Longtime Indiana Avenue bar, restaurant closing
Bourbon Street Distillery at 361 Indiana Ave. will serve its last customers on Friday, after 15 years in business.
Bars/Taverns
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Are the gay bars in Indianapolis headed for extinction?
Since 2015 at least five gay bars have closed in the city, about half the total. Among the casualties: the venerable Varsity, dating back to the 1940s. Talbott Street, long-known for its drag shows, also closed, as did the 501 Eagle, a bar favored by leather enthusiasts since 1986.
Scotty’s Brewhouse founder completes sale of 17-restaurant chain
A Scottsdale, Arizona-based company announced Friday that it has closed on its acquisition of Indianapolis-based restaurant chain Scotty’s Brewhouse. IBJ first reported the deal in October.
Florida cigar bar commits to high-profile Circle Centre corner
Burn By Rocky Patel has agreed to take 5,500 square feet at the corner of Meridian and Maryland streets as mall operator Simon Property Group continues to fill spaces left by the departure of Nordstrom.
Scotty’s Brewhouse founder negotiating to sell stake in chain
The deal with an Arizona-based private-equity firm could take the small Indianapolis-based chain to 200 restaurants within the next four years, including locations in Japan.
City councilors seek restrictions on booze-cruising pedal pubs
Under rules to be proposed next week, operators of foot-powered trolleys on Indianapolis streets would need to be licensed and insured. City councilors also hope to address noise complaints.
Hoosier Momma momma tries hand at hard sodas
Indianapolis entrepreneur Erin Edds, former co-owner of Bloody Mary mix maker Hoosier Momma LLC, hopes to make a boozy splash with a beverage in a $116 million industry sector.
Louisville fried chicken chain plans Indianapolis location
Joella’s Hot Chicken, a Louisville-based restaurant chain with four locations in Kentucky, is planning to open an Indianapolis eatery and bar in mid-September, it announced Monday.
Longtime nightclub known for drag shows closing
Talbott Street Nightclub, which opened in 2002 on the city’s near-north side, announced it will quit serving patrons June 25.
North suburbs fermenting strategies for new liquor licenses
Noblesville is seeing unexpected demand for three-way liquor licenses in its Riverfront Redevelopment District. Other north-side communities are determining how to distribute additional liquor licenses approved by the state.
Cinemas try bars, recliners, dinner to lure customers
Movie theater operators are dangling a range of new amenities—from comfy recliners to full food menus and bar service—to lure prospective customers off their couches and into the multiplex.
More filling: Craft brew craze adds body to real estate market
A study from CBRE says that by summer more than 50 microbreweries will be operating in the Indianapolis area and occupying space that otherwise might have remained vacant.
Downtown eatery makes ‘100 Hottest Restaurants’ list
Only one dining spot in Indiana was selected for this year’s list of the “100 Hottest Restaurants in America,” named by online reservation service OpenTable.
Indiana OKs alcohol sales change for daylight saving time
Indiana residents might lose an hour of sleep this weekend when daylight saving time returns, but they won't lose any time to buy alcohol early Sunday.
Crowded by Mass Ave, Chatham Arch exploring permit parking
A surge of activity in the Mass Ave area is spilling over into the historic neighborhood that’s now considering whether to restrict parking on its streets.
More firms give employees chance to drink on the job
Observers say the trend is a reflection of the increasing blurring of the lines between work and social lives.
Owner closes all five Indy-area Bagger Dave’s restaurants
Southfield, Michigan-based Diversified Restaurant Holdings Inc. said it shut down eight of its 26 Bagger Dave’s restaurants in all, including seven in Indiana. It said the restaurants were losing money.
Artisan distilleries are on the rise since 2013 law change
The state has approved permits to let 13 distilleries sell vodka, bourbon, whiskey and other spirits directly to the public. More permits are under consideration.
DINING: Bloomington emigre latest to tap into Mass Ave bar biz
The ground-level anchor for the new Pulliam Square apartments offers plenty of space for socializing, both inside and out on the New York Street patio.
Craft breweries rush to open outposts in northern suburbs
Small breweries are tapping the northern Indianapolis suburbs. Four have opened just this year, essentially doubling Hamilton County’s craft beer market. And that growth is expected to continue.