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Just southeast of downtown Indianapolis is a quirky neighborhood full of restaurants, breweries, and...duckpin bowling! Check out a local's guide to everything Fountain Square has to offer.  Disclosure: some of the links below are affiliate links. If you purchase a linked item, I will make a commission, at no extra charge to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Updated November, 2023. Considering a visit to Fountain Square? Beers at Chilly Water Brewing, Fountain Square Fountain Square is one of the most vibrant Indianapolis cultural districts. With its heart (and eponymous fountain) at the intersection of Shelby Street, Virginia Street, and Prospect Street, Fountain Square has been an important part of the city from its earliest beginnings. From residential farms to the commercial hub of the south side of Indianapolis in the mid-19th century, by the 1950's, the area was in decline. Such decline, in fact, that its fountain was actually removed and put displayed in a nearby park. As if things weren't bad enough, next the interstates came through (more on that later), and it wasn't until the 1990's that Fountain Square started to be seen as a potential diamond in the rough. The city rallied 'round, and Fountain Square saw a surge in investment and became a popular spot for new restaurants to venture, somewhat off the beaten track. Today, Fountain Square today retains many of its old buildings, updated, and made functional (and funky). Where is Fountain Square? The Fountain Square neighborhood is to the southeast of downtown Indianapolis, just on the other side of 70/65 from the center of the heart of the city. How do I get to Fountain Square? Fountain Square is easily accessible from downtown Indianapolis, either by car or bike! Fountain Square is on the Indianapolis Cultural Trail, the city's 8-mile urban bike trail and pedestrian path, so I hope you'll consider renting a bike to head down for your visit. Can I take the redline to Fountain Square? Yes! The IndyGo Red Line has several stops in the Fountain Square neighborhood. Can I walk to Fountain Square? You can walk to Fountain Square from the "tourist center" of Indianapolis, but depending where you're coming from, it's a bit of a hike. In particular, if you're coming from the Convention Center/Lucas Oil area, it's not walkable. If you stay on the Cultural Trail from downtown, you shouldn't feel unsafe, but it might be too far, especially if you want to see all of Fountain Square once you get there.  The Indianapolis Cultural Trail running through Fountain Square Is Fountain Square safe? Yes! While the news likes flashy posts about police-involved public safety events "near" Fountain Square, the main drag is large and perfectly safe. I wouldn't wander aimlessly for blocks and blocks outside of the commercial district, but you'll be completely fine at any of the spots recommended here. Need date night ideas? Check out my 15 Unique Date Night Ideas in Indianapolis. FAQ: What is Fletcher Place? Ok, some of the places I'm going to discuss are technically in Fletcher place. More of a residential area, Fletcher Place is a favorite of young professionals and encompasses the area that we would broadly call "Fountain Square" that's closer to downtown Indy, before you cross the interstate into the 'heart' of Fountain Square. Fun Restaurants in Fountain SquareBluebeard Indy One of the closest Fountain Square restaurants to downtown Indianapolis, Bluebeard Indy is an eccentric treasure, named after a book by Indianapolis native, Kurt Vonnegut. Since it opened in 2012, Bluebeard has constantly topped the lists of Indy's best restaurants, with good reason. Come for great cocktails, intricate dishes, and an astonishing typewriter collection. milktooth  People waiting for delicious brunch at milktooth Often touted as the best restaurant in Indianapolis, milktooth is a quirky blend of quirky cocktails and unique takes on the brunch basics. You'll see it on every list of "things to do in Indianapolis," where it belongs, though it is less of a phenom than it used to be. Get here early, grab a Bloody Mary, and expect to wait a bit. It's worth it. La Margarita Great Mexican food, and even better margaritas (obviously), La Margarita is a go-to for Mexican in downtown Indianapolis that's been in Fountain Square since before the area was cool (again). Check out the great patio to see all the happenings at one of the major intersections in Fountain Square. If