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Welcome to
the 2006 Final Four!
FanFest, Party
Guide and Tips For Indy
Final Four Madness again came to Indy, which is well suited to be the
host city.
As America's Amateur Sports Capitol,
Indianapolis is a perfectly suited city for those suiting up to attend
the 2006 Men's Final Four NCAA basketball championship.
It's particularly convenient for the NCAA, which has its headquarters
a short walk away from the championship venue, the RCA Dome. Indianapolis
is also used to seeing major events. This is the fifth time - and the
third in the last nine years - it has hosted the Final Four. Several
other sports events – including the Pan American Games, Olympic
Swim Trials and the Women's Final Four – have found a home here.
And, of course, each May it's home to the Indianapolis 500 motor car
race. The Men's Final Four is set to return in 2010.
Fitting for an event of this magnitude, there are several activities
for fans during the weekend. There is a free outdoor concert, a basketball
dribble through downtown and the NCAA's sports museum with a section
about the Final Four will be open for 100 consecutive hours. The lively
downtown area is compact and easier to navigate than a zone defense.
Plus there's the general excitement that comes with being at a major
sporting championship. Separate PubClub.com articles on the pubs and
clubs downtown and in Broad Ripple make finding fun pretty much a layup.
Fans here will be having a ball because whle March Madness may be winding
down, the championship partying is only beginning.
This "fanfest" of a guide provides all the details to the
public parties and activities for the Final Four, April 1-3.
About Indy – An Overview See
Our Complete Indianapolis City Guide
The people and the
peaceful – Indianapolis is an ideal Final Four host.
As the site for the Final Four, Indianapolis
is indeed ideal. Let us cite the reasons.
First, it's in the Hoosier state and basketball is built into the culture.
Second, it has a dynamic downtown, adjacent museums, a park, even a
canal, and all are within easy walking distance of one another. Third,
the people are friendly and quick to sport a smile. This is the 12th
largest city in the U.S., yet it's really a small town wrapped in a
much bigger package.
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Final
Four Tips Before Tip-Off
• Stay downtown. This is where the weekend events take
place and it also features many fine restaurants, bars, walking
areas, canal rides and sports-related museums. There are high-end
and mid-range lodging choices.
• While many hotels may be sold out in advance, go
ahead and call to check about any canceled reservations. The Omni
Severin, steps from the RCA Dome and nightlife, can be reached
at (317) 634-6664 or www.omniseverin.com.
• Because everything downtown is within easy walking distance
– some places are side-by-side and nothing is more than 10-15
minutes – a car is not needed. Cab fare from the airport
to downtown and also to Broad Ripple is about $25. A flat rate
of $5 applies to the entire downtown area.
• Check the weather before packing. There is no predictable
pattern for April. While the average temperature for the month
is 52, it could be anywhere from sunny and warm to chilly and
wet. Or warm and wet or chilly and sunny.
Final
Four Party Planning
• Drinking open containers of alcohol on city streets is
not legal in Indianapolis, but mild-mannered fans are likely to
get a "free pass" during Final Four week. In the words
of one Indy police officer who patrols the bars: "We're going
to pick our battles."
• A few bars, such as the legendary Slipper Noodle, have
a "carry out" liquor license that allows them to sell
unopened bottles of beer to go.
• Drink 'em if you got 'em is 3 a.m., with bars cleared by
3:30.
• Smoking is allowed in Indy bars; restaurants wanting to
serve to anyone under 18 have to be non-smoking.
• There are four officially designated bars for fans of the
teams: And at least one bar will be putting up a tent with live
bands during the weekend. See "Final Four PubClubbing"
below for these establishments.
• Downtown is full of fine restaurants and bars. There martini
bars, upscale lounges, casual hangouts, dance spots, a renowned
live music venue, even a German beer hall. See
Our Downtown Indy Bar Guide
• Broad Ripple is Indy's other action area. It's three-plus
blocks of side-by-side bars and clubs, as well restaurants and
a wine bar. See
Our Broad Ripple Guide.
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The two main areas of Indy are downtown and Broad Ripple Village, a
block party of bars 20 minutes to the north.
