Indpls Liederkranz

I was coaxed here by the wonderful Bavarian lady and president of the Damenchor (women’s choir) named Margit. They put on many dinners and concerts throughout the year and I have always looked forward to attending.
The building is tucked back slightly off East Washington Street, about a mile east past the exit. The exterior is charming. Well painted with flower boxes hanging below the windows in that lovely German fashion.
The food is all made by the members with meat contributions from Claus’ German Meat Market. And it is really good! This past dinner/​show (Bunter Abend, which is German for colorful evening) we enjoyed rouladen, creamed chicken, parsley potatoes, spaetzle with gravy and green beans with some nice dessert choices. Nothing fancy. This is like a pitch in or family reunion with a true German flair.
The bar, which is quite beautiful and historic, is stocked with some great and well priced German import bottles. There is also Spaten lager and Warsteiner Dunkel on tap with decent prices on glass and pitcher.
The scene is definitely mature, as in 40−90+ year olds with a smattering of 30 somethings thrown in. However, this is my kind of scene, to be sure! These folks will put anyone to shame with their enthusiastic ways and dancing the waltz and polka into the wee hours. Everyone was friendly and, like I said, nothing fancy, but it just felt right. Cozy.
The choir, by the way? Fantastic. These ladies can sing and they are directed well. The show, focusing on birds, was cute and lively.

We went to the Liederkranz for their 3^rd annual Oktoberfest offerings of brats & beer & live music and ended up falling in love with this wonderful old German club and the people involved with it. The Liederkranz is located in a very plain looking, nondescript building downtown on East Washington. As soon as we entered the building we were cheerfully greeted by society members, most were wearing traditional German Oktoberfest attire. One member talked to us for quite a bit about the history of the Liederkranz and he showed us the small theater/​concert area downstairs and the quaint bar upstairs. The Indianapolis Liederkranz was founded in 1872 and was a German club dedicated to singing. But, the choir was for men only. Not until 1997 was a women’s choir added. Upstairs in the bar and dining area for club members they have a very cool, very old jukebox filled with German records and we were told that it is the oldest still-​functioning jukebox in Indianapolis. There are lots of really interesting framed large historical photos upstairs of the different generations of the Liederkranz hall and of the members and choirs. Downstairs, the large banquet room where the Oktoberfest was being held was rather plain but was decorated for the festival. There were several large tables and folding chairs scattered around, a stage with the German band Alpine Express playing, a chow line filled with trays of Claus’s brats & sausages, the absolute best homemade sauerkraut and German potato salad and also some various other sides, and another table filled with cakes & pies. Also, a booth serving German beer on draft or in bottles. The admission for this event was $ 7 for non-​members but all of the food was ridiculously inexpensive and there was also the live entertainment. This was a family friendly event but 90% of the people were older, like grandparent age older. Everyone was so pleasant and nice. And, happy. I’ve never seen a bigger group of people smiling, laughing, dancing and just having the time of their lives. We really had a great time here and will definitely return for other events and concerts. There are 2 Christmas concerts coming-​up in December that sound like fun, one is the men’s choir and the other is the women’s choir. And, we’ll definitely be returning for the Bock Beer Fest. And, of course, the Liederkranz’s 4^th annual Oktoberfest. Check out their website at
for more info about the organization and a list of upcoming events.