Absolutely something you should add to your list! My mom got tickets for my birthday. I love this kind of thing so even though I've never been I was pretty sure I'd like it. It definitely exceeded my expectations. Instead of digital tickets, you just give your name to the host at the door at they'll lead you to your seats. Your server will then bring your drinks. Unsweetened tea, lemonade, and coffee are all complimentary but they have sodas and alcoholic drinks for sale. They also have dessert available for $7 as well. They can deliver the dessert during intermission which was perfect. Our server Maria was super friendly and on top of things. But all the servers and bussers were on top of it. We saw Cinderella and it was awesome. It was close to the original but a little modernized in the best way. There was plenty of crowd interaction and the actors were all fantastic. The props were cool but the costumes were even better. They also had a live band playing the music. Our seats were on the side of the stage and I wasn't sure we'd have a good view but the actors moved around the floor a lot and there was a tv on the side as well showing what was happening as well. I already bought tickets to another show and my family is looking forward to it. read more

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Wife and I went to see "The Play That Goes Wrong" today. It was actually a lot of fun. The buffet was decent, with roast beef, tilapia, and several vegetable options along with salad and all the all the toppings. My only complaint is that there were little to no vegan and gluten free options available, as my wife is gluten free and vegan. All she could eat was a zucchini and squash blend, some cucumbers with French dressing, and some fruit that was a little tart. The service of the wait staff was fantastic. Jasmine did a heck of a job taking care of us. Addressed any concerns and made sure we had a good experience. The dessert at intermission was really good. My wife had some strawberry sorbet (v and gf) and I had a strawberry sundae. Both had real strawberries in them and the ice cream I had was great. Overall, I give them 4/5 just because of the lack of vegan and gluten free items in the menu. Also, handicapped parking was nonexistent, and we ended up parking on the street next to the theatre. read more

Who would have thought you could get dinner theater like this in Indy! My husband and I love going to shows like this when we go out of town. Now we can do it right here in our city. We've talked about going for years and randomly pulled the trigger when our plans fell through for last week. Best decision we could have made. We saw signing in the rain and it was fantastic. Great vocals, acting, food, service, and environment. We sat in the mezzanine area which was farthest from the stage but AMAZING seats. AND we had our own private bathroom- felt like a celebrity! Check out their shows for the rest of the year listed below, there's some good ones! Singing in the Rain- now- May 23rd Cinderella- May 28th- July 12th The Play that Goes Wrong- July 16th- August 23rd Ring of Fire- August 27th-October 4th Cats- October 8th- November 22nd Holiday Inn- November 27th- January 3rd 2027 A Christmas Carol (1 hour show)- December 4th- 22nd read more

This place exceeded my expectations in every way. The theater is beautiful and the seating is comfortable. The buffet dinner was fantastic with creamy mac and cheese, steamed asparagus, roasted potatoes and delicious band-carved roast beef. Then there's the show itself. I saw Cats and the choreography along with makeup and costumes took me right back to my first time seeing this show on broadway. This theater is a true gem and not to missed whether you live close by or are visiting. I hope to be back soon. read more

Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre - Stage area - Performing Arts Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

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Food was plentiful and ok. Server didn't tend to me much since I didn't order soda or alcohol. After I ordered dessert, she finally smiled. The seats are horribly uncomfortable. Actors are amazing, and it's so cool to be so close. read more

I purchased a gift certificate at Christmas for my husband and me. We just saw Singin' In The Rain. It was fantastic, laugh-out-loud fun! The buffet dinner is always great and we added an adult beverage (mine was the Hurricane..yum ), and we both had dessert..one carrot cake and one cheesecake. We sat at the tip top area up the stairs. We loved these seats because we faced forward and didn't have to scoot chairs. We already have plans for using more of our gift certificate (Holiday Inn) and may take a daughter and granddaughter to see Cinderella. read more

Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre - View from the uppermost level..great! - Performing Arts Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

