In my family, graduating high school is a grand celebration. An “open house” is required. It’s when the graduate is showered in love, but most importantly leaves with a boatload of money for getting through those four years.
When I graduated from Shortridge High School in 2019, we struggled to find a venue that was affordable and nice. We scoured Google and Yelp. Phone numbers to some venues were disconnected and websites out of service. Luckily, my mom secured 37 Place, which only charged us $100 for a four-hour block on a Saturday.
Planning a special event can feel like training for the Olympic Trials. I’m not even planning an event right now, and it was a struggle to gather some of the information for this list.
So treat this story like your own word-of-mouth referral. You won’t have to book the same space every year if you know what else is out there. From baby showers to weddings to funeral repasts, use this list to find a venue to host your next event.
Small, but mighty
For DJ Boogie Bang, owning a venue that felt like home was the goal. He and his wife, Brittany, opened The Inkwell in 2025 to recreate that feeling. It is also their shot at creating generational wealth for their five children.
Check out The Inkwell and other venues that have a home-like vibe.
The Inkwell Studio and Events
Event types: Local live shows, open mics, listening parties, birthday parties, weddings
Capacity: 75-125
Deposit: $150 to reserve a date
Intimate Space Indy
Event types: Birthday parties, baby showers, retirement parties
Capacity: 50-100
Pricing: Rentals start at $1,000 (6 hours)
The Gallery Event Center
Event types: Micro-weddings, bridal and baby showers, graduation parties, birthday celebrations, photo shoots, fundraisers, corporate workshops, album release parties
Capacity: 100-125
Deposit: $300
Pricing: $750-1,100 (4- to 6-hour rental, set up/tear down, tables and chairs, decorations, 65-inch TV, WiFi, projector, speakers, kitchenette, microphone)
Gather 22
Event types: Buyout, corporate dinners, birthday parties, wedding rehearsal dinners
Capacity: 30-50
Pricing: Depends on number of guests, day of the week and whether you select a preset menu
Re:Public
Event types: Yoga sessions, open mics, art classes, book discussions, artist talks, film screenings, markets
Capacity: 25-40
Pricing: $50-140 (5 hours) $125-225 (full day)
draft creative space
Event types: Co-working, retreats, community events, conferences, birthday parties, workshops
Spaces: Main space, sunroom, studios, conference room, private garden
Capacity: 16-100
Pricing: $400 (sunroom/full day); $1,500-2,500 (entire space/half- and full-day rental)
Opulence and faux drama
Book these spaces if you want to host a fairytale wedding or flaunt your exquisite taste.
Indianapolis Artsgarden
📍 110 W. Washington St.
📞 317-624-2565
Event types: Weddings, nonprofit and corporate events
Capacity: 225-400
Deposit: 50% of rental fee
Rates: Weddings $5,000-6,000; corporate $4,000-5,000; nonprofit $2,000-2,500 (6-hour rental, set up/tear down, tech support, tables and chairs, event coordinator and security)
Community Life Center at Washington Park East
📍 10612 E. Washington St.
📞 317-396-3728
Event types: Weddings, funeral repasts, retirement parties, graduation parties, birthday celebrations, corporate events, baby showers
Spaces: Buchanan Ballroom, Crystal Tower, courtyard, rotunda and bridal/groom suites
Capacity: 300
Deposit: $750 to reserve a date
Pricing: Varies
Laurel Hall
📍 5395 Emerson Way
📞 317-275-3390
✉️ info@laurel-hall.org
Event types: Weddings, company retreats, holiday parties and birthday parties
Capacity: 200
Deposit: $750
Pricing: $6,000-9,000 (weddings)
Unity of Indianapolis
📍 907 N. Delaware St.
📞 317-635-4066
Event types: Concerts, poetry readings and birthday celebrations
Capacity: 80-350
Deposit: 50% of rental fee
Pricing: $500 (4-hour rental)
Would be nice if the weather permits
A few spaces that you allow to enjoy your event and nature.
Conservatory at Evergreen
Event types: Weddings, birthday parties, bridal and baby showers, celebrations of life, open houses, charity events
Spaces: Solarium, Lakeview Terrace, Green Acres
Capacity: 250
Pricing: $5,000-11,000 (12-hour rental, WiFi, set up/tear down, venue manager and management assistant on-site and catering)
Morgan’s Acres
Event types: Wedding receptions and weddings
Capacity: 150
Pricing: $3,995-5,995 (up to 13-hour rental, event coordinator, set up/tear down, parking attendants and two staff members)
Founders Lodge Event and Conference Center
Event types: Workshops, corporate retreats, holiday gatherings, birthday parties
Capacity: 8-200 (Daisy, Pearl and Juliette rooms offered)
Pricing: $100-1,102.50 (Nonprofits get a discount)
Historic and chic
What’s a few ghosts haunting the space if you get to enjoy one-of-a-kind architectural design?
The Cyrus Place
Event types: Small concerts, rehearsal dinners, weddings, theater, puppet shows
Capacity: 200
Deposit: $500-1500
Pricing: Varies
Indiana Landmarks
Event types: Weddings, community events, retirement parties and galas.
Spaces: Grand Hall, Cook Theater, Rapp Family Gallery, Morrow Board Room, Place de Basile, Morris-Butler House
Capacity: 30-550
Deposit and pricing: Varies
The Benton House & Historic Gardens
Event types: Weddings and rehearsal dinners, receptions, showers, birthday parties and business gatherings
Deposit and pricing: Varies
McGowan Hall
Event types: Wedding receptions, galas, corporate events, concerts, community events, workshops, baby showers, watch parties, birthday parties and musical performances.
Spaces: Grand Hall, Council Room, Bar Lounge
Capacity: 10-400
Pricing: $450-5,800
Mavris Arts & Events
Event types: Weddings, corporate events, holiday parties, wedding, birthday parties
Capacity: 75-1,200
Spaces: Gallery, rooftop, speakeasy and main facility
Deposit and pricing: Varies
Simple and get the job done
These spots are solid options if you don’t need a fancy venue or you want to put your interior decorator skills to the test.
The Grand Hall at Westlake Gardens
📍 400 N. High School Road
📞 317-863-3300 (English); 347-822-4696 (Spanish)
Empower Event Center
📍 3748 Lafayette Road
📞 317-515-4030
RLR Events
📍 5060 E. 62nd St. Suite 100
📞 317-597-5553
✉️ hello@rlremg.com
Hoosier Tent Events
📍 3642 W. 16th St.
📞 317-272-9746
Jewel Center
📍 3333 N. Illinois St.
📞 317-490-1611
Studio 2120
📍 8710 E. 21st St.
📞 317-912-4150
✉️ studio2120indy@gmail.com
Bars and Wineries
Take over your local pub with some friends for an ultimate hangout with great grub and cocktails or mocktails.
Ritz Lounge, 2628 N. Harding St.
Cafe Oztara, 1446 E. Washington St.
Solely Wine, 1106 E 16th St.
The Rejoicing Wine, 8440 W. 82nd St.
Sun King, 135 N. College Ave.
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Mirror Indy reporter Mesgana Waiss covers arts and culture. Contact her at 317-667-2643 or mesgana.waiss@mirrorindy.org.
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