Planning a corporate event in Indianapolis sounds easy… until you actually start. Plus, your reputation is on the line when you book a team outing. If you’ve already starting planning you already know the OTHER guys operate like:

• No clear pricing
• Too many boring options
• Activities that don’t engage people

This guide breaks down the best corporate event venues in Indianapolis, what they cost, and—most importantly—which ones people actually enjoy.

What Makes a Great Corporate Event Venue?

Before we list venues, here’s what actually matters:

1. Participation (Most venues fail here)

If people are just standing around drinking → it’s a bad event.

2. Simple logistics

• Easy transportation (We will come pick you up and drop you off from your downtown location on our HandleBar pedal pubs. Choose this option and we will show up with coolers full of cold drinks so the party STARTS the moment you walk out your doors)
• Central location (downtown matters)
• No complicated setup

3. Transparent pricing

You should know:

• Cost per person (unlimited food starts at $20/person and drink options start at $10/person)
• What’s included (Hint: We provide everything; food, drink, transportation, fun/games/competitions)
• What drives pricing (clear upgrade options)

4. Built-in entertainment

This is the biggest differentiator.

Top Corporate Event Venues in Indianapolis

1. The Hangar

Best for: Interactive team-building + high-energy events

• Activities: video darts, golf simulators, Mario Kart on a 15-ft screen
• Capacity: small groups → full buyouts
• Pricing:
  • Food: starts ~$20/person
  • Drinks: $10–$20/person
  • Activities included in packages
• Location: downtown / near Lucas Oil Stadium and Gainbridge field house

Why it wins:
Everyone participates. No one just stands around.

Internal links to include on your site:

• /video-darts-indianapolis/
• /corporate-events-indianapolis/
• /venue-rental-indianapolis/

2. Tom’s Watch Bar

Best for: large mixed-activity environments, specifically sporting events

• No built-in interactive activities (no games like darts, gaming simulators, office olympics type games, etc.)
• Chain restaurant with a corporate feel
• Guests are mostly watching, not participating
• Harder to create structured team-building experiences
• Engagement depends entirely on what’s on TV

3. Hotel / Ballroom Venues (General Category)

Best for: formal events

• Sit-down dinners
• Presentations

Downside:

• Low engagement
• People leave early

Why Interactive Activities Win (This is the key insight)

Let’s compare:

Traditional Event

• Eat
• Drink
• Small talk
• Leave

Interactive Event (like what we offer at The Hangar)

• Compete
• Laugh
• Rotate teams
• Stay engaged

The best events aren’t attended — they’re experienced.

Why Competitions and games like Video Darts, Mario Kart, Golf Sims and Office Olympics type games are the #1 Corporate Activity

(Internal link: your existing blog)

• No experience needed
• Fast-paced games
• Everyone plays because they are actually FUN

It solves the biggest problem in corporate events:
people not participating

Corporate Event Pricing in Indianapolis (Real Numbers)

Here’s what most venues look like:

Food

• $20–$50 per person

Drinks

• Drink Tickets that can be purchased in advance and handed to guests are $10 for any cocktail or drink we offer
• All you can drink beer/wine is $15/person per hour
• All you can drink cocktails/beer/wine is $20/person per hour

Activities

• EVERYTHING included starting at $300/hour for a private buyout (up to 120ppl)
  
• Fill out a venue rental request or ask the chatbot on our website for more info

What drives cost:

• Group size
• Day/time (weekend = higher)
• Private vs shared space
• Food/drink packages

At The Hangar, pricing is structured to be simple and predictable, which is rare.

Best Areas for Corporate Events in Indianapolis

Downtown Indianapolis

• Walkable
• Close to hotels
• Near Lucas Oil Stadium

This is where you want to be.

How to Choose the Right Venue (Quick Checklist)

Ask these 5 questions:

1. Will people actually participate?
2. Is pricing clear upfront?
3. Is it easy to get to?
4. Can it handle my group size?
5. Will people remember it?

If the answer isn’t YES to all 5, keep looking.

Ready to Book Your Event?