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Wonderful idea a dinner and a show. We felt very let down by the sardine can feel with the seating arrangements. So many people crammed in that there is no wiggle room at the tables; if you sit by rude people, good luck. You must sir side by side with your party, so be ready for that and for crazy parking situation. The food was mediocre, with undercooked vegetables and overcooked meat with very limited flavor. We used a local coupon to go, this was our first time trying it out. The show was great even with our limited-view seats we enjoyed the show completely. If we see the coupon again we may go again but our bums are SORE from the awkward position we sat in on the awful chairs for the show. read more

I've been hearing about this place my whole life. We went for the first time tonight and took the kids. I was very impressed with the show. They clearly work very hard and put together a nice show that was longer than expected. The dinner is buffet style and I thought it was good. It a basic salad bar with prime rib, chicken and ham. They have good sides. The mashed potatoes and Mac N Cheese tasted like homemade. The pepper mint white chocolate cheesecake was excellent. I do recommend sitting toward the middle as the side seats have an obstructed view of the stage and orchestra. read more

My husband & I have been attending for years, but last Saturday was the first time the food was not 100%. The well done roast beef was very tender this time, but the Medium one was undercooked. My husband never complains about anything, but this time he did. The carrots & chicken tenders were cold as well. Maybe the temperature of the food needs to be checked more often? read more

The shows they have are very entertaining. The seats are very comfortable and the performances are compelling and keep you engaged. Food is pretty decent and the buffet is out for a good amount of time. Servers constantly check on you and give you refills. read more

I've heard about this place so much since moving to Indy, and man oh man - I finally understand what the hype is about!! The food was so good, hot and fresh with plenty of options to choose from. The desserts (not included in the price) were also incredible. Our server, Lori, was amazing - so upbeat, kind, and funny. The performance was also great! Actors are constantly entering and exiting from all around you and often navigate their way through the rows in the audience. It keeps you very engaged and entertained as you never know where you'll be looking next! This has by far been one of the best ADA experiences I've had. As soon as I walked in with my service dog, I was so kindly greeted and helped, despite the line. Without even asking, the staff worked quickly to accommodate me and my pup. They were even willing to upgrade my seating (no extra charge) to ensure we had plenty of space for my service dog (the seating is really tight as the tables are so close together). I was blown away by how kind the staff was, I will 100% be returned because of how great they were with ADA :) read more

Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre - Auditorium - Performing Arts Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

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I love Beef and Boards!! I wish there was more of them around the US! It was such a fun experience with my family. You get dinner and a show! The prices are also reasonable for what you get. We went to see Heartbreak Hotel since my dad is a huge Elvis fan. The buffet was filled with southern cuisine like fried chicken, catfish, collard greens, mashed potatoes, black eyed peas, etc. The salad bar was plentiful and included some delicious potato salad. The service was great! Despite the theater being completely full, the servers removed your plates quickly, and constantly refilled the drinks. Once dinner was over, they start clearing the food and setting up the stage. The sound system is great and isn't soo loud you feel like you will go deaf. The costumes, music, talent, dance, etc. were great! They exceeded my expectations! I would definitely come back for another show! My parents loved it soo much! read more

