Gaming & Arcades in Indianapolis

Press Play on Fun in Indy

Dive into the joystick jungle of Indianapolis with our guide to gaming and arcades that will level up your fun. From retro arcades that send you on a nostalgic quest to the latest gaming lounges, here is your cheat code to an epic adventure through the playful side of the Circle City. Indy has been dubbed one of the best places to game in the country.

Gaming Events

Gen Con

July 30-August 2, 2026

Gen Con is the original, longest-running, best-attended gaming convention in the world. Each year, over 65,000 people make the pilgrimage to engage with thousands of events, a cosplay costume contest, film festival, anime, Authors' Avenue, art show, and more. "The Best Four Days in Gaming" fills both the Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium with the fun spilling out onto South Street for daily food trucks and events. If you are a gamer, Gen Con is a bucket list experience.

Who's Yer Con

September 4-6. 2026

Board game fans flock to this low cost, tabletop gaming convention that features a large game library (you borrow what you want to play), a dealer hall, kids' activities, escape rooms, a dance, game demos, and plenty of open gaming space.

Arcades and Other Diversions

You can eat and drink like Pac-Man at most of these hot spots. Enjoy the best game-themed cocktails, tasty treats, authentic antique arcade games, VR experiences, and more.

16-Bit Bar+Arcade

Offering classic arcade games, pinball, skeeball, old-school cocktails, and an awesome beer selection, 16-Bit will have you partying like it’s 1999, or 1989 for that matter.

Flying Squirrel Axe Throwing

With 20 axe throwing targets, a private room, bar, and arcade games, Flying Squirrel is a great place to have fun. Come for a glow throw, order a drink, and master the art.

The Hangar

Home of the HandleBar Pedal Pub, The Hangar also offers golf simulators, video darts, and a great menu of fun food and drinks.

Pinheads

Pinheads has two locations (Fishers and Brownsburg) with state-of-the-art bowling, high-energy arcades, sand volleyball, multiple bars, and a full-service restaurant.

Pins Mechanical

Locaated at the historical Bottleworks District across from The Garage Food Hall, Pins offers old-school entertainment options like duckpin bowling, pinball, patio pong, bocce, hookie, foosball, and giant Jenga, as well as inventive cocktails, too.

Punch Bowl Social

Punch Bowl offers bowling, karaoke, table games, and so much more, as well as deliicous food and drinks.

Tappers Arcade Bar

Tappers stole the scene as Indy's original retro arcade bar. You'll find free-to-play games, regional craft beer, mouth-watering snacks, and craft cocktails. Don't miss themed trivia on Wednesdays and Sundays.

Activate Games

Discover a new way to play. Activate offers a range of games that test your physical and mental abilities. Climb walls, solve puzzles, dodge lasers, and more.

Bad Axe Throwing

Learn to throw with world-class instructors on 10 lanes at Bad Axe. All sizes of axes as well as knives are available. Enjoy beer and wine while you learn and practice.

Books + Brews

Conceived as a "place for people without a place," Books + Brews mixes craft beer, literature, table games, and community engagement to create a unique space for people to proudly be themselves.

Combat Ops

Combat Ops invites you to play with friends and teammates in mission-based varieties of laser tag, Nerf-style tag, dark ride theater, and lazer mazes, as well as arcade games and mini-golf. Food and drinks are available.

Dave & Buster’s

From Top Gun to Godzilla VR to UFC Challenge and more, it’s time to level up and lock in those high scores at Dave & Buster's. With locations in Castleton and Greenwood, there are plenty of arcade, billiards, air hockey, and much more.

Game Preserve

One of the longest-running shops in the city, Game Preserve opened in 1980 and now has two Indy locations: Greenwood and the Fashion Mall. Find everything you need for your board, dice, and deck building games here, and compete in leagues.

Game Show Battle Rooms

Are you ready to battle? Bring game shows to life with friends, family, or coworkers with this experience that's perfect for parties, team-building, and fun nights out. Laughs, competition, and unforgettable memories await at Game Show Battle Rooms.

The PinVault

The PinVault is a unique pinball experience in Fountain Square is a great place to test your pinball wizardry during open gaming and monthly tournaments.

Press Play Gaming Lounge

Brownsburg is hoome to this high-tech Ultra VR studio. Eat and game, book a party, and enter the omniverse at Press Play.

Sandbox VR

The futuristic VR experience at Sandbox is perfect for groups of up to 6. See and physically interact with everyone.

Gaming Gear

If you're in Indy and you need gear, these local shops have you covered.

Good Games: The first US location for Good Games is right in the heart of downtown Indy. With over 20 tables and seating for well over 100, they are sure to have just the game for you and room to play.
The Exchange: This Broad Ripple staple is your spot for vintage video games. Everything from CDs, to DVDs, to massive finds await you.
Game Time: Stop by this Castleton store for Pokemon, board games, Magic the Gathering, storage supplies, and any gaming accessories you may need.
Family Time Games: Gamers on Indy's northwest side trust the store to find just the right game for any family. It's a one-stop destination for all your gaming needs.
Paradigm Games: Positioning itself as a friendly, local game store, Paradigm provides a welcoming space for all ages. Try before you buy with selections from the board game library.
Saltire Games: Buy here, play here at this far eastside shop. Find new and used games of all types. If you don't find what you seek, Saltire will order it for you.
Grandmaster Games: This Southport location is THE place to play card games in Indy. Play in tournaments, buy and trade cards, and learn new games.
Hero's Emporium: A great selection of board games, miniatures, D&D, Magic the Gathering, and much more, all at great prices.
Games To Die For: Your gaming destination in Brownsburg. With a knowledgeable staff and large range of games, this shop wants to help grow the Indy-area gaming community.
Moonshot Games: Moonshot has two locations in Noblesville (9th Street, Conner Street) both specializing in board games, as well as MTG, D&D, Pokemon, and more. Start making family game night memories.
Elf'N Moon: This shop in Fountain Square immerses you in a fantasy world with custom gaming tables, classes, games, and accessories to maximize your RPG experience.
Gray Gauntlet Games: Fishers is home to this welcoming space. Shop cards and Warhammer, dice, and other gaming accessories as well as playing in leagues and with groups.
Gamer's Loot: Visit this Castleton store for board games, miniatures, cards, painting, tabletop, and in-store gaming events.
Valkyrie's Vault: Just northwest of Indy is this gem in Brownsburg featuring clothing, accessories, card decks, books, D&D, board games, and frequent events.