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In the heart of the heartland, Indianapolis mixes a big-city arts and cultural scene with small-town charm. Known for the Indianapolis 500, held every Memorial Day, the city pulls in millions of visitors every year for the famous car race and other diversions.

The gay scene in Indianapolis is fun, and folks here aren't timid about walking up and saying hello. Most of the gay bars and restaurants are scattered around a 10-blocks area just north of downtown, so it's easy to visit them all. Next time your travel plans call for visiting Indianapolis, look forward to enjoying some Hoosier hospitality.

Bloomington, home to Indiana University, is just 52 miles to the south, for an entertaining side trip.

 

Getting here
Indianapolis International Airport has a shuttle bus service to downtown, as well as Champaign-Urbana, Bloomington and Lafayette.
IndyGo's Green Line bus 8 provides rides into downtown areas for just $1.75.
 

Getting around
IndyGo, the area public transportation, is handy for getting around the city with single-trips for $1.75 and daily bus passes for $4.
 

Local media & resources

The Midwest Eagle based in Indianapolis, which had covered regional LGBTQ news, now links to Kwir, a national LGBTQ media company.

Nuvo is the local alternative weekly. Blooming Out, a weekly gay radio show, can be heard 6-7pm every Thursday on WFHB 91.3 FM, or online, anytime.

GayIndy.com is a website guide to the city.  IndyRainbowChamber is another useful website from the local LGBTQ business association.

For what the bears are up to in the area, see Midwest Bear Pack, and MidWest BearFest for their big annual December events.

With the closing of the 501 Eagle in late 2016, the Indy leather community lost an important gathering place. For upcoming local and regional bear, leather and kink activities see Great Lake Den website

See IndyPride for info on June festivities and other goings-on, year-round. The Indianapolis LGBT Film Festival takes place each November. Pride of Indy Bands performances take place throughout the year.

Visit Indy is the useful general information site of the Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Association.

For map locations and website links to the businesses below, and more, see our gay Indianapolis listings pages.
 

Accommodations

Stone Soup Inn (1304 Central Ave; 866- 639-9550) lovely Victorian home guesthouse near gay clubs, gorgeous decor, in-room massages.

Villa Inn Restaurant & Spa (1456 N Delaware St; 317-916-8500), elegant luxury eight-room guesthouse, boutique dining, rooftop terrace, en suite kitchen, cable TV, DVD players/ library, spa massage, men’s facials, sport manicure/pedicures. Fourth Friday guest chefs; second Saturday Mad Hatter Tea Parties.

The Westin Indianapolis (50 S Capitol; 317 262-8100), large, gay-friendly downtown hotel, hot breakfast, concierge, heated pool, gym, business center, steakhouse dining, coffeeshop/lounge, WiFi access throughout.
 

Bars & clubs

Downtown Olly's (822 N Illinois), mostly men, video and sports bar, big-screen TV, friendly crowd, food service 24/7, Sunday brunch.

English Ivy's Restaurant (944 North Alabama), charming pub, stools around long bar, lively conversation, full restaurant, meat or veggie, late night menu 'til 3am nightly, Saturday/ Sunday brunch, WiFi access.

Gregs (231 E 16th), dance club, country music and hi-energy nights, pool tables, darts and games, outdoor patio, Friday nights country dancing, Saturday drag and talent shows; draws cowboys, leathermen, bears.

Metro Nightclub & Restaurant (707 Massachusetts), grand bar, affable locals' crowd afternoons and evenings, flat-screen TVs, poker, karaoke, lottery games; Second Story pool tables, games, DJs and dancing.

Vogue (6259 N College Ave), gay-friendly young college crowd, live music and dance venue, special LGBT events.

White Rabbit Cabaret (1116 E Prospect), mixed crowd, cabaret acts, burlesque shows, performance groups, live bands.

Zonie's Closet (1446 E Washington) drag shows, local and national entertainment, buckets of beer daily.

CLOSED: 501 Eagle (501 N College), men's cruise bar, leather, underwear and uniform nights; Talbott Street (2145 N Talbott), gay dance club/ cocktail lounge and drag cabaret; Varsity Lounge (1517 N Pennsylvania) local pub, food, friendly bartenders and patrons.
 

Sauna

Club Indianapolis (620 N Capitol Ave) modern, immaculate steam and dry saunas, fully equipped gym, outdoor patio, and video lounge, near downtown gay clubs. Open 24 hours daily for 18+ men, secure parking, in/out passes and special events. tanning beds, hot tubs, clothing- optional heated pool, personal trainer.

The Works (4120 N Keystone Ave), 24/7 always open men's club, 15,000 square feet of gyms games and relaxation, sauna, 41 private rooms, 38 lockers, patio, vending and lounge areas. Monthly CumUnion Parties.
 

Restaurants

Barcelona Tapas ( 201 N Delaware), Spanish tapas evenings, sharing of plates, wine and conversation; Sunday Sangria brunch buffets.

Downtown Olly's (822 N Illinois) gay Indy's most popular Sunday brunch 11am to 2pm, gay sports bar and restaurant.

English Ivy's Restaurant (944 N Alabama) American cuisine, late menu, weekend brunch, nightly specials like pot roast, popular bar.

Forty Five Degrees (765 Massachusetts), stylish restaurant bar/club, lunch/dinner, small plates, sushi bar, full entrees, wraps/burgers, cocktails.

Henry's Coffee Bistro (627 East St), coffeeshop with homemade desserts, breakfast sandwiches, lunch, weekend brunch, free WiFi, patio seating; displaying works of local artists.

Mass Ave Wine Shoppe (878 Massachusetts), gourmet sandwiches, soups, pizzas, tasting platters and small plates, 100 craft beers, wine by the glass.

Metro Restaurant (707 Massachusetts), part of gay nightclub complex, Monday-Friday 5pm-2am menu of steaks, burgers, sliders, wings, quesadillas and sides. Saturday and Sunday buffet brunch from 1pm.

Santorini Greek Kitchen (1417 Prospect), Fountain Square Greek/American lunch/dinner, falafel, humus, baba ganoush, chicken, turkey wraps/gyros, kebabs, house speciality potatos.

Sunrise Café Indy (320 N Meridian), "the ultimate breakfast experience" and lunch, 7am until 2pm weekdays, until 1pm on weekends, Formerly Cafe Zuppa.

See these and more restaurant/cafes on our map/listings page, with website links to each

 

Shopping

Circle Center Mall (49 West Maryland St) shops, restaurants, cinema under one roof, downtown Indy.

Toolbox (853 E 65th St), men's tanks, tees, briefs, jocks, gear and accessories - top brands: Nasty Pig, Bear Skin, Cocksox, Andrew Christian, etc.