Beef and Boards offers an unique experience of dinner and a show while providing the opportunity for local talent to showcase their talents. This was my first visit to the 51 year old establishment (can't believe it took me so long). Ordering tickets was easy. They have a nice web site that explains special offers, seating and the program. You can also order at their box office if you don't want to work on line. They have VIP packages that offer BOGO tickets for most shows and include other perks. We were able to buy tickets for same day performance but we were sitting in C24, which has a somewhat obstructed view, but was wonderful to see the performers up close. The theater is conveniently located on the north side near the pyramids. Parking is free and close. There are lots of stairs, making it difficult for accessibility, but the snow was shoveled and it was not slippery. You can drop someone off at the door and park if needed. You check in with the hostess and a server takes you to your table. We got a table for two otherwise you may be seated with people you don't know. Seating is tight, but we were comfortable on the end of the section. The tables have white tablecloths and candles. All the tableware is real including cloth napkins. Our server, Jaylan, was wonderful 5 star. He was attentive, funny and friendly. All the staff were nice including the beverage people and busboys. The dinner is a buffet. Old school buffet. There is a salad bar and then a main meal buffet. The buffet has plexiglass cover to protect the food. The salad was good, vegetables fresh. The entrees were just ok. My husband loved the roast beef with fresh horseradish. I loved the veggies. While I'm not a fan of buffets, this one works ok. They offer beverages for an added fee. My husband had a beer and I had a smoothie. They kept our water glasses full. Cocktails looked great and prices are reasonable. At 7:30, the buffet rolls away and the stage rolls out. The set up is pretty ingenious. The show is preceded by acknowledging birthdays and anniversaries of the 500+ guests (something you don't get in New York). We saw Menopause, the Musical. The local cast was wonderful, talented and left me in stitches most of the show. The sets are simple yet effective. I LOVED the show. Desserts come out at intermission if you ordered (the huge selection of desserts was only $6.50 each) Coffee is complimentary and good. There is one rest room facility for guest on the main level. The restrooms are clean, but a little dated. There is a coat check and small gift shop near the box office. This was a wonderful opportunity to see a show, have a bite and not break the bank or deal with ticket lotteries. I love the opportunity to support local talent. Next show, we are going to try the box seating. These seats are in the rear for parties of two and offer a more private seating. These seats cost a little more. Their season starts on January, so December is the ideal time to get tickets. But you can also find seats last minute. read more

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The show Jersey Boys was spectacular! Good performances and singing by all. The stage decorations were great too. The food of course is a smorgasbord and I was pleasantly surprised at the light options like Parmesan green beans and roasted vegetables. Our server was quick to greet us and kept our glasses full. There was several standing ovations for the performers, they were great! read more

Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre - Performing Arts Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

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The service was friendly and fantastic as always. The food was good as buffet food goes but desserts are delicious. I had the hummingbird cake today. It was amazing. The show was Jersey Boys and it was fantastic also. The talent was so good. It's playing till April if you have a chance to see it you should go. read more

Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre - Hummingbird cake - Performing Arts Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

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I came here to see a Christmas story. I was with a small group of five others. I Absolutely loved the show. I was a little nervous about what to expect but I would definitely watch this show again. The buffet was pretty good. I was glad there was a variety of foods. Our menu included ham, prime rib, and fish for the main proteins. Our server was attentive and took care of us very well. She was friendly and courteous but also efficient and taking care of her multiple tables. read more

I've always had a sort of mixed relationship with Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre, a steady presence in Indianapolis since it first opened in 1973. Located in College Park not too far from the Pyramids, Beef & Boards first opened as part of a chain of dinner theatres built by Louisville contractor J. Scott Talbott. The name should be fairly obvious - "Beef" comes from the roast beef that has long been a staple of its pre-show buffet and "Boards" refers to the boards or stage of a theatre. The "chain" is long gone. Indy's Beef & Boards is the only one left standing and is now privately owned and entertains more than 155,000 patrons annually with its unique combination of a pre-show buffet and live Equity theatre (i.e., professional) offering professional Broadway shows, musicals, plays, and even children's theatre productions. Having grown up in Pike Township, Beef & Boards was a steady part of my life throughout my school years. I've had friends perform on stage, behind-the-scenes, and it seems like Beef & Boards has always been somewhere within my world. For years, "The Garden" also used the stage on Sunday mornings. It was a ministry offshoot of St. Luke's UMC for which I preached more than once (though not long ago, it became an independent UMC church and now meets elsewhere). Beef & Boards offers shows year-round. Prices include both the buffet and the show. As a little tip, you can find information about each show AND each show's actual menu on the Beef & Boards website. So, you can plan ahead. They do offer Gluten Free, Vegetarian, and Vegan items and these are listed on the website. Because this is an older theatre, it definitely has some accessibility issues. There is wheelchair accessible seating. There's a seating chart on the website that indicates accessible seating, though I tend to recommend working with the theatre to ensure satisfaction. As someone who is a very active wheelchair user, I'm generally able to make things work. However, I do for the most part consider this a venue where it's best to have a companion and to plan ahead. Additionally, given the design assistance with the buffet will likely be needed (generally, the servers are very enthusiastic and helpful). Beef & Boards does also offer sound enhancement devices. There's a covered area for drop-off/arrival. Beef & Boards does have accessible parking, though be aware there's a somewhat decent incline leading up to the entry area. Drop-off is recommended for those with mobility issues. Ticket prices vary based on the show, though Beef & Boards has three different sections. Being a VIP member, which is renewed annually, lowers ticket prices. If you plan to attend a lot of shows, VIP is the way to go. If you plan to attend one, VIP isn't worth it. Children under three are not admitted except for the actual children's shows. Children from 3-15 do get a discount. I would say that Beef & Boards tends to attract an older crowd, though this is certainly not exclusively and varies according to the show. The children's shows are always stellar, fun, and tend to be a lot more affordable. The food? Decent. Roast beef continues to be the signature item. As a wheelchair user, I don't really consider it a buffet to be honest. When you have to ask someone else to go back for you, especially someone else already serving others, I think it just sort of takes away something. The buffet is typically open when doors open (about 2-1/2 hours before show) and closes 30 minutes before show time. Drinks are typically iced tea, lemonade, and coffee. There is typically alcohol available for purchase. No soft drinks. The shows? They're the selling point for me. I've never seen a bad show here and the intimacy of the theatre really sells the show. Beef & Boards uses both Equity and non-Equity performers, however, key roles tend to be Equity. That means you're getting professional actors and actresses. Beef & Boards is one of a handful of full-time Equity dinner theatres in the country. Overall, the accessibility issues bother me (and should) as both a patron and as a creative spirit. However, I also think there are a ton of reasons to visit Beef & Boards and there's a reason it's been around 50 years. The food is decent, the shows are stellar, the employees are enthusiastic and kind, and it's hard to imagine the Indy theatre landscape without this Northwest side gem. read more

Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre - An idea of the auditorium - Performing Arts Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

Beef & Boards never disappoints! From the delicious, hot buffet to the outstanding actors and the show, live music, wow! I highly recommend this place! read more

I've always enjoyed Broadway-style shows, but I'm not a fan of buffets (I just don't get my money's worth). The experience here, though, is well worth the risk! We've been here for several shows and were just here for Grumpy Old Men. It was very entertaining throughout the entire show. Every show we've seen has been fantastic! We keep getting sat in the same spot (no complaints there), so we keep getting the same server. She is phenomenal! She's on top of things. We are rarely left waiting to order a drink. And she has the most upbeat, fun personality! The shows start at 8pm, and the doors open at 5:30pm so there's plenty of time to eat and drink before the show. You, typically, can order your drinks before getting your food - and you get those drinks pretty quickly. Like I said, I'm not a fan of buffets, but this one isn't bad. The food is usually seasoned well. There's a little bit for everyone...salad, fish, meat, sides of veggies and potatoes. Dessert and alcohol cost extra. Shortly before the show starts, you get to order drinks for intermission. This is also when you get dessert. I like the way the tables are sat in a horseshoe around the front of the stage and the different levels. It's easy to see what's going on on stage. No one is blocking your view. If you like musicals, you really can't go wrong with Beef & Boards! read more

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The manager Brittney is the reason we will never go back. Her unprofessionalism and unwillingness to listen is the reason why we did not use our suite. read more

First time at Beef and Boards and was excited for the show. I wasn't sure what to expect though my friend had been before. We had chosen a four top table though there were only us three. Another friend wanted to join us but it said tickets were sold out. We assumed the 4th seat our table would be occupied but it wasn't. I believe the minimum is two when buying tickets because the smallest table seats two. Once we found our table, we went down to get our food. They had salad, sweet potato puree, green beans, creamed corn, chicken, beef and ham. They also had horseradish and au jus for the beef. The beef that we git the first time was unfortunately rather dry and hard to cut and eat. We didn't realize there was au jus at first but we went back for another plate and this time git beef that was juicier and git the au jus. I could have at the whole tray of the sweet potato puree as that was the start of the show. It was smooth, and well spiced without too much sweetness. The performance was better than I expected. I was especially impressed with the young actors remembering their lines and stage positions. It was a great show and experience, and hope to come back for another show in 2024!! read more

