Hey foodie friends! Shaun here, and we’re back for Season Three of the IndyFoodKing Guide to Pride! This time, I’m thrilled to welcome a new friend to the community kingdom: Life in Indy (@yourlifeinindy). Yay!
Let’s take a moment to appreciate the incredible people who make Indy Pride (@indypride) happen each year. It’s a labor of love, and their hard work deserves to be celebrated. There’s always room for you at my table — especially now, when showing up for each other matters more than ever.
This guide is about how Indianapolis celebrates Pride and the many places around our city where you can feel that spirit all year long.
Here’s my hot take: From Michigan City to Evansville and everywhere in between, LGBTQIA+ Hoosiers and allies will gather in Indy on June 14 and 15 for two days of celebration. Festivities kick off with the Indy Pride Parade at 10 a.m. on Mass Ave. The weekend continues at Monument Circle and the American Legion Mall with a Pride Festival that’s free and open to all ages.
Quick plug: Don’t forget to support local Pride events across Indiana — Greenwood, Westfield, Spencer, South Bend and more. They need your support too.
Indy Pride is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year with a stacked lineup: Natasha Bedingfield (yes, I will be screaming “Unwritten”), Tinashe, Big Wild, Coco & Breezy and local favorite Pat Yo Weave. You’ll find food vendors, bars with alcoholic and nonalcoholic options, sponsor activations and plenty of joy. The Word of Mouth: 2-Day Music Series offers tickets from general admission to luxe cabanas — and don’t forget your clear bag (they’re serious about that!).
Major love to Flags for Good (@flagsforgood) for supporting the event and the community year-round. Their new shop in Fletcher Place at 646 Virginia Ave. is a must-visit. That giant flag on the cover? Yup, that’s from them.
For a more family-friendly vibe, check out the Celebration on the Circle, also hosted by Indy Pride. Held on Monument Circle, it features local drag artists, performers and leaders on the Community Stage, plus food trucks and artisan vendors — including a Sunday collab with Indy Gay Market. ASL interpretation is provided to ensure accessibility for everyone.
Now onto the good eats and local gems you can visit any day of the year.
Let’s start with food and drink. Whether it’s a cozy dinner or a night on the town, these spots show up: Wisanggeni Pawon, Circle City Eats, Top Out Café, Indy Indians Game at The Vic, Bodhi, Half Liter, Mama Carolla’s, St. Elmo Steak House, Just Pop In, Sam’s Silver Circle, Illumine Coffee, Blue Mind Roasting, Gold Leaf, Perk Up Brotgarten, Greek Islands, Almost Famous, The Health Club, Mako Hemp Co., Café Oztara, Shelby Street Tavern and Gather 22.
For something a little different, try the live jazz at Chatterbox, various film festivals with Heartland Film, the nonalcoholic offerings at Orangily or the upbeat vibe at English Ivy’s, Tini, Metro, Mass Ave Pub, Downtown Ollie’s or Gregs. Breweries like Big Lug, Guggman Haus, Upland and Sun King Brewery to cideries like Ash & Elm and distilleries like Hotel Tango, 8th Day, Four Finger and Hi & Mighty are crafting some delicious things.
Retail therapy? Yes, please. Silver in the City, Heritage Clothier and Home and Newman & Co. offer curated style and warm service. Tomorrow Bookstore is a dream for readers.
Frida’s Flowers virtually decorates my life. I love what you do — beautiful!
Stonewall Sports has brought me bounds of community beyond my biggest dreams. Kickball, dodgeball, pickleball, volleyball, softball and more are offered to connect with our fellow community members.
And if you’re heading to a concert this summer, use promo code SHAUN to skip the ticket fees starting June 2 for Rock the Ruins and Broad Ripple Park shows.
Wellness matters, too. Elite Back and Body keeps me feeling my best (shoutout to you, Caleb!).
Organizations are also doing essential, ongoing work for the community: Trans Solutions, Damien Center, Indiana AIDS Fund and the Health Foundation of Greater Indianapolis are dedicated to care and safety. The Indiana Rainbow Chamber of Commerce is helping LGBTQ+ professionals and entrepreneurs thrive.
And one last thing to put on your radar: Epicurean’s Pogue’s Pride Dinner and Market. It’s a delicious, meaningful gathering where food and community unite to honor inclusiveness. Show up hungry.
Put anything that’s Epicurean on your radar.
Wherever you go, whoever you’re with — Pride is about showing up as your whole self and making space for others to do the same. Indy, you do that beautifully.
Happy Pride, my friends!
