Parkside Public House is no ordinary restaurant. Combining culinary cuisine with artistic expression, this new art-house gastropub in Garfield Park is a creative experience on all fronts.
Josh Haines, co-owner and general manager of Parkside, said he thought fusing an art gallery with a restaurant just made sense. His art background and previous work at Garfield Brewery made this concept feel like a perfect fit, he said. Haines’ vision was fully supported by Phil Kirk, co-owner, who shared the same goal of creating a unique gathering space for the friendly neighborhood and park visitors.
“I love painting… I love service,” Haines said. “I like giving people a really fun, unique experience.”
At Parkside, every corner is a new discovery waiting to happen. The carefully curated art collection, a vibrant contrast against the dark interior, breathes life into the space. This energy, as Haines describes it, is one of joy, creativity and happiness. It makes the place consistently intriguing for patrons.
The connection between the staff and customers at Parkside is not just professional, it is personal. Every guest who walks through the doors is not just greeted with a smile, but with a genuine warmth that flows throughout the entire establishment. The friendly exchanges and shared laughter create an inviting atmosphere that makes everyone, regardless of age, feel at home.
“This is a space that we want for neighbors to enjoy,” Haines said. “But I love when I can overhear someone else at another table say, like, ‘Oh yeah, this is my first time in Garfield Park.’ To be a part of not just activating this corridor for our neighbors, but to be the first introduction to the neighborhood… That’s a rewarding aspect.”
The people of Garfield Park are deeply proud of their neighborhood, Kirk said. The community warmly welcomed him, and he felt more known and appreciated within a few weeks of buying the building than he had living in other neighborhoods. To Kirk, this pride and sense of community makes Garfield Park truly special.
“Everyone who lives here feels, in my opinion… a powerful sense of ownership,” Kirk said. “People really take pride in their neighborhood. I mean, almost every day you see people walking down Shelby Street picking up trash, just like we do constant events in the park for that too. There are a lot of things that bring, like, the neighborhood together.”
Seeing the creative vision for Parkside is rewarding for Kirk, he said, and the community is buzzing with having a new sit-down restaurant in their neighborhood. Families can now stay in the area to enjoy a meal, with Parkside being the only all-ages sit-down restaurant in the surrounding neighborhood.
A five-minute drive or a few stops on the Red Line bus will take UIndy students right in front of Parkside’s building. From movie nights to live music, Parkside can connect the UIndy community to the surrounding neighborhood and downtown Indianapolis. The collaborative space offers opportunities for students to meet others.
Haines said students do not have to stay on campus and should explore what makes Indianapolis amazing —the local neighborhoods.
“That’s what makes a city a city,” Haines said.
With a fluid and open approach to business, Parkside’s mind is focused on growth for more creative and collaborative opportunities. Haines and Kirk want their business to match the vibrancy of the people and be the community hub Garfield Park deserves. Collaboration is open to anyone, and the opportunity to engage with the community is hard to pass up.
“I have a strong desire to see this corridor become more activated,” Kirk said. “This corridor still doesn’t quite match the energy of the people who live here…. We were able to essentially either stabilize, start or lease like 10 different small businesses just in this pocket over the last two years. So the idea of getting to continue to do that and do more of it excites me.”To find more information about Parkside and upcoming events, visit www.parksidepublichouse.com.