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I tell ya what. I've seen a few plays at the B&B's and none of them really blew my socks off. At least until yesterday (5/9/26) when we went to see Singing in the Rain. I first saw the movie when I was about 9 years old and, I don't know why, that movie has always stayed with me. They did such a wonderful job at recreating the movie that it actually felt good. In fact it felt so good that when they all did the closing number of the song and dance of Singing in the Rain it brought tears to my eyes - and that's doing something. Thank you so much for such a wonderful show and performance. read more

Beef and Boards Dinner Theater is such a GREAT experience! I am always amazed at the talent and presentation of each of the actors. Today we saw "Singing in the Rain". The tap dancing was truly in step (no pun intended). The synchronization was spot on! The comedic timing brought the house to laughter throughout the performance. The food, ticket sales people, director, stage manager, tech staff, check-in and wait staff are all so wonderful. We love being a VIP member. Looking forward to our next adventure. read more

Food service in ambiance is all wonderful at beef and boards I have had a wonderful time at every show I have been to see and I'm going back for more shows yet this year I would recommend this to anybody who enjoys theater and enjoys a good meal and wonderful waitress wait service they're fantastic. read more

The show was very good with talented actors. I highly recommend if you happen to be in the area

You can't ask me my opinion about the food, because it's buffet and I am not a fan of buffets. Like at all. But do you know who likes buffets? My children. And my youngest child, who is 8 years old, loved the food here. He ate spaghetti and roasted beef and cucumber slices and macaroni salad and chocolate pudding all on one plate! Isn't that wonderfully exciting? Yes, that's very exciting if you're 8. The buffet also had things like fish and salad and rolls and things. The buffet is put away about 30 minutes before the show begins, so you need to make sure that you get there with enough time to grab a plate or two of food. Beverages -- water, soft drinks, lemonade, iced tea, coffee -- come with the meal, but alcoholic beverages are extra. Dessert is extra, too. Dessert includes treats like cheesecake, apple crumble and ice cream sundaes. What I was most impressed with was the stage performance. I'm not the biggest fan of live theatre, but the show we saw (The Addams Family) was entertaining for everyone in my family, and the acting was amazingly professional. Beef & Boards really knows how to put on a show! There were some special effects, fog machines, lots of singing and dancing, and a great story. All of the tables in the theatre are set up in a half circle around the stage, and it's a pretty intimate venue, so you really get to see everything happening really well no matter where you sit. You might be wondering why I visited Beef & Boards if a) I don't like buffets, and b) I don't like live theatre. Well, it's because I've heard so many great things about this place, and it's been an Indianapolis institution for 50 years. That's a lot of years. And after visiting, I can see why it's been around so long. It's really cool that Indy has a place like this to see a great show and have a meal. read more

What a gem! We were visiting from out of town, for our Anniversary. We went to see "Waitress". It was brilliant. The cast were super talented and had amazing voices and acting skills. We were transported away while watching the show. We had 2 box seats on the end. We could see the stage perfectly. I loved the privacy and the extra leg room . The waitress was very friendly and did an amazing job. There is not a bad seat in the house. There were stairs right by our seats to make the trip to the buffet very easy and convenient. The buffet was good. It did the job. Not amazing but was decent. It was fun to eat and watch a play at the same time. The desserts cost extra but we splurged bc we thought it would be fun to eat the dessert in the intermission. They bring it out then. It seemed a given that everyone was ordering dessert. We got the pineapple upside down cake. It was delicious but very small. It was cut like a piece of pie in a very small triangle sliver. Not big enough to share. We each got our own piece. I recommend splurging and getting the dessert ( don't share it, one a piece of your choice). It's costly but a fun part of the evening and something to look forward to at intermission. Plus you will regret not getting it when you see everyone else's delivered at intermission. They give you a bill for any extras you ordered at intermission and you pay it at intermission like at a restaurant, on a tray. They take the tray and money or cc and come back with your card or change before the second act begins. You are good to go after the show and can just leave afterwards. Water, coffee, tea and lemonade are free and included with your ticket. They suggest you tip 5$ per person for the service. Bring cash. It's easier. If you order dessert or a special drinks you will get a bill and you can add tip on there. It is suggested if you order special drinks or dessert you tip an extra percentage on that bill plus the 5$ a person tip in general. This establishment is so clean and beautiful. Well maintained. The bathrooms were large and very clean. I highly recommend spending a day or evening there! I wish we had something like this where we live. We would go very often. I highly recommend read more

