Great Nights Out: Sound Advice
Radio Radio
1119 E. Prospect St., 317-955-0995, futureshock.net
Vibe: Swanky hipster. This spiffy Fountain Square spot hosts concerts, themed parties, and sprawling one-off tributes like last fall’s “Such a Night: Recreating the Music of The Last Waltz.”
What Everyone’s Drinking: Local craft beers, natch.
Biggest Upcoming Shows: The Third Annual Buckaroo Bash, an old-timey tribute to Buck Owens (February 3); Beta Cell Bash, a fund-raiser centered around the music of David Bowie (March 4).
What Sets It Apart: Quietly luxe environs (check out that glass bar) and a parade of local, undiscovered talent.
The Hi-Fi
1043 Virginia Ave., 317-493-1209, hifiindy.com
Vibe: New Orleans–style shotgun house in August (the air conditioning never worked, but that’s been renovated recently).
What Everyone’s Drinking: Fountain Square Brewery is always well-represented, as is Sun King. The Hi-Fi also keeps a cocktail, usually bourbon-based, on rotation. And look for the big cooler of water on the bar so you don’t have to pester the bartenders for a glass.
Biggest Upcoming Shows: Punk/surf trio Agent Orange (March 16); The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band CD release party (March 17); Margo Price (April 5).
What Sets It Apart: Great acoustics, and it’s a prime place to meet the band and get a photo after the show.
Pioneer
1110 Shelby St., 317-986-6761, pioneerindy.com
Vibe: Scruffy chic. There’s a stage in the back, but Pioneer is primarily a spiffy restaurant with a European-inspired menu and dark-wood-and-marble bar.
What Everyone’s Drinking: A rotating cast of beers from around the world, and a wine list that’s heavy on Italy, Austria, and Germany. Or cocktails named after high-end pieces of recording equipment—like the SM57, Pioneer’s crisp, sky-blue version of an Aviator.
Biggest Upcoming Shows: The SleepyNap Project: A J Dilla Tribute Show (February 3); Antenna-Man album-
release show with Cyrus Youngman and Jomberfox (February 17); Spellbound with Mark Atkins (February 25).
What Sets It Apart: Pretty much the only place where you can get a Slovenian pinot grigio during a set.
The Vogue
6259 N. College Ave., 317-259-7029, thevogue.com
Vibe: Comfortably worn-in. This Broad Ripple standard has seen it all, and continues to keep a lively schedule of everything under the sun. Scan the promo art–covered walls, which cover a ridiculous spectrum that includes everyone from the Drive-By Truckers to George Clinton to Salt-N-Pepa, to find the most random band name (we’re going with Stabbing Westward).
What Everyone’s Drinking: Anything you can imagine, but cans of Sun King reign supreme.
Biggest Upcoming Shows: The enduring Minneapolis hip-hop duo Atmosphere (February 8); dry-wrapped novelty act Here Come the Mummies (February 17); bearded troubadours Dawes (March 19).
What Sets It Apart: History, plus location, location, location—The Vogue is a guitar-pick’s throw from HopCat and the Broad Ripple main drag.
Old National Centre
502 N. New Jersey St., 317-231-0000, oldnationalcentre.com
Vibe: Sprawling yet intimate, with soaring ceilings, hand-carved murals, and Middle Eastern flair. With three venues in one—the cavernous Egyptian Room, velvet-seated Murat Theatre, and clubby Deluxe Room—the enduring center still covers most of your musical needs.
What Everyone’s Drinking: Themed things, like a vodka-cranberry Doo Wop for a Lauryn Hill concert or a vodka Old Rockers Rule for a Moody Blues show.
Biggest Upcoming Shows: Local darlings Lily & Madeleine (February 25); Steve Martin and Martin Short (March 5); Brian Wilson Presents Pet Sounds (April 23).
What Sets It Apart: Ability to cover all bases. If you’re hitting a mid-sized show, get to the Egyptian early to stake out a standing spot near the stage. For smaller or quieter gigs, you’ll grab a seat in the comfortable Murat or Deluxe Room.
