On today's Dopest we're covering:
BUTTER Fine Art Fair — the nationally celebrated Black-led art fair returns to the Stutz September 3–6
The Pretender — a Japanese kissa-style hi-fi listening lounge just opened in Noblesville and it's unlike anything in Indiana
Game World — the retro video game store that will have you blowing into N64 cartridges again before you leave
Thanks for reading!
-Hillary
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Via @butterartfair
🎨 The Dopest Art Fair — BUTTER Fine Art Fair
Most art fairs take a commission. BUTTER takes nothing. One hundred percent of every artwork sale goes directly to the artist — no fees, no cuts, no fine print. That's not a policy. That's a statement. And it's why BUTTER Fine Art Fair has been featured in the New York Times, Forbes and the LA Times since GANGGANG founded it right here in Indianapolis in 2021.
This year's sixth iteration runs September 3–6 at The Stutz Building in downtown Indy over Labor Day weekend. Fifty-three emerging, mid-career, and established artists representing the African diaspora. $1.5 million in artwork sales since 2021, all of it going back to artists. Guests 18 and under are always free — because access to art shouldn't be a privilege. Drinks, music, panels etc. An incredible local event you won’t want to miss.
This is Indianapolis doing something the rest of the country is paying attention to. If you've never been, this is the year.
Get tickets → butterartfair.com
📍 The Stutz Building · Sept 3–6 · GA $40 · VIP Weekend $75 · Preview Night $150 · Under 18 Free
The Dopest Tip: Preview Night on Thursday is worth the $150 if you want first look before the weekend crowds. VIP Weekend at $75 is the best value if you want to come back multiple days — which you will.
Via @the.pretender.hifi
🎵 The Dopest New Bar — The Pretender
I know it’s not Indianapolis, so calm down. But downtown Noblesville just opened a bar that’s worth the drive. The Pretender is a Japanese kissa-style hi-fi listening lounge — which sounds like a lot of words until you walk in and all makes sense. Cool 70s vibe, $60,000 worth of vintage and modern audio gear (Technics turntables, McIntosh amps, Tannoy and Sansui speakers, an Akai reel-to-reel), and music treated with the same reverence as the food and drinks. This is a place where you actually listen to the music being played, not yell over it to your friends at the table.
Local DJs spin vinyl on weekends. You can bring your own records. Executive chef Ricky Martinez's menu includes house kettle chips with caviar, jalapeño-bacon jam deviled eggs, pork tenderloin with apples and cabbage, and a brie brûlée with pistachio dust. The cocktail program is elevated without being precious about it. We love when someone brings a fresh idea to our midwest city!
The Pretender brings the Japanese kissa tradition to Indiana. Slow down, listen, and stay a while.
See the menu and reserve → thepretender.com
📍 818 Logan St, Noblesville
The Dopest Tip: Go on a weeknight when Uncanned Music is running the tapes. Order the brie brûlée. Bring someone who appreciates a good room.
🎮 The Dopest Nostalgia Trip — Game World
Remember when blowing into your N64 cartridge was the biggest problem you had in life? Game World will take you right back. This locally owned retro video game store has been doing its thing since 2009 and the Indianapolis location has 30,000+ items bought, sold, and traded with people who actually care about quality.
Classic games, retro consoles, accessories, DVDs, Blu-Rays, Funko Pops, Pokémon cards, collectible figures, plushies, and merch. Every piece of hardware gets thoroughly cleaned. Every disc goes through a state of the art repair machine. This is not a dusty garage sale — this is a curated collection for people who take their video game nostalgia seriously.
This is for the non-digital collector. The one who thinks Mario Kart night with friends is still one of the best evenings you can have. They are correct and Game World has everything you need to make it happen.
Browse the inventory → gameworldindiana.com
The Dopest Tip: Bring something to trade. Their buy/sell/trade model is genuinely fair and store credit goes a long way when you've got 30,000 items to browse. The N64 section alone is worth the trip.
The Dopest This Week:
Beginning Wheel | Get Dirty Ceramics | 7pm | Thursday
Irvington First Friday Music | Irvington Theatre | 7pm | Friday
Little Stranger | HiFi Annex | 6:30 | Friday
Indy Eleven | IUI Stadium | 7pm | Saturday
Micro Wrestling | Irving Theatre | 8pm| Saturday
Indy is always up to something. So are we.
See you next week! — Indy's Dopest
Got a friend who thinks Indy is boring? Forward this. We'll take it from here.