Excellent night of Motown entertainment, beautiful venue with lots of old, elegant architecture. Perfect place to gather for an evening of music, fun, friends, and drinks. This was my first time in this venue, and I am excited to come back in September to see the play Dreamgirls. read more

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Attended Das GartenGrillFest with 3 family members. Unfortunately, food was lackluster (some was cold) and food ran out before end of buffet. Buffet began later than advertised. Beer also ran out midway during the posted times for event. Price was excessive for entertainment and food value (48.00/person). Website to purchase tickets stated tables were sold out, but venue was half empty. Just disappointing.​ read more

Going on now Free To Be art exhibit in partnership with Indy pride. Art on exhibit from local LGBTQ+ artist. I have two photos on display for the first time in a gallery setting. Exhibit goes on till end of July and it is free. Go see some art and support local artist. Last night was the first Friday opening with snacks and drinks. The first Friday in July will be the second also with food and drinks. Exhibit is open all June and July. It was awesome they choose two of my pieces to show. It was scary ( way out of my comfort zone ) and fun taking to people about cemeteries and symbols used on memorials. read more

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The Athenaeum Foundation is essentially the operating structure for The Athenaeum and all of its activities. If you've never seen Indy's Athenaeum, then you're either a newbie or you don't get out much. It's one of our iconic buildings, a historic German building that became a national historic landmark in late 2016 and continues to provide a space for conversation, culture, and celebration. The building itself is much larger than it seems. It houses an array of businesses including the famed Rathskeller restaurant (and its event space and outdoor Biergarten), a YMCA, the Young Actors Theatre, Coat Check Coffee, Indiana Performing Arts Centre, The New Harmony Project, the IUPUI Max Kade German-American Center, Indiana German Heritage Society, KLF Legal, Monroe Legal, ArtSpace at the Athenaeum (Current exhibit features Jamahl Crouch and is open to the public seven days a week), and the Basile Theatre (that you can also rent) among others. The Athenaeum Foundation is a non-profit 501c3 organization. Craig Mince, formerly of downtown IMAX, was named President of Athenaeum Foundation not long ago. I also really like that the foundation includes tenants among its board members with several of the businesses having a representative on the board. The building hosts a variety of events from the annual GermanFest to ghost tours to Indy Film Fest's Cereal Cinema to many others. I believe there are also smaller individuals and businesses - for example, a massage therapist, working out of the building and they do have office space. The only real reason I knock off a star is to be expected - accessibility can definitely be an issue here if the main door isn't open. The assigned entrance for Coat Check, for example, isn't even close to accessible but you can access it via elevator when the main entrance into Rathskeller is open. The biergarten is accessed via an alley way (you can get to it via the restaurant, though it's not accessible that way). The Biergarten is an awesome outdoor venue with a terrific stage - the picnic tables have limited options for wheelchairs since the path to the tables often includes gravel and/or a somewhat rocky path. I have to confess that I at times avoid the Athenaeum primarily because it's sort of a quiet building and it always feels more inaccessible than it is. It's definitely a historic landmark here in Indy and any challenges in access are worth it for me because of the wonder of the actual building. They offer guided tours and if you check out the website you'll even find some cool downloadable educational documents. Originally named Das Deutche Haus (this is still on the building), the Athenaeum opened in 1893 and was co-designed by Kurt Vonnegut's grandfather (Bernard Vonnegut Sr.). In 1973, it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. In 2016, it became Indiana's 41st designated National Historic Landmark. On a personal note, I'll always be grateful to the Rathskeller as they hosted a benefit concert for me after my late 2019 amputation to help raise funds as I move toward an accessible, adapted van. So, yeah, I love the place! read more

This historic German building is one of my favorite spots in the city. It houses the Rathskeller restaurant and event space, a YMCA, the Young Actors Theater, a huge stage, and the delicious Coat Check Coffee with lots of main floor seating. I've also attended several events here: a rehearsal dinner, outdoor concerts out in the back, and the super-fun Germanfest (brauts, beers, weiner dog races, and so much more). Such a gem! read more

