Fletcher Place is a vibrant, historic neighborhood in Indianapolis.

Only a few short blocks from downtown Indianapolis, you’ll find Fletcher Place—one of the city’s oldest and most charming neighborhoods. Fletcher Place is located right next to Fountain Square along Virginia Avenue, one of downtown’s four main diagonal roads. 

Every few months, I find myself thinking: “This is the most beautiful time of year in Fletcher Place.” And I’m right every time! April brings redbuds, dogwoods, and magnolias in full bloom, snowing pink petals as my daughter and I walk down the sidewalk. Then, in fall, those spring shades burst into brilliant oranges, reds, and yellows that coat our treetop canopy. 

What originally drew our family to Fletcher Place was those quiet streets, walkable trails, and close proximity to both good coffee and craft beer. Now, over a decade later, our neighborhood is a downtown destination home to a vibrant blend of food, art, culture, and opportunity. 

In fact, Fletcher Place borders the global headquarters for both Eli Lilly and Elevance Health, providing world-class job opportunities right in our backyard. We’re located along the Indianapolis Cultural Trail and the Bus Rapid Transit line, and we have some of Indy’s top-rated restaurants, distilleries, and breweries—all within 0.3 square miles.  

All that, and we still get to raise our kids on a quiet little street full of flowering trees and friendly neighbors!

Where does Fletcher Place get its name?

If we’re talking names, there’s a notable history behind our neighborhood’s namesake: Calvin Fletcher! In the 1800s, Fletcher was an attorney, a banker, a farmer, and a state senator who owned much of the land that became this neighborhood. 

But Mr. Fletcher wasn’t just successful. By all accounts, he was a devoted public servant who fought for abolition, free public schools, historic preservation, and the overall welfare of the community. Just the kind of guy you’d want your neighborhood to be named after!

Now, Fletcher Place proudly carries on that legacy with civic-minded businesses and residents. We even have a coffee shop named after him, called Calvin Fletcher’s Coffee Co.

Grab a coffee and meet some friends at Calvin Fletcher’s!

Calvin Fletcher’s is a neighborhood coffee shop straight out of a Hollywood movie. It feels like a real place—like it was built with love and hard work, rather than deep pockets. CF has been a cornerstone of Fletcher Place since it was founded in 2009 by father-and-son team, Doug and Jeff Litsey. And best of all, they constantly find ways to give back to the community. (They’ve donated over $110,000 to local non-profits since 2018!)  

Since I mostly work from home these days, Calvin Fletcher’s is my go-to spot for meeting with clients and collaborators. But it’s not just the historic building or in-house roasted beans that make this coffee shop stand out.

Like everything else in Indy, it’s the people that make the place. Every time I go here, I can count on having a nice chat with the barista, running into a friendly neighbor, or seeing a very good pup along the way. (All great reasons to leave the house, if you ask me.)

On a nice day, I’ll take my coffee in the courtyard they share with Bluebeard and Amelia’s Bakery. With umbrellas, bike parking, and lots of people-watching, the courtyard serves as a sort of neighborhood commons, where residents and visitors alike can relax or study in the sunshine. It reminds me of a traditional Italian piazza in the way it brings the community together and creates a real sense of place for the neighborhood. 

What makes Fletcher Place a historic district?

Indianapolis is home to many historic districts, and Fletcher Place is technically two-in-one! North of Virginia Ave is the Fletcher Place Historic District—and to the south, you’ll find the Holy Rosary Danish Church District. 

The Holy Rosary part is in reference to Holy Rosary Catholic Church, which was built by Italian immigrants from 1911-1925. Around the 1850s, Irish and German people began to settle the region, and they were soon joined by Italian, Jewish, and other European immigrants. But some of the first settlers to call this neighborhood home were actually Danes, who built the former Trinity Danish Lutheran Evangelical Church in 1872.

Both of these historic buildings still stand today, even though the Danish church looks a little different these days. This stunning brick structure is the home of Lille Bønne Community Living Room, where neighbors can gather to enjoy everything from sandwiches and smoothies to art, yoga, and movie nights—returning what was once a community hub, back to the community.

Fletcher Place has a strong Italian immigrant community.

Italian immigrants hold a special spot in the heart of Fletcher Place. Though they weren’t the first to settle the area, they were certainly the largest and longest lasting community here. By the 1910s, the southside of Fletcher Place became Indiana’s largest Italian neighborhood, centered around the Holy Rosary Catholic Church.

Today, there is still a lot of Italian pride in our neighborhood. Italian flags hang from porches year-round, and Adirondack chairs are painted in red, white, and green. Holy Rosary also maintains a strong parish—and honors their heritage each year with an annual Italian Street Festival. 

Celebrate the local culture at Holy Rosary’s Italian Fest!

People from all over Indy flock to Fletcher Place for the Italian Street Festival in Edna Balz Lacy Park. Since 1983, the Holy Rosary Catholic Church has welcomed visitors for live music, meatball subs, and wine by the bottle. And let me tell you, Indy’s Italian community really knows how to party! 

Every June, the park transforms overnight with glittering string lights, local musicians, and loads of Italian food. Throughout the weekend, you can also catch events and demonstrations from the Italian Heritage Society of Indiana. 

Admission to the festival is free, but be sure to bring cash for the food and drink tickets. You’re bound to leave with a full heart and a full belly! 

But Lacy Park is a popular gathering space all year long.

Come any other time of year, Lacy Park is considerably quieter but no less charming! This two-acre park is a true neighborhood gem with so much to offer for Fletcher Place families. 

