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 stylish!) neighborhoods. Fletcher Place is located right next to Fountain Square along Virginia Avenue, one of downtown’s four main diagonal roads. Together, our neighborhoods offer a beautiful blend of art, music, nature, and culture where you’ll feel right at home. 

In fact, residents like me often refer to Fletcher Place as “Indy’s Best Angle” because everything looks better from our diagonal avenue! Our neighborhood borders both Anthem and Eli Lilly’s global headquarters, providing world-class job opportunities right in our backyard. We also have some of Indy’s top-rated restaurants, shops, and breweries, and we’re located along the Indianapolis Cultural Trail and the Bus Rapid Transit line. So, you can easily explore the city without needing a car! 

The “15-Minute Neighborhood” concept is somewhat of a buzzword in real estate these days, but I’m truly grateful to live in a walkable neighborhood. It’s easy to walk over and grab groceries or bike down to Fountain Square to see live music. And if I want to visit Downtown, Broad Ripple, or the University of Indianapolis, then the Red Line bus can get me there in minutes. 

I’ve lived in Fletcher Place for 7 years now, and there are so many reasons I love living here! But first, let me start off by telling you about my favorite thing about Fletcher Place: our people and our rich history.

Fletcher Place has a history of civic engagement and cultural celebrations.

First off, our neighborhood is named after Calvin Fletcher, who was actually pretty woke for his time. Fletcher was an abolitionist, a banker, a farmer, a state senator, and the first attorney to practice law in Indianapolis. From 1839 to 1855, he owned a 269-acre farm called Wood Lawn, which later became this very neighborhood!

Fletcher was known for having a civic soul and a heart of gold. He advocated fiercely for free public schools and assisted the Indianapolis Benevolent Society, a local organization that helped the less fortunate. 

Now, Fletcher Place proudly honors that history with many civic-minded businesses. We even have a coffee shop named after him, called Calvin Fletcher’s Coffee Company. (PRO TIP: Order the Calvin Pepper—a latte seasoned with cayenne—and be sure to leave a tip!) Calvin Fletcher’s carries on their namesake’s give-back legacy by donating the proceeds from their tip jar to a new non-profit every month. Since 2019, they’ve raised $35,000 for over 30 non-profits! 

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

Fletcher Place is a historically significant neighborhood where many immigrant cultures came together. Around the 1850s, Irish and German people began to settle the neighborhood, and they were soon joined by Italian, Jewish, and other European immigrants. By the 1910s, the southside of Fletcher Place became Indiana’s largest Italian neighborhood, centered around the Holy Rosary Catholic Church.

Today, the Holy Rosary Church maintains a strong parish, and they honor their heritage each year with the annual Italian Street Festival. Since 1983, the Church has welcomed people for live music, beer and wine, and delicious food at Edna Lacy Park. And let me tell you, the Indy Italian community really knows how to party! 

The park is transformed with glittering string lights, lively music, and over 25 types of Italian food. Then, on Friday and Saturday afternoons, the Italian Heritage Society of Indiana hosts bocce demonstrations! There’s something pretty darn special about watching them while sipping prosecco and eating cannolis, bruschetta, and fettuccine alfredo. 

Admission to the festival is free, but be sure to bring cash for the food and drink tickets. I promise, you’ll leave with a full heart and a full belly! 

Fletcher Place is one of Indianapolis’ culinary hotspots.

I love living in a neighborhood with amazing food, and Fletcher Place is home to some of the best restaurants in the city. Both Bluebeard and Milktooth are nationally acclaimed farm-to-table restaurants that have been featured in Food & Wine Magazine, Bon Appetit, Thrillist, and The New York Times. Not to mention, both of their chefs have earned numerous James Beard nominations. 

If you’re craving something more global, then I’d recommend either Isaro’s or Aroma. Isaro’s is a colorful little Mexican smoothie bar and food market. With great prices, stellar food, and friendly service, this place is truly a hidden gem. Meanwhile, Aroma offers delicious, authentic Indian cuisine. They’ve elevated creamy curries, tandori, and kebabs to create the ultimate comfort food. 

Fletcher Place is also home to The Dugout Bar, one of Indy’s best dive bars. The Dugout is a long-standing establishment that has been around since 1954. With beer, dart boards, and a tempting selection of fried food, you can’t go wrong with a night at the Dugout! 

And if you need groceries, there are many local markets within walking distance. Wildwood Market stocks food from local brands, while 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 and pastries. (PRO TIP: Their focaccia bread is out of this world!) 

Sip on local spirits and award-winning beers.

Fletcher Place also has a brilliant craft beer and cocktail scene. Right here in our neighborhood, we have two artisan distilleries where you can simply walk over for a drink. 

First, 1205 Distillery offers Indiana-grown and Indiana-made spirits and liqueurs. Their tasting room and cocktail lounge is connected to Greek’s Pizzeria, so you can sip by the slice! Then, 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 while you try their Hotel Tango Whiskey. 

