There's a members-only speakeasy in Indy — and you've probably never heard of it

Face north at the intersection of Park Avenue and North Street, and you’ll see a row of nondescript buildings. A small parking garage, an apartment complex, a squat brick structure that could be an office, or maybe just vacant. Nothing that would beckon an onlooker to step inside.

That is, unless said onlooker has a reservation.

That squat brick mystery without so much as a sign on its door isn't an office. It isn't vacant. It might be one of the best-kept secrets in Indianapolis' nightlife.

Cunningham Restaurant group's new venture

Since quietly opening in October 2022, The Bemberg has served an exclusive group of Indianapolis patrons with a robust drink selection in a private speakeasy atmosphere. The members-only club is a recent venture of the Cunningham Restaurant Group, owners of Livery, Bru Burger and other Indianapolis restaurants. However, The Bemberg aims to address a need none of Cunningham’s other venues does: exclusivity.

“It’s become something that I think a lot of the members view as kind of their club, their personal place to hang out,” Cunningham director of marketing Carissa Newton said.

Introducing: Meet IndyStar's new dining and drinks reporter Bradley Hohulin

The nondescript brick building The Bemberg occupies was once a fabrics factory producing materials for use in World War II, Newton said. The retro 21st century club’s name pays homage to the company that produced those fabrics, J.P. Bemberg.

What do patrons do at The Bemberg?

Like many of the wines populating its shelves, The Bemberg is meant to exist as a pairing. For some customers, that means a secluded table for an important client meeting. For others, it may simply mean grabbing a drink to celebrate — or mourn — the outcome of the Colts or Pacers game they just left.

Either way, patrons can enjoy a degree of privacy and intimacy rarely found elsewhere. Membership confers access to the bar, monthly tasting events, a quarterly wine sale and other benefits with up to three non-member accompanying guests.

How many members does The Bemberg have?

To maintain its level of service and individual attentiveness, The Bemberg has carefully monitored how many members it allows beyond its founding 100. While Cunningham doesn't have a strict number limit, Newton said if a member can’t reserve a table when he or she wants or can't hold private conversations, it’s a sign to stop accepting new members.

To jumpstart membership before The Bemberg opened, Cunningham reached out to VIPs, regular customers, friends and family of Cunningham restaurants, and asked them if they would be interested in becoming annual members. Newton declined to share details of cost but said that The Bemberg quickly amassed its founding membership without so much as a social media post.

Since then, The Bemberg has allowed curious patrons to file for membership on its website, a single page with a contact form soliciting the applicant’s “monicker” — name — and their “horn” — phone number. Existing members can view more of the website by entering their PIN in a form that reads "whisper the watchword."

For everyone else, the inside of the unsuspecting brick building remains a mystery. Cunningham declined to allow photography or share courtesy images, although The Bemberg's website offers a glimpse of the club's rendition of a modern speakeasy.

Anything more is privy only to those who know the right watchword to whisper.

Contact IndyStar dining and drinks reporter Bradley Hohulin at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: The Bemberg, Cunningham Group's private speakeasy