The Crane Bay Event Center: Venue Features

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Downtown Indy’s Most Unexpected Venue for Unforgettable Events

While many places offer space, The Crane Bay Event Center delivers impact. Bold, edgy, and endlessly versatile, this downtown Indianapolis destination stands in a category of its own. With a rich industrial past, striking architectural features, modern renovations, convenient onsite parking, and a one-of-a-kind layout, Crane Bay blends style with function. It’s the go-to for couples, companies, and creatives who want their event to feel anything but ordinary.

Whether you’re planning a high-energy gala, a wedding that breaks the mold, or a corporate event with a true wow factor, Crane Bay delivers a setting designed to impress and built to perform.

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A Venue with a Story—and a Statement

Crane Bay is housed in a former industrial plant just steps from Lucas Oil Stadium, where heavy-duty overhead cranes—still operable to this day, but now as a creative way to showcase hors d’oeuvres. Today, those cranes are the namesake and centerpiece of a venue that embraces its history while offering a clean, contemporary canvas for the modern event. Industrial yet elevated. Historic yet fully adaptable. Trendy, timeless, and unforgettable—this is where ambiance meets attitude. Take a virtual tour and explore how Crane Bay sets the stage for events that make a lasting impression.

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Seamless Events with a Full-Service Planning Team

At The Crane Bay Event Center, you get more than a one-of-a-kind venue—you gain a seasoned event team that’s fully invested in your celebration’s success. Backed by nearly four decades of experience through Crystal Signature Events, our in-house planning professionals are here to guide you every step of the way, from your initial tour to the final sendoff. You'll work with a dedicated point of contact who understands your vision, anticipates your needs, and coordinates effortlessly with vendors to ensure every detail falls into place. With deep expertise and genuine enthusiasm, our team takes the stress out of planning and transforms your ideas into an unforgettable experience. Our comprehensive services include (but are far from limited to):

Timeline and Itinerary Creation
Layout and Event Logistics
Décor and Design Consultation
Food and Beverage Menu Development
Linen and Furniture Rentals Coordination
Audio-Visual Support and Enhancements
Vendor Liaison Services
Ceremony and Reception Coordination
Day-of On-Site Management

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Elevated Catering That Delivers Every Time

When you host an event at The Crane Bay, you’ll experience the exceptional culinary talents of Crystal Signature Events—our trusted, in-house caterer with a legacy of excellence dating back to 1988. Known for the saying, “If you want it done right, call Crystal,” this seasoned team brings decades of experience, restaurant-quality cuisine, and unmatched reliability to every event.

Whether you’re envisioning an elegant plated dinner, inventive food stations, or a chic cocktail reception, Crystal’s culinary professionals bring creativity, precision, and flair to every dish.
Menus are fully customizable, thoughtfully crafted to match your event’s style, taste preferences, and dietary needs—ensuring your guests enjoy a personalized and unforgettable experience.
To perfectly complement the culinary offerings, we provide elegant glassware, fine china, and polished flatware, creating a refined dining atmosphere.
Crisp black, white, or ivory linens are available to match your event’s color scheme and create a sophisticated tablescape.
Each guest table is thoughtfully accented with a stylish table number frame and a trio of votive candles, adding a warm and inviting glow to your celebration.

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Built to Celebrate, Equipped to Deliver

The Crane Bay Event Center was thoughtfully designed to eliminate planning stress by including many of the key setup elements that typically require additional rentals. With no hidden fees and an array of modern, flexible amenities included, Crane Bay gives you the tools to execute it beautifully—with fewer outside rentals and more built-in style.

(50) 5-ft Round Guest Tables and (16) 6-ft and 8-ft Rectangle Banquet Tables, perfect for a custom seating arrangement
(500) modern charcoal and silver padded chairs, offering both style and comfort for all your guests.
(12) stand-up cocktail tables paired with (20) stools, ideal for mingling and socializing.
(14) 4-ft glass-front shelved bar units, designed to showcase your beverages and create an eye-catching focal point.
(24) sections of white leather couch seating, providing chic and comfortable lounging options for your guests.
(12-Piece) Outdoor Patio Furniture Set and (3) 4-ft Patio Tables with (12) Patio Chairs, offering a comfortable setting for guests to enjoy the outdoors.