Across the avenue, you’ll find Chilly Water Brewing Company, an industrial chic brewpub with a top-notch patio, live music, and food from Hoagies and Hops. If you’re bar-hopping, you can also follow the Cultural Trail down to Fountain Square Brewing or the award-winning Upland Brew Company. (PRO TIP: While you’re at Upland, you should try their fantastic selection of sour ales.)

Not much of a beer drinker? The Virginia Avenue Wine Market has a wide variety of affordable vintages for you to savor. You can also get wine, beer, or cocktails at the Rooftop Garden above the Fountain Square Theatre Building. In the summertime, that’s my favorite spot to watch the sunset and bring friends or family when they visit. Downstairs, there’s also vintage duckpin bowling, if you’re interested in some post-drink entertainment! 

Fletcher Place offers a one-of-a-kind shopping experience.  

The shopping experiences you’ll find down Virginia Avenue are truly unique—in the way only small businesses can be. 

Going down the street, you’ll find FLUX just off the beaten path with an alleyway entrance. This quirky antique shop sells vintage furniture, specializing in mid-century modern pieces. And if you’re interested in vintage clothing, then Zodiac Vintage has an eclectic collection at great prices. It’s also owned by a pair of charming ladies both named Jess!

When you’re done thrifting, you can pick up a potted plant (or three) at Snakeroot Botanicals. They sell urban gardening supplies, indoor plants, herbs, teas, and more. Local plant shops have been popping up everywhere lately, and our neighborhood has certainly gotten our fix from Snakeroot! 

Next door to Snakeroot is the ever-charming Square Cat Vinyl—a record store, coffee shop, and bar that feels like you time-traveled back to the 1970s! They sell new and used vinyls, and you can even spin some records in one of their new listening booths. Square Cat also has a stage for live music performances, which makes for an incredibly intimate venue experience. 

In that same corridor, you’ll find Onatah General, a boutique shop that specializes in natural, ethical products that connect us back to the earth. In this zen little space, they sell plants, fragrances, apparel, cards, housewares, and gifts. Best of all, these are only a few of the hidden gems around the neighborhood, so get ready to shop local! 

Fletcher Place is a greenspace haven in the city.

Along the 8-mile Indianapolis Cultural Trail, there are many hidden gardens and greenspaces—and our neighborhood is no exception! Nestled between Fountain Square and Fletcher Place, you’ll find a curious little spot called Idle Park. Tom Battista, the owner of Bluebeard, built this small park on the grassy overlook above I-65 and I-70, creating an urban oasis where you can sit and watch the cars. Some may call this park an oddity, but I find the sound and sights of the highway to be almost meditative. 

In the Fletcher Place neighborhood, families often spend sunny days out in Edna Balz Lacy Park. This two-acre park is an ideal space for the neighborhood kids to play and hang out on the playground. And there’s even two bocce courts and a sand volleyball court, if anyone’s up for a game! 

From Fetcher Place, you can also visit Garfield Park—the most historic park in Indianapolis. Just a short five-minute drive away, Garfield Park is a 128-acre greenspace with a variety of amenities, including an outdoor pool, an arts center, and an amphitheater. They also host a thriving Farmers’ Market and a fun concert series throughout the summer. However, the park is best known for the Garfield Park Conservatory and Sunken Gardens, with lush tropical plants and traditional European gardens. With koi ponds, a waterfall, and a world-class orchid collection, you can easily spend a day in the jungle at the Conservatory.

Our parks have gone to the dogs!

Fletcher Park is a super pet-friendly neighborhood, and you can always see people walking their dogs along the Cultural Trail. There’s also the nearby Dog Park at Immanuel, located in the adjacent Bates-Hendricks neighborhood. This 8,000-square foot park is partially turfed and a great spot to take your pup to socialize and meet other dogs. 

You can also take your dog out to the pub with you at Metazoa Brewing! They’re a pet-friendly, open-concept brewery in the neighborhood—complete with a dog park and a phenomenal view of the skyline. They allow well-behaved pups inside the taproom and patio space and even host puppy birthday parties!

Are you more of a cat person? Fountain Square is home to Indianapolis’ first and only cat café! Aptly named, the Nine Lives Cat Café combines a typical coffee shop with a lounge where customers can pay to play with adoptable cats! And after a long day with your pet, you can stop by City Dogs Grocery, a boutique store for dogs and cats alike. You won’t find a better part of town to share with your furry friend! 

Find your home here in Fletcher Place.

I realize that I’m biased, but I’m deeply confident when I say that Fletcher Place is the greatest neighborhood in our fair Midwest city. Whether you’re retired, single, or married with kids, Fletcher Place is an inclusive and welcoming neighborhood for everyone. And I’ve felt that since the day I moved in! 

Fletcher Place is only a few short blocks from downtown, but our calm tree canopy makes you feel like we’re miles from the city. As you walk down our streets, you’ll stumble upon vibrant public artworks around every corner. And we have an incredible local music scene with weekly concerts down at the HI-FI.

But most importantly, Fletcher Place is a caring community. It’s about the hospitality, the civic-minded businesses, the walkable neighborhood, and the beautifully preserved historic homes. All of these things show how our neighbors care about each other, and that’s what makes Fletcher Place truly feel like home.