Notably among people who know me, the amount of times I have been to Nashville, Tennessee has become a running joke. I visited Duke’s Indy to save myself the eight-hour round-trip drive.
The Broadway district in Nashville is filled with honky-tonks, and Duke’s Indy markets itself as “Indiana’s honky-tonk.” The location of Duke’s is interesting at 2352 S. West St. It is an oasis in the middle of an industrial area. Despite being in an awkward area, it makes sense — it is perfect for people who want to have a good time and avoid downtown.
Before visiting, I had to check out the website and it was an experience within itself. I absolutely loved it. The “FAQs” page has “WE DO NOT BOOK POP COUNTRY” under one of the questions about band bookings. It offers events like live music, line dancing and karaoke almost every day it is open. Some are ticketed, but most are free. Another important note is that people under the age of 21 can go with a guardian, which is what I had to do.
When I first stepped in, it looked like a regular bar to me. I did not see anything special. That was before I looked at the ceiling and saw the decorations. The neon signs were cool, particularly the one above the stage. It also had a display of boots on the two beams closest to where I decided to sit.
One thing that makes a bar worth a visit is the food. I decided to try out the buttermilk biscuits ($3), mac and cheese ($5) and the fries ($5). All sides but I am a picky eater. It is a testament to the variety — that there is something for everyone. My friends who go to honky-tonks in Nashville tell me they just get sides and admire the vibes. I thought it was interesting that they had biscuits so getting them was a must for me. I enjoyed them. They tasted good and homemade. The fries were also excellent, some of the best-seasoned fries I have ever had. They were generously seasoned, but they were far better than the seasoned fries from fast-food restaurants like White Castle. The one downside was the mac and cheese. I am very particular when it comes to mac and cheese. Normally, I avoid it at any restaurant as it can be bland. The mac at Duke’s, luckily, was not bland, but the shredded cheese really threw me off. It had a little kick to it, probably because of the blend used. Personally, it was not a mac and cheese I would recommend.
The vibes were really cool, even beyond the decoration. It is hard to find people who share the same music taste I do and it was really cool to hear a blend of rock and real country, which is what I like. I love all music, but rock and country resonate with me more than any other genres, and it was nice to find a place where it was appreciated. I sat by the kitchen and it had a very homey feel, like a classic small restaurant.
Duke’s Indy is a nice place to go for those wishing to get a taste of Nashville in Indianapolis. It is a lot cheaper to go there than to plan a trip to the Music City, and the experience is comparable. I can imagine myself going back with some friends and ordering some fries while taking in the music.
