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🍹 Tiki drinks + fairy tale cakes
Five must-visit themed venues in Indianapolis
Murals on the wall outside of Black House were created by Pamela Bliss. | Photo by the INDYtoday team.
Whether it’s sipping coffee at a horror-themed cafe or reliving the past at a retro arcade bar, Indianapolis offers plenty of options for an entertaining night out.
You can run, you can hide, but you should really take a peek inside this horror-themed coffee shop. In the heart of Fountain Square lies the Black House Café — a spooky deviation from ordinary coffee shops. It’s sure to draw in caffeine lovers + horror fans with its haunting exterior murals, local horror-themed artwork, and the Chucky doll.
Owner Mari Ramirez-Reyes, maintained the theme well with drinks like the “Not Your Mother’s Mocha” and the “No Please Don’t Kill Me Mr. Ghost Face.” If the cafe isn’t enough, you can also book a room in the horror-themed Airbnb, which can sleep 13 people and includes themed rooms featuring Beetlejuice, Ghostbusters, and more.
If the recent snowfall has you craving warmer weather, rum flights, fresh oysters, or thoughtfully crafted food, take a trip to the tropics right here in Indy. Strange Bird, located in Irvington, offers a warm ambiance paired with eye-catching tiki drinks like the Painkiller and Jungle Bird + food items such as the katsu curry and gyoza.
Strange Bird is also the host of Shoyu Shop created by Chef Kyle Humphreys which cooks up four varieties of mouthwatering ramen with vegan options available. Pro tip: Stay up to date on its Instagram page for half off oyster specials and oyster shucking classes.
Once upon a time, in a kingdom not so far away (Broad Ripple + Carmel) sits the enchanting Cake Bake Shop.Although this shop isn’t specifically labeled as fairytale-themed, there certainly is a reason they were chosen to open a location at Disney World. In this fairy tale, happily ever after tastes like French macarons, pastries, and a slice of raspberry champagne cake that can fill a plate. Aside from desserts, there is also a full lunch + dinner menu, as well as an extensive classic and signature drink menu.
Community Yoga | Wednesday, Feb. 21 | 6-7:15 p.m. | Christamore House, 502 Tremont St., Indianapolis | Free | 3BFIT is offering weekly transformational yoga and meditation experiences to promote healthy well-being.
Thursday, Feb. 22
Crushing Complexity: The Evolving Business of Healthcare | Thursday, Feb. 22 | 7-9:30 p.m. | IndyFringe Basile Theatre, 719 E. St. Clair St., Indianapolis | Free | A presentation on the health care system and its impact on health care consumers and businesses with a panel to follow.
DECEPTION: An Evening of Magic & Lies | Thursday, Feb. 22 | 7:30-9 p.m. | Feinstein’s At Hotel Carmichael, 1 Carmichael Square, Carmel | $30-$50 | David Ranalli creates an unforgettable evening for this magic and mind reading show for ages 10+.
Friday, Feb. 23
Art & Soul 2024 Celebration + Naptown Tribute | Friday, Feb. 23 | 5-7:30 p.m. | Indianapolis Artsgarden, 110 W. Washington St., Indianapolis | Free | Enjoy performances by featured artists highlighting the music of Indiana Avenue alongside local legends.
Margaret Cho: Live and LIVID | Friday, Feb. 23 | 7:30 p.m. | Old National Centre, 502 N. New Jersey St., Indianapolis | $40-$60 | Celebrate Margaret Cho’s 40 years as a stand-up comedian.
Saturday, Feb. 24
The Polar Bear Winter Classic | Saturday, Feb. 24 | 8:30 a.m. | Irsay Family YMCA at CityWay, 420 S. Alabama St., Indianapolis | The 42nd Annual Polar Bear Winter Classic is back with a 5K, 10K, and The Bear, which challenges runners to run both distances back to back.
Say bye-bye to dry skin with our list of skincare products. | Photo provided by Six & Main
Is dry skin making you feel frustrated during these winter months? Don’t worry, our online shop (Six & Main) features hydrating skincare products essential for weathering cold temperatures.
Step into a world of self-care as you explore a curated selection of winter skincare essentials, leaving your skin refreshed and revitalized.
Clean your face with the Purifying Face Wash by Roosevelt Supply Co. With added organic fruit extracts and activated charcoal, you’re sure to clean off the toughest dirt and grime without being harsh on your skin.
Exfoliate your skin using the Las Flores | Mini Hydrate + Brighten Duo, which is a powerful formula by Esteli that gently exfoliates and nourishes, leaving your skin looking and feeling refreshed.
Ben’s Ranch Foundation will host a ribbon cutting on Thursday, Feb. 22 from 4:30 to 6 p.m. celebrating the opening of Hamilton County Stable at Koteewi Stable & Trails in Noblesville. The foundation supports programs that connect teens with mental health challenges to jobs on farms, in stables, and in equine therapy facilities.
Closing
After just a year open, InDanza Studio announced in an Instagram post that the doors will be closing to the dance studio for good on Thursday, Feb. 29. Owner Rubi Sima expressed her gratitude to everyone who helped make InDanza possible. The reason for closing was not stated.
Feel Good
Indianapolis shined bright as host city for the NBA All-Star festivities last week. Danny Lopez of Pacers Sports and Entertainment said, “They’re going to look at things we did as kind of the gold standard for how to pull these events off.” (FOX59)
Tech
Indianapolis-based organization TechPoint unveiled the nominees for the 2024 Mira Awards, celebrating Indiana’s top performers in the tech industry. Award categories include: Tech Innovation Team of the Year and Startup of the Year. Winners will be announced on Friday, April 26 at Old National Centre. (IBJ)
Announced
The Indianapolis Public Library will be hosting a free workshop series about how to launch a nonprofit. Programs will cover starting a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization + writing successful grant proposals. The Spring 2024 Nonprofit Workshop series launches on Saturday, Feb. 24 and goes until March 30.
Shop
If you’ve been wanting to get your hands on a Howl + Hide “Penny” bag, now is your chance. The second annual “Penny Tour” will take place Feb. 22-24. You can purchase a bag out the “Penny Wagon,” which will run for two hours daily around Fountain Square, Broad Ripple, and Mass Avenue. (WISH)
Sports
Tyrese Haliburton was the face of the NBA for four days. Hear what Locked On host Tony East has to say about how Haliburton handled it and what’s next for the Pacers on this daily team-focused podcast.
Where to view the 2024 Total Solar Eclipse in Indianapolis
Check out these prime viewing spots for the total solar eclipse on April 8. | Photo by NASA/Aubrey Gemignani
Where will you be watching the 2024 Solar Eclipse this April? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered, or rather, the sun’s got you covered.
Grab your solar eclipse glasses and get ready for yet another unforgettable event in Indy. On Monday, April 8, 2024, Indianapolis will be in the path of totality for the solar eclipse.
Pro tip: With just 47 days left to go, tickets for the following events have already started going on sale. Snag your spot soon so you can celebrate big.
A comfy fit to curl up in while it’s still sweatshirt and hoodie season. We love: this pink + lime crop by East of These and this Blue Ridge Parkway sweatshirt from Burlaep.
Strange Bird has been recommended to me countless times and I’ve been waiting for the day I’m able to visit. After living in Japan for about two years, I’ve been craving good ramen and Shoyu Shop is top of my list to try. Also, the glassware for the tiki drinks look incredible.
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