INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Bars across Indianapolis are getting ready for a busy Monday night as Hoosier fans plan to head out for IU watch parties. Local bars say they are staffing up and ready to roll out the specials for IU fans.

“This is history for Indiana and IU,” IU fan, Jody Kofer said. “We are so excited to do this as one, as a community.”

The Tap, a bar located off of Delaware Street says they are ready to welcome in the Hoosier crowd. The manager, Sarah Gorman, says they are expecting to have one of their busiest days of the year on Monday.

“The past couple of games have just been absolutely crazy,” Gorman said. “I think this Monday is probably going to top it all.”

Kyle Miller, a server at The Tap, has been working there for about two years. He says big game days are always his favorite to work.

“It’s hard to walk in here, every table is full, everyone is cheering, and it’s just fun and gets crazy,” Miller said. “As much as you are not on the field or in the bleachers, you’re there, you are.”

Another local bar, Tie-Breakers, has only been open for about two months. The bar is located on Mass Ave. The owner, Wayne Raber, says they are expecting standing room only for the game.

“We are getting all the staff ready for a big day and an IU win,” Raber said. “We pretty much feel like this is an IU bar. The last games were packed, so we are looking forward to the excitement again.”

A server at Tie-Breakers, Jayce Nielsen, says working during recent IU games has felt like a maze trying to weave through the crowds while carrying hot plates of food.

“Coming out with three or four plates, you just got to try and get through a bunch of people, but it’s fun,” Nielsen said. “When the Hoosiers score, it is like an earthquake in here.”

Both The Tap and Tie-Breakers are bringing special deals for the crowds on Monday, but those aren’t the only bars rolling out deals for the game. Below you can find a list of Indianapolis bars that are hosting “watch parties,” where you can enjoy some good food, drinks, and a great seat for the big game.

Indianapolis Area Options

Tie-Breakers – 339 Massachusetts Ave

The Tap – 306 N Delaware St

The Hangar – $40 ticketed event at 501 Madison Ave. Doors open at 5 p.m.

Tom’s Watch Bar – 140 S. Illinois St.

Ralston’s Drafthouse – 635 Massachusetts Ave.

Liter House: Free ticketed event with capped attendance at 5301 Winthrop Ave. from 6-10 p.m.

A little bit of sun may have shined over Central Indiana Saturday morning, but colder air has already settled in over the region for the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend.

Chilly days are ahead, the National Weather Service Indianapolis says. Hoosiers are advised to layer up if they are outside for prolonged periods of time — including if it’s to cheer on the Indiana University Hoosiers football team in Monday night’s championship game against the University of Miami.

“We had a little bit of sun this morning, but the clouds are moving back in,” said Kacie Fuson, meteorologist for NWS Indianapolis. “We’ve got chances for flurries for much of the day.”

Temperatures are expected to top out in the 20s on Saturday and Sunday, with Monday forecasted to be the coldest day of the holiday weekend. Fuson said a high of around 16 degrees is expected. Chillingly, however, it will feel even colder. Wind chills are expected to drop as low as -5 to -10 degrees over the weekend through Monday.

“It makes it feel even colder,” she said. “If you’re spending a lot of time outside, the wind is going to quickly decrease your body temperature because the warmth around you disappears faster.”

More: Extreme cold: Why your house is popping and how to prevent your windows from cracking

The colder weather is expected to linger until mid-week, when the high will be near 40 on Wednesday, before temperatures boomerang. Toward the end of the week, Central Indiana can expect temperatures to drift back to near 30.

For now, Hoosiers, especially those out and about watching and celebrating the championship game, are advised to layer up and stay inside when possible.

“They definitely need to bundle up and try and find a place to watch the game indoors or near a heater,” Fuson said.

What’s the National Weather Service weekend forecast?

According to NWS Indianapolis, the following weather conditions are expected this weekend:

Saturday: Isolated snow showers before 11 a.m., then scattered flurries afterward. It’s expected to be partly sunny, with a steady temperature around 26 degrees. West wind will be around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. The night’s weather is expected to be partly cloudy, with a low around 13 degrees and west wind 9 to 11 mph.

Sunday: A 20% chance of snow after 1 p.m. It’s expected to be mostly sunny, with a high near 25 degrees. West southwest wind 7 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Sunday night weather conditions are expected to be cloudy, then gradually become partly cloudy. There will be a low around 11 degrees, and southwest wind 9 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph.

Monday: It’ll be mostly sunny, with a high near 17 degrees. West wind forecasted to be around 14 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. Monday night conditions will be mostly clear, with a low around 6 degrees and west wind 6 to 8 mph.

See the rest of the NWS Indianapolis 7-day forecast for Central Indiana.

Contact IndyStar investigative reporter Alexandria Burris at aburris@gannett.com. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter, at @allyburris and on Bluesky at‪@allymburris.bsky.social‬.

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Citizens Energy Group announced the start of construction on the White River North Water Treatment Plant in Indianapolis, with multiple public information sessions planned.

The Citizens-Lebanon Water Supply Program (CLWSP) is a multi-year initiative designed to enhance water delivery to Lebanon Utilities and improve service across Marion County.

CEG says it will also ensure a reliable water supply even during extreme weather conditions.

According to a release by CEG, The Citizens-Lebanon Water Supply Program will allow for the delivery of up to 25 million gallons of water per day to Lebanon Utilities, strengthening the water system that serves Marion County and eight other communities in Central Indiana.

CEG says construction will not cause interruptions to water service for existing customers and will also involve standard construction activities such as concrete pours and truck traffic during the day.

New public information sessions for the CLWSP will take place at the Indianapolis Public Library’s Pike Branch on Jan. 20, Feb. 3, Feb. 17, March 3 and April 7 to keep citizens informed about the construction.

Some local residents are protesting the build. Just last week, more than two dozen concerned citizens brought attention to the utility’s plan to send water from Eagle Creek Reservoir to the developing LEAP District in Lebanon.

CEFG says the estimated cost for this overall project is $560 million and will be financed without passing costs onto customers, as it is supported by the Indiana Finance Authority funding.