you're looking for Mexican with a higher-end twist, head up to Livery on Mass Ave. Interested in exploring Mass Ave? Check out my guide to the best restaurants on Mass Ave (just about a mile north of Fountain Square). Red Lion Grog House For pub classics, stop by Red Lion Grog House. In addition to go-to pub fare and an amazing British beer selection (harder to find than you might think), Red Lion's buffalo chicken wrap is to die for. Extra credit: Amelia's Specializing in "sourdough breads and pastries in the European tradition," Amelia's has now spread beyond its original Fletcher Place location and we can't get enough of their dough creations. Stop by, grab a pastry and a cup of coffee while you explore. Only outdoor seating is available. Breweries and DistilleriesChilly Water Brewing Company For a fun ambiance, and some of the best outdoor seating in Fountain Square, Chilly Water Brewing Company was our favorite bike-able destination from where we lived on Mass Ave! The Fire on the Mountain hummus and the Built to Last Pilsner is my go-to for a perfect Sunday afternoon. Upland Fountain Square  Upland, Fountain Square An ever-expanding export from the much hillier home of Indiana University, Bloomington, Upland Brewing has quickly made its name as a Hoosier classic. The beer is delicious, the bar fare is pretty standard, and the tenderloin is a must-have if you're an out-of-towner. Hotel Tango Indy is making its mark on the distillery scene with Hotel Tango, a home-grown classic. Drop by Hotel Tango for fun cocktails, a cozy interior, and a laid-back vibe. Wondering about the name? Looking for even more Indianapolis breweries? Check out my list of the best breweries in downtown Indianapolis! Unique Bars in Fountain SquareRooftop Garden: The rooftop bar in Fountain Square Maybe it's not surprising that there aren't many rooftop bars in Indianapolis. We aren't known for our great weather. But when the weather is good, we sure do enjoy it! So stop by Rooftop Garden, one Indianapolis's few rooftop bars! They have a few appetizers, but it's definitely a "bar," so make it a stop before continuing onto dinner! The Inferno Room: Indianapolis' Tiki Bar Similarly, Indianapolis may not be known for its Tiki scene, but it should be! The owners of world class The Inferno Room did an incredible amount of research (umm jealous!) to bring Tiki culture here to the heartland. The Inferno Room is a truly immersive experience, from blacked out windows, to rain showers, flaming drinks, and intricate skulls and masks. As the bartender for recommendations if you aren't familiar with these types of drinks, but you really can't go wrong. Make sure you get at least one cocktail that is on fire. Entertainment Options in Fountain SquareFountain Square has several fun entertainment options beyond its bars and restaurants. Duckpin BowlingFountain Square is proudly home to the oldest duckpin bowling in Indianapolis, Atomic Bowl. Formerly a "summer" version of bowling (a winter sport), duckpin bowling is similar to its counterpart, but with a smaller ball and pins. Visiting the restored, 1930's bowling alley, located in the heart of Fountain Square in the Fountain Square Theatre building, is a true treat. The Theatre started out as a 1500-seat Vaudeville theater, when it was built in 1928, and is now mainly a wedding venue (and home to, as we discussed the rooftop bar). Duckpin bowling is right at the top, and yes, they have a bar.  The Idle, Fountain SquareFountain Square's decline of almost a century ago occurred as the area became largely separated from other areas of Indianapolis by the building of a number of interstates. But, seeking to use this as a spark of innovation, the city has created The Idle, one of the most unique park ideas I've ever heard of. Here, you can sit and watch the traffic go by. Yup, that's it. Strangely, it is relaxing. The traffic noise starts to become a background buzz...is commuter traffic the Indianapolis ocean? Maybe.
Live Music Venues
Extra Credit: Garfield ParkA five-minute drive south of Fountain Square, off of East Raymond Street is Garfield Park. Featuring a sunken garden (free to visit) and a conservatory (small charge to enter; open limited hours- check entrance times before visiting). Thanks for stopping by!Hope you enjoy your trip to Fountain Square! Don't forget to add nearby Mass Ave to your Indy to-do list and check out all of my other Indianapolis resources. Love it? Pin it!
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