Looking for date night ideas in Indianapolis? Sometimes it is plan and sometimes you just need to make it happen. Either way, it seems to be a common question in Facebook groups and forums is what to do? We want to help get a great night started because nights together with your significant other without kids is a great time to enjoy yourselves as a couple. And sometimes it is hard to find date night ideas for married couples. But, here are some fun things to do in Indianapolis for couples.
Date Night Ideas Indianapolis
- The Slippery Noodle Inn
- White Rabbit Cabaret
- Jazz Kitchen
- Fountain Square Theatre Building
- Chatterbox
- Crackers Comedy Club
- Comedy Sportz
- Flix Brewhouse
- Tibbs Drive-In
- Indie Lounge
- Wine & Canvas
- Nestle Inn
- Mass Ave.
- Nicky Blaines
- Theme Date Ideas in Indianapolis
Slippery Noodle Inn
Enjoy some music at the Slippery Noodle Inn. It’s the oldest bar in Indianapolis and it’s definitely a place you need to go at least once it you have never gone before. The Slippery Noodle Inn is a large blues bar and restaurant with two performance stages in downtown. It is the oldest continuously operating bar in the state of Indiana, having opened in 1850. The Inn served as a stop on the Underground Railroad during the American Civil War.
We recommend that you go early and get a table. They have a great selection of beer and wine. Try their their bacon wrapped filet as it is always cooked to perfection. French onion soup and the burgers are also recommended. Date idea bonus – Go to Colts game, check out this place beforehand. Winning!
White Rabbit Cabaret
Looking for something out of the box. Check out the White Rabbit Cabaret. They are located in the heart of Fountain Square. They have a little of everything that you can enjoy from burlesque BINGO to musical headliners in a small, fun intimate setting. Customers rave of their great food, great drink specials and great entertainment.
To enjoy any of the shows at the White Rabbit Cabaret, come early as they do not take reservations. We recommend checking out Let’s Make a Date and the burlesque BINGO. They starting IndyProv on Friday nights were you can get cheap tickets online vs at the door (usually half off). Check out their website and Facebook page for upcoming shows and tickets.
Jazz Kitchen
Dance the night away or listen to the smooth music at the Jazz Kitchen. Jazz Kitchen is located in Broad Ripple. There is no place in Indianapolis quite like the Jazz Kitchen. To sum Jazz Kitchen in a few words – excellent music, intimate atmosphere, delicious food.
Shows at the Jazz Kitchen usually start around 7pm or 8pm, but their doors open at 5pm. We recommend going early as parking can be headache the later you go especially on a Thursday – Saturday night. There is street parking. You can pay for parking behind the 5420 N College Avenue Business Building after 6pm on Friday and Saturday nights. If you arrive after 9pm you can park at the Fresh Market Parking Lot but that can fill up quickly. All the food is great at the Jazz Kitchen. Some dishes we recommend are the Not-so-Cajun Chicken, crab cakes (the sample appetizer includes this) and anything with fries.
Fountain Square Theatre Building
This one is 5 dates in one. Get swing lessons and show off what you learned at The Fountain Square Theatre Building. They have lessons every Friday. Go bowling. Atomic Bowl Duckpin is housed in the basement level of the building and is furnished with authentic 1950’s and 60’s equipment. Have a game night at the Imbibe Game Room. Enjoy handcrafted cocktails of the Gatsby era while playing pool or darts. Have a laid back summer/spring date night at the Rooftop Garden Cocktail Lounge where you can enjoy an amazing view of the Downtown skyline. Want to a local getaway? Stay at the Fountainview Inn and explore more of Fountain Square than for just one night.
The Chatterbox
Have a seat at the Chatterbox divebar. Described as small hole in the wall place with great jazz music. Great place to seat down and relax. So if you are looking to get out of the house and not spend a lot of money and just enjoy a nice atmosphere with great music and drink this is the place to go.
We don’t recommend going on First Friday if you are looking for more a chill vibe as it is usually packed on First Fridays. Come early for a good seat and parking on Mass Ave. You won’t be disappointed with the bar service or the drinks here. Live music starts at 8 pm Sunday-Thursday and 10 pm on Friday and Saturday.
Crackers Comedy Club
Enjoy some laughs at Crackers Comedy Club. One of the best comedy places in Indianapolis to see local talent as well as national recognized talent on the stage.
See local comedians on Tuesdays for open mic night. Ladies are free on Wednesday night. There is a 2 drink minimum per person. You won’t fill up on the food but you will definitely have belly full of laughs here. The closer to the stage the better the view so come early if possible. If you don’t want to be the joke, don’t sit on the actual stage where the comedians perform. Both locations are great.
Comedy Sportz
Like improv shows then check out an improv comedy show at ComedySportz. The Comedy Sportz is the local Who’s Line is it Anyways spot with food and beer is served at decent prices.
