There are food festivals, and then there’s Chicken & Beer Festival — Indianapolis’ fall block party disguised as a tasting marathon. On Saturday, October 18, 2025 from 2–8 PM (VIPs get in at 2, everyone else at 3), University Park transforms into a buzzing maze of tents, sizzling fryers, and cold brews with one clear mission: to celebrate the city’s food culture through the ultimate comfort combo — chicken and beer.
This isn’t just about wings (though there will be plenty of those). It’s about sampling from 40+ local restaurants, chefs, and dessert makers — from crispy tenders to smoky BBQ tips, plant-based “chicken” to Filipino lumpia, and cheesecakes to nitrogen ice cream. Add in a DJ lineup, a Hot Wing Challenge, and 2,500+ hungry festival-goers, and you’ve got Indy’s biggest flavor block party of the year.
The catch? You only get a 2.5-hour tasting window with your sample tickets (4 food + 3 drinks with GA; more if you’re VIP). That means you’ll need a plan. Here’s your play-by-play guide to eating your way through Chicken & Beer Festival like a pro — from the must-try hot chicken and BBQ, to the unexpected fusion finds, to the desserts you’ll regret skipping.
Tickets + info: cbfest25.eventbrite.com
The Must-Try Spicy Chicken
- Ale Emporium — their Hermanaki wings are practically legend in Indianapolis.
- Joella’s Hot Chicken — Indy’s hot chicken HQ. Choose your heat level wisely, but at least one stop here is mandatory.
The Smoke & BBQ Lane
- STIX Barbeque — skewered and smoked for easy-to-eat, bold BBQ flavor.
- Big Mike’s Barbeque – Scratch-made BBQ with bold, jazzed-up flavors.
- Yard Bird BBQ – BBQ chicken, smoked wings, and grilled options.
- Bentot’s BBQ – Filipino barbecue with grilled meats and chicken skewers.
Fusion & Global Flavors
- Huevos etc Breakfast & Brunch – Brunch with a creative twist.
- Pinoy Garden Cafe – Filipino-style chicken hibachi, crispy pork belly and lumpia.
- Paretta’s Italian Ristorante – Authentic homemade Italian cuisine from Delphi, IN.
Plant-Based & Lighter Bites
- That Vegan Joint — proving “chicken” doesn’t need meat to hit the spot.
- Herculean Prepared Meals — protein-packed, lighter plates to break up the fried food marathon.
Dessert (Save Room For These)
- LiftOff Creamery & Sub Zero Nitrogen Ice Cream — cold, creamy, and Instagram-worthy.
- The Cheesecake Lady — slices and minis that sell out fast.
- Salamat Cookies — Filipino-inspired cookies with ube, brown-butter, and more.
- Marsha’s Specialty Desserts & Amira’s Bakery — local sweet shops bringing the sugar rush.
Drinks Beyond Beer
- Shake UP Cocktails — fruity sips to cut through the spice.
- The Health Club Taproom & Cafe — cannabis-infused craft beverages for a unique twist.
- Professor BeerButter — specialty beer + butter-inspired beverages for the adventurous.
- Juice with Jos — non-alcoholic, refreshing reset between bites.
Your Winning Festival Strategy
- Go VIP if you can — that 2–3 PM window means shorter lines
- Map your Top 3 savory + 1 dessert before you even walk in. Lines get long.
- Share samples with friends to maximize variety.
- Hydrate often — fried chicken + beer + fall vibes.
- Save a ticket for dessert — you’ll thank yourself later.
The Five-Stop Cheat Sheet (if you only hit a handful)
- Marlo’s Kitchen — southern soulfood.
- Gip Got Tips — smoky BBQ.
- Bay Area Bistro — Filipino fusion surprise.
- Bentot’s BBQ – Filipino barbecue with grilled meats and chicken skewers.
- The Cheesecake Lady — the sweet ending.
Why It Matters
This is more than a food fest. Chicken & Beer Festival has grown into a 5-year Indy tradition, giving the stage (and sales) to local, minority, and immigrant-owned restaurants. Vendors keep 100% of their sales, so every bite supports the city’s culinary entrepreneurs.
Tickets & Full Vendor List: cbfest25.eventbrite.com
Where: University Park, Downtown Indianapolis
When: Saturday, October 18, 2025 · 2–8 PM
Bring an appetite. Bring friends. And maybe bring wet wipes.
