Sahm’s Tavern up next for Irvington spot associated with Black Acre, Scarlet Lane

Scarlet Lane Brewing Co. LLC operated a taproom at 5632 E. Washington St. from March 2023 to February 2024. (Photo provided by Scarlet Lane Brewing Co.)

Sahm’s Hospitality Group plans to resurrect its Sahm’s Tavern concept by taking over an Irvington address that’s been a taproom for two different Indianapolis craft breweries.

Eddie Sahm, chief operating officer of Sahm’s Hospitality Group, said Oct. 1 is the projected opening date of Sahm’s Tavern and Sports Bar at 5632 E. Washington St.

Black Acre Brewing Co. opened its first taproom at the spot in 2012. After Black Acre ceased operations in February 2023, Scarlet Lane Brewing Co. operated a taproom there from March 2023 to February 2024.

Sahm said Irvington has been a popular suggestion from people who encourage Sahm’s Hospitality Group to expand its roster of 14 locations. The top three areas are Irvington, Center Grove and Zionsville, Sahm said.

“It’s fun to go where people want you to be,” Sahm said.

Sahm’s Tavern and Sports Bar also will be a chance for the company to address unfinished business, he said.

In 2020, Sahm’s Tavern closed downtown after a decade of serving customers at 433 N. Capitol Ave., citing a decrease in customer traffic because of the pandemic.

“When we left, there was a slight bitter taste in our mouth,” Sahm said. “We didn’t love how it had to end, and there were external factors that were out of our control. … In our heads, it was a loved space.”

The legacy of craft beer will continue at the Irvington storefront, where Sahm’s will sell its Big Lug beers that are brewed at Big Lug Canteen, 1435 E. 86th St,, and Half Liter Beer & BBQ Hall, 5301 Winthrop Ave.

An Oct. 1 opening date would allow Sahm’s Tavern to make the most of autumn in Irvington, a neighborhood known for hosting one of the largest Halloween celebrations in the United States.

Sahm said he expects his father, Sahm’s founder Ed Sahm, will be up to the challenge of opening the new bar in less than three months.

“My father is a man of ambitious goals when it comes to building stuff out and he usually does it,” Sahm said. “October is huge in Irvington. We figured, why not just go trial by fire?”