Check availability at The Hangar
Get pricing for your group (fast response time)
Lock in your date before weekends fill up

FAQs (SEO + Conversion Focused)

General

What is the best corporate event venue in Indianapolis?

For interactive, high-energy events, The Hangar is one of the top choices due to its built-in activities and group-friendly setup.

How much does a corporate event cost in Indianapolis?

Most events cost between $30–$75 per person, depending on food, drinks, and activities.

How far in advance should I book?

• Small groups: 1–2 weeks
• Large groups/events: 3–6 weeks

Video Darts / Activities

Are video darts good for corporate events?

Yes—because they’re easy to learn, fast-paced, and keep everyone engaged.

Can large groups play together?

Yes. Multiple lanes + team formats make it ideal for large groups.

Do I need experience?

No. Most people learn in under 5 minutes.

Is it competitive or casual?

Both. You can keep it light or make it competitive.

Booking

Can I reserve a private space?

Yes. Many venues (including The Hangar) offer private or semi-private areas.

Are food and drink packages available?

Yes. Most venues offer bundled pricing.

What’s included in a corporate package?

Typically:

• Reserved space
• Food
• Drinks
• Activities

Choose Correctly as your reputation is on the line

Don’t Overthink It — Book the Right Venue

If you want:

• An event people actually enjoy
• Zero awkward downtime
• Simple planning

Book your event at The Hangar

Next Steps:

• Check availability
• Get pricing
• Lock in your date

I was the one requesting and receiving proposals, sweating timelines and hoping the event would land well with leadership. While I cared about the guest experience, I also cared about how I would look and feel if something missed the mark with my stakeholders. That part doesn’t always get said out loud.

Now I’m on the DMC side of the table. Same industry, similar stakes, but a very different vantage point. What I’ve learned is this: clients tend to have the same pressures and concerns, no matter the size or type of event. We may articulate them differently, but the hot buttons are consistent.

Consider this my double agent intel – the things that kept me up at night back then are the same things our clients stress about now. The difference is that today, I get to help address them head-on.

Hot Button #1: “If This Goes Sideways, It’s on Me”

When I was a client, my biggest anxiety wasn’t that an event wouldn’t be innovative enough or trendy enough – it was that something would go wrong and my name would be attached to it.

Clients don’t always say this directly, but it’s real. Events live in a very public space. Leadership is watching. Guests are watching. Colleagues are watching. And when something doesn’t land, the client is often the one answering for it.

This is one of the first things we think about at Accent. Not just how to execute an event, but how to protect the client’s confidence throughout the process. That means being proactive instead of reactive. Talking through potential issues before they become real ones. And being honest early, even when the answer isn’t the easiest one.

Our job isn’t just to dream up the event and execute solid logistics, it’s to make sure the client never feels like they’re carrying the weight alone.

Hot Button #2: “Is This Going to Blow My Budget?”

When I was the client, I wasn’t only worried about staying within budget – I was worried about the “why”. Every line item had a story attached to it, and at some point, I knew I’d be asked to justify the spend.

When numbers felt vague or shifted late in the process, it created unnecessary tension. Not because the event wasn’t worth it, but because I didn’t feel fully equipped to defend the decisions.

Our team treats budgets as a transparent conversation, not a taboo document. We walk through where the money is going, why certain components cost what they do and what impact those choices have on the overall experience. If something feels high, we talk about it. If there’s an opportunity to reallocate or simplify, we do. We work hard and use our expertise to uncover “hidden” costs up front, so that there are no surprises on your final invoice.

From the client side, what I valued most were options. Not pressure. Not upsells. Just clear choices, honest guidance and partners who I knew were good stewards of our budget.

Hot Button #3: “Do I Really Need a DMC?”

The honest answer? Not always. For some events, I was perfectly capable of managing them internally. But when I couldn’t, the DMC was the solution.

What shifted my perspective was understanding where the value actually shows up.

A good DMC doesn’t just execute logistics. They step in when internal bandwidth is stretched, timelines are compressed, or local knowledge becomes critical. They solve problems behind the scenes, sometimes without you ever knowing there was a problem in the first place.