While Beautiful, the Carole King tribute show was amazing, the food - not so much. Nothing on the steaming table was warm, the cod was mostly batter, and the corn on the cob was way over cooked. Service is stellar and the Beautiful cast was excellent. This is a must-see production, but better eat before you go. read more

This place is awesome. They have two parking lots; one in the front and one on the side. People also parked along the street. Check in was very easy. I walked right up, gave them my name and they took me to my seat. Now about the seats. There are no bad seats, there are just some seats better than others. The theater is no big. most of the seats, with the exception of the box seats are sideways from the stage, meaning you have to pivot your body to see the play. The stage comes out before the start of the show. I think that the cost of the private two seat table and box seats are worth it. And this is coming from an anti-social, COVID conscience guy. All the seating is very tight, including the box seats, but with the box seats, you are at least by yourself. The tables have a little space, that is taken up by coffee cups and saucers, menus, a small cheese ball and a bowl of butter and creamer. The show starts at 8. The doors open at 5:30 and the buffet ends at 7:30. I got there about 6:30 and had more than enough time at the buffet. If you get there real early, you will have a lot of dead time in your cramped seats. The food was OK, especially considering it is part of a show. It is typical buffet food. The food that I recommend is the salmon, potatoes, and Caesar salad. They shut the buffet down at 7:30 sharp. The move the line to the back at that time and pull the stage up where the buffet was. They also offer desserts, which you can opt to have brought to you during intermission, cocktails, and beer for an extra fee. They only provide service before the show and during intermission. So get your drinks before the show starts. Even though the food is buffet style, you have a server assigned to your table. Our server was very friendly and attentive. That is who takes your drink order, brings you coffee and water, and gives you you a la carte bill at the end of the show. The venue has a small gift shop in the front of the theater where you can buy trinkets and other memorabilia of the show that you are going to see that evening. They also have a small unattended coat check area by the front door by the woman's restroom. There are no pictures or video allowed during the show. The show was awesome. It actually kind of started about 15 minutes early, with the actors on stage, doing different actions, but without sound. Kind of like opening credits. They also do the same thing during intermission. The actors were top notch. We saw Shear Madness, and it was an interactive show that was full of comedy and quick wit. Yelp even got a shout out during the show. And it also has a bunch of Indy references. The show lasts for about 2 hours and 15 minutes. I highly recommend catching this one. Even though I am sure most of their other plays are on par with it. They tout this show as never being the same, and with the level of improve in it I could see it. But they also say that the killer changes too. MY only issue with this place is that it is VERY expensive. It earned every of its 4 dollar signs. Two booth tickets costed about $180. Then drinks, dessert, and tip (please remember to tip your servers). That is an expensive night and even though it is a nice show, I think it is a bit overpriced as compared to other similar dinner shows that I have been to. But it was date night and we decided to splurge and check this place out anyway. I do recommend coming to see a play here at least once. and if you like it, you could look at becoming a VIP and saving money on more frequent visits. They have ok/decent food, great service, and a first class show that would make broadway proud. read more

I grew up going to shows here & now as an adult having my kids watch the performances is such a cool experience to see it from their eyes. I've seen Wizard of Oz, Phantom of the Opera, Beauty & the Beast and look forward to seeing Little Mermaid this summer! Food is always the same but they have a nice variety for kids & adults alike. You can order off the menu like for their desserts & other drinks. The service is always friendly & quick/ not disruptive. You won't regret coming to a show for a date night, special event or just for fun. read more

My 2 stars is for the food only - the buffet is awful especially if you are vegetarian or vegan. My husband who will eat anything struggles here as well. Its all very plain, old school buffet food. The shows are great!!! If there was a cheaper option that didn't include dinner, I would go to every show! read more

