Things to Do in Indianapolis: Play Your Way Through Bottleworks DistricT

11 minutes ago
4 min read

Some days call for a plan. This isn't one of them.

Come to Bottleworks District ready to play and see where the competition takes you. Duckpin bowling turns into pinball. Pinball turns into virtual reality. Virtual reality turns into drinks. Then somebody suggests a movie and suddenly your afternoon has become a full night out.

That's the fun of Bottleworks.

Located at the north end of Mass Ave in downtown Indianapolis, Bottleworks District puts some of the city's most entertaining ways to play within steps of each other. If you're looking for things to do in Indianapolis with friends, family, coworkers or the person who insists they're "not competitive," start here.

So many ways to play when you visit Bottleworks District in downtown Indianapolis, from Pins Mechanical Co. to Sandbox VR

1. Settle It at Pins Mechanical Co.

First things first: pick your game.

At Pins Mechanical Co., duckpin bowling gets plenty of attention, but that's just the beginning.

Take on your friends at giant Jenga. Start a foosball showdown. Grab a paddle for ping pong. Test your aim at Hookie or Patio Pong. Hit the arcade. Then find out who suddenly takes pinball very seriously.

Giant Jenga, Hookie, Patio Pong and the classic arcade collection are free to play, while pinball is $1 per play. Games and activities operate on a first-come, first-served basis, with the exception of duckpin lanes reserved as part of booked events.

And if you're staying at Bottleworks Hotel, bring your room key. Hotel guests receive one free game of duckpin bowling at Pins Mechanical Co. when they show their room key.

Consider it one more reason to turn game night into a Bottleworks staycation.

Pins keeps the fun going late, too. Standard hours currently run until 11:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and Sunday, and 2:30 a.m. Friday and Saturday. Guests under 21 should plan accordingly because Pins becomes 21+ after 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Pick a lane, grab a drink and let the scoreboard decide who gets bragging rights.

2. Make Things Weird at Sandbox VR

Ready to trade old-school games for another reality? Walk over to Sandbox VR and things escalate quickly.

This isn't a headset-at-home kind of VR experience. Sandbox uses room-scale, multiplayer, full-body virtual reality with motion tracking and haptic technology, so your actual movements become part of the game.

Your group can battle through worlds filled with dinosaurs, zombies, aliens and plenty of other things you probably weren't expecting to encounter on Mass Ave.

Current experiences include Age of Dinosaurs, Stranger Things: Catalyst, Squid Game Virtuals, Deadwood Phobia, Seekers of the Shard: Dragonfire, Rebel Moon: The Descent and more.

Plan for roughly an hour from arrival to finish. That includes check-in, gearing up and a virtual tutorial, about 30 minutes of gameplay, then time to de-gear and relive what just happened through cinematic video highlights.

No gaming experience required. Bragging rights are optional.

3. Keep the Competition Fueled

At some point, you're going to need a timeout.

Fuel up with beer and cocktails while you play all day at Bottleworks District

Luckily, "timeout" at Bottleworks doesn't have to mean the fun stops.

Pins has a full bar with specialty cocktails, draft beer and plenty of non-alcoholic options. Weekday happy hour currently runs from 4 to 7 p.m., with $4 off specialty cocktails and $2 off draft beer.

Or make your way farther into the District.

Grab a cocktail at Sundry & Vice, find a bite or drink inside The Garage Food Hall, or turn the competition into dinner at one of the restaurants throughout Bottleworks. That's the advantage of planning your day around the District instead of a single activity. Play for an hour, refuel and jump right back in.

No car. No complicated itinerary. Just your next stop waiting a few steps away.

4. Finish With a Different Kind of Screen Time

You've bowled. You've battled. You've established who's suspiciously good at pinball.

Now it's time to sit down.

Living Room Theaters gives your day a change of pace without making you leave Bottleworks District. Settle into your seat and catch everything from independent and international films to some of the movies everyone is talking about.

It's an easy final move for a date night, group outing or full Saturday in downtown Indianapolis.

And that's really the secret to playing your way through Bottleworks. You don't need every minute scheduled.

Start with bowling. Book VR. Stop for drinks. Catch a movie.

One thing turns into another. That's the Bottleworks way.

FAQs

What are some fun things to do in downtown Indianapolis with a group?

Bottleworks District gives you several ways to play within one walkable destination on Mass Ave. Try duckpin bowling and games at Pins Mechanical Co., book a multiplayer experience at Sandbox VR, grab food and drinks throughout the District, or catch a movie at Living Room Theaters. Mix and match a few and you've got an entire afternoon or night covered.

Do I need reservations for Pins Mechanical and Sandbox VR?

Pins Mechanical games and activities are generally first-come, first-served, although duckpin lanes can be reserved as part of booked events. Sandbox VR recommends booking online to secure your experience, while walk-ins may be accepted based on availability.

Is Bottleworks District good for a date night in Indianapolis?

Absolutely. Start with a little friendly competition at Pins Mechanical Co. or Sandbox VR, grab dinner or cocktails and finish with a movie at Living Room Theaters. Everything is close enough to turn one plan into an entire night without getting back in the car.

Can kids play at Pins Mechanical and Sandbox VR?

Pins welcomes guests of all ages until its evening age restrictions begin. At Sandbox VR, guests under 18 need a parent or guardian physically present in the store during the session to sign the minor waiver. Check current hours, age policies and individual experience recommendations before your visit.

Ready to Play?

The next time you're searching for things to do in Indianapolis, don't settle for one thing. Head to Bottleworks District on Mass Ave and build your own lineup of bowling, VR, movies, food and drinks, then stay long enough to see where the day takes you.