From the client side, the biggest return wasn’t just time saved. It was confidence. Knowing there was a trusted partner managing the moving pieces meant fewer late nights, fewer fire drills and less second-guessing. It allowed me to focus on the bigger picture and show up where my attention was needed most.

Now, on the Accent Indy side, I see that same value play out every day. Our role is to act as an extension of the client’s team, not to be another team for them to manage.

So there you have it. Reflections from your hospitality double agent.

The hot buttons I’ve mentioned, and plenty I didn’t, don’t disappear just because you bring on a partner. If anything, they become more front of mind. The right partner doesn’t remove responsibility. They help carry it.

From where I sit now, the goal isn’t just a well-executed event. It’s making sure our clients feel supported, prepared and proud of what they’ve put their name on. That’s the difference a good partner makes, and it’s a responsibility we don’t take lightly.

If you’re looking for a high-energy, social activity in Indianapolis, video darts has quickly become one of the top choices—especially for corporate outings, birthday parties, and group events.

At The Hangar, video darts combines competition, simplicity, and nonstop interaction—without the hassle of traditional games.

What Are Video Darts?

Video darts are real darts + a real board, enhanced with:

• Automatic scoring
• Interactive game modes
• Digital leaderboards

Translation: no math, no confusion, just play.

Why Video Darts Are Perfect for Groups

Easy for everyone

Even if you’ve never played darts, you’ll be up and running in minutes.

Fast-paced

No waiting around—games move quickly so everyone stays engaged.

Built for social interaction

Unlike arcade games, everyone plays together—not separately.

Why Corporate Groups Love Video Darts

At The Hangar, video darts are one of the most booked corporate activities because:

• No learning curve
• Team-based gameplay
• High participation (no one sits out long)
• Competitive but fun

It hits the sweet spot between team-building and actual fun.

Perfect for Parties & Large Groups

Video darts scales easily:

• 6–12 players at The Hangar (6 per dart bay/lane)
• Multiple lanes for large groups
• Team formats so everyone participates

And we have lots of other games and things to do at The Hangar – whether it’s 2 people or 800, it works.

Pricing & Booking (What to Expect)

Cost

• Typically $20 per hour per lane (click the book now button to check availability)
• Custom pricing for private events (Rent both dart bays and all 3 gaming bays (golf, flight sim, mario kart) to up the ante on the fun!

Time

• For individual dart bays most groups book 1–2 hours
• Corporate events: 2–4+ hours with most just going with the full gaming bay buyout (submit a venue rental request to go this route)

Do you need a reservation?

• Weekends: Yes (highly recommended)
• Events: Always book in advance

At The Hangar, peak times fill up fast.

Food & Drink Packages

If you’re renting a single video dart bay experience we’ve got a full kitchen and bar to order from. If you’re doing a buyout of our gaming bay (what most corporate groups do) then you’d need to fill out a venue rental request and we have packages you can order from

• Per-person food packages starting at $20 for all you can eat
• Drink packages (beer, cocktails, open bar) starting at $10
• Full event catering

You’re not just booking darts—you’re booking the entire experience and that’s really what we specialize in.

Video Darts vs Other Group Activities

Video Darts vs Traditional Darts

Steel Tipped Video darts

• Automatic scoring
• Beginner-friendly
• Faster gameplay

Traditional

• Traditional scoring with a chalk board and chalk
• Slower, more serious

Winner for events: Video darts

Video Darts vs Arcade Games

Video darts

• Group interaction
• Shared experience

Arcade games

• Mostly solo
• Short attention span

Winner: Video darts

Video Darts vs Bowling

Video darts

• Faster turns
• No shoes or setup
• More interaction

Bowling

• Slower pace
• More waiting

Winner: Video darts (by a mile for engagement)

Video Darts vs Flight Club-Style Darts

They’re very similar.

• Same exact core technology
• Same interactive gameplay

Difference comes down to:

• Pricing (Hangar is more reasonable)
• Atmosphere (We offer a ton of other experiences so if you aren’t ONLY out to play darts you’ve got options)
• Flexibility

At The Hangar, you get the same experience with a more flexible, indy/fun-driven environment.

