Indianapolis, IN

Indianapolis area restaurants that opened and closed in January 2024

Published

2 years ago

February 1, 2024

Press Room

Indianapolis area restaurants that opened and closed in January 2024

Get the latest on the Indy dining scene delivered to your inbox. Sign up for our Indylicious newsletter.

A mere month into the new year, Indianapolis’ dining scene saw a number of shakeups. Some new names entered the fray, including an upscale restaurant owned by the Pacers.

Meanwhile, a slew of chains and local favorites closed their doors. Find out what came and went in central Indiana in the first month of the year below.

Restaurant openings:

World Famous HotBoys

4335 W 106th St., Carmel, opened Jan. 13

The Oakland, California-based fried chicken chain first arrived to Indianapolis in Fountain Square in 2022. The Carmel location is HotBoys’ fifth, bringing spicy fried chicken, crinkle-cut fries and a biscuit-donut hybrid fittingly called Bonuts to Hamilton County.

Commission Row

110 S. Delaware St., opened Jan. 22

Owned by Pacers Sport and Entertainment and operated by Cunningham Restaurant Group, Commission Row is a three-story venue complete with a steakhouse, speakeasy and private event space. Executive chef Corey Fuller’s menu goes big on seafood and prime cuts, while the basement bar, Mel’s, offers an expansive cocktail menu in a cozy speakeasy setting.

Sneak peek: See inside Commission Row

Restaurant closings:

Rooster’s Kitchen

888 Massachusetts Ave., closed Dec. 31

Rooster’s moved into the former home of fine dining restaurant R. Bistro, which served Mass Ave customers for 15 years before closing in early 2016. Chicago transplant Ross Katz’s menu featured upscale comfort food and craft beer. After over seven years, Rooster’s announced on Facebook that it would close at the end of 2023.

World of Beer

409 Massachusetts Ave., closed Dec. 31

World of Beer shuttered its downtown Indy location after five years. The Florida-based brewery chain has 40 locations throughout America, pouring about 300 different craft beers alongside classic pub food. The Mass Ave brewery was World of Beer’s only location in Indiana.

Indonesian food in Indy: Embracing the fire at Wisanggeni Pawon, Indianapolis’ newest Indonesian restaurant

Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux

247 S. Meridian St., closed Jan. 14

In May 2023, the Louisiana-based Cajun-inspired eatery moved into the former street-level home of After 6 nightclub, which closed in 2022 alongside upstairs neighbors Taps and Dolls and 247 Sky Lounge. Building owner and Walk-On’s franchisee Todd Johnson opened the family-friendly restaurant in the hopes of revitalizing a venue with a recent history of safety concerns. Walk-On’s vice president of communications Andy Izquierdo said the franchise will relocate elsewhere in the Indy metro area.

HopCat Broad Ripple

6280 N. College Ave., closed Jan. 28

After 10 years in the heart of Broad Ripple, the Michigan-based brewery chain announced on Facebook that it would pull out of the Hoosier State. It leaves behind a high-profile location along the Red Line near the Central Canal.

Mimi Blue Meatballs

807 Massachusetts Ave., closed Jan. 30

The Mass Ave favorite closed its original and last remaining location, citing mounting operational costs. Mimi Blue opened in 2015 as a collaboration between Zionsville-based development company Kosene & Kosene and Sangiovese Ristorante owner Chris Evans. Co-owner Gerald Kosene said he would mourn the loss of a gathering space for Mimi customers, particularly the LGBTQ+ community that frequented the restaurant’s monthly drag brunches.

Contact dining reporter Bradley Hohulin at bhohulin@gannett.com. You can follow him on Twitter/X @bradleyhohulin.

Source link

Click to comment

Indianapolis, IN

New exhibit at Indiana Historical Society celebrates U.S. 250th anniversary

Published

8 hours ago

April 11, 2026

Press Room

New exhibit at Indiana Historical Society celebrates U.S. 250th anniversary

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The Indiana Historical Society new exhibit, Freedom’s Framework, is opening Saturday which celebrates the United States’ 250th anniversary at the Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center.

The Historical Society says the exhibit explores how the ideals set forth at the country’s founding influenced its expansion and development, particularly in the Old Northwest Territory.

The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 is the main feature of the exhibit which is a piece of legislation that established a blueprint for governing new territories and admitting states to the Union.

“Freedom’s Framework is an opportunity to connect people to the ideas that built this country and to better understand how those ideas were tested, challenged and carried forward. As we approach America’s 250th anniversary, this exhibit invites visitors to reflect not just on where we’ve been, but on how those foundational principles continue to shape our future,” said Jody Blankenship, President and CEO of the Indiana Historical Society.

Freedom’s Framework will feature a range of historical materials, including rare documents, artifacts and images from the Indiana Historical Society’s and other institution’s collections.

The exhibit will remain on view through August 7, 2027.

Source link

Indianapolis, IN

NCAA Final Four in Indianapolis breaks attendance records

Published

20 hours ago

April 11, 2026

Press Room

NCAA Final Four in Indianapolis breaks attendance records

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The NCAA has released Final Four attendance numbers.

More than 86,000 people attended the Fan Fest at the Indianapolis Convention Center during the Final Four Weekend.

It broke the overall attendance record and single-day records for Friday, Saturday, and Monday.

The NCAA says more than 142,000 people attended the semifinals and the national championship—
not to mention the thousands who showed up for fan activities.

For downtown businesses, that turnout translated into a major boost.

