Insider Guide: The Perfect Bachelorette Party in Indianapolis

Lobby of the Bottleworks Hotel

Photo courtesy of Bottleworks Hotel

Planning the perfect bachelorette party isn’t always easy. Obviously, every great bachelorette weekend needs the bride-to-be, her best group of girls, and coordinated outfits for everyone involved. But you also need a fun, exciting city to explore—with lots of super cool activities within walking distance of the best bars. 

Most people think of places like Miami or New Orleans for their bachelorette party getaway. But in my opinion, the city that stands out the most is Indianapolis, Indiana!  

It’s a hot take, I know. But I would argue that Indianapolis should be THE host city for all bachelorette trips. Livability ranked Indianapolis the #3 City in “Top 10 Best Downtowns in the U.S.” Zagat named Indy one of the “Hottest Food Cities” in America, and Conde Nast Traveler selected Indianapolis as one of their “Best Places to Go” just a couple years ago.

Point is: people don’t realize how much Indianapolis has to offer, which makes it a unique and unexpected destination for your bachelorette party. Sure, Nashville won’t bat an eye at your pink cowgirl hats, and you can always roll the dice down in Vegas. But Indianapolis is perfect for all the girls who really care about quality time. 

From trivia nights to swing dancing, Indy is jam-packed with fun things to do and sites to see, so every bride can make unforgettable memories before her wedding bells ring. Check out our ultimate guide to the perfect bachelorette party in Indianapolis, carefully curated with all the best hotels, bars, and bach party activities. 

Spend less time traveling—and more time partying!

Indiana isn’t called the Crossroads of America for nothing! One of the nicest things about hosting in Indy is that getting your bridesmaids here is quick and easy. 

There are four major interstates that cross paths here in Indianapolis, including I-74, I-70, I-65, and I-69. These highways make for a smooth ride in, so every person in your bride tribe can come celebrate in time. In fact, Indianapolis is within a day’s drive of over 70% of the U.S. population!

Now, if your gals and pals live a little too far for a road trip, they can still get here via the Indianapolis International Airport. You may not know this, but the good ol’ Indy airport has been ranked the Best Airport in North America for over ten years in a row. It’s so beautiful, sleek, and easy to navigate, it’s no wonder that Travel + Leisure magazine named it one of the best airports in the country. 

All of this means that your bridesmaids will spend less time traveling to your bachelorette party—and more time making memories with you! And when they do get here, Indianapolis is super easy to get around. I-465 loops around the heart of the city, which means you can get just about anywhere within a 30-minute drive. You can also find Uber and Lyft drivers all across the city, if you don’t want to drive during your night out.

Exterior of the Bottleworks Hotel

Photo courtesy of Bottleworks Hotel

Room in the Bottleworks Hotel

Photo courtesy of Bottleworks Hotel

Stay in a luxurious hotel that makes you feel like a star.

Now, the next important question is where to stay? Indianapolis has a few luxury hotels around the downtown square, including a skywalk that connects them with the Circle Centre Mall and the Convention Center. But this is your bachelorette weekend, which means you deserve a truly pampered experience!

My recommendation is that you spend the night at the iconic Bottleworks Hotel—ranked #1 on Yelp’s list of the “Top 100 Places to Stay” in America.  This boutique, Hollywood-themed hotel was once a Coca-Cola bottling plant back in its heyday. But now, the historic 1930s building has been restored and renovated to its full Art Deco glory! 

The hotel boasts unique, glamorous architecture and spacious rooms—perfect for getting ready and popping champagne with the bride-to-be. The wide hallways lined with black and white portraits quickly become your catwalk for the weekend, as you strut to your room’s cherry-red doors. And the minibar is stocked with all the best local treats to get the party started! There’s even a photo booth on the second floor where you can document everyone’s smiles and giggles as the fun begins.  

Bottleworks is also located in the perfect spot, close to the best nightlife in Indianapolis. The hotel is on the north end of the most happening street in the city, Massachusetts Avenue. This neighborhood is THE place to be in Indy—with upscale restaurants, craft bars, live music, artisan shops, dance clubs, and more. 

Exterior of the Cake Bake Shop in Carmel

Photo courtesy of Cake Bake Shop

Interior of Penn & Beech Candle Co.

Photo courtesy of Penn & Beech

Pamper yourself with a de-stress day at the spa.

You’ve checked into the hotel, jumped on the bed, and are ready for the itinerary to begin! The first thing you need to start the weekend off right is time to relax—to destress from the world and enjoy time away from work. You’re on a bachelorette trip, there’s no space for that! 

If you’re at Bottleworks, you can start your spa day at the Woodhouse Spa inside the hotel. They offer the best treatments to relieve your tension, whether you choose their deep-tissue transformation or the deep-cleanse facial. Then, you can head down to The W Nail Bar for some mani-pedis before you hit the town!

