Rachel Rubenstein

The rise of Indy's restaurant scene has led local watering holes to raise the bar — better design, better cocktails, better experience. Here are eight new-ish bars, eateries and taprooms to try.

Henry's Pub and Grill

14159 Clay Terrace Blvd., (317) 575-9005, www.henryspubandgrill.com

Located in Clay Terrace (in the former Kincaid's building), this upscale tavern boasts a completely from-scratch kitchen, pool tables, spacious patio (complete with outdoor televisions) and great specials. If you're looking to go somewhere that's a little nicer than your neighborhood pub, Henry's is the spot for you.

Happiest Hour: A Happy Hour menu is available in the lounge from 3 to 7 p.m. and 9 to 11 p.m. daily, featuring $3 Miller Lite pints, $4.50 well drinks and $5 select cocktails and wines, including the Watermelon Drop, Fresh Apple Mojito, Rosemary Gimlet and Raspberry Margarita. Try the $3 Peanut Buster Burger, topped with chunky peanut butter, applewood smoked bacon, cheddar cheese, crispy onion strings, roasted garlic aioli and housemade pickles. Wednesdays, you can enjoy half price bottles of wine.

Drink This: The Cucumber Spice Martini, made with Tito's vodka, fresh cucumber, mint, lime juice, agave and chili pepper for $9, a refreshing cocktail for a hot summer night.

Tow Yard Brewing

501 Madison Ave., (317) 638-9273, www.towyardbrewing.com

Located within walking distance of many Downtown landmarks, Tow Yard Brewing is not only a brewery but a tasting room and New Orleans-inspired restaurant. It even has pedi-cabs around Downtown that you can ride.

Happiest Hour: On Mondays, stop by and get your growler filled for $5.

Drink This: The Hook Up Shandler, a blend of Tow Yard's Golden Ale and citrus-forward soda for a refreshing seasonable beer cocktail.

The Hi-Fi

1043 Virginia Ave., Suite 4, (317) 638-9273, www.hifiindy.com

Anyone with a love of music will enjoy the ambience at Fountain Square's newest juke joint, which includes old drums and cymbals that double as bar light fixtures. Right now, The Hi-Fi serves only beer and wine, but a full bar is coming soon.

Happiest Hour: Join the Hi-Fi crew on Tuesday nights for karaoke where you can sing anything from Reignwolf to Vanilla Ice. Or if you're in the mood to dance, DJs Action Jackson and Lemi Vice have started a weekly dance party there on Wednesday nights.

Drink This: Try one of the many local beers that are available on draft or in bottles and cans (such as the Flat 12 Hinchtown HD Golden Ale, $6 can) or venture out and try a Lexington Brewery Kentucky Kolsch ($5 bottle).

The North End BBQ & Moonshine

1250 E. 86th St., (317) 614-7427, www.thenorthendbbq.com

Honoring the great technique and tradition of American barbecue, The North End is modern dining mixed with down-home cooking. The drink menu has over 100 bourbons/whiskeys (including the bar's house bourbon, a privately selected Four Roses Bourbon barrel) along with local beers, hand-selected wines and craft cocktails that will keep you coming back for more.

Happiest Hour: The North End opened at the end of May and doesn't currently offer any drink specials. One tip I can give you is to make reservations, as the restaurant and bar tend to fill up quickly.

Drink This: Try the Moonshine Punch ($6), made with Georgia Moon Peach-Infused Shine, grapefruit, honey water and rhubarb bitters. Jason Foust, (the man behind the cocktail list) suggests the Old Prentice ($7), made with The North End's house bourbon, chamomile tea syrup, lemon, peach bitters and blood orange.

Hotel Broad Ripple

6520 Westfield Blvd., (317) 787-2665, www.hotelbroadripple.com

Situated in Broad Ripple on the Monon Trail, Hotel Broad Ripple recently opened to the public as the area's first boutique hotel. This nine-room inn features local art, uniquely decorated rooms and a prime spot to watch the hustle and bustle on the Monon.

Happiest Hour: Open to the public at 5 p.m. Monday – Friday and 2 p.m. Saturday – Sunday, Hotel Broad Ripple offers beer on tap that rotates (currently Bier Brewery and Outliers) and in cans (currently Sun King) from local breweries along with several varietals of wine.

Drink This: Cool off after a long bike ride with a pint of Special K Kolsch from Bier Brewery, a crisp and light pale ale that is great for a hot summer day. If you're in the mood for wine, try one of their Stack Wines, which are snap-apart portable wine glasses easy to enjoy on the deck.

Scarlet Whiskey & Wine Bar

8487 Union Chapel Road, Suite 560, (317) 299-8888, www.scarletwhiskey.com

This swanky spot is a welcome addition to the bar and lounge scene with a wide selection of, you guessed it: wine and whiskey. The selection features over 300 labels including small distilleries, single-bottlings and everything in-between. Scarlet Whiskey & Wine Bar also has live entertainment from some of your favorite locals, including Joe Meltdown and DJ Indiana Jones.

Happiest Hour: Thursday nights feature live jazz with Tim Brickley from 7 to 9 p.m. and drink specials that include $6 Woodford Manhattans, $6 Margarita Devilles and $7 Domain Chandon. For all of the fellow bartenders and servers, come Mondays for Service Industry Night where you can eat $1 oysters and enjoy $5 red and white wine (along with other various drink specials).

Drink This: You have to taste the Rye Knot, made with Mitcher's Rye, Fernet, Benedictine, lemon juice and fresh mint for a sophisticated concoction that goes down great after a long day at the office.

La Mulita

5215 N College Ave., (317) 925-0677, www.lamulitaindy.com

This casual Latin-style cantina located next door to Delicia serves street food, craft cocktails and cervezas for both lunch and dinner. You'll find some interesting drinks on the menu that are made with unique ingredients, such as cachaca, a distilled spirit from Brazil made with sugarcane juice.

Happiest Hour: If you have the choice between lunch and dinner, I would suggest going during the day when the menu has more options. Take your choice between delicious tacos and cemitas and add a side of kale chips.

Drink This: Try the Orange-Lime Batida ($6), which is made with cachaca, house-made Brazilian limeade and orange juice. It has some dairy in it, so the result is a creamy, sweet, delectable drink.

The Pint Room

110 West Main St., Carmel, (317) 571-8400, www.pintroomcarmel.com

With an extensive beer list consisting of 125 taps and a drool-worthy burger offering, The Pint Room is the premiere spot for Northside craft beer connoisseurs.

Happiest Hour: Although there aren't any certain days of the week that have specials, make sure to check out the beer of the day for $4, which changes with the rotating taps. If you have a sweet tooth, save room for the dessert of the month.

Drink This: Bartender Amanda suggests the Lost Coast Tangerine Wheat, which is light and summery with a hint of fruit.