03.12.2024

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Today’s Forecast

🌤️ Patio weather, we’re ready for you

Dine outdoors in Indy

Outdoor patio with trellis covered with vines

Hard not to love a dreamy urban jungle like this. | Photo via @bodhi.indy

With the taste of warmer weather we’ve had recently, local restaurants + bars are raising the roof — patio season is upon us.

You can bask in the sun and sip on the sidewalk at these local spots.

BODHI, 922 Mass Ave.

The vibe at Bodhi’s patio transports you to an urban jungle surrounded by a wall of greenery + a roof of vines, topped off with string lights to set the mood. While you’re there, you can sip on the refreshing Afterlife Surprise mocktail.

Vicino, 350 Mass Ave., Ste. 150

It’s hard to miss this patio on Mass Avenue with its blue umbrellas and perfect view of Ann Dancing. Cheers to patio weather, good vibes, and Italian eats. Try the meatball bolognese or pear + brie crudo to get you started.

Gather 22, 22 E. 22nd St.

This new spot to gather for coffee, cocktails, and bites has a full patio out back — complete with tables, chairs, space heaters (if needed), and grass for your furry friends.

Outdoor patio space with tables and chairs — This downtown spot has plenty of space to gather outdoors, too.
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Photo by @gatherindy

Livery, 720 N. College Ave.

Here at INDYtoday, we love a rooftop and a patio — and this spot has the best of both worlds. The rooftop patio is strung with lights to set the mood while you enjoy Latin-inspired dishes.

Bluebeard, 653 Virginia Ave.

While taking a stroll on the Cultural Trail in Fountain Fletcher, there’s no better place to stop for a bite than Bluebeard. Try some of the best + most inventive drinks and cuisine in the country — right here in Indy. Make room for dessert with a unique creation by pastry chef Youssef Boudarine.

BRU Burger Bar, 410 Mass Ave.

There’s nothing like eating a good burger outside on a sunny day. No matter what day of the week it is, if it’s nice out — you’ll probably have to wait a second to get a seat. But it’ll be worth the wait if you love burgers and a patio vibe.

City Guides are presented by Life In Indy.

6+ more patios to enjoy

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Events

Tuesday, March 12

2024 Barbasol Horizon League Basketball Championships | Tuesday, March 12 | 12 p.m. | Indiana Farmers Coliseum, 1202 E. 38th St., Indianapolis | $15-$30 | Watch the remaining teams compete for automatic bids to the NCAA Men’s and Women’s Tournaments.
Dune: Part Two - The IMAX 70mm Experience | Tuesday, March 12-Wednesday, March 20 | Times vary | Indiana State Museum, 650 W. Washington St., Indianapolis | $17-$20 | See Denis Villeneuve’s “Dune: Part Two” in IMAX 70mm film — at one of 12 theaters in the world to do so.

Wednesday, March 13

Happy Hour Supporting Dayspring Center | Wednesday, March 13 | 4:30-6 p.m. | Union 50, 620 N. East St., Indianapolis | Free | Learn about Dayspring Center’s community impact and opportunities for involvement while enjoying complimentary light appetizers and drinks.

Thursday, March 14

She Leads | Thursday, March 14 | 6-8:30 p.m. | The Speak Easy, 5255 Winthrop Ave., Ste. 110, Indianapolis | $15 | In celebration of Women’s History Month, join an evening dedicated to exploring the journey of women who have shattered glass ceilings to build successful brands, companies, and communities.

Friday, March 15

St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Tent Party | Friday, March 15 | 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. | North Street between Meridian and Pennsylvania | Free | You’re invited to this longstanding Indianapolis tradition complete with parade floats, marching bands, and bagpipes.
Holliday Park Trail Run | Friday, March 15-Saturday, March 16 | Times vary | Holliday Park, 6363 Spring Mill Rd., Indianapolis | $18-$40 | This event includes fun for the whole family Friday evening, and both a five-mile run and three-mile hike on Saturday morning.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

Shop

Top drawer looking sad? Time for a spring refresh.

Bombas’ top spring products include the Lightweight No Show Sock + Garden Party Ankle Sock. | Photo by Bombas

It’s time to spring clean your top drawer — and Bombas’ comfy, invisible socks will gladly replace your old, mismatched pairs.

Their no-show styles vanish under shoes, while blister tabs keep your heels happy. Plus, one pair purchased equals one pair donated to those in need.

