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New to Indy. Need Ideas.
Posted: Nov 07, 2007 in Things to do, Nightlife, Dining
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I am new in Indy and haven't really been out exploring much. I am having friends come up from SC first of December to visit and they want to go out ofcourse! I was wondering if anyone could tell me a great place to:
Grab a beer in a "non-club" like enviroment but not a complete dive. Beer and conversation basically.
Good clubs, not too cheesy. ha!
Place for a good steak and a place that offers something different in the dining experience.
Ideas what to do since it's cold outside! :)
I really appreciate any help! Thanks!
You'll see a theme here. I think Broad Ripple is the best place to take out-of-town friends; lots of restaurants, bars, coffeeshops. Cool atmosphere. Plus you can easily walk all over. For beer and conversation, try Broad Ripple Brew Pub; great beer, good food, nice place. Bazbeaux is great for pizza. Plenty of other places to drink nearby. There are so many steakhouses in Indy...Broad Ripple Steakhouse is good and thankfully not a chain. For stuff to do, even if it's cold, it's nice to walk around at night on the Circle with the Christmas lights on. And then there are plenty of places to go downtown or on Mass Ave. or Fountain Square.
The Red Key (one of the best bars in indy, total classic) I've had some great conversations there.. It just has that certain feeling.
If you want to avoid Broad Ripple, I suggest MacNiven's on Mass Ave or the Living Room Lounge.
Just south of BR, Moe & Johnny's is a friendly neighborhood pub and Yat's and the Jazz Kitchen are right across the street.
I also like the Upper Room above BR Steakhouse for some low-key cocktails.
For non-chain steaks I'd suggest Marco's at Keystone & 54th.
Not too many 'non-cheesy' clubs. The Chatterbox on Mass Ave has a lot of personality. Radio Radio in Fountain Square is clean, smoke free and books some great acts (The Redwalls, Johnathan Rice, and The Whigs on 12/7). There's always live music playing somewhere in the city that is worth checking out!
Just to throw out a few other suggestions:
1: I'd suggest Old Point Tavern ... decent beer selection, not too loud, not too packed.
2: It depends on what you like ... I'll defer to better experts at the club scene.
3: Depending on what you want to spend, you can always hit Indy landmark St. Elmo's
4: If you like to shop and enjoy art cinema, I will recommend the Fashion Mall (hopefully people don't strike me down for that suggestion) ... and the Keystone Art Cinema.
The Milano Inn, it is a Mystery Cafe where everyone is included on solving a crime. Fun for a group of people.