Happy Friday! This newsletter is for the newbies, the lifers, the townies, and the domers.
In today’s digest:
Best Cocktail Bar Reviews: Fatbird
Swan Lake
Counterspell Cafe GRAND OPENING!
The Portage Manor Revamped
This issue is 1,226 words, a 4-minute read.
The Digest
🍸 Fatbird
Our next stop takes us right downtown to: Fatbird ✨
Aesthetic
At Fatbird in South Bend, you’ll find a warm, inviting space that blends Southern comfort with a fresh, modern feel. The interior features numerous greenery and casual-chic touches, creating a relaxed yet stylish ambiance. According to a recent article, the décor draws inspiration from New Orleans and incorporates historic elements, such as flooring from the old Studebaker building. Details
Audience
As both a restaurant and a full bar, Fatbird is a great place to host a large dinner party or grab a friend or two and snag a spot at the bar.
Affordability
With a happy hour from 7 - 9 pm, Fatbird is especially great night out if you’re ballin on a budget but want to go somewhere nice in the evening!
French 75 Review
Fatbird made their French 75 with Terra Botanical Gin - this Gin gave their take on the French 75 a more tart taste profile, which I highly recommend for those readers who don’t enjoy a super sweet drink!
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The Happenings in the Bend
🍂 YESvember
It’s the first Friday in November next week! Say yes to something new and check it out!
🏀 “The Bend” Home Games at Notre Dame!
For the first time, Notre Dame and the City of South Bend have partnered to bring you a collaboration like never before.
Inspired by the SOUTH BEND mural on the side of Madison Oyster Bar, Notre Dame men’s and women’s teams will be repping this new jersey style at their respective home games this weekend!
‘The Bend’ takes center stage under the Friday night lights inside Purcell Pavilion. Notre Dame men’s basketball will take to the hardwood floor in their new Black and Gold The Bend jerseys for the first time when they host Detroit Mercy at 7 p.m. ET. The first 3,000 fans in attendance will receive a black The Bend rally towel. In addition, The Bend merch line will be available for purchase inside the Varsity Shop.
More events in South Bend
A mix of things happening this weekend and into next week!
🍂 Flannel Formal: Calling all Lumberjacks and Lumberjanes, Flannel Formal is back for another year! Dress in your best flannel attire and head to the Ball Band Biergarten for live music and drinks around the fire! This event is 21+ and IDs will be checked at the door. Attendees will receive a commemorative mug while supplies last. Details
🦢 Swan Lake: Grab your tickets for a performance of Swan Lake at the Morris Performing Arts Center this weekend! Tickets
🕺 R&B Line Dance Class: Grab a pal or two and check out this line dancing class at the Mishawaka Parks and Recreation Dept. Details
🖼️ First Friday Artist Lecture: The reception and artist talk at South Bend Museum of Art on November 7 offers a free and engaging opportunity to explore Allison Baker’s bold new series of monumental concrete sculptures that challenge ideas of class, labor, and public monuments in America today. Details
🥗 Taste of Unity: Grab your Tickets for Unity Garden’s annual fundraiser, Taste of Unity! At this gala, you will have the chance to experience fresh dishes from local chefs and locally grown food!
🏈 Notre Dame V Navy: Grab your tickets for this historic game between Notre Dame and Navy! Tickets
🧚♀️ Enchanted Kingdom Faire at the Morris: The upcoming Enchanted Kingdom Ball at the Morris Performing Arts Center in South Bend is a magical two-day affair that invites guests of all ages to immerse themselves in fantasy with costumed meet-and-greets, author panels, and a glam evening ball for adults. Tickets
☕️ Counterspell Cafe Grand Opening: The owners of Cloudwalking are opening a sister location in the Near Northwest Neighborhood - check out their Instagram for details about their soft openings this week. Their grand opening is on November 8th. Details
✨Coming soon✨
🎭 Hadestown: Grab your Tickets for Hadestown before they sell out!
🕯️ Candlelight Tribute - Taylor Swift: Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations like never before in South Bend. Get your tickets now to discover the music of Taylor Swift at South Bend Scottish Rite under the gentle glow of candlelight. Tickets
🎄 Yuletide Bazaar @ Langlab: Mark your calendar for the first Christmas bazaar of the season, where you can pick up all the sweetest locally made trinkets! Details
💡 IDEA Week Workshops: “Building on the energy of IDEA Week 2025, join us for an evening of high-impact learning, networking, and inspiration as we celebrate Global Entrepreneurship Week in the South Bend – Elkhart region! Whether you’re a startup founder, small business owner, or curious innovator, these workshops are designed to give you the practical tools and proven strategies to grow smarter, faster, and stronger.”
Both sessions will have the same speakers, so sign up for either the South Bend session or the Elkhart session!
Rapid Fire Hits
Quick headlines and things to know from all around 🌐
🏛New Dawn for Portage Manor: St. Thomas More Academy has proposed a thoughtful plan to preserve the historic Portage Manor by restoring the manor and converting it into a private Catholic school campus, while keeping the surrounding prairie land publicly owned and maintained as a nature preserve.Details
🧑⚕️ Internationally Recognized Physician Visits Notre Dame: The internationally recognized physician Tom Catena will visit the University of Notre Dame on November 12 to deliver the 2025 Rev. Bernie Clark, C.S.C., Lecture. Details
🛣️ Mishawaka Ave Closure: The street will be temporarily closed between Eddy Street and Twyckenham Drive starting at 8 a.m. for paving, marking the final phase of the city’s larger streetscape project aimed at improving sidewalks, bike lanes, lighting, and traffic flow. Details
🏈 Jadarian Price Named a Finalist for Award: Jadarian Price, the junior running back for Notre Dame Fighting Irish, has been named a finalist for the Paul Hornung Award, which celebrates the most versatile player in college football. Details
Happy Friday! See you around the Bend!
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