We have a membership and am so glad we do. The entertainment, the food and the servers make it something to look forward to. Cannot say anything bad about this place. A fun date night. read more

I'm surprised at the four $$$$ given Beef & Boards as it is definitely an affordable option for live theater, especially with the popularity of the shows selected, the caliber of the performers, and the dinner included. A season subscription here would run you far less than season tickets to Broadway in Indianapolis. I've seen Into the Woods and now Escape to Margaritaville there and was thoroughly impressed by both. That being said the food is... not great. Honestly it's a hospital cafeteria-level buffet. It's always nice having the evening off of cooking but do not get your hopes up. The tables and chairs are super close together and every square inch of real estate on the tabletop is taken up. That being said, you still probably have more personal space and breathing room than you would for a show at say Clowes or Murat. Props to B&B for being ahead of the dinner-in-your-movie-theater-seat trend. But, it really needs a marketing refresh. The building itself as well as the name and digital footprint. I can't believe the signature roast beef is really so much of a draw that it needs to be the first word in the establishment's name. The building itself is back in a suburban area, in a large parking lot shared with an abandoned hotel. I'm thinking a fun refurb of the property playing up natural elements, adding colors, fancy gates, and just generally amping up theming, could be a great rebrand to attract a more age-diverse crowd (something like Medieval Times?). And imagine having guest chefs featured to create menus that connect the show to the cuisine they specialize in! Indy has so many great chefs, it could be a cool way to connect the scenes. It really could be a great all-ages/family destination, but they seem content with only retaining their older demographic which seems like a missed opportunity. read more

Just went to the matinee of "A Christmas Carol." The show was well done, with several musical numbers, the vocal performance was quite good. I found the projected backdrops to facilitate scene changes, as well as providing great detail; for example an English street and a cemetery. The food....well, that in part, is why I gave four stars. The choices were slim, with the creamed corn looking like corn soup. They did have fish, chicken and beef. I didn't have the fish, but the chicken was good, though the beef was rather tough. Oh, well. But that brought us down to 4 1/2 stars. I thought about giving a total of three stars based on the following: Watch out for hidden charges. Our waiter came by our table and took drink orders. There was already water on the table, but two of us ordered a coke. No mention was made about an additional charge. Nearing the end of the meal, the waiter came by and inquired whether we were interested in dessert. He went through a list of several desserts available. Thankfully, one of our party asked if they were extra. He said, "Yes, they are $6.50." At this point, we declined his kind offer. He then brought our bill for the two cokes...$8. They were small glasses at that, but gave us a refill and did not add that on the bill. If I ever go back to Beef and Boards, it will be with the foreknowledge that not everything is included and I won't count on them to tell me. But, I would say the chances of my return are rather slim. I find hidden charges most annoying. read more

This was a fun new experience for us, and we were happy to try it out! We had been invited by long time ticket holders and were free so decided to try it out as our friends love this experience. They have multiple showings on the weekends and we attended one that started at 1 for the show. The buffet starts earlier so we arrived at 11:15 to get seated and have a meal before the show. Once you arrive you give your name and everyone in your party has to be present to be seated. They show you to your table which is set for various groups and maximizes the space. We were told they used to have more tables but now they are spaced out a bit more so we didn't feel crowded or like we couldn't pull back our chairs. For those with walking challenges they do have seats on the first tier with little to no steps, but for others it is a tiered theater type setting with small series of steps here and there. Be prepared to do a bit of walking or make sure to get the first tier. We were served promptly and they told we could enjoy the buffet which was situated on the stage. They had a nice salad bar then some cooked veggies, mashed potatoes, beans and three types of meats. We were able to find things that we could eat even with a limited vegetarian/vegan lifestyle. The food was rather tasty for a buffet although it could use a little bit of seasoning but they had salt and pepper on the table for people to add for their own liking. We had plenty of time to sit and have a relaxed meal as well as go back to the Buffay if we desired. The servers continue to bring water and drinks throughout the meal portion and were very attentive. I'm not sure about this but we believe that if you are unable to walk down and get your own meal the servers will bring up the plates to your specifications. I would suggest though calling ahead if that's something that is needed by anyone in your party. Once the show started it was very enjoyable with quite a bit more music in this play than our friends were used to in other shows. However it was very creative and fun to listen to so we all enjoyed it. They had an intermission during which they provided coffee and various dessert selections. The desserts were pretty standard but had quite a bit of a flavor so if you enjoy a nice have sweet stuff after your meal you won't be disappointed! It was a lovely afternoon and we were very thankful to have been invited. If you enjoy plays and musicals it's definitely something to check out and the food is done well also so you get a well rounded experience. We might take our older relatives at some point and definitely won't say no to going again. read more