At 16-Bit Barcade in the heart of downtown Indy, things have slowed down compared to last week.
Staff say the Final Four more than doubled their usual customer traffic. Host Trinity Surbrook said, “We got to the point where we were telling people to stop and wait we’re not letting people in at that moment, and we’re waiting for other people to leave. It was a whole lot. We made bunch of good money and it was a lot of fun.”

The NCAA reports fans came from 49 of 50 states and 12 countries. “It was so interesting to see people passionate about the Final Four not even from this country.” Surbrook recalled customers from Australia. “It was really awesome, it was interesting.”

The weekend also featured a music festival with Post Malone and Twenty One Pilots, drawing more than 73,000 fans which was just steps away from the bar.

“There were thousands of people out. Just seeing the sidewalk traffic and seeing everyone on their feet. The festival was great for the city,” said general manager Janelle Miller. “When that festival ended, we saw hundreds of people hit the street and go in all different directions.” Miller said it didn’t just benefit pockets of the downtown but everywhere.

Miller said Saturday was their busiest day because there were a lot of activities to do. The employees served more than 6,000 drinks over the weekend. “I would say, we had numbers that I haven’t seen in probably 2 years on a Friday and Saturday. Which is refreshing to see.”

Now that the Final Four is over, the staff at 16-Bit said they are looking forward to what’s next: the Indianapolis 500.

Source link

Indianapolis, IN

9-year veteran defensive back, Colts agree to seek trade. How it impacts Colts’ future

Published

1 day ago

April 10, 2026

Press Room

9-year veteran defensive back, Colts agree to seek trade. How it impacts Colts’ future

The Colts and veteran slot cornerback Kenny Moore II, one of the franchise’s longest-tenured active players, have mutually agreed to pursue a trade this offseason, a league source confirmed to IndyStar on Friday

Moore, who has spent nine of his NFL seasons in Indianapolis after emerging from the 2017 draft an undrafted free agent and landing with the Colts following a training camp spent in New England, would be the second team captain dealt this offseason (along with linebacker Zaire Franklin) — should a trade partner be found before the 2026 season ramps up — and second bonafide team leader, along with former No. 1 wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. Coming off a start to a season where the Colts sprinted out to an 8-2 start to hold the top spot in the AFC, only to finish on a seven-game slide that often featured a crumbling defense in high-pressure moments, longtime Indianapolis general manager Chris Ballard pledged early this offseason to get “younger and faster” on defense.

The notion has often been associated, in particular, with the team’s front seven, but in the Colts’ secondary, which one could argue is almost bursting at the seams with starting-caliber talent, Moore is far and away the most veteran member at the nickel corner position — a spot on the field that future second-year corner Justin Walley may be primed to slide into in order to get the rehabbing former third-round pick on the field with the outside corner spots spoken for by All-Pros Sauce Gardner and Charvarius Ward.

Given the Colts’ lack of a clear-cut starting strong safety alongside free safety Camryn Bynum, there was reason to wonder, too, if Moore could be asked — or even challenged in camp alongside other challengers for the role — to look at moving to safety, in order to both allow Walley a spot in the starting lineup while maintaining Moore’s veteran leadership, experience and tenacity.

In 14 games in 2025, Moore logged a single interception in an early season road game against the Titans — one he returned for a 32-yard touchdown. The veteran corner also forced two fumbles, registered 1.5 sacks, recorded 55 tackles (three for a loss) and had three quarterback hits. Though some of his numbers didn’t show it — his tackle numbers marked a career-low since his rookie season, and his single interception marked just his third campaign in nine seasons without at least two picks — Moore’s 2025 season was among his best while targeted in coverage, even if he at times looked to have lost half a step while working his way back from an Achilles strain that cost him three games in the early half of the season.

In a way, Moore’s toughness as a blitzer and capabilities in the run game seemed like a solid fit for the veteran nickel corner in first-year defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo’s system in 2025 — particularly for a team that also lost starting strong safety Nick Cross to free agency last month. But in seeking a deal that could net the Colts a mid-round pick, Indianapolis’ crowded secondary room is likely now to have easier avenues for a 2025 camp standout in Walley or new young additions in cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt or safety Juanyeh Thomas to find their way onto the field this fall.

In 2026, Moore enters the final year of a three-year, $30 million deal signed in the 2024 offseason that again (for the second time) made the now-30-year-old the highest-paid nickel corner in NFL history. Including a base salary of $9.49 million, Moore is set to count $13.11 million against the cap this next season, including a $3.2 million prorated signing bonus the Colts paid as part of his deal two years ago. In October, the Colts and Moore mutually agreed to restructure his contract, converting $4.75 million into more bonus money while adding three void years onto the end of his deal of $950,000 each. At the time, the move created $3.8 million in cap space for the Colts over the rest of the 2025 season.

Already with roughly $26 million in cap space open a month into free agency, trading Moore would save the Colts more than $7 million against the cap for this season while saddling them with just over $6 million in dead cap in accounting for Moore’s previous signing bonus money.

Trading Moore would mean the Colts’ sixth lost starter from its 2025 roster (and fourth on defense), a class that also includes Franklin, Cross, Pittman, offensive tackle Braden Smith and defensive end Kwity Paye. Indianapolis is also presently involved in seeking out, or listening to, offers for one-time starting quarterback and 2023 fourth-overall pick Anthony Richardson Sr.

Off the field, the Colts would lose in Moore the team’s three-time Walter Payton Man of the Year Award nominee — including each of the past two seasons, along with 2021.

Joel A. Erickson and Nathan Brown cover the Colts all season. Get more coverage on IndyStarTV and with the Colts Insider newsletter.

Source link