Shout out to this wonderful community organization for hosting a variety of events for all ages and shining the light on Indy's German history. You might recognize them from the annual Original and Fabulous Germanfest and wiener dog races as well as the St.Benno Fest. I'm overdue to give them some Yelp love not only for their work but the actual space in which they conduct their work. Kudos to the building for receiving national historic landmark status in 2017. The building is home to the YMCA, Young Actors Theater and now the new Yelp-adored Coat Check Coffee featuring Tinker coffee and fresh made-in-house croissants in what was formerly the coat check closet for the theatre. Located a few feet from the cultural trail on mass Avenue, it's hard to miss this building as it splits Mass Ave (in my mind) in the middle. Keep up the great work! read more

My first time at The Athenaeum was for my daughters performance at the 2011 Girls Rock Indianapolis Showcase. Definitely an A+ location for a venue. I loved how we could catch a glimpse of the girls pre-show as they overlooked from the balcony. The raised seating was also a big plus, ensuring a good viewing experience from each seat. The stage was large enough to get all girls up on stage for the final camp song. Overall, a wonderful experience for everyone who attended! read more

It's so hard to review this building because of how mcuh is embedded there. The theatre, the coffee shop, the gym, the biergarten, the meeting space, the museum, the offices. This is historic preservation at its best, and the Athenaeum always makes me proud to live in Indianapolis. The ability of this building to maintain the vibrancy of its history is a testament to its management. I once heard the Athenaeum described as the "living room" of Mass Ave, and it's such a Hoosier thing to have in a night-life district. An open space to sit and commune between moments in an evening. A waypoint in the work day where you're bound to run into a familiar face. Coat Check, the YMCA, and the Rathskeller are always packed to the nines, and it's because the Athenaeum is a community center in the best sense of the term. read more

The Athenaeum is a well preserved beautiful piece of architecture that everyone should see or experience at least once. It houses the oldest restaurant in the city, the Rathskeller, a YMCA, and various performances in the auditorium among other notable programs. The auditorium is styled in cabaret fashion. It provides a venue in which to view performances in seating that is in rows of round tables with tiered elevation. While the capacity is a smaller to mid-venue size it is a nice space for local dance companies, theater groups, and rental for private events. read more

LOVE the A. So many interesting things to see and learn here. Many meeting rooms, inside one of the most gorgeous historic buildings in Indy. It's becoming more of a community center, hosting lots of events. Always fun to see the place filled and swarming w/ people. Events are usually catered/ collaborating w/ the Rathskeller downstairs. Oldest theatre in the city. Movie "8 Men Out" filmed scenes here. Fabulous staff. read more

I don't really know where to start with this venue. It's pretty, but the setup isn't conducive to stage performances and that's what the majority of the events are. There is a great big stage, a few rows of forward facing seats, and then the rest of the seating is round tables and chairs. There were many seats that couldn't really be easily utilized because the backs were to the stage and there's a railing right behind those seats. It's difficult to navigate through and see the stage from many seats. The people I was with all had to lean and scoot continuously during the show just to see around the people in front of us. If the layout isn't bad enough, the staff were terribly rude. They yelled at guests, talked loudly about guests in front of other guests and had zero patience when asked questions. I'm not a fan of this venue. This was the second and last show I'll go see there. read more

Gotta love the Athenaeum. So much that goes here and I love it!!! It's an absolutely gorgeous historical building that has a lot to offer. There is the Y here, plus you can't forget the Rathskeller and it's awesome outdoor space. If you have a chance, the theatre is a beautiful spot to see a show. I've been here for Optical Popsicle and Heartland Film Fest Preview throughout the years. It's always been clean and neat. The theatre can have quite a few people and there are some awesome things that go on here. Keep an eye out for fun events and even if you don't here for one, taking a peek around is a lot of fun!!!! Worth the stop! read more

An absolute 'must visit' when you are in the Lockerbie/Mass Avenue area...! The building is an architectural masterpiece designed by Kurt Vonnegut's father/grandfather (forgot which one...) There is a great coffee house and a fantastic restaurant in the building and there is always rocking music in the Beer Garden. read more

What a great space! I have been here twice now and have loved the interior design more and more each time. Velvet seats, carpeted stairs, dark stained wood... what a dream. And right below you have the Rathskeller, and right next door is the YMCA. It's a great little hub of activity. Upstairs theatre is very beautiful, the ceiling is one of the best in the city by far. The staff that helped us set up there was very gracious and helpful. There is a cash bar usually open during events near the theatre entrance. Consider the A for your next event and you won't be disappointed! read more