Lacy Park has a playground with equipment for bigs and littles, two bocce courts where leagues often meet and play, and the only sand volleyball court around downtown. There’s also a big field that’s perfect for dogs to run around and play catch—and a red, white, and green gazebo that’s become an icon for the neighborhood. 

Fletcher Place is one of Indianapolis’ culinary hotspots.

Fletcher Place is home to some of the best restaurants in the city. And in my opinion, Bluebeard and The Dugout Bar may be two of the most neighborhood-defining establishments you’ll find anywhere. 

The Dugout is one of Indy’s best dive bars and has been a neighborhood staple since 1954. They carried Fletcher Place through decades of good times and cheap beer before the neighborhood started growing its commercial footprint—when Bluebeard hit the scene and changed everything. 

Now, Bluebeard and Amelia’s—its sister bakery—are the biggest draws for visitors outside the Italian Fest. Bluebeard is a nationally acclaimed farm-to-table restaurant that’s been featured in Food & Wine Magazine, Bon Appetit, Thrillist, and The New York Times. Not to mention the James Beard Award lists for both its food and hospitality. Amelia’s is also the best place in Indy to get hearth-baked, European-style bread and pastries. 

(Trust me: it single-handedly sustained my sweet tooth through two pregnancies. You should absolutely try their ginger molasses cookies when you get the chance!)

What other eateries are in Fletcher Place?

Bluebeard and The Dugout really paved the way for more bars and restaurants to move to Fletcher Place. Milktooth is another James Beard list restaurant that specializes in boozy brunches. Meanwhile, Aroma offers delicious, authentic Indian cuisine with elevated creamy curries, tandoori, and kebabs for the ultimate comfort food. 

Fletcher Place also has incredible international cuisine, including Turkish at Bosphorus Istanbul Cafe, Japanese at Mori or Hasuno, Mexican at La Eskina and Mr. Tequilas, and of course, Italian at Iaria’s.

And if you need groceries, there are many local markets within walking distance. Amberson Coffee has a small grocery section full of farm-fresh cheeses, meats, produce, and flowers. Amelia’s Bread also operates a small neighborhood bodega, where they sell their freshly baked breads as well as other grocery essentials.

Looking to sip local brews and spirits?

If you’re here to imbibe, Fletcher Place has a truly brilliant craft beer and cocktail scene. Right here in our neighborhood, we have two artisan distilleries within walking distance, perfect for grabbing a drink. 

Four Finger Distillery offers Indiana-grown and Indiana-made spirits and liqueurs. Their tasting room is also connected to Greek’s Pizzeria, so you can sip by the slice. Just down the street, Hotel Tango is the first combat-disabled, veteran-owned distillery in the U.S. This dog-friendly establishment has a cozy vibe with a fireplace and a popcorn machine to enjoy as you try their Hotel Tango Whiskey. 

We also have Tappers Arcade Bar for gamers and two local breweries: Chilly Water and Metazoa—a pet-friendly, open-concept brewery complete with a dog park. They both have top-notch patio spaces that are perfect on a warm summer day!

What public transportation is in Fletcher Place?

Now that you’re as in love with Fletcher Place as I am, the good news is that it’s super easy to get here! The Indianapolis Cultural Trail runs right through the middle of our neighborhood, directly connecting us to the entire downtown community. 

This 8-mile biking and walking trail connects all the city’s biggest cultural districts. So, I can simply ride my bike to a night of dancing, Pacers games at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, concerts at Lucas Oil Stadium, the shops at Mass Ave, or even the Central Canal without ever having to leave the protected, illuminated safety of the Cultural Trail. And I don’t even need my own bike to do it! There’s a Pacers Bikeshare station just three blocks from my house.

Going a little further? The Red Line is right here too. A couple weekends ago, my kids and I took the Bus Rapid Transit Red Line to Garfield Park for the Gnome Show, an outing our neighborhood events committee organized. I can just as easily take the bus to Broad Ripple, the Statehouse, or the University of Indianapolis. And there are more lines coming soon connecting the east and west sides of Indy. So, you can get wherever you need to go—without needing a car!

Fletcher Place is a world-class neighborhood in a world-class city. 

I may be biased, but I’m also correct! Fletcher Place is—without doubt or hyperbole—the best neighborhood in Indianapolis. Whether you’re retired, single, or married with kids, Fletcher Place is an inclusive and welcoming community, and I’m grateful for both my home and all the friendly neighbors I share it with. 

Honestly, “friendly” isn’t the right word to describe our neighborhood. Of course, we’re a friendly bunch. But we’re also organized, motivated, and dedicated to making this the best, most beautiful neighborhood in the city.

Case in point: The Great Neighborhood Glow Up. What started as a tactical urbanism project evolved into 4,300 sq.ft. of street art and a block party, all thanks to neighborhood collaboration, volunteerism, and donations. 

Local artists like Amy McAdams Gonzales, Siena Balidi, JD Bills, Tylar Lee, and Shaunt’e Lewis designed murals to adorn the pavement at a nearby intersection. And these paintings don’t just add cheer and beauty to the neighborhood. They’re part of an effort to slow traffic and make our streets safer for pedestrians and cyclists. Our neighbors showed up to celebrate the project while cleaning up the community. Because in Fletcher Place, we know how to work hard and play hard!

So, if you’re looking for a thriving downtown neighborhood with endless entertainment and amenities, access to public transportation, and a real sense of community, Fletcher Place might be the place for you!