ABOUT
LGBTQ+ Indianapolis
In the United State’s 12th largest city, you’re bound to find some gay ‘ol times and entertainment in a relatively conservative city where the gay population is strong but still finding its voice. Many of the downtown bars, nightclubs and restaurants are open to all walks of life, and there is plenty of historical exploration for the more site-seeking traveler. Many long-standing gay establishments still thrive in the gay ‘hood, Circle City.
There is no question that locals and visitors alike have adopted the “Indy Welcomes All” mentality. With ambitious redevelopments of Downtown neighborhoods, world class museums, theaters and sports venues, the eccentric Mass Avenue Cultural District and the well-attended Circle City IN Pride celebration, Downtown Indy is home to an increasingly visible gay and lesbian community.
RESTAURANT GUIDE
Bakersfield
Tacos & a few other Mexican dishes are delivered in an upbeat, margarita-fueled atmosphere.
334 Massachusetts Ave, Indianapolis, IN
Bazbeaux
Creative thin- or thick-crust pies in a casual location with a patio, plus beer & wine.
333 Massachusetts Ave, Indianapolis, IN
Bluebeard
Trendy New American kitchen serving sharing plates & craft cocktails in a renovated 1924 warehouse.
653 Virginia Ave, Indianapolis, IN
Café Patachou
Eclectic daytime plates served with fairtrade coffees & drinks.
225 W Washington St, Indianapolis, IN
Conner’s Kitchen + Bar
Airy, relaxed spot with an industrial vibe, comfort food, cocktails & craft beer.
350 W Maryland St, Indianapolis, IN
Harry & Izzy’s
Upscale steakhouse with a notable wine selection & a contemporary spin on chops, seafood & pizza.
153 S Illinois St, Indianapolis, IN
Iaria’s Italian Restaurant Open since 1933, this extra-homey, family-run institution dishes up classic pasta dinners & pizzas.
317 S College Ave, Indianapolis, IN
Iozzo’s Garden of Italy
Storied eatery serves Italian classics & wine in its sophisticated dining room & quaint courtyard.
946 S Meridian St, Indianapolis, IN
Mesh
Trendy gathering place with a patio for contemporary American fare, drinks & happy-hour specials.
725 Massachusetts Ave, Indianapolis, IN
Mori Sushi
Spacious, laid-back Japanese restaurant dishing up sushi, salads, ramen & signature rolls.
231 S College Ave Suite 200, Indianapolis, IN
Nada
Hip choice for classic Mexican fare & cocktails served in a bright space.
11 W Maryland St, Indianapolis, IN
Root & Bone
Trendy restaurant with an industrial vibe plating thoughtfully sourced, farm-fresh mains & sides.
4601 N College Ave, Indianapolis, IN
Spoke & Steele
Contemporary dining lounge featuring creative regional cuisine, plus classic & signature cocktails.
123 Illinois St, Indianapolis, IN
The Eagle
Rustic-chic eatery & beer hall dishing up Southern classics.
310 Massachusetts Ave, Indianapolis, IN
The Eagle’s Nest
Trendy, revolving rooftop eatery at the Hyatt Regency with fine dining, local beers & skyline views.
1 S Capitol Ave, Indianapolis, IN
Tinker Street Restaurant
New American outpost with a patio serving wines, brews & seasonal fare in a warm, upbeat setting.
402 E 16th St, Indianapolis, IN
Union 50
Buzzy bar/eatery providing an innovative American menu & local beers in industrial-chic surrounds.
620 N East St, Indianapolis, IN
Weber Grill Restaurant
Refined venue for steaks, burgers & ribs cooked on giant Weber kettles.
10 N Illinois St, Indianapolis, IN
EVENTS SCHEDULE
SEP 24-25
CARMEL INTERNATIONAL ARTS FESTIVAL
2-day festival the last weekend of September in the Arts and Design District of Carmel, Indiana. With the 2 main arteries going through Carmel closed, CIAF brings in over 100 artists in 9 different mediums to provide the community with the finest samplings to purchase and take home. For more info visit: carmelartsfestival.org
OCTOBER
OCT 7-22
RENT AT THE CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
Set in the East Village of New York City, RENT is about falling in love, finding your voice and living for today. Winner of the Tony Award for Best Musical and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, RENT has become a pop cultural phenomenon with songs that rock and a story that
22nd Annual Indianapolis LGBT Film Festival! Live Events at The Kan-Kan Cinema (and streaming nationwide)! Let’s raise some serious funds for the Indiana Youth Group, friends! For more info visit: indylgbtfilmfest.com
NOV 19
INTERNATIONAL
COFFEE & TEA FEST
Explore ceremonies, preparations, flavors, and aromas of coffees and teas from around the globe, along with pop-up performances. For more info visit: bit.ly/3UaIWb4
DECEMBER DEC 2-31
DIVA ROYALE
DRAG QUEEN SHOW
The ladies of Diva Royale love to host the hottest bachelorette parties, birthday parties & all kinds of celebrations! Dinner or brunch will be a celebration you won’t forget, where you
EVENTS SCHEDULE
drag show for you!