Where to Play Video Darts in Indianapolis

If you’re searching for:

• “video darts near me”
• “best group activity Indianapolis”
• “corporate event ideas Indianapolis”

Start with:

• The Hangar

Located near downtown, it’s built specifically for:

• Corporate events
• Watch parties
• Large group experiences

FAQs

Are video darts real darts?

Yes—real darts, real boards, just smarter scoring.

Is it hard to learn?

No. Most people learn in under 5 minutes.

Can beginners play?

Absolutely. It’s designed for first-timers.

Do serious players like it?

Yes—for practice and social play. When is the last time you saw a serious bowler demand they score their game on a pencil and paper ? It’s long overdue to have automatic scoring for darts!

Can you play competitively?

Yes—casual or highly competitive depending on your group.

Can you reserve lanes?

Yes—especially recommended for weekends and events. Click the book now button!

Why The Hangar Is the Best Place to Book Video Darts

The Hangar stands out because:

• Multiple video darts lanes
• Huge TVs + sports atmosphere
• Food & drink packages
• Space for large groups
• Easy downtown access
• Owned by a couple of brothers – Stephen and Brian Lindsay. We aren’t a private equity nationwide chain. Feel good and go w/ the local boys!

It’s not just darts—it’s a full event venue.

Book Your Video Darts Experience

If you’re planning:

• Corporate outing
• Birthday party
• Bachelor/bachelorette party
• Team event

Book early—prime times go fast.

You can rotate 2-6 people through structured matches without losing energy. We have 2 bays at The Hangar along with our 3 gaming sims and plenty of other games :) Some additional questions WITH answers are below:

What are video darts?
Real, steel darts that use cameras and sensors to automatically score. We have a big video screen that shows you how everything has been scored. Finally, automatically scored darts that use real, steel tipped darts!

How do video darts work?
Just like regular darts – using real steel tipped darts

What is the difference between video darts and traditional darts?
Traditional darts and steel tipped video darts at the Hangar both use the same, real steel darts so lets start there. Our video darts use camera sensors and multiple video displays to make it fun and easy. You do no work – focus on enjoying the company of your friends while the computer and sensors do the heavy lifting. Traditional darts you’d have to use a chalk board and waste mental space tracking each and every shot, likely for games most people have to try and remember the rules to. Traditional darts can be a drag for the common man, so video darts are a major upgrade! And the video interface allows you to have fun interactions between throws.

Are video darts easier than regular darts?
As far as throwing the darts goes, it’s the same thing. The scoring part is a breeze for video darts. For traditional or regular darts you have to do it all by yourself on a chalk board. It’d be like bowling and having to keep your own score.

Why are video darts better for group events?
Video darts aren’t intimidating because there is literally zero scoring understanding needed. You just do what the video display tells you and spend the rest of your time talking with friends. There are also really fun and interactive games beyond the traditional darts games where the video displays make it more fun. Think like golf games on a simulator vs. actual golf. For someone who doesn’t golf much or ever the simulators can be a lot of fun when you gameify the experience.

Are video darts good for team building?
They are amazing! Some of the knockout games are hilarious to play against each other. Our video boards allow you to add pictures of yourselves or use emojis so that also makes it more fun. There’s also a video capture for the final shot so you can replay everyone’s facial expressions and moves when they winner is decided.

How many people can play video darts at once?
6 people at once is the maximum, but we have 2 steel tipped video dart bays at The Hangar so you can rent both and have up to 12 people playing darts at once

How long does a typical video darts game take?
You can play a game in as little as 10 minutes, but it really depends how many people you have and how good/bad your throws are. You get the board 1 hour at a time so there is plenty of time to get in many different games. And there are tons to choose from

Why do one of these “team building" events? To thank the team? To incentivize the team? To make work fun? To get to know each other? Because we are supposed to? It’s good optics and makes others think we care? It gives us something to post about?

If its to check a box – your team will smell that turd (click it I dare you) a mile away and I promise you it will have the opposite effect. I’ll never forget when I worked at a company whose end of the year team building was an all-you-can-eat pizza buffet for 45 minutes, flanked by a few speeches that were intended to make us feel like we were a “family" and appreciated. Maybe we did bond a bit as we went through the tragic event together, who knows?

