Matt Cox Recommends Downtown

The Libertine Liquor Bar… it’s also very walkable from the hotel(s). http://libertineindy.com/

Also, lots of good stuff in Fountain Square (on Virginia just southeast of downtown) that i didn’t even list here…http://www.urbanspoon.com/n/40/3907/Indianapolis/Fountain-Square-restaurants - Brass Ring, Siam Square, Santorini… all highly recommended. 

[Editor's note: I asked Matt about the Libertine - I have never been but am looking forward to a cocktail there after he and M.Eble posted wonderful pics from a recent trip - highly recommended by Matt and Indy Monthy. -ms]

• RAM Restaurant and Brewery on Illinois (3-4 blocks from hotel - a chain but a small chain, great food from what I remember in Denver) http://www.theram.com/indiana/indianapolis.html

• Scotty's Brewhouse (6-7 blocks from hotel - at Virginia and Pennsylvania) http://www.scottysbrewhouse.com/locations/indianapolis-downtown/

• Rock Bottom Brewery (on Washington - 6 to 7 blocks from hotel - http://www.rockbottom.com/locations/indianapolis-downtown/largeparties)

• The Rathskeller German Restaurant and Pub (12-13 blocks from hotel - Michigan and New Jersey) http://www.rathskeller.com/

• Bru Bar (12-13 blocks from hotel - 410 Mass Ave) http://www.bruonmass.com/

• Harry & Izzy's (6-7 blocks from hotel - http://harryandizzys.com/locations/downtown-indianapolis-location-information/)

• An "outsider thought" - Creation Cafe (three minute cab ride, more of a 20 minute walk - this is actually a really cool spot on the canal with views of downtown, etc. - it's another direction from the hotel but really neat and great food - 337 W. 11th Street) - they have rooms upstairs and my friend Brian who works for IU Medical Center and coordinates this stuff says they have used them before for the room and food. http://www.creationcafeandeuphoria.com/creationcafe/

The JW Marriott is easy walking distance from a lot of stuff downtown. The thing is, it's brand new and so it's a couple blocks from things. Not a big deal really, but nothing is "across the street" (except what's in the hotel itself). But once you're over into the downtown area you have a lot of stuff. Several chains of course (Champp's, Buca Di Beppo, PF Changs, Palamino, Hard Rock Cafe, etc., but none of that is probably ideal).

But do check these: 

There's no reason not to have something within walking distance really. Any of these would work pretty well for both atmosphere and food and should have the room. RAM, Rock Bottom, and Harry & Izzy's are closest but the others are really cool too. 

-Matt