The Holy Land of Hoops

Hey Butler fans! Welcome to the Big East. I'm making the trip south from Chicago this weekend to watch my alma mater play at Hinkle Fieldhouse for the first time since 1991. Just a couple questions to help me, and fans of the other Big East programs who may be coming to visit.

1.) Wow! The closest bar to Hinkle appears to be on College Avenue, approximately a mile and a half away. Where can a guy get a drink and a bite to eat in this town?

2.) What's the parking situation like on gamedays? Looks like it's a lot of residential parking around campus.

Butler's campus (and Hinkle) are located in a 1920's era suburb without much mixed use. There's a commercial strip at 56th and Illinois with coffee, a couple nice restaurants and a few shops, but no bars. The bars nearest campus are along College between 49th and Kessler, or in Broad Ripple along 62nd east of College. Binkley's at College/Kessler is a really good all-around option. 20 Tap at 54th & College is awesome if you can get in (it's small and they're usually slammed). Fat Dan's next door is a great too when there's a long wait at 20 Tap (make sure you try the fries). Eat + Drink at 52nd is a bit more foodie, but it's really good and they have a nice beer selection. Check out Sinking Ship at 49th if you're into the hipster thing and want an awesome burger. For something more moderately priced, Delicia at 52nd & College is some of the best food in the entire city.

As for parking, the Hinkle lot itself is reserved for those with parking passes. There is visitor parking available on campus - http://www.butler.edu/media/836954/park ... ionmap.pdf

If you want to park on campus, your best bet is to get there REALLY early and park in the Clowes/Schrott lot (in yellow, #24). If that's full, you'll have to park on the neighborhood streets, which isn't bad. My wife and I do it for every game and walk 5 minutes out of the neighborhood to Hinkle.

New Years Eve they charged me 5 bucks to park in Clowes Schrott lot (#24). Worth every penny to be that close to the arena, it was cold as a witches t*t that night.

Doors open 1.5 hours before tip. I found there were spaces available at that time. You'll want to get there early anyway and mosey around the place.

You can also park on Lake Drive, near the Fieldhouse. It's listed as permit parking only, but I always park there.

If you're coming from the north, I think the easiest drive in is from I-465 on Meridian Street to 52nd or 46th street.

Go to Union Jack's pub on broad ripple avenue (off of college avenue). Get some drinks and order a pepperoni pizza with pesto sauce and mozzarella+feta cheese. No one may want to sit next to you at the game but you'll die happy. (All of their pizzas are great)

You should be able to park for free in the neighborhoods if you get there early enough and don't mind a stroll

I wish Creighton was playing Butler on a weekend. I would have loved to go, maybe someday...

Thanks, Bulldogs for the advice. We are making a weekend of it with planned visits to the Hoosier Gym and Rathskeller as well.