The Big Dance is downtown so naturally this will be the most happening
place. The center of town is Monument Circle, a traffic circle
dominated by a 284-foot tall sculpture dedicated to Civil War casualties
(in its base is a free Civil War museum that does an excellent job of
documenting this chapter in American history). This is where the Sunday
concert takes place.
From there, the city branches out; to the east is the state capitol
building, the NCAA and the many activities of White River River State
Park. To the northwest is the Theater District and the neat bars of
Mass. Ave. To the south are most of the bars and restaurants.
Take the time to see and enjoy Indy. Just over the shoulder of the
RCA Dome is a 1 1/2-mile canal ideal for a run, rollerblade or casual
stroll. The NCAA's Hall of Champions is located just over the canal,
as is the National Institute for Fitness and Sport ( 274.7408;
day passes $12). The park also has an IMAX theater, more museums and
the Indianapolis Zoo.
A little farther away, in the public spaces of the University Place
Conference Center and Hotel at the oddly named Indiana University-Purdue
University of Indianapolis, is the National Art Museum of Sport.
This is one of the country's largest collections of sports art,
including an entire section devoted to Jackie Robinson. The photos,
paintings (including one by Mohammed Ali) and sculptures are in the
hallways so it's more like being in a memorabilia establishment than
a museum. And it's free. (859 West Michigan St.)
There's a three-level mall in the heart of downtown. As for dining
and drinks, there are restaurants and enough bars – enough types
of bars, in fact – to create different kind of event buzz.
Many of these are located around south Meridian Street, a five-minute
walk from Monument Circle.
Broad Ripple Village is a row of bars, clubs and restaurants.
It's the primary hangout of Butler University and the bars and their
patrons reflect this college atmosphere. It also has a Vegas-style nightclub
(but not toooo Vegas) and, for the more sophisticated fans, some elegant
options which we've chronicled in our "Kathi's Corner" section
of our Broad Ripple Guide.
One thing is for certain: With its friendly people and Midwestern hospitality,
Indianapolis will roll out the red carpet for its guests before officials
roll out the ball for play on the weekend.
The Venue – The RCA Dome
With a capacity of 43,000 fans file in to the RCA Dome..
The home of the Indianapolis Colts and
the annual NFL Scouting Combine transforms into the centerpiece of college
basketball for the Final Four.
 Capacity
for the game is 43,000 and the court will cover about half of the football
field (the other half largely belongs to CBS). True, the city does have
a purpose-built basketball arena just four blocks away in Conseco Fieldhouse,
but the RCA Dome provides the additional space necessary to stage an
event of this magnitude.
Concesco is hosting an All-Star game of college seniors against the
Harlem Globetrotters on Friday at 7:30 p.m.
It's interesting to note that directly across the train tracks, the
dome's replacement is under construction. It is scheduled to be completed
in time for the Colts' home opener in 2008. The RCA Dome site will be
used to expand the adjacent Convention Center.
Final Four Public Activities
Monument Circle and the surrounding plaza will be rocking on Saturday.
Fans at the Final Four are going to be
on the go, and they don't need to be a VIP to have a great time. Here
a listing of public events and parties taking place in Indianapolis:
• NCAA Hoop City is an NFL Experience-style fan festival.
It features clinics, autograph sessions with NCAA coaches and past star
players, etc. Details: Indianapolis Convention Center (the main
entrance is at Maryland and West streets). Friday, March 31: 10 a.m.-8
p.m. Saturday 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday-Monday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. $7 (12 and
over), $5 (college students, senior citizens, military, children ages
3-11). www.ncaaHoop-City.com.
• Final Four Friday. An open session to watch the four
teams practice at the RCA Dome. Details: Noon-4 p.m. Free.
• National Semifinals. RCA Dome, first tip-off is 6:07
p.m. Gates open 3:30 p.m.
• On Sunday, the City Circle Dribble features a
group of thousands dribbling basketballs through downtown Indianapolis.
Open to anyone under 18, it could provide an interesting visual
for anyone over 18. Details: Starts in White River State Park
at Celebration Plaza at 12:30 p.m., and finishes at the NCAA Hoop City
main entrance.
• My Coke Fest is a free Sunday concert. It features Indiana's
own John Cougar Melloncamp as the headliner in a multi-band event. The
streets around Monument Circle will be blocked off to traffic and food
and beverage tents will be selling various refreshments (alcohol TBD).