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Flexible Layout, Limitless Possibilities

No two events at Crane Bay ever look the same—and that’s by design. With open-concept concrete floors, white walls, and no distracting patterns or permanent partitions, every layout feels intentional and fully custom. Bold or elegant, high-tech or minimal, moody or romantic—whatever your style, Crane Bay molds to your vision.

Blank Canvas Freedom: You’re not working around a color palette or stuck with “four walls and a chandelier.” This is a venue that lets your theme take center stage. It’s sleek without being cold, spacious without feeling cavernous, and timeless while staying on-trend. Whether you’ve been to Crane Bay once or ten times, each visit feels completely new—because we believe your event should be anything but expected.
In-House Draping System: From intimate weddings to corporate launches, the space can be styled and scaled to suit any occasion. Soften and separate the space with our complimentary in-house draping, or use it to create a dramatic room reveal.
Custom Bar Configurations + Lounge Options: Three modular bars can be moved or grouped in unique ways—square, diamond, or linear—to elevate the flow and reduce lines. Cocktail tables, couches, and pillow-accented lounge pods round out the vibe for a perfectly curated atmosphere.
Retractable Awning Patio with Fire Features: This private, skyline-view patio is equally gorgeous in the summer and cozy in the winter, complete with outdoor furniture, ambient lighting, and heat elements. It’s a true hidden gem in downtown Indy.

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Audio Visual That’s Designed to Perform

Crane Bay was built to accommodate not only beauty, but technical excellence. Whether you’re coordinating a multi-speaker presentation, an entertainment-filled reception, or a branded event with sponsors and visuals, our audio visual & lighting features ensure your event looks and sounds as good as it feels.

Color-Changing LED Light Columns: Set the mood with hues that reflect your theme, shift for dramatic transitions, or amp up the party on the dance floor.
In-House LED Ceiling Lighting: Providing crisp, ambient lighting to complement your event’s vibe.
Built-In Sound System with Pandora Access: Create a seamless soundtrack for your event with our integrated sound system.
Wireless Microphone and Acrylic Podium: Perfect for speeches, presentations, and panel discussions.
Adjustable Stage: Perfect for panels, performances, or a head table that makes a statement. The stage can be scaled or removed entirely based on your needs.

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Striking Added Amenities That Steal the Show

At Crane Bay, every detail is designed to dazzle—from an indoor fireplace to one-of-a-kind food displays. These aren't just extras—they're the elements that transform a gathering into an experience.

Shot Chandeliers + App Walls: Our unique food display installations double as décor, creating Instagrammable moments and delicious conversation starters.
Indoor Fireplace: Add ambiance and drama, or use the space to project gobos and lighting elements for a fully immersive experience.
Mirrored TVs: Strategically placed to serve as dynamic focal points throughout the venue, these versatile displays can showcase sponsor loops, seating charts, branded visuals, photo slideshows, food and beverage station effects, or even a custom monogram—seamlessly blending style and function.
Convenient Onsite Parking: A rare perk in downtown Indy, our ample onsite parking ensures your guests arrive relaxed and ready to enjoy the event—no circling the block required.

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Why Clients Choose Crane Bay Event Center

The Crane Bay Event Center doesn’t just offer a place to gather—it offers a platform to create, celebrate, and truly impress. From the dramatic lighting and conversation-starting displays to the comfortable lounges and cozy patio vibes, every inch of this space is thoughtfully curated to deliver impact without ever losing sight of comfort or function. Paired with full-service planning and exclusive catering by Crystal Signature Events, your celebration is not only stylish—it’s seamless.

Explore the venue’s online gallery to see how its unique features and versatile spaces have brought previous events to life. From the stunning lighting elements to the custom setups, each image captures the energy and atmosphere that Crane Bay brings to every gathering. Let the gallery inspire you as you envision your own unforgettable event at Crane Bay Event Center.

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Ready to Make a Statement?

Industrial yet inviting. Flexible yet polished. Full of attitude and overflowing with possibility. The Crane Bay Event Center is the venue for those who dare to be different. Contact our team to schedule a personal tour or fill out our Proposal Questionnaire to receive a customized quote. We can’t wait to help you bring your boldest event vision to life.