Reaaly enjoyed our afternoon at Beef and Boards, I thought the buffet was average food fair, salad bar, rolls, sage dressing, carrots, mac and cheese, yams, roast beef or ham included in ticket price. Drinks and desserts cost extra, but the desserts were delicious I forgot to get a photo but sooo rich and choloatty yummy. Cannot say enough good things about the acting, stage and wardrobes in A Christmas Carol. Simply delightful, its worth the money for dinner and the show. Great service, Phil was our waiter and had quite a few tables, but he kept things moving along. He took great care to ensure all was well read more

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I've been VIP member for near 40 years and have bought an additional membership as a gift for the past 15 years but I'm considering not renewing either membership due to the content of recent shows. For me there has been a progressive decline on the quality and content of the performances. I didn't think your shows needed to be rated for content but now I feel the rating should be published in all your publications. For years we've truly enjoyed our membership but now very disappointed in the direction you are going. So sad .... read more

My fiancé and i were gifted a "VIP" pass for beef and boards last christmas and we went to half of the plays this year. Each time we went we recognized a theme: TLDR: i don't like the food, the plays typically get worse after the intermission, and it's costly for what you get. 1. The food leaves something to be desired. I am consistently disappointed on how they cook the roasts. I have never had well done/medium well prime rib until i ate at beef and boards. I avoid the meat all together and go for the fish (which is pretty "fishy" but at least they smother it in a lemon sauce to try to hide it) 2. the plays are usually great, the actors do a nice job especially in the first half. After intermission and you paying your check we've noticed the performance is worse than the first half. 3. The VIP experience can still get pretty expensive and they don't honor it during christmas season which makes the holiday shows pretty hard to justify. For the same amount of money i could get a pretty nice dinner and see a show at the IRT theatre instead. I will not be renewing the VIP pass for 2025. I hate to write a bad review but i opted for 2 stars vs 1 because i usually enjoyed the first half of the plays. read more

I have been attending Beef and Boards since the early 2000s. My family and I have done the VIP membership for several seasons. We always love the unique lineup each season has to offer! The staff is always so welcoming and accommodating. The food has really improved significantly the past few years and tends to match the theme of the show which is really neat. Definitely a great place to take the family or friends to! read more

If you're looking for a very pre-Covid experience, Beef & Boards has you covered and that's not a bad thing, man. I'd never been to a show here before but the fam and I went to their annual Christmas program. We were told to arrive between 5:30 and 6:00 so we got there right at 5:30. They served the dinner buffet until 7:00 and the show didn't start until 8:00. Getting here early is a mistake as you'll find yourself just sitting there looking around for what feels like an eternity. Get there at 6:30 or 6:45! The buffet was good and I found the roast beef to be the highlight but they also had turkey and fish. The sides were good but thanksgiving type of foods (green bean casserole, stuffing, yams) that I was still pretty full of from thanksgiving dinner. Lemonade, tea and coffee are complimentary but everything else is an additional charge. The dining table was CROWDED....full of baskets and glasses and cups and whatever the hell this thing is. This, combined with the packed in crowd started to make me feel really packed into a corner. The show was fun. The performers sang classic Christmas songs and danced. There's probably not a bad seat in the house because the stage moves which I thought was really cool. It was all very wholesome and gave off a vibe as something everybody's grandma would love. I couldn't help feeling like a kid out with my family at a dinner my grandpa paid good money for hahah! read more

Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre - Performing Arts Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana