I highly recommend this event center to have your next event. The center is very clean, spacious…read moreand the owner has great customer service skills. My daughter had her gender reveal here and it was extremely nice. They have a seating area for guest and the tables and chairs were nicely decorated, a VIP room, pool table, stand up arcade game, hookah and the atmosphere has good vibes. I love the art on the walls too that gave the place a relaxing atmosphere. I will definitely be back to their next events. I attended a party last night for work and I did a small presentation and I was invited back to their next party this Sunday. Down Home Blues Social Club & Event Center for the win‼

Fairly extensive food menu made up of typical bar fair. I had the "2 pork tenderloin slider with…read morefries" special for $4.95. They were good and they filled me up. I sat at the bar with some regulars and they were easy to talk to. Only down side was that it took 25 minutes to get my food. I will go back here though, especially since it's so close to my job.

Spent the evening at Dear John's on Saturday listening to a local band, and I liked it quite a lot…read more Even though it definitely has a "neighborhood bar" feel to it, we were made to feel welcome by the staff and the other customers. I liked the vibe quite a lot...a blue collar, working man's bar. The food was pretty darn good. The breaded tenderloin was above average, but falls short of one of the best in town. Still, I'd order it again. The onion rings were simply fantastic...but one best plan on sharing an order, there is a LOT of food there. Taco Salad was a basic salad with some taco meat and chips thrown in, nothing special. The grilled chicken was very nicely seasoned and cooked perfectly, and the burgers were tasty. The prices were reasonable and the food was good. We'll be back.

I was coaxed here by the wonderful Bavarian lady and president of the Damenchor (women's choir)…read morenamed Margit. They put on many dinners and concerts throughout the year and I have always looked forward to attending. The building is tucked back slightly off East Washington Street, about a mile east past the exit. The exterior is charming. Well painted with flower boxes hanging below the windows in that lovely German fashion. The food is all made by the members with meat contributions from Claus' German Meat Market. And it is really good! This past dinner/show (Bunter Abend, which is German for colorful evening) we enjoyed rouladen, creamed chicken, parsley potatoes, spaetzle with gravy and green beans with some nice dessert choices. Nothing fancy. This is like a pitch in or family reunion with a true German flair. The bar, which is quite beautiful and historic, is stocked with some great and well priced German import bottles. There is also Spaten lager and Warsteiner Dunkel on tap with decent prices on glass and pitcher. The scene is definitely mature, as in 40-90+ year olds with a smattering of 30 somethings thrown in. However, this is my kind of scene, to be sure! These folks will put anyone to shame with their enthusiastic ways and dancing the waltz and polka into the wee hours. Everyone was friendly and, like I said, nothing fancy, but it just felt right. Cozy. The choir, by the way? Fantastic. These ladies can sing and they are directed well. The show, focusing on birds, was cute and lively.

We went to the Liederkranz for their 3rd annual Oktoberfest offerings of brats & beer & live music…read moreand ended up falling in love with this wonderful old German club and the people involved with it. The Liederkranz is located in a very plain looking, nondescript building downtown on East Washington. As soon as we entered the building we were cheerfully greeted by society members, most were wearing traditional German Oktoberfest attire. One member talked to us for quite a bit about the history of the Liederkranz and he showed us the small theater/concert area downstairs and the quaint bar upstairs. The Indianapolis Liederkranz was founded in 1872 and was a German club dedicated to singing. But, the choir was for men only. Not until 1997 was a women's choir added. Upstairs in the bar and dining area for club members they have a very cool, very old jukebox filled with German records and we were told that it is the oldest still-functioning jukebox in Indianapolis. There are lots of really interesting framed large historical photos upstairs of the different generations of the Liederkranz hall and of the members and choirs. Downstairs, the large banquet room where the Oktoberfest was being held was rather plain but was decorated for the festival. There were several large tables and folding chairs scattered around, a stage with the German band Alpine Express playing, a chow line filled with trays of Claus's brats & sausages, the absolute best homemade sauerkraut and German potato salad and also some various other sides, and another table filled with cakes & pies. Also, a booth serving German beer on draft or in bottles. The admission for this event was $7 for non-members but all of the food was ridiculously inexpensive and there was also the live entertainment. This was a family friendly event but 90% of the people were older, like grandparent age older. Everyone was so pleasant and nice. And, happy. I've never seen a bigger group of people smiling, laughing, dancing and just having the time of their lives. We really had a great time here and will definitely return for other events and concerts. There are 2 Christmas concerts coming-up in December that sound like fun, one is the men's choir and the other is the women's choir. And, we'll definitely be returning for the Bock Beer Fest. And, of course, the Liederkranz's 4th annual Oktoberfest. Check out their website at www.indyliederkranz.org for more info about the organization and a list of upcoming events.

Death. Taxes. Public Speaking…read more It's hard to make death or taxes fun, but Broad Ripple Toastmasters is doing their best to make public speaking less painful, and sometimes, yes... even fun. This group meets every Tuesday morning upstairs at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church at 52nd and Central. Official start time is 7:00 am, although true to the relaxed nature of this group, the actual start time is closer to 7:10. Who gets up at 7:00 am to practice public speaking? If this group is any indication, it would be some mixture of the following: accountants, lawyers, small business owners, a Children's Museum manager, a nonprofit director, and more. The thing I love about this group is that the people are so great, you can't help but feel completely comfortable as soon as you enter the room. You can really see that everyone in the room genuinely likes each other and the good-natured ribbing is fun to watch. This group knows that public speaking is hard and they are good about being encouraging while at the same time gently pointing out areas for improvement. So why wait until you have to give the Big Speech before you figure out how to do it? Wouldn't it be better to hang out with some new friends and get comfortable speaking so that when it counts you're not covered in flop sweat, avoiding eye contact, and mumbling? I've found Broad Ripple Toastmasters to be a great way to help me improve my speaking skills and develop some great new friendships in the process. *Note: I am a member of this group, although there is no financial incentive to be gained here. Membership fees are minimal and nothing is bought/sold as a result of membership.

One of the coolest buildings in Indy. I'm not a car guy, but I was still blown away by the array of…read morevehicles being stored here. I was here for an event, and that event was just terrific. It ran as well as any full time event space in the city. If you have an opportunity to attend an event here, I urge you to go. You won't regret it.

This place is such a wonderful idea. Like a premier golf club but for car buffs! Great camaraderie.read more

Wonderful staff, treating the families with upmost love and dignity. The generosity of donors is…read moreunparalleled. Families arrive wounded and grow to find HOPE.

This is a straight up generous organization. Helping spouses of abuse in a safe and clean…read moreenvironment. They sent a nice thank you note for our donation and said our gift would feed a family of 4 for a month!! Wow! Who would have thought! Located on 38th street near the fairgrounds.

After parting with the vinyl shop we turn the corner and come across books outside noted FREE... we…read moreimmediately made a b-line over to take a look and see what they had to offer. There were alot of books to choose from. we were all able to find something . After which we went in to take a look around. They had a wonderful selection of childrens books, rare books as well. Its a medium sized spot but they fit a childrens corner in. I was pleased to find vintage Richie Rich and Sugar and Spike comic books for 1.00. This was certainly a wonderful place to stumble upon which had alot of gems inside. The vintage type writers were a really cool touch as well. Everything about this place was inviting and warm. At the cash register I came across an assortment of stickers and if you know me, you know I love stickers..Of course I grabbed a couple to complete my purchase. There is a space right by the door that has a sitting area, the leather chair was so comfortable but it was thw huge leather ottoman for me and the chess set that makes you wanna learn to play, if you do t already no how too. I could spend hours sitting and reading. Finally it was time to go but I will most certainly be back to see what other treasures I can find. Until next time Indy reads!!!

I have heard of indy reads, but had never had the chance to visit until recently, it is a well…read moreorganized space with an impressive selection of books! The shop embraces a cozy and welcoming feel, and the staff was very friendly! Can't wait to go back, check them out if you are in the area!

When I originally came I was quite confused on what to expect. I will say I had an amazing night,…read morethe environment was fun and full of entertainment. The food was delicious and very fresh, while the drink options were beyond my expectations! What I found odd is that I thought the expectations for the dress was formal and not fully black tie, yet I saw a few people wearing jeans. I thought the meaning behind the event was amazing and the staff from each vendor was attentive to each person.

My friend won tickets to this event so I got to attend as a guest. There was a nice array of…read morevendors present and I was surprised by the large number of tables for alcohol, my favorite being FTB (From The Bar). There was a lot to see and lots of yummy things to try. It was a fun change getting to dress up as well.