
This historic neighborhood—located just five miles outside Downtown Indianapolis—is a tight-knit community dedicated to preserving their homes and the charm of the area. But when Halloween rolls around, Irvington is THE place to be. We spent the day exploring local businesses to get a sense of what Irvington is all about before 30,000 visitors roll in at the end of the month.
Whether you’ve got your eyes set on Irvington as your Halloween hotspot or are just looking for a new neighborhood to discover around Indy, check out the local favorites:
Food & Drink
Start your morning with Coalyard Coffee – This hidden gem is just a few blocks off the main strip, but it offers delicious drinks at great prices. We tried the Cookie Butter Latte, and it was incredible! Very fall, and different from the usual Pumpkin Spice Latte. Ringing in at $4.50 for a large, it was a much better deal than most other coffee shops near Downtown. The staff was super friendly and made up their own flavors. The decor (think deer head dressed up in fall leaves) and the seating of mismatched furniture added to the eclectic/homey vibe.



Grab lunch at Jockamo Pizza – These fresh, handcrafted pizzas are the real deal. We were surprised by the number of different specialty pizzas and had a really hard time deciding. On a Sunday afternoon, the place was popping – so you know it’s a local favorite. We tried a cheese pizza with hot honey and it was delicious.
Another locally-owned business serving up tasty bites is Smash’d Burger. They were recently nominated for Best Burger and New Restaurant by the Indianapolis Community’s Choice Awards.



Get some fancy cocktails at Strangebird / Land Locked – This rum and oyster bar brings a taste of the tropics to the Eastside of Indy. If oysters aren’t your thing, they also offer delicious ramen. Strangebird has a great patio and indoor seating space and brings such a fun, fresh vibe to the area. Our friends in the area say it’s the coolest local spot.
Shopping
Grab a new fall read at Irvington Vinyl and Books. Cozy up with your books and a new vinyl to set the mood for those cool Fall mornings. This shop has so many cool, retro albums, movies, jewelry, and more. It’s such a fun throwback to the 90s and has something for everyone.
Find unique gifts at Black Sheep Gifts and Hampton & Co. The Halloween decor is officially on display! It’s not a shock to see these shops go all out with decorations and accessories to celebrate the town’s favorite holiday.



Getting Spooky
Expect the unexpected at Monsterz Inc. We found this bar randomly while touring around Irvington. It’s a little bit of everything: Costume shop, event space, and museum of horrors. They host drag shoes, horror trivia, etc. so you can have a piece of Halloween all year round.
Don’t miss out on Irvington’s legendary Halloween festival! From Oct. 19 through 26, get your Halloween fix by going to the Halloween Ball, and getting your exercise in with the Zombie Bike Ride or Vampire Run. And of course, dressing up for the famous Halloween Parade.
Last year we did the Fright-Seeing tour and it was such a cool experience! You get to see all of the decorated houses while learning spooky Irvington history from locals.
Take your group of gals to the Edgar Allen Poe Speakeasy – This pop-up bar experience is in town for one weekend, so make sure to hurry and grab your tickets for October 24-26. There are 3 shows per night, and Poe historians will re-tell your favorite Poe stories while the mixologist turns each story into a cocktail experience.



About Sippin’ Sangria
Caroline and Lexa are a traveling duo who have visited several local, U.S., and international destinations together. Through these adventures, they’ve learned the ins and outs of traveling with friends and love connecting with other female travelers. When they’re not booking their next flight, Lexa and Caroline plan trips—honeymoons, girlfriend getaways, weekend trips, and more.
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