Details: Monument Circle. 2-9 p.m. Free.
The NCAA Hall of Champions is open for 100 consecutive hours.
• The NCAA Hall of Champions is staying open for 100 consecutive
hours during Final Four week. It's partly for the Final Four but also
to commemorate the NCAA's 100th anniversary.
The museum features great moments, teams and athletes from the NCAA's
past, has a half-court floor in what resembles an old gym – feel
free to take a shot! – and a March Madness section that's sure
to inspire anyone wanting to get on that game face.
The gift shop sells Final Four decorated basketballs.
Details: Tuesday, 10 a.m., thru Tuesday, 5 p.m. West and Washington
streets in White River State Park. (317) 916-HALL. $3 adults, $2 children.
www.ncaahallofchampions.org
The famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway is conducting special tours.
• The famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway is giving a behind-the-scenes
look at the world's most famous racing facility. The 90-minute tour
includes Gasoline Alley, the media center, the timing-and-scoring suite
and the victory platform. People can even stand on the famous "yard
of bricks" at the start-finish line. The tour includes admission
to the Hall of Fame museum, which features winning cars of past Indy
500s. Details: March 31-April 3. 8:30 a.m., 9 a.m., 10 a.m.,
10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Indianapolis Motor Speedway, 4790 West 16th
Street, (317) 492-6747. $25 adults, $10 youth ages 6-15. www.brickyard.com
Thursdays are free at the IMA, plus it has a Happy Hour.
• While the excellent Indianapolis Museum of Art has
no official Final Four event, it does have free admission on Thursdays,
the same day it hosts a Happy Hour with cocktails and music. Located
about 15 minutes from downtown it's on the Monday free shuttle schedule
(see below) and features a contemporary art section, art and artifacts
from Africa, Asia and Native America and sits on several acres of gardens
and walking grounds. It's on-site Wolfgang Puck restaurant is open until
9 p.m. Details: 4000 Michigan Road, (317) 920-2660. Adults: $7,
Seniors $5, Children under 12, free. www.ima-art.org.
NOTE: Free shuttles will be operating Monday to the Indianapolis
Motor Speedway, The Indianapolis Museum of Art, the Children's Museum,
Canal Walk and White River State Park. Pickup location: Indiana
Repertory Theater, 140 Washington Street.
• Championship Game. Monday, April 3. Tip-off is 9:21 p.m.
Gates open 6:30 p.m.
PubClubbing For The Final Four
George Mason fans
go crazy before the 2006 Final Four.
Downtown and Broad
Ripple provide full-court fun for fans.
The Final Four is a festive time for
fans and for good reason – a championship is on the line! For many,
this means the cocktail hour is every hour.
The city is prepared for these fun fans and certainly has enough places
to keep them from going thirsty. Our downtown
and Broad Ripple
bar guide have all the places to hit; below are some of the important
PubClubbing facts of Indy.
Drink 'em if you got 'em is 3 a.m., with bars empty at 3:30. For those
wanting to go into overtime, some bars, such as the Slippery Noodle,
have a "carry out" liquor license, meaning people can buy
unopened beers to go. It is illegal to drink from open containers on
city streets; however, well-behaved individuals who are simply having
a beer and not being loud or obnoxious are not likely to be sent to
bench, so to speak. Other behavior, however, is likely to result in
an unpleasant ending. Plastic cups are a good idea for transporting
cocktails, but do so at your own risk.
There are four designated bars for fans of each team to gather,
as follows:
• Washington East Regional Champion: The Ram Restaurant
and Big Horn Brewery, 140 South Illinois St. (317) 955-9900
• .Atlanta Southeast Regional Champion: Champps Restaurant,
Circle Centre Mall. 49 West Maryland St., (317( 951-0033.
• Minneapolis Midwest Regional Champion: Houlihans, 111
West Maryland St. (317) 266-8711.
• Oakland West Regional Champion: T.G.I. Friday's,
501 West Washington St. (317) 685-8443.
And finally for this Final Four, Ike and Jonesy's on Jackson Street
is having a Rally in the Alley with a tent, bands, etc.
PubClub Home Page
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