logo
#

Latest news with #DustinBoyer

Popular fried chicken, country music spot once home to the Ice House will close this fall
Popular fried chicken, country music spot once home to the Ice House will close this fall

Indianapolis Star

time6 days ago

  • Entertainment
  • Indianapolis Star

Popular fried chicken, country music spot once home to the Ice House will close this fall

After seven tumultuous years that saw multiple owners, hundreds of guitar-picking musicians and a whole lot of fried chicken, Duke's will close its doors for good this fall. The popular southside restaurant and honky-tonk bar, which in 2018 opened in the venue that the beloved Ice House bar occupied from 1983-2017, recently announced on social media that its last day of business will be Nov. 22. In posts to Facebook and Instagram, Duke's staff cited local competition, wear and tear on the bar's storied building and general economic challenges for the decision to "end things on our own terms" rather than close unexpectedly. "As a community we've mourned far too many sudden losses and we want to honor this magical space by giving y'all as much time as possible to say good-bye," the post read. Duke's began with the vision of Beech Grove native and onetime Sun King Brewing production manager Dustin Boyer, known to friends simply as D. In January 2018 Boyer told IndyStar he had had a vision for a Southern-inspired road house and live music venue for 12 years before he bought the spacious building at 2352 S. West St. Boyer named his passion project for his late grandfather, Hayes "Duke" Boyer. Duke's quickly found a following thanks to its acclaimed fried chicken and regular live music performances. But the popular haunt suffered its first major loss just three years later when Boyer died at age 40 on April 28, 2021. Boyer's close friend and financial partner Andy Fagg stepped in with a handful of employee-operators to run Duke's until late 2023, when Patrick Kennedy purchased the restaurant. In its farewell, Duke's staff invited customers to come make a few last memories at the restaurant and thanked the Indianapolis community for the last seven years. "It has been a tremendous honor and truly the joy of our lives to serve Indianapolis," the post read, "bringing independent country and western music artists to eager audiences, serving the best damn fried chicken and carrying the torch D lit."

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store