Road Trip: Oak & Alley Bar in Warsaw

Nestled on the backside of Buffalo Street in downtown Warsaw, Oak & Alley brings a hip vibe to the town of 13,815 two-and-a-half hours north of Indianapolis. This slender pub harbors staples like 3 Floyds Pride & Joy and Sun King Osiris and an abbreviated wine list, which lets the spirits shine. Whiskey, gin, rum, and Scotch dominate a cocktail menu that features the tequila-centric I Got Sol and the Big Booty Judy, a Smith & Cross rum–infused libation mixed with Wilks & Wilson orgeat, orange, lime, and tiki bitters.
Co-owner Jason Bodley’s small bites include a Smoking Goose–fronted charcuterie board with housemade habanero jelly, hand-cut fries with a slightly tangy curry ketchup, and poutine (fried egg optional). Regardless of whether you’re dining or just drinking, you’ll relish the rosemary-and-brown-sugar roasted nuts. Indeed, Oak & Alley markets itself as “Drinks. Beards. Good Times”—and succeeds on all fronts. Who knew there was a hipster colony in the City of Lakes? Housed just off an alley, this is their home base. 114 S. Buffalo St., Warsaw, 574-387-6114, oakandalley.com