The late night show is recommended for the adult crowd. The PG shows are the 7-730pm shows. Come early if you want to get a close parking spot.
Flix Brewhouse Carmel
Catch a movie and dinner at same time or dinner all walking distance at Flix Brewhouse Carmel. Have a dinner and movie all at once at the same time. Yes please. watching the latest movies, grab a burger and enjoy the local brewed beer at Flix Brewhouse/ Not interested in a movie but just food, you can enjoy the lobby and bar and enjoy a pint of locally brewed beer anytime!
We recommend ordering tickets online before arriving as the good seats go quick! Arrive 30 minutes prior to movie in order to get food and beverage service before the movie begins.
Tibbs Drive-In Theatre
Enjoy the movies outdoors at Tibbs Drive-in theatre. The Tibbs Drive-In, a family owned and is the last standing drive-in of Indianapolis. It provides state of the art digital projection and sound for finest movie viewing experience and adds a little romantic nostalgia to a dinner in a movie.
All sound is now transmitted via the FM radio in your vehicle or a portable radio you plan on sitting outside of your vehicle. Friday and Saturday nights are the busy nights. Bring cash for the movie as only credit cards are accepted at the concession stand only. You can even bring your own food if you want to do a date night picnic. Come early for the best spots
Indie Lounge at the Landmark Theaters at Keystone
Grab drinks before your movie all in just a few steps at the Indie Lounge at the Landmark Theaters at Keystone. This is actually a nice hidden gem in Indianapolis. They show limited release movies and awarding winning movies that can’t be found anywhere else in addition to serving great popcorn and alcoholic drinks. Very chill atmosphere where you only find adults hanging out. Tons of great food choices and they show older films during the summer and Halloween.
Wine & Canvas
Looking to get a little creative? Wine & Canvas is the spot just take a peek at their calendar to see what painting works for your home. You may think that painting may not be fun but Wine & Canvas brings lots of fun to doing painting even if you are not a creative type. Plus you bring hope a gift with proof of a night of fun.
All the painting stuff provided and wine and beer is available to purchase (hence the wine and canvas portion). You may want to grab dinner afterwards or beforehand as light snacks maybe be provided depending on location.
Nestle Inn
Get hands on with your food and join a cooking class at Nestle Inn and learn from Indy’s most talented chefs. They have great line of classes got try from chocolate to soups and even sushi. You can make a true night of fun and stay at the Nestle Inn Bed and Breakfast and check Mass Ave.
Mass Ave.
Enjoy a stroll downtown checking out shops and people watch on Mass Ave. There really is so much to do on Mass Ave that I can’t list them all here. There are tons of great local shops to check out and restaurants as well. We mentioned ComedySportz and the Chatterbox. You really can’t go wrong here. Suggestion – arrive early for best parking or arrive later for free parking.
Nicky Blaine’s Cocktail Lounge & Cigar Bar
Have a drink and cigar and enjoy the atmosphere of Nicky Blaine’s. This is a great place to chill and have a good drink with great wait and bartending staff. If you love cigars, then you will enjoy the selection they have and you can always bring your own as well. Everyone raves about the great cocktails, great atmosphere and great service plus they have comfy couches to lounge in.
White River Canoe Company
Great for the summer take a relaxing ride down the White River. Grab pick a picnic or some drinks (or both) and bring some music and grab a tube or kayak from White River Canoe and enjoy a wonderful afternoon down the river. A great way to get outdoors and enjoy each other’s company for 3+ hours together.
Theme Date Night Ideas in Indianapolis
Why not go with a theme date night. Fo example, here’s an ice theme date – grab ice cream, go ice skating at Indy Fuel Tank and see the movie Fargo or The Day After Tomorrow.
We hope you got inspired for some fun things to do in Indianapolis for couples. Also check out some deals on Groupon – Things to Do: Indianapolis
Want more ideas? Check out our recent date night at PunchBowl Social , Caplinger’s Fresh Catch &Indianapolis Best Seafood Lunch Date and Cheap & Fun Summer Date Night Ideas for Couples
Also, check Indianapolis Date Night Restaurants and Cheap & Fun Summer Date Night Indianapolis Ideas
Date Night Ideas in Indianapolis
My daughter and son-in-law and their children live in Indy. For Christmas, I like to give them a gift card for a date night activity (without children). I’ve given them restaurant gift cards, but with COVID, they’ve still got the one from last Christmas! Any suggestions for around $100 or a little more?
If their kids are older 18+ why not a gift card to a hotel (Conrad, The Alexander, Ironworks, French Lick) and they can have a night away with room service (or take with the restaurant gift cards) and spa services is a great idea. If their kids are younger and they are unable to get away for the night, some other options are Escape Room in here in Indy, a helicopter ride, or online cooking classes.