For more info visit: bit.ly/3QEr3hQ
JANUARY
JAN 20-29
INDIANAPOLIS HOME SHOW
The largest home show in Indianapolis, Indiana, this show features landscaping companies, remodeling contractors, interior design companies, and more! For more info visit: indianapolishomeshow.com
JAN 21-22
FESTIVAL OF ICE
Enjoy a Big Block carving competition, fast-paced carve-off on stage, a Carmel Fire Department chili cook-off, skating to a live DJ, and more at The Ice at Carter Green! Grab your family, friends or significant other for our January 2023 event and join the fun!
For more info visit: bit.ly/3BfNdB6
unique and entertaining attractions combine to form a veritable outdoor supernova.
For more info visit: bit.ly/3xlBqjv
FEB 24-26
ANIME CROSSROADS
Indy’s largest anime convention! Three days of Anime, Animation, Video Games, Board Games and Fun!
Join us for a celebration that will be full of events, activities, celebrities, cosplay contests, panels, Q&A sessions, autographs, workshops and much more!
For more info visit: animecrossroads.com
BAR GUIDE
Ball & Biscuit
Arty cocktails & small plates
331 Massachusetts Ave, Indianapolis, IN
Chatterbox Jazz Club
Local jazz is the highlight of this bar
435 Massachusetts Ave, Indianapolis, IN
Downtown Olly’s
Longtime, always-open bar & grill
822 N Illinois St, Indianapolis, IN
English Ivy’s
Gay-friendly neighborhood pub
944 N Alabama St, Indianapolis, IN
Forty Five Degrees
Sushi, Cocktails, Lunch and Dinner
765 Massachusetts Ave, Indianapolis, IN
Gregs Indy
Stalwart gay bar & club with regular
Nicky Blaine’s Cocktail Lounge
Nightclub offering cocktails, small plates & cigars
20 N Meridian St, Indianapolis, IN
Plat 99
Craft cocktails, artisanal charcuterie & regional cheeses
333 Delaware St, Indianapolis, IN
The Red Room
Lively DJ & dance club featuring 2 bars 6335 Guilford Ave, Indianapolis, IN
Tini
Fun gay-friendly bar
717 Massachusetts Ave, Indianapolis, IN
Tomlinson Tap Room
Pub serving Indiana-brewed craft beers 222 E Market St, Indianapolis, IN
LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS & ATTRACTIONS
ACLU of Indiana
Dedicated to defending individual rights and preserving liberties that are grounded in the US and Indiana Constitutions and civil rights laws. www.aclu-in.org
1031 East Washington Street Indianapolis, IN
Damien Center
AIDS service organization (ASO), serves more than 6,000 individuals affected and infected by HIV/AIDS through a comprehensive, innovative approach to HIV care and prevention. damien.org
26 N Arsenal Ave, Indianapolis, IN
Eskenazi Health:
Gender Health Program provides gender-affirming care including hormone therapy and specialty services for older adolescent and adult transgender patients of all gender identities. bit.ly/3U6ayxI
720 Eskenazi Ave, Indianapolis, IN
Indiana Youth Group
IYG creates safer spaces to foster community and provides programming that empowers LGBTQ+ youth and magnifies their voices. indianayouthgroup.org 3733 N Meridian Street Indianapolis, IN
Indy Pride
Non-profit that produces events which educate, honor our history, and celebrate the diversity of the Indianapolis Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer community. indypride.org
National Resource Center on LGBTQ+ Aging
The country’s first and only technical assistance resource center focused on improving the quality of services and supports offered to lesbian, gay, bisexual and/or transgender older adults, their families and caregivers. lgbtagingcenter.org
OutCare
the nation’s first comprehensive resource for LGBTQ+ healthcare offering provider and healthcare resource directories, mentorship, medical education reform, and cultural competency training. outcarehealth.org
Soaring Heart Counseling Services focused on human sexuality, gender identity transitions, committed relationships, marriage counseling, EMDR, and trauma. soaringheartcounseling.com 819 E 64th St #104, Indianapolis, IN
The Bell Flower Clinic
Inexpensive testing and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) as well as support for those who have been diagnosed with an STD. bellflowerclinic.org 640 Eskenazi Ave, Indianapolis, IN
Tri-State Alliance
The primary social service and educational organization for the LGBTQ+ communities and straightsupportive allies. TSA works to meet the community’s needs through a variety of programs and services. tsagl.org 501 John St #5, Evansville, IN
BUSINESS DIRECTORY
ACCOUNTING
Walker-Bray
ARCHITECTURE
Studio M Architecture
Planning
ART
Nickel Plate Arts
ARTIFICAL
Xtreme Green Synthetic
AUTO
Indy Auto Man
COUNSELING
The Counseling Center
CPAS
Crace
DISABILITY
Hankey Law
ENTERTAINMENT
Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre
Emagine
FAMILY
Flood Family Law LLC
GUTTERS
Rain
HEALTH
INSURANCE
Vonnie Lute
JEWELRY
Artifacts Indy
MORTGAGES
The Waddey Team
MOVIE THEATER
Emagine
MUSEUM Conner Prairie
NON PROFIT
Red Cross
PERFORMING ARTS
Family
Lending
Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre
RETIREMENT
Encore 55+ Boutique
ROOFING
Rain Flow Exteriors
SOCIAL SECURITY LAW
Hankey Law Office
TAX
Walker-Bray Tax
THEATER
Emagine Entertainment
Artifacts