Golden Ace Inn

On March 1st, 1934, County Donegal, Ireland, immigrants John and Ann McGinley officially opened the Golden Ace Inn.  Since that time, the Golden Ace has been owned and operated by the McGinley family, thus making it one of the oldest family owned pubs in the United States and the oldest Irish pub in Indianapolis.  From its first day, the McGinley family has taken tremendous pride in their pub. The Golden Ace Inn has always been a staple for the Irish community in Indianapolis and recently, other people have started to take notice too. This year McGinleys’ Golden Ace Inn was named one of the “Best 50 Irish pubs in America” (#22 to be exact). A few years ago it was featured in the documentary “Movers & Shakers: Stories Along the National Road” and was also voted “Best Neighborhood Bar in Indy”. One of the unique aspects of McGinleys’ Golden Ace is its’ live Irish music.  Original owner, John McGinley played the concertina and would gather a few local Irish musicians into the Golden Ace for a session.  To date, the Golden Ace has expanded its Irish entertainment and brought in some of the best Irish musicians throughout the world, including Carmel Quinn, Paddy Reilly, Derek Warfield & The Young Wolfe Tones, The Dublin City Ramblers, The Mickey Finns, and Brigid’s Cross to name a few.  Additionally, every Tuesday night there is an Irish music session , much like what you would find in an Irish pub across the pond.  Irish music isn’t the only thing McGinleys’ Golden Ace is known for. Their delicious cheeseburgers have received rave reviews in the Indianapolis Star Newspaper and Indianapolis Monthly Magazine, declaring Golden Ace cheeseburgers tops in Indianapolis. Pub trivia is also a crowd favorite at McGinleys’ Golden Ace. First formed almost 25 years ago, this intense trivia game has seen a few former Jeopardy contestants and also been featured in local magazines.