The Pickled Pedaler: Indianapolis Party Bike Guide

Electric assist — you won't die on the hills

Unlike some pedal bars, The Pickled Pedaler has electric assist built in. Indianapolis has hills. The motor kicks in so the group doesn't arrive sweaty and exhausted — it keeps the pace comfortable regardless of how enthusiastically (or not) your group pedals.

You book the whole bike

There are no partial bookings. Your group has the entire 14-passenger bike. This is a private experience — no strangers joining your party. Up to 14 riders, and you can book with fewer people if your group is smaller.

1 hour 45 minutes of rolling

Tours run about 1 hour and 45 minutes. The route goes through Fountain Square, Fletcher Place, and surrounding neighborhoods, with stops at bars and breweries along the way. A trained driver/guide handles navigation and keeps things moving.

BYO drinks policy

Bring your own beer, wine, or premixed drinks in cans or plastic bottles. A large cooler is provided on the bike. No glass containers and no hard liquor shots allowed — the permit requires it. Most groups hit a liquor store beforehand and load up the cooler before departure.

21+ only

Everyone on the bike must be 21 or older. Valid ID required. No exceptions — this is a licensed pedal bar operation.

Starting at $275 for the bike — Base pricing starts at $275 for the full private tour. Final pricing depends on day, time, and any add-ons. Weekend evenings are priced higher than weekday daytime slots. Check the website for current pricing tiers.

Split across your group — $275 split 10 ways is $27.50 per person. At 14 people it's under $20 each. Factor in whatever you spend on drinks to bring aboard and bar stops along the route.

Gift cards available — No expiration date. Good option if someone wants to give a Pickled Pedaler experience as a birthday or bachelorette gift.

Tip: Weekday and morning slots are typically cheaper than Friday/Saturday nights. If your group is flexible on timing, booking a Thursday evening can save meaningfully versus a Saturday prime-time slot.

Drinks — in cans or plastic
No glass. No hard liquor shots. Beer, wine, seltzers, premixed cocktails in cans, or cocktails premixed in plastic bottles are all fine. Pack them in a bag or cooler — the onboard cooler will keep them cold during the ride.

Valid ID
Every person boards with ID. Don't assume the birthday person being carded will be the only one — everyone gets checked.

Comfortable shoes
You're pedaling — heels work but flats or sneakers are more comfortable. The seats have foot pedals so flip-flops can slip. Dress for the weather since you're outdoors; there's no enclosure against wind or rain.

Cash or card for bar stops
The route includes stops at actual bars. You'll want spending money for drinks, shots, or food at the stops.

Decorations (optional)
Bachelorette and birthday groups often deck out the bike. Banners, sashes, and streamers are all welcome. Just leave the glitter at home.

Fountain Square — The home base neighborhood. Virginia Avenue is lined with bars, restaurants, and the historic Fountain Square Theatre. Expect to roll past (and stop at) some of Indy's best craft beer spots.

Fletcher Place — Bluebeard, Bluebeard's Little Brother, and a string of good bars are in this neighborhood immediately adjacent to Fountain Square. A natural stop zone.

Downtown adjacent — Depending on the route and your guide, tours may swing toward the edge of downtown — Mass Ave isn't far and the bike handles city streets well.

Bachelorette & bachelor parties — The core audience. 10-14 people, a couple of hours of rolling around drinking, stopping at bars. It's a more memorable version of bar-hopping that stays together as a group. The Pickled Pedaler is well-set up for this — ask about any bachelorette packages when booking.

Birthday groups — Same formula as bachelorette but for milestone birthdays. 30th, 40th, 50th birthday parties are common bookings. The private bike format means the whole group stays together the entire time.

Corporate groups & team outings — Happy hour on wheels. Groups of 10-14 colleagues, a guided tour of the neighborhood's best bars, built-in conversation since everyone's facing each other on the bike. Convention groups from the ICC area use this for evening entertainment.

Convention attendees — Indianapolis hosts dozens of major conventions annually. The Pickled Pedaler is a popular evening option for convention groups who want something different from another night at a hotel bar. It's a 10-15 minute rideshare from the Indiana Convention Center.

Pre-game at a nearby bar or restaurant first
Eat before you board. There's no food on the bike and bar stops are short. Grab dinner at Bluebeard, Upland Fountain Square, or Red Lion Grog House before your tour starts — they're all within a few blocks of the departure point.

Hit a grocery or liquor store before departure
The nearest option for stocking up on BYO drinks is a quick rideshare away. Plan to arrive at 602 Virginia Ave with your drinks already purchased and cooler-ready. Don't count on grabbing drinks nearby at the last minute.

Check the weather
You're outdoors. Indiana weather can shift. The bike doesn't have a roof — light rain is manageable, heavy rain less so. Check the forecast and have a backup plan if the weather looks iffy. Ask about their weather policy when booking.

Tip your guide
The driver/guide makes the experience. They navigate, entertain, and keep the group moving. Cash tip at the end is standard — $20-30 is appropriate for a good tour.

Book the full 14 if you can
The bike is most fun at capacity. If your confirmed group is 8-10, open it up to a wider circle — the more the better for this kind of experience, and it spreads the cost further.

From downtown / Convention Center — About a 10-15 minute rideshare (Uber/Lyft). Virginia Avenue runs southeast from downtown — ask for 602 Virginia Ave or "Fountain Square neighborhood." Do not attempt to drive — parking is limited and you'll want to drink.

From Lucas Oil Stadium — 10-12 minute rideshare. Fountain Square is about a mile and a half southeast of the stadium.

Street parking — Virginia Avenue has some street parking, but the neighborhood is popular on evenings and weekends. If driving, plan to arrive early and accept that you may walk a few blocks. The Virginia Avenue Garage is a short walk away.

Bluebeard — 653 Virginia Ave, one block away. James Beard-nominated farm-to-table restaurant. The best dinner option near the departure point. Reserve in advance.

Upland Fountain Square — Local craft brewery taproom with food. Casual pre-ride option. Good beer selection and usually not too crowded early in the evening.

Red Lion Grog House — Dive bar energy, huge beer list, and late-night hours. Solid post-ride destination after the tour ends.

Fountain Square Theatre — Duckpin bowling, a ballroom, and a cocktail lounge in a gorgeous historic building. Great cap to the evening if the group wants to keep going after the ride.