After our delicious lunch at Iaria's Italian Restaurant we headed back out to Virginia Ave and on to the heart of the Fountain Square neighborhood to continue our downtown media tour. While Fountain Square is just a mile and a half from downtown, it's "close in, far out" and is actually one of six individual cultural districts. With all the restaurants, shops, theatres, and entertainment this neighborhood is anything but square. Recently the IMA kicked off a new exhibit out in the streets of Fountain Square. On Procession, an art parade, fit right in on this side of town. Spectators lined the streets to watch the artsy array of floats and displays pass them by. I watched the parade from Peppy's Grill, a classic short order diner that's been serving it up 24 hours a day for years.

Fountain Square has always played an important role in the city's development of the art and theatre scene. In the early 1900's this area was home to more theatres than any other part of the city. With the rise in theatres came The Fountain Square Theatre Building in 1928. When it first opened it held a large movie theatre, a basement ballroom (and incidentally a speakeasy) as well as commercial space and professional offices. However after its decline in the 60's the building was gutted to make room for a Woolworth's store.

But never fear! After undergoing renovations beginning in the late 90's this building once again houses all the entertainment you could ask for. Here you'll find entertainment and events in the Fountain Square Theatre ranging from Art vs. Art, to Friday night swing dancing, and Second Helping's Tonic Ball. In case that's not enough to bowl you over, the building brags two vintage duckpin bowling alleys, three restaurants, a meeting center, and swanky semi-secretive overnight accommodations. Sorry, no partridge in a pair tree as of yet.

On the basement level of The Fountain Square Theatre Building you'll find Atomic Bowl. It has seven duckpin alleys and is furnished with authentic 50's and 60's bowling equipment, a jukebox, and pool table. Going backwards and upwards, the fourth floor of the building transports you to the 1930's. Action Duckpin Bowl, originally opened as Fountain Square Recreation, was restored to an authentic version in 1994. It has eight lanes of duckpin, a 1918 pool table, a snack and beverage bar, and an amazing collection of bowling memorabilia dating back to early 1900's.

If all that bowling makes you hungry you can visit any of the three restaurants in the building. On the first floor you'll find the shelBi street caFe & Bistro. Their contemporary lunch menu offers unique salads, sandwiches, and gourmet pizzas. In addition appetizers and more entrees can be found on their dinner menu. shelBi street caFe & Bistro also provides the food and drink for the Rooftop Garden Restaurant located on - you guessed it - the roof.

Just across the lobby on the first floor is the Fountain Diner. This space was once the luncheonette for the Woolworth's store during the 60's. The diner was reopened using the original soda fountain, grills, counter and stools from another local Woolworth's store. The mosaic tile and diamond motif are original to the space. Their menu includes doughnuts, hand dipped milk shakes and sundaes, and short order grill items.

The newest addition to the Theatre Building family is the Smokehouse on Shelby restaurant. Their menu, created by Chef Matt Schwartz, includes a large selection of pub-like appetizers, barbeque sandwiches, ribs and chicken, as well as delicious desserts. This space also offers a bar, big screen tv's, and two full size pool tables.

Almost all of The Fountain Square Theatre Building at 1105 Shelby St. is available for reservations or for rent. For more info about the space visit www.fountainsquareindy.com. They can also be reached by phone at 686-6010. To find out more about other aspects of the neighborhood visit www.discoverfountainsquare.com. Keeping with the theme of food and theatre, next on our tour is the Atheneum building on Mass Ave.