Street Savvy: SoBro

[1] Cruise
The biking craze goes old school at National Moto+ Cycle Co., where owners Matty Bennett and Brendan Fox pay homage to Indy’s days of racing gone by with re-created vintage motorbikes, including an exclusive collection for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.  Accessories include aviator-style helmets and goggles. 5206 N. College Ave., 698-2418, nationalmoto.com.

[2] Rewind
Indy’s indie crowd frequents Luna Music for a shape-shifting inventory of vinyl and hard-to-find recordings. In a nod to retro record-and-tape clubs, they’ll even deliver an LP to your door each month, for an annual subscription fee of $250. 5202 N. College Ave., 283-5862, lunamusic.net.

[3] Browse
For clever hostess gifts and cutie-pie baby presents, Be Boutique carries a colorful array of fun scarves, funky dresses, girly accessories, chic candles, stationery, onesies, and more. And Scout’s Treat Truck now stocks a counter with gourmet popcorn and cupcakes. 5367 N. College Ave., 257-3826, betheboutique.com.

[4] Brunch
Dutch pannekoeken—that’s pancakes to us Yanks—lure diners to cozy little SoBro Cafe. Try the savory mushroom variation or the Double Dutch Chocolate. 653 E. 52nd St., 920-8121, sobrocafe.com.

IN THE KNOW: Nora Spitznogle
Saturday cook and server at the Red Key Tavern since 2002.

What’s something we’d be surprised to learn about SoBro? We have a hostel. Indy Hostel has been welcoming world travelers since 2003.
What’s your go-to meal in the area? I’m such a big fan of the grilled pineapple salad at Zest that I feel like I’m cheating on it if I order something else.
What do you think the neighborhood still needs? Decent sidewalks.

[5] Chug
Twenty Tap pulls from a rotation of Hoosier-proud craft beers, but the name is a misnomer—there are more like 38 handles going at any time. Tempura-ish cheese curds (beer-battered, of course) pair well with a pint. 5408 N. College Ave., 602-8840, twentytap.com.

[6] Laugh
The raucous clientele at The Sinking Ship settles down, sort of, for movie nights at the hipster bar the last Thursday of every month (screenings have included Empire Records and The Goonies), and regional stand-up comedians hone their shtick with free performances Sundays at 9 p.m. 4923 N. College Ave., 920-7999, thesinkingship.com.

[7] Dine
Recess ushered in a SoBro renaissance when it opened in 2010 to take adventurous diners on a constantly evolving culinary roller coaster. Then offshoot Room Four arrived to satisfy a more casual crowd with tacos and burgers—and shore up the block even further. “Every spot in our strip has been redone and is up and running,” says chef-owner Greg Hardesty. “When I got here, there was a barbershop. That was it.” 4907 N. College Ave., 925-7529, recessindy.com.

>> GET EVEN MORE STREET SAVVY

February 2013 — Zionsville
January 2013 — Franklin
December 2012 — Downtown Noblesville
November 2012 — Irvington
October 2012 — Fishers
September 2012 — 54th and the Monon
August 2012 — Fountain Square
July 2012 — 600 E. Carmel Drive
June 2012 — Washington Street
May 2012 — Carmel City Center
April 2012 — East 10th Street
March 2012 — The New Mass Ave

Illustration by Scotty Reifsnyder; photos by Tony Valainis.

This article appeared in the March 2013 issue.