Select top picks for spring are currently 5-15% off. (We love the Lightweight No-Show Sock 4-Pack + Garden Party Ankle Sock 4-Pack.) Plus, orders $50+ ship free.

Bonus: New customers can use code 6AM20 for an extra 20% off.

Shop spring socks

News Notes

Announced

The newly-formed Indy Black Heritage & Legacy Trail announced it plans to host walking tours in 2025. The trail will use heritage markers to highlight Black history in Haughville, Babe Denny, Norwood, Martindale and neighborhoods west and northwest of downtown. The first walking tours will coincide with Juneteenth. (IBJ)

Opening

Family Leisure is getting ready to open its first new location in Indiana since 1985. The new 10,000-sqft store located at 2150 E. 116th St. in Carmel will focus on swimming pools,
spas, patio furniture, and entertainment + will showcase a fully functional fiberglass inground pool. It’s planned to open in April.

Edu

Today, local high school students can attend the Greater Indianapolis Northside College Fair from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Grand Park Events Center in Westfield. More than 100 colleges and universities will be represented at the fair to provide information to students. The event is free. (WISH)

Community

Is it lunchtime yet? Local delivery kitchen ClusterTruck announced that starting the weekend of March 16 and running exclusively on weekends through March, it will be giving away free solar eclipse glasses, while supplies last. Order online.

Sports

The Indianapolis Colts signed linebacker Zaire Franklin to a three-year contract extension worth $31.26 million, according to reports. Franklin was drafted by the Colts out of Syracuse University in the seventh round of the 2018 NFL Draft + has been a team captain since the 2020 season. (WTHR)

Eat

Indy’s biggest food festival, “Taste of Indy,” returns to White River State Park on Saturday, July 6 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Guests will be able to enjoy interactive chef demonstrations, a wine and beer garden, all-day concerts, and a kids’ play area. Admission is $15. Get tickets. (WTHR)

Trending

Iowa’s (and expected soon-to-be Fever’s) Caitlin Clark has surpassed NBA star Steph Curry’s record of most three-pointers hit in a single NCAA Division-I season. Clark’s been on a streak of breaking records + recently became the NCAA Division-I all-time leading scorer for men’s and women’s basketball. (WRTV)

Sports

The Indiana Pacers got a huge win over the Orlando Magic on Sunday. Hear how the Pacers got it done behind Pascal Siakam and T.J. McConnell’s impact + what Bennedict Mathurin being ruled out for the season means for the team with Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.

Coming Soon

Drum roll, please… Our sister newsletter in Charlotte, NC will launch on Monday, March 18. From the latest news about developments and restaurants to fun events around town, we’re covering everything you need to know about Queen City. Just like this newsletter, it’s 100% free, 100% local, and 100% informative. Subscribe today.

Civic

🏛️ “I’m just a bill”

Bills that survived the 2024 legislative session

View of the Indiana Statehouse from Monument Circle with a colorful sky.

The state offers resources and guidance to help make its local businesses successful. | Photo by @realalexfrick

Indiana lawmakers closed the books on the 2024 legislative session on Friday + bills are now headed to Gov. Holcomb’s desk to either be signed or vetoed.

Here’s a look at what the legislature accomplished in the past few months.

Legalizing happy hour

If you didn’t know, now you do. “Happy Hour” discounts have been barred from restaurants since the 1980s + Indiana has remained one of a small handful of states that has kept the ban all these years. House Bill 1086 would legalize social hour once again.

Downtown tax district

We told you about the proposal that was approved by City-County Council back in December. ICYMI — Senators put language into the state budget at the last minute in 2023 to allow the city to pass a special downtown tax. The House proposed repealing it in House Bill 1199. The compromise: Indianapolis can have their taxing district, but they have to exempt certain groups + go through the ordinance-passing process all over again.

Reduced wetland protections

House Bill 1383 was the first bill Gov. Holcomb signed into law this year, despite the feelings of environmental advocates and state regulators. It strips more protections from the state’s few remaining wetlands.

Read about more bills that have passed or died this legislative session.

The Buy

The Lavender Fields Eye Pillow Set. With items like the crystal-infused lavender eye pillow and crystal-infused sleep mist, we’re dreaming of better sleep this week after Daylight Savings.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Nicole

From the editor

Speaking of Indiana government, this week is Civic Learning Week — a national civics-learning initiative to promote a strong democracy. The Court of Appeals of Indiana + the Indiana Bar Foundation are inviting the community to watch this video to learn more about the important role of the judiciary in our democracy + to get to know the people “behind the robes.”

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