Meeting & Event Planning Guide: Great cocktails to try in downtown Indy—and the recipes to make them at home
From fancy options to one you can take with you, we’ve got several options to choose from.
Bars/Taverns
Articles
Carmel council tables GOAT’s petition to reopen for additional city staff review
The owners of The Greatest of All Taverns, known as The GOAT, are trying to rezone their property in Carmel’s Midtown to allow the bar and restaurant to reopen. Now, city staff members are trying to determine a potential suitable zoning designation.
IBJ Podcast: Chatterbox owner explains why iconic bar waited until this month to reopen
The historic Chatterbox Jazz Club on Massachusetts Avenue downtown is so tiny that opening under pandemic restrictions would have meant just 20 or so people could be inside. That’s no way to make money. But now, the restrictions are gone and the club is about to reopen.
Owners of The GOAT in Carmel file petition to reverse zoning decision that shut down tavern
The owners say the Carmel Board of Zoning Appeals’ decision to deny a zoning variance that would permit the tavern “was arbitrary and capricious.” They also point to other bars and restaurants in close proximity to The GOAT that are allowed to operate.
Labor-starved restaurants, bars add bonuses, increased wages to the menu
Local restaurant owners battling a nationwide labor shortage are using alternative recruiting techniques and financial incentives to try to staff a returning dinner rush.
$28.6B federal relief program for restaurants launches this week
The Restaurant Revitalization Fund will provide up to $10 million per recipient to qualifying restaurants, bars, food trucks, caterers, and other eligible recipients based on their pandemic-related revenue losses.
Carmel zoning board closes The GOAT by denying owner’s request
The Carmel Board of Zoning Appeals on Monday denied the request that would’ve allowed for the continued operation of the tavern in a primarily residential neighborhood.
Health department cites two downtown bars for COVID-19 violations
The South Meridian Street bars, Tiki Bob’s Cantina and The Patron Saint, were cited for multiple violations including not requiring masks and social distancing. Both establishments corrected the violations, the health department said.
Gambling bill could help bars recover
Senate Bill 245 would double the prize limits for certain pull-tab games and allow the 1,242 bars and taverns with Type II gaming licenses to offer sports-themed pull-tab games and tip boards.
Marion County health officials shut down two clubs for COVID-19 violations
The health department said downtown club After 6 and Broad Ripple’s Casba Bar both violated pandemic-related health restrictions. Both clubs will have to submit risk-mitigation plans to reopen.
Indiana providing $15 Uber, Lyft credits in six cities
The Indiana Criminal Justice Institute says its Sober Ride Indiana pilot program will provide ride credits to the first 10,000 total rides through April 5. The program coincides with St. Patrick’s Day and the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament.
Judge rules against 20 local bar owners who sued over pandemic restrictions
The complaint was aimed at Marion County’s pandemic public health orders, which included tougher restrictions on bars and nightclubs in the county than those in most of the state.
Carmel announces temporary agreement allowing The GOAT to resume evening hours
The agreement sets restrictions on noise and capacity, based in part on the number of toilets that are available at the tavern.
Carmel to force controversial tavern on Monon Trail to close by 2 p.m. daily
The move comes after months of complaints about noise and public indecency at and around the tavern, which is located in the former Bub’s Cafe near a residential area.
Slippery Noodle Inn owner Hal Yeagy Jr. dies
Yeagy had owned the establishment since 1985, building it into a renowned spot for live blues music.
Chick-fil-A planning new downtown restaurant
The new Chick-fil-A will occupy the cellar and ground floor of 10 E. Washington St., which has been vacant since the menswear chain Jos. A. Bank closed its store there in 2017. Also this week: The Exchange Whiskey Bar and Dave & Buster’s.
City launches $11 million grant fund for hospitality industry
The program, called the Hospitality Establishment Lifeline Program, will provide grants to Marion County bars, restaurants and live entertainment venues that pay food and beverage taxes.
Bar owners sue city, health department over ‘arbitrary and unreasonable’ pandemic rules
The owners of 20 Marion County bars and nightclubs are suing Indianapolis, Mayor Joe Hogsett, Dr. Virginia Caine and the Marion County Public Health Department over COVID-19 pandemic restrictions that they say violate their constitutional rights.
Business groups criticize Marion County’s tougher restrictions on bars
The Indiana Amusement Operators Association and the Indiana License Beverage Association said bars and taverns in Marion County are finding it almost impossible to survive due to pandemic restrictions.
Marion County bars, nightclubs can reopen Tuesday—with restrictions
Marion County’s COVID-19 testing-positivity rate and hospitalizations have been on the decline in recent weeks, allowing the county to reopen more of the economy.