INDIANAPOLIS — Pacer's Sports & Entertainment and Cunningham Restaurant Group have partnered to bring a new three-level dining and entertainment venue to downtown Indianapolis.
Commission Row is currently under construction at Bicentennial Unity Plaza to the north of Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
“We are honored to partner with Pacers Sports & Entertainment for the Commission Row project,” said Mike Cunningham, President and CEO of Cunningham Restaurant Group. “This dining and entertainment complex will offer a culinary experience unmatched in Indianapolis market. One well suited to complement Gainbridge Fieldhouse, along with Bicentennial Unity Plaza and all that it will have to offer.”
The name Commission Row is a nod to the nickname given to Delaware Street in the mid-nineteenth century when the wholesale district helped evolve Indianapolis into a center for trade and commerce.
The three-level, 30,000 square foot venue will include a basement-level vintage speakeasy, street-level high-end chophouse and seafood restaurant, and a private upper-level space for special occasions.
The basement-level speakeasy, Mel's, is named after Melvin Simon, who with his brother, Herb, purchased the Pacers in 1983. It will serve gourmet bar-bites with a cocktail menu featuring modern twists on class drinks, wine, and barrel-aged spirits.
The street-level chophouse and seafood restaurant will feature locally sourced steak, chops, seafood and bar offerings.
On the upper-level, Above will host private events with a customizable menu and space with a capacity of more than 200 guests.
“This venue is not only a celebration of our rich history and the significance of our city as a crossroads of America, but it is also an important investment in our downtown and builds upon the excitement, energy, and momentum we feel every day throughout our downtown,” said Rick Fuson, Chief Executive Officer for Pacers Sports & Entertainment.
Commission Row is expected to be completed ahead of NBA All-Star 2024 in Indianapolis next February.
