Inside The Exclusive St. Elmo’s Beefsteak Experience

If you love bourbon, steak, and basketball, then St. Elmo’s annual Beefsteak event is an experience you need to have at least once. This year, I had the opportunity to attend Beefsteak at HC Tavern in Fishers, thanks to an invite from the Huse Culinary team, and I had no idea just how special this event was until I arrived. It’s an invite-only, waitlist-driven tradition, and the atmosphere was incredible. From the moment I walked in, the team made sure everyone felt welcome. Bourbon brands like 2XO and High West were there offering tastings, but I stuck with Huse Culinary’s own Rare Saint whiskey, which made for an outstanding whiskey sour. It was the perfect balance of tartness and sweetness, and I may have had more than one.

The highlight of the night? Endless beef tenderloin served on small slices of bread. While some people focused on stacking their leftover bread into creative sculptures, I was more interested in enjoying every bite—along with St. Elmo’s famous shrimp cocktail, which, if you haven’t tried it, is a must. The whole event had an electric energy, with bourbon enthusiasts, basketball fans, and even appearances from the Pacemates and Rowdy, the Indy Indians mascot. Whether it was someone’s first year or their eighth, the excitement in the room was the same.

One of the best parts about Beefsteak is that it’s not just at St. Elmo’s downtown—it takes place at multiple Huse Culinary locations, including HC Tavern, which was a huge plus for me as a northside Indy resident. There’s even a women-only Beefsteak at Harry & Izzy’s on 82nd Street. What started as a small gathering of friends celebrating March Madness has evolved into one of the most exclusive food and whiskey events in the city. If you ever get the invite, don’t hesitate—this is one event worth experiencing. I’m already hoping for a return next year.