Welcome to Indianapolis!

by Kurtis Hahn | posted at 2010-03-11 01:35:00
tagged: MTG, Magic, Magic the Gathering, StarCityGames, StarCity, SCG, Open, StarCityGames.com, Indianapolis, Travel Guide, Kurtis Hahn, Kurt Hahn

 

As the host of GenCon for several years now, many hard-core gamers know what to do when coming to Indianapolis. August is a hot time of year and while the Circle City is a great time whatever the calendar says, it’s much nicer in the springtime. So, specifically for those of you coming to the tournaments March 12-14, I’ll show you something right up your alley to incorporate into your stay in Indy.

 

Downtown

 

You can only play test or money draft so much. Eventually you have to eat, and one of my biggest regrets from my traveling days playing Magic was my penchant for eating at McDonalds, Burger King, Steak ‘n Shake and Subway. When you're playing during the day and any food will suffice, that’s fine, but be sure to budget (time is as important as money on weekend gaming trips) a nice local spot during your stay. Lots of things are open late downtown so Friday night when you get to town or Saturday after a long day of battling is perfect to walk around, see some of the sights and catch a great meal.

 

These are just a few of the restaurants and bars you should enjoy while in the city, just one block east of convention center, check out Illinois Street between Maryland and Georgia.

 

Mikado is the city’s highest-rated Japanese restaurant and has a nice sushi menu for those inclined and plenty of other options if you want to play it more conservative. I recommend the seared scallops and pepper prawns.

 

Harry and Izzy’s from the creators of St. Elmo Steak House (a block north of Harry and Izzy’s) dressed down a little. The atmosphere is more casual than St. Elmo’s and has separate lunch and dinner menus. No matter when you go, I recommend the Steakburger - ten ounces of heaven with spicy mayo. Don’t forget dessert; a cheese plate with fruits, aged gouda, bleu and white cheddars and you can get it with a bottle of Port.

 

Another block east to Meridian St. opens up the Old Spaghetti Factory (south of Georgia) and Jillian’s (north of Georgia.) Jillian’s was a great time last I was there with several people visiting. Restaurant downstairs with a play area upstairs; Jillian’s is great for Magic players. Gamble for shots at the bar upstairs while you ski-ball, shoot hoops or use the private pool area

 

Meridian St. is also a good starting point if you want to go out to the clubs. Tiki Bob’s is right next to Have a Nice Day Café is next to Ice Ultra Lounge, across the street from Blu Lounge. Blu’s contemporary atmosphere offers V.I.P. service: themed rooms, leather couches, and beds surrounded by sheer curtains set the bar for all downtown entertainment. You can also take in a comedy show at Cracker’s and check out Taps and Dolls upstairs to play pool, darts and drink. On Jackson Street (south of Georgia) you can eat and drink (and ride the bull) at Cadillac Ranch (non-smoking.) Be sure to check out the back bar and say hello to the lovely bartenders, Casey and Casey.

 

For an amazing atmosphere, check out the Slippery Noodle Inn. Indiana’s oldest bar (operated from the same location since 1850) the Slippery Noodle (372 S. Meridian) has some of the best blues acts in the business and has tons of live acts. I saw Tommy Castro this winter and the intimate setting was a GREAT time. DIS-IS-IT!

 

Just west of the Slippery Noodle is the Ugly Monkey. Should the weather cooperate, drink out on the patio facing South Street, and if you’re looking for gentleman’s entertainment, head down Illinois a block further south and check out Red Garter.

 

For a group that has gotten to my age and just wants to relax, talk and drink, Nicky Blaine’s (20 N. Meridian St. on the Circle) is a premier cocktail lounge in the city. The Martini Racing Room is done in racing art but the whole full-service cocktail lounge and cigar room is decked out in leather couches and chairs and promotes conversation, fine bourbon, specialty martinis and wide array of cigar selections. I don’t get to go to Nicky Blaine’s as often as I would like, but every time I leave feeling like it was just what I needed to unwind…or prepare myself for the night ahead.

 

Also near the circle, Oceanaire Seafood Room is on Meridian just north of Maryland (30 S. Meridian St.) and dinner is served from 5PM-11PM Fridays and Saturdays, with lunch available starting at 11AM. You can check them out online, (www.theoceanaire.com) but trust me when I tell you their dinner menu and oyster bar are second to none.

