This downtown spot has plenty of space to gather outdoors. | Photo by @gatherindy
Is it just us, or does eating outside make food taste better?
Catch some rays or laze in the shade at one of these 25 Indy patios — while outdoor dining weather is still here. Pro tip: Don’t miss the shade level we’ve included for each of these locations.
Restaurants
BODHI | 922 Mass Ave. | Partially shaded The vibe on 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.
Gallery Pastry Shop | 4573 N. College Ave. | Partially shaded This chic SoBro spot offers creative dishes + European-inspired pastries with ample outdoor seating and a bar. Add this to your brunch or happy hour rotation.
Gather 22 | 22 E. 22nd St. | Mostly sunny 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.
Bars and breweries
Upland Brewing | 1201 Prospect St. | Partially shaded Right in the heart of Fountain Square, this is a perfect stop while walking the Cultural Trail or around the neighborhood. It’s a small-batch brewery with 22 beers on tap + a locally-focused menu. Pro tip: Well-behaved dogs are welcome outside.
Dugout Bar | 621 Virginia Ave. | Mostly sunny This friendly neighborhood bar has been offering a relaxed vibe, TVs for watching sports + hearty pub grub since 1954.
Accessible options
BRU Burger Bar | 410 Mass Ave. | Fully covered 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.
101 Beer Kitchen | 1200 S. Rangeline Rd., Carmel | Fully covered This north side spot provides a comfortable and friendly atmosphere featuring craft brews + American plates.
We Walk Indy - Taco Tuesday | Tuesday, Sept. 10 | 5:30-7:30 p.m. | Downtown Canal | Free | Join a community walk along the Canal and then stay for tacos and socializing at The Stutz.
Tuesday Trivia with QuiZZler Trivia | Tuesday, Sept. 10 | 7-9 p.m. | Mashcraft on Delaware | Free | Compete in team trivia for a chance to win prizes, including a half-time growler round.
Kan-Kan at The Vogue: Clue Murder Mystery Night | Thursday, Sept. 12 | 9 a.m. | The Vogue Theatre | $50+ | See “Clue” in 4D with interactive experiential elements and live characters — tickets include dinner, a prop kit, red carpet arrival with an old-time photographer, butler-guided entry, and more.
Zen & Zest: A Yoga+ Cocktail Experience | Thursday, Sept. 12 | 7-8 p.m. | 8th Day Distillery | $25 | Bring your own mat for a refreshing hour of yoga followed by a delicious cocktail or mocktail.
Friday, Sept. 13
Multilingual Read-Aloud: “Here There Be Monsters” | Friday, Sept. 13 | 6:30-9 p.m. | Indy Reads Bookstore | Free | Hear readings in multiple languages, each offering a unique perspective on the theme of monsters.
Indiana Fever vs. Las Vegas Aces | Friday, Sept. 13 | 7:30 p.m. | Gainbridge Fieldhouse | $25+ | Cheer on the Fever as they fight to pull a win over the Aces.
Take the road less traveled this fall in Amish Country. | Photo courtesy of Visit Elkhart County
As the air turns crisp and the leaves blaze with color, Elkhart County offers a quintessential fall experience just a few hours’ drive north from Indianapolis.
This charming region is brimming with seasonal activities that showcase the best of autumn in the Midwest. Here are some ideas to add to your itinerary:
Start your adventure at Kercher’s Sunrise Orchard in Goshen, where you can pick your own apples and enjoy fresh cider. The kids will love the wagon ride to the pumpkin patch.
Take a leisurely stroll or bike ride along the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail, which winds through vibrant forests + scenic farmland.
Don’t miss the Nappanee Apple Festival, a beloved local tradition featuring apple-themed treats and lively entertainment.
Cap off your day with a hearty meal at Das Dutchman Essenhaus in Middlebury, where the warmth of Amish hospitality and comforting dishes create the perfect end to a fall day.
Elkhart County in autumn is an idyllic escape, offering natural beauty and local charm at every turn. Pro tip: There’s more to explore, so make a weekend of it.
The Mass Ave Merchants Association is considering creating a designated outdoor refreshment area (DORA), which would be the first in Indianapolis. It would consist of a mile-long stretch of Mass Avenue from New York Street to I-65/70 and would need approval from City-County Council and the state. (IBJ)
Opening
Illumine Coffee Co. is opening in the Barnes & Thornburg Building (11 S. Meridian St.) downtown on Friday, Sept. 13 in the former Hubbard & Cravens spot. This will be Illumine’s second location. (IBJ)
Environment
Get on the water while making a positive impact with the 30th annual White River Clean-Up on Sunday, Sept. 15. Check-in will be at 8 a.m. at Conner Prairie + volunteers will get everything they need to help clean the river. Pre-registration and a $15 refundable deposit are required.
Biz
The Indy Black Chamber of Commerce is launching a four-week business development training program for aspiring entrepreneurs. Parachute will be held at the International District Community Center starting Monday, Sept. 9, from 6:30 to 8 p.m., and run weekly through Sept. 30. Register online.
Concert
Pop star P!NK is bringing her “Summer Carnival Tour” to Indy. It will make a stop at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 12. Tickets are on sale now at Live Nation. (WTHR)
Sports
It was another record-high night for the Fever. Aliyah Boston scored a career-high 30 points and grabbed 13 rebounds to help the Fever beat Atlanta 104-100 in overtime Sunday.CaitlinClark also posted her franchise-record 14th double-double of the season. (WTHR)
Edu
What would your high school’s football team do with $100,000? School officials can register your high school for the chance to win T-Mobile’s Friday Night 5G Lights contest. Psst — Center Grove High School is already in the running.
Listen
Indianapolis Colts QB Anthony Richardson made some huge plays Sunday in a 29-27 loss to the Houston Texans, but also missed a couple of difference-makers. Go beyond the scoreboardwith Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Home
Calling all home decorators. Color matching just got easier with the Nix Mini 3. Use it to match any hue with thousands of name-brand paint colors.*
Finance
Rates just dropped. Now could be the perfect time for you to tap into your home equity — calculate your payment.*
National
🇺🇸 Never forget
Remembering 9/11 in Indianapolis
The 9/11 Memorial in downtown Indianapolis was established in 2010 when the artifacts from Ground Zero were available for communities to create permanent local memorials. | Photo by Indiana War Memorials
If you’re downtown, there are a couple spots where you can stop for a moment of silence to honor those who lost their lives.
The Indiana 9/11 Memorial next to Indianapolis Fire Station 13 along the Canal was established in 2010 + was expanded for the 20th anniversary in 2021.
The memorial site is open from dawn to dusk and is free to visit. You can also pay tribute by participating in a 5K run/walk by the Department of Veterans Affairs that starts at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 11 at the memorial site.
Tomorrow, there will be a “Shining A Light” tribute on Monument Circle that will repeat every 30 minutes from 9 to 11 p.m.
The Buy
The Buy 9.10.24 (Affiliate)
The perfect shoe to dress up or down: a men’s leather Cole Haan traveler sneaker, new to Nordstrom Rack.
Yesterday, I stopped by Gallery Pastry Shop for brunch to take advantage of Offline’s $15 credit. As an Offline member, every month you get two credits to redeem at locally-owned restaurants that boast at least a 4+ star rating. Try your first month for free with code OFFLINE6AM.
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