through the mall and made my way past eight bowling lanes, three private karaoke rooms, an ’80s arcade area and three bars on my quest to find the dining room. They also offer free card games such as Apples to Apples and Cards Against Humanity, and a photo booth where you can take crazy photos with your friends. There were plenty of people scattered about the warm and inviting facility, which is adorned with rustic decor and modern touches. Punch Bowl Social struck me as the perfect place to kick back and enjoy the company of friends and family.
Many places that aim to be a jack-of-all-trades become a master of none. As the quantity of what is offered goes up, the quality of the individual items usually goes down. That is not the case with Punch Bowl Social. With a Southern-style menu crafted by celebrity chef and judge on Bravo’s “Top Chef” Huge Acheson, Punch Bowl Social is one of the few exceptions to this rule, as the dining was just as great as the activities offered. Their menu is full of delicious options. They offer Idaho trout, grass-fed and hormone-free meatloaf, artisan burgers and delicious salads. They even have monkey bread and adult milkshakes.
I ordered the Confit St. Louis Ribs, which come with fries and coleslaw. The fall-off-the-bone ribs were fully marinated with a sweet and tangy sauce. The coleslaw is very crisp and has a spicy kick. The French fries are a proper mix of soft and crisp. Of course I had to try one of their famous punch bowls. I tried a drink titled “You Must Bring Us A Shrubbery.” The drink had a berry flavor with earthy tones. The food was delicious, and the service was great.
Punch Bowl Social offers something for everyone. While it serves as an all-ages venue during the day, at night it is the perfect place for adults to unwind after a long workweek. Bring your friends and family out for a night on the town and check out Punch Bowl Social.
