Blake Shelton Announces Seventh Ole Red Location Coming To Indianapolis in 2027
“Here we come Indy,” said Shelton.
Ole Red, Blake Shelton; Photos Provided
Ole Red, the Blake Shelton-inspired bar, restaurant and live music venue, is getting its seventh location. The establishment already has a presence in Nashville, Las Vegas, Orlando, Gatlinburg, and in Shelton’s hometown of Tishomingo, Oklahoma, and now, it is getting a new home in downtown Indianapolis.
According to an announcement from Opry Entertainment Group (OEG) and Boxcar Development, the massive 37,000-square-foot, multi-level space will sit just steps from multiple entertainment venues including the Ritz-Carlton Indianapolis and the Gainbridge Fieldhouse, making it the perfect addition to the city’s growing sports and entertainment scene.
On the morning of Wednesday, April 29, Shelton and Colin Reed, Executive Chairman of Opry Entertainment Group (OEG) parent company Ryman Hospitality Properties, the Simon family, local leaders and Blake Shelton gathered at a press conference to speak more on the evolving parentship.
“Indianapolis is a market we have admired for some time, and we are thrilled to have a likeminded partner who shares our vision and is helping lead the continued evolution of the downtown entertainment district,” said Reed. “We look forward to expanding the Ole Red brand and creating a best-in-class entertainment and hospitality destination for the Indianapolis community.”
The new location will once again offer its signature dining and live music experience with two performance stages, a main restaurant and bar area, and a covered rooftop bar overlooking downtown. Its expansion to the Indianapolis area marks another step in growing the Ole Red brand by bringing a taste of the Southern charm to the country fans of the Midwest.
Inspired by Shelton’s 2001 hit by the same name, Ole Red is projected to open its doors in Indianapolis in late 2027 at 231-235 S. Meridian Street. Guests in the Midwest and beyond will get to experience the made-from-scratch food and drink menu, also inspired by the counter superstar, along with a concert-quality live music atmosphere.
During the press conference, Shelton revealed how Indianapolis has been a big part about his musical journey, from the early days of being completely unknown to delivering his first public performance of his debut single, “Austin” at a “country music expo” and later, returning for his first television special concert.
“It’s just been some of the bigger moments of not just my career, but my life have been here. So I always feel at home when I’m here,” he shared.
The country music hitmaker continued to reflect on the growing Ole Red brand in a new statement that reads, “Man, the energy in this place is just unreal. Every time I come through, I catch myself thinking up reasons to hang around a little longer. You put a city together that loves sports and country music this much, well, that’s about as good as it gets for me. Here we come Indy!”
Additionally, the project ties into a larger mission to expand the city’s downtown entertainment district. Opry Entertainment Group has revealed that it will also join the Fieldhouse Media Network as a marketing partner of both the Indiana Pacers and Indiana Fever.
“Partnerships and investments around Gainbridge Fieldhouse, just like this one, are exciting steps as we create one of the most bold and ambitious sports-anchored entertainment districts in the country,” said Simon. “We are proud to partner with Opry Entertainment Group and Ryman Hospitality Properties to bring this world-class brand to downtown.”
Ole Red won’t be the only thing drawing visitors into the downtown area. Boxcar Development has also revealed plans for the Ritz-Carlton Indianapolis and Live Nation event venue at the corner of Pennsylvania and Georgia Streets. Other current projects include the Indiana Fever Performance Center, the Signia Hotel by Hilton, and the expansion of the Indiana Convention Center, and more.
Construction is slated to start later this year on Ole Red Indy, with a focus on preserving and restoring the building’s historic exterior.
Madeleine O’Connell graduated from North Central College with a bachelors degree in Journalism and Broadcast Communications before deciding to pursue her studies further at DePaul University. There, she earned her masters degree in Digital Communication & Media Arts. O’Connell served as a freelance writer for over two years while also interning with the Academy of Country Music, SiriusXM and Circle Media and assisting with Amazon Music’s Country Heat Weekly podcast. In addition to Country Now, she has been published in American Songwriter, Music Mayhem, and Holler.Country. Madeleine O’Connell is a member of the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music.
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