Dinner plans for this first night are especially important, so everyone in your bridal party can get to know one another. Luckily, there’s no need to leave Mass Ave. You can just head a couple blocks over to Union 50 for some great vibes and even better bites. Then, after you’ve had a chance to break the ice, end the night with some carefully crafted cocktails at Sundry and Vice! This unique, apothecary-themed bar is built right into the Bottleworks Hotel, which makes it perfect for some late-night drinking. 

Make unforgettable memories with your bride tribe.

Rise and shine! After a day of rest and relaxation, it’s time to explore everything Indianapolis has to offer. Starting with brunch, Cafe Patachou is an iconic Indianapolis restaurant that’s perfect for morning mimosas. They have a world-class, award-winning menu with all your breakfast classics, including fresh omelettes and french toast.  

Meanwhile, if you’re looking for something a little more unique, Milktooth is a delicious fine diner that specializes in artisanal brunch. Their one-of-a-kind flavors are well worth the hype, making every dish feel like a culinary experience. 

When it comes to activities, it all depends on where you want to go! In my opinion, Penn & Beech Candle Co. is a bachelorette must. But why would we go to the one downtown when we can spend the day up in Carmel

Penn & Beech is a pour-your-own candle experience, where you can recreate classic scents or concoct your own blend to commemorate this special weekend. If you’re sentimental like me, I recommend creating a unique wedding scent, so you can order them as wedding favors for all your guests! 

Then, you can stop by The Cake Bake Shop in downtown Carmel for lunch. With its picturesque background, sparkly treats, and royal treatment, Cake Bake is the perfect photo-op for your bachelorette party crew!

If staying downtown is more the vibe, you can get in touch with your creative side down in Fountain Square. Get Dirty Ceramics offers private classes and events, so you and your bride tribe can try making pottery by hand. Then, when you’re done, lunch must be at the Garage Food Hall—with over 25 different vendors in one space. They have a wide range of food from around the globe, including amazing vegan and vegetarian options. So, there’s something for everyone!

Entrance to 16-Bit Bar in Indianapolis

Photo courtesy of 16-Bit Bar+Arcade

Red loveseat with a neon sign that reads "I love you so much"

Photo courtesy of Punch Bowl Social

Celebrate with coffee, cocktails, and good company.

Such a fun day calls for a night of drinking and dancing around downtown Indianapolis! Punch Bowl Social is a great place to start with delicious food and dazzling drinks. You can even get a cute little pic on their iconic red couch next to the neon sign that says: “I love you so much!” What better way to remember your bridal party—the people who love you and came all this way to celebrate your marriage!

From there, you can hit a concert at the Old National Centre. Stop by INVY or Patron Saint to dance the night away with live music, or head over to 16-Bit Bar for creative cocktails at an old-school arcade. If you’ve got a non-alcohol crew, you can plan your bach party at Memento Zero Proof Lounge in Fishers, which will be the first non-alcoholic bar in Indiana! 

As the night starts to wind down, I recommend heading over to Goodfellas Pizzeria for a hot cheesy slice or some fluffy, buttery breadsticks. Once you’re full, head back to the Wiseguy Lounge to sip on the largest collection of whiskeys and bourbons the city has to offer.

After all that, I have a feeling you’ll be sleeping in the next morning! When you do wake up, the simplest brunch option would be going across the street to Love Handle for a hearty breakfast sandwich.

But before you say goodbye to your girls, you can always grab some coffee for the road! Indianapolis is full of the cutest local coffee shops in the Midwest. Indie Coffee Roasters and Blue Mind Coffee serve lovingly crafted original blends, while Parlor Public House and Provider are coffee shops that double as cocktail bars. But if I were you, I’d make my way to Bovaconti Coffee for one more Instagram-worthy photo to end your perfect bachelorette weekend!

Indianapolis is the perfect bachelorette party destination.

Of course, these recommendations are just a fraction of the things you can do here in Indianapolis. Indy offers an amazing balance of great activities, great food, and great drinks that are sure to add up to a great time. 

So, for all the Maids of Honor out there, don’t be afraid to suggest Indianapolis for the perfect bachelorette bash! No matter what your girls love to do, Indy has something for everyone to enjoy. 

Here in Indianapolis, you don’t have to worry about the stress and mess of destination travel or the copious costs that come with more touristy places. There are so many local businesses here that won’t break the bank, while still providing an unforgettable weekend that your girls won’t stop talking about. And best of all, Indy puts the focus on what matters most—you and your best girls, spending time together as friends! 

Interior of Bovaconti Coffee

Photo courtesy of Bovaconti Coffee