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Dylan Sprouse talks best things about Indy — bar, Indy 500 experience and movie filmed here

Portrait of Cheryl V. Jackson Cheryl V. Jackson
Indianapolis Star

Seems life in Indy was sweet for Dylan Sprouse over the weekend what with all the Indianapolis 500-related doings.

The actor lauded Indy for its architecture, food and sports scene – its hospitality, in general.

“Never have I've been to a place where people give you the shirts off the back to help you out or at least talk to you and hang out with you,” he’s seen saying in a Visit Indy social media post. “Visit for that on its own.”

He gave a special shout out to a Fountain Square cocktail bar.

“I would say to anyone who is a tiki bar aficionado, go to The Inferno Room," he said.

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Actor and Indy 500 Grand Marshal Dylan Sprouse tells drivers to get in their cars on Sunday, May 26, 2024, during the 108th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Sprouse, who starred alongside twin brother Cole with roles in Adam Sandler’s “Big Daddy,” and “Friends” before they became Disney Channel stars with “The Suite Life of Zack & Cody” and “The Suite Life on Deck,” recounted the activities of his visit around the 2024 Indy 500, for which he served as grand marshal.

“I went down into the Snake Pit,” he shared. “Also amazing.”

Indy provided Sprouse one of his first experiences when he was in the 500 Festival Parade on the day before the race.

“I’ve never been in a parade; so that was my favorite thing,” Sprouse said.

The weekend visit wasn’t his first trip here, though.

About 'The Duel'

His next movie being released in theaters was filmed in Indianapolis when the city was still in the throes of the coronavirus pandemic.

“I've also explored the city in detail when I filmed the movie ‘The Duel’ out here a few years back,” he said. “We filmed the entire movie out here during Covid. So everything was shut down. So it's nice to be back in the city when it's alive.”

'The Duel':Hollywood actor Dylan Sprouse stars in new movie filmed in Indianapolis

The Duel” is a comedy that stars Sprouse as part of a friend group falling apart due to an infidelity — and a resulting duel challenge as a solution.

The film, which marks Sprouse’s debut as an executive director, will be in theaters in late July.

Indy residents will see plenty of familiar places in the flick, he said.

“If you're from Indy, then you should definitely check it out, because you'll see some local haunts," Sprouse said.

Contact IndyStar reporter Cheryl V. Jackson at cheryl.jackson@indystar.com or 317-444-6264. Follow her on X: @cherylvjackson.