Review: Hampden Yards Hits a Home Run

The first thing to note about Hampden Yards is that the name is fantastic. The moniker for the beer garden, located off Hickory Avenue behind a church, was the brainchild of co-owner Josh Mente. His partner Jesse Vann jokes that the witty name was one of the reasons he decided to get involved in the business.

Now in its second season, Hampden Yards—like that other Yards—is a unique locale. Despite being so close to bustling 36th Street, the courtyard that’s home to the outdoor establishment feels far removed from the rushed rhythms of the city. That’s exactly what Vann and his partners envisioned when they initially encountered the spot, which was overrun by weeds and not being used for much of anything.

“The motivation was to provide some outside space in Hampden, because putting chairs on the street is one thing, but having a quiet backyard that is off The Avenue is a pretty awesome thing,” Vann says.

The core of Hampden Yards is a covered deck under which sits a small bar and several tables. When it opened for the year in late March, the shelter and outdoor TVs were new additions. A separate, uncovered section has picnic tables with umbrellas and plenty of games, including a giant Connect 4, Jenga set, and foosball table. Board games and cards (including Cards Against Humanity, which you should play at your own peril in public), are available, and cornhole is set up for special events.

Ordering at Hampden Yards is done on your phone. It can take a minute or two to get the hang of it, but once you do, the process unfolds seamlessly. Your tab remains open as you order round after round, which is brought to your table by a server. Chances are, you’re going to want to try more than just one beer or cocktail from the extensive list, which was created by bar manager Shaun Stewart.

Among the house cocktails, The One in the Bag stands out for its presentation: It’s served in a plastic IV-bag. The red drink is made using primarily tequila and watermelon liqueur and will indeed have a definite impact on your blood-alcohol content. The White Dove, made with tequila, lime and grapefruit juice, and sparkling water is eminently refreshing, as is the long list of crushes and mules.

Draft beers (served, like most of the cocktails, in a plastic cup) include an impressive array of local offerings from the likes of Nepenthe and Manor Hill. There are also IPAs from national microbrews (including Indiana’s excellent 3 Floyds), wines, seltzers, spritzes, and non-alcoholic cocktails.

The small food menu includes a few snacks, wraps, and sandwiches sourced from The Lunchbox Lady. Weekends bring food pop-ups serving deep-dish pizza or barbecue.

On a beautiful spring or summer day when drinking inside just won’t do, Hampden Yards beckons. Its ambiance—and its name—set it apart.