The space, the structure, and the purpose--it's all gorgeous! I love that this huge, German-style building is located in downtown Indianapolis. Accompanying The Rathskeller, these two landmarks are unreal, and hold such rich heritage. The events that happen here are always fun, entertaining, and are for good causes. I've been here a few times for a wedding party and GermanFest; both were incredibly enjoyable. Huge and spacious inside, this building has enough room to do just about anything. There is a wonderful outside area and an out-of-this-world biergarten when appropriate. If you live in Indianapolis and would like to relate to some old, German architecture, this is the place to accomplish that. read more

Came here with friends to get some coffee and enjoy the beautiful building and was greeted with a maintenance employee shampooing the carpet and then running a loud fan to dry the carpet...during open hours?? When I turned it off to hear my company talk, we were promptly asked to leave. After I asked who was in charge a man was very proud to say he was and he was unreasonable and didn't understand why it was an issue. The coffee was fantastic, the service from the maintenance staff was amongst the worst I've experienced. Terrible people skills, terrible customer service. I'd love to hear from the GM of the building because this is unacceptable treatment for a guy that just dropped $60 at the coffee shop and was treated terribly by your staff. read more

I had been waiting to find a show to go see here so I could check this place out, although it is open to the public and I think they have tours....But this a great little historic gem on Mass Ave. I saw Spamalot here recently (Totally blew my mind awesome for a local production!!) It was cabaret seating in the theater, which I thought was kinda cute, but you know that everyone will turn to face the stage and create more of a U at the round table... we got to our 4 person table and the couple we were seated with decided to take the 2 middle seats....seriously? awkward! Anyway, beautiful building, rich history, awesome show. read more

Last weekend I went to the Athenaeum for one of my all-time favorite ever dates. We saw a woman playing the Earth Harp while people did yoga underneath the strings that stretched from stage to ceiling. An ecstatic vocalist sang and played drums, and my boyfriend and I laid on our yoga mats up in the balcony and zoned out to all the sounds and layers of entertainment. As a venue, it was beautiful, elegant, it had a sort of intimate feel to it and the seating was raised in such a way that everybody could see without really feeling like they were in stadium seating. I love that night, much of which was due to the location, and would love to go back. Also, it's connected to the Rathskellar so if you wanna go have a beer or some wurst afterward, you're in prime positioning! read more

Athenaeum Foundation - Dancing under the Earth Harp. - Community Service/Non-Profit Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

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Great space for varying types of performances. I have been to several different shows there and all fit within the space. Located on Michigan next to the Rathskeller and not far from Mass Ave. The history of the building adds to the experience. read more

Very cool space. The setting is very intimate. We had to do some rearranging of the chairs to make them facing the stage . Unless their is food being served I don't think it was that much of a hassle. The lighting is really dark . Made it hard to see but I think that can be adjusted. They have a room right next to the stage which is really convenient for performers. I would definitely recommend this venue. read more

This place is awesome and deserves everything in the world. The people who run the building are the most down to earth people and will do anything to make you happy read more

I was at the Athenaeum for the Oktoberfest last weekend. We had a great time. We came to participate in the Wiener Dog Races that were held during the fest. It was a wonderful dog friendly event and we will definitely be back next year. If you've never been to a Wiener Dog race than you are really missing an hilarious event. Also at the Oktoberfest I had the best German Potato Salad I've ever had in my life! Music was great in the Beer Garden too. read more

Literally ordered tickets thinking it would be open seating, no mention of assigned tables anywhere. We get there for the event and they tell us we can't sit together. Also, we order our tickets weeks in advance and get sat in the very back, our friend waited until the last minute and got seated in the very front. Unprofessional and messy. Rude staff. read more

I love coming here to work out. The athenaeum is such a great historical building g in downtown indy. But the ymca is a great place to get a great workout. I was looking for a good place to get a membership so I could workout everyday and I walked in met the employees and got a tour and loves the place. I have almost been coming everyday since then. Such a friendly staff that gives you a nice welcoming and you feel at home. They have a nice variety of card equipment and assisted weights. I have never had a problem finding what I want to use on a busy day. Clean facility. read more