You are probably here because you realize the power of effective teams, and the people that comprise them. It’s no secret, teams that work well together do better. Why do they work well together? Because they want to – by developing personal emotional connections with teammates, it naturally causes a team member to want to help, to find solutions, vs. reasons why something cant be done. So, how do we break that shell and truly get to know each other? Enter – (real) team building.

For the money guy out there – we (actually, MIT. Yes that MIT) break it down to ROI. Companies with high employee experience had 25% higher profit margin than competitors. The thing is, you KNOW this to be true- think about people you work well with…how much more productive can you be?!

Got it. Employee Experience = important.

How do we improve employee experience? Well, we spend a shit ton of time at work, with co-workers…it would be nice if we enjoyed their company right? Gallups Q12 survey reiterates the importance of having friends at work. So lets break down barriers and get to know each other!

You must be drinkin’ our Kool-Aid if you’re still with us. Youre in on the value team building provides. Now what makes a good team building event that produces results? Here is our cheat sheet of ingredients, starting with the most important ingredients:

1. Something to DO: If you plan an outing solely centered around food and drink, your team will find every excuse under the sun to avoid the INEVITABLE small talk, awkwardly trying to fill the air with words until its allowable to sneak out. Give your team a variety of activities- the more unique the better. This facilitates engagement and gets people out of their shell. Less shell = more personal connection = building blocks of a team (people). See above.
2. Something Unique: Bowling (that’s an example of NOT unique BTW)- we’ve probably all done it for an outing because it’s easy, not because it’s good at building the team. Is it memorable? Nah. Good for checking the box though, if you want the aforementioned turd smell wafting down your hallways! The more unique, the easier it is to get people excited/engaged. THATS where the barriers get broken down, we see co-workers as humans and the real magic happens.
3. Clear Objectives: Are you aiming to improve communication, enhance problem-solving skills, or leadership ability in a couple of hours? Forget all this crap to be honest- nobody is going to improve their problem-solving skills by trying to untangle themselves from a human knot. The goal can be simple – develop personal connections and have fun. Ahhhh, doesn’t that feel better? Pressure is off.
4. Inclusivity: Every team member should feel included and valued during the outing. Activities should cater to a diverse range of skills, interests, and physical abilities. No one should feel sidelined or uncomfortable. Making everyone participate in a single activity just because that’s what “most" employees enjoy misses an opportunity to truly engage every team member.
5. A Safe Environment: We’re not talking physical safety- that’s a prereq. Psychological safety is just as important. Team members should feel free to express their ideas, ask questions, and encouraged to make mistakes without fear of retribution. This fosters open communication and genuine collaboration.
6. Professional Facilitation: If you “Wing it", it may show. If it doesn’t, great! But you must ask yourself, how much better it COULD have been with some proper facilitation! The things you are great at, were you great at them the first time, or 10th, or 100th? How much better are you the 1000’th time? There’s value in off-loading to the pro that’s honed it.
7. Balance: Keep the focus on the team. The goal is team building, but that will come naturally if you provide unique experiences. Get pushy with it and out’ll come the “I’ve gotta pick my kids up from practice" excuses flying in from left field. We prefer the “Please take us for another lap!" type comment at the end of our events.
8. Feedback Loop: Learn from your people during and after the event. Find out what they want more of AND less of, tying the objective back toward developing connections.
9. Lists don’t HAVE to have 10 things. Its OK, guys. But for those who need that, lets go with 9) food and 10) drink. Please make sure food and drink are readily available for the squad. As it goes “An army marches on its stomach".

Long list, right? There CAN be a lot that goes into an event, or not. It takes a lot of work to make an event go well, and your crew at The Hangar has been dialing in team-building events for over a decade here in Downtown Indy. Hit us up (ahem “Please feel free to inquire today" for Senor Executive Stuffy) and let us go to bat for you. This is what we love and it shows in our product. I promise we will hit it out of the park for your crew like we do for ours.

Thanks for Hangin’

Steve

PS. Here’s a good excuse generator you won’t need for events planned with us: