The weather outside is frightful, but so what! Central Indiana residents and visitors can take charming temporary refuge in their very own private snow globes. Several metro-area restaurants, bars and wineries maintain cozy outdoor igloos to cuddle up in for memorable date nights, holiday outings, and unique dining/drinking experiences.
The local OG, Urban Vines Winery & Brewery in Westfield was the first to introduce the igloo trend to local Hoosiers, where each heated dome rolls out a warm welcome for up to 10 people at a time. Meanwhile in nearby Carmel, Vivante at Hotel Carmichael invites guests to thaw out in heated igloos just off the Monon Trail, perfectly sited to complement a visit to the annual Christkindlmarkt.
Field Brewing in Westfield posts heated igloos on its outdoor patio where guests can relax and linger over cold pints and hot food. Private fireplaces, cushioned seats and twinkle lights create a toasty-warm ambiance inside the six-person yurts at Spencer Farm Winery in Noblesville.
Hyatt Place Hyatt House Indianapolis Downtown just launched a brand-new Rooftop Igloo Experience this winter at Pivot Bar + Balcony, where each geodesic dome is designed for wining and dining up to eight guests with small plates, cocktails and a s’mores board.
In Broad Ripple, cap off a snowy stroll on the Monon Trail with a meal in a miniature greenhouse at Public Greens Urban Kitchen, where the fact that 100 percent of all the restaurant’s profits go to feed hungry local kids through the Patachou Foundation also warms the heart. Feel free to BYOB — bring your own blanket.
If you’d like to check out one of these local igloos, call ahead for rates and reservations — and the sooner, the better. These popular offerings tend to book up fast, especially around the holidays.