 

If you are looking for that same type of chat-it-up atmosphere without the price tag of Nicky Blaine’s, you can play pool and darts at The Elbow Room (Pennsylvania and North) and it has bars upstairs and down AND get one of the city’s best breaded tenderloins (don’t leave Indianapolis without having one) and say hello to Eli, the bartender, while you are there.

 

Northeast of the Circle is Massachusetts Avenue, commonly called “Mass Ave.” Live music every night can be found at the Chatterbox Jazz Club, one of the most historic hangouts downtown.

 

Also be sure to check out the Rathskeller Restaurant as you head northeast on the diagonal Mass. Ave. First and foremost, as you get north of New York Ave, hit Front Page Tavern and MacNiven’s restaurant and bar.

 

Downtown isn’t the only place that jumps on the weekends in Indianapolis. 

 

Broad Ripple is six miles north of downtown (less than a $25 cab ride) and for those familiar with Madison, Wisconsin’s State Street, Broad Ripple Avenue is a smaller version. Two dozen bars, several great places to eat and a party-in-the-street atmosphere keeps bar-goers hopping from place to place. 

 

Dance clubs, sports bars and live music can be found in Broad Ripple. The Vogue has been in Broad Ripple for years and has hosted world-famous acts through its days. Last year I saw Snoop Dogg and Method Man and Redman in the old movie theater venue with bars and seating upstairs and downstairs. The Vogue is very open and has a large dance floor in front of the stage.

 

CT Peppers and Landsharks are both dance clubs; Peppers sometimes has live music upstairs and on weekends a DJ and dance floor downstairs.

 

If you want to warm up with a place that is more laid-back, I recommend Broad Ripple Tavern; I used to frequent this spot even before I began working here in May 2007. Lots of seating, two bars open on the weekends, open windows to the street, pool tables, Golden Tee and a projection screen for the game (not to mention two dozen flat screens) make Broad Ripple Tavern (745 Broad Ripple Avenue, one block east of College) a premier place to gather with friends and is as good to start the night as it is to finish. We make a pretty mean hand-breaded tenderloin and the full menu is available until 10PM. If you are a sports fan, represent strong as IU, Purdue, Ball State, Butler, Notre Dame, Colts, Pacers, Cubs, and Reds fans all watch their games here. I’m a bit of an anomaly with my Marquette jersey and Milwaukee sports attire.

 

If you are a beer connoisseur, Brugge is your place. Located on Westfield Blvd. just north of Broad Ripple Avenue is one of the top brewpubs in the city. Brugge has a light menu and closes a little earlier than places on the immediate Broad Ripple Avenue strip so go have a “Tripel” in the afternoon or early evening. (Now serving QuadRipple on draft.)

 

For a classic dive bar, just east of Broad Ripple Tavern is the Alley Cat Lounge (cash only). Four pool tables and experienced bartenders are just the tip of the iceberg and come last call (3AM Fridays and Saturdays) the patrons are very eclectic with a wide array of music being played on the jukebox. A dive bar isn’t a dive bar without cans of PBR and the Alley Cat reminds me of the Paradise on the Capitol Circle in Madison.

 

If you are starting early in Broad Ripple, I recommend two other places to eat; Broad Ripple Steakhouse and Binkley’s Kitchen and Grill (59th and College, 3 blocks south of Broad Ripple Ave.) before heading to your destination.

 

No matter where you go, remember, some places have dress codes and cover, others don’t (come as you are to the Broad Ripple Tavern, Binkley’s and Elbow Room) so be sure you are dressed appropriately for what you want to do. Bring two pieces of ID wherever you go (a credit card with name matching your license is fine) so you don’t get shut out anywhere.

 

Please learn from my mistakes: just because you are out of town doesn’t mean you can’t get yourself into trouble, especially while drinking. Indianapolis is a friendly Midwestern city so compose yourself correctly and remember, you are a guest. Behave as you’d want me to behave when I come to your town.

 

There are cabs everywhere downtown and in Broad Ripple so transportation isn’t a problem, though parking on the weekends often is. Play it safe and walk or taxi it when you are exploring the city and don’t drink and drive. 

 

Questions for Kurtis about Indianapolis? Ask them in the forums using the link below!

 

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