Free parking in the lot behind the building on Oakdale, and in the lot south of the building on Southport. Please keep in mind there are only about 80 total spaces available between these two lots, and are first-come first-served.

Street Parking

Metered street parking on Southport and Wellington.

SpotHero offers alternative paid parking options.

Restrooms

All-Gender

There are no All-Gender or Single-User restrooms available; we encourage patrons to use the restrooms they are most comfortable with.

Gendered

There are Men’s and Women’s restrooms on the first and second floors.

Venue Accessibility

Building Entrance

Street level with power-assist door operator. An elevator is available just inside the street level entrance to access all floors.

Athenaeum Interior Entrance Elevator and Stairs.png

Historic Mainstage

Capacity

950

Main Floor Location & Layout

First floor, up 13 stairs or elevator from street level building entrance. Main Floor seating is accessed via 3 descending ramp aisles. All aisles have a slight step down into each row except the first row of seating near the stage. There are spaces for no-transfer seating in the front row on the left that can accommodate up to 4 standard wheelchairs or 2 power scooters. Transfer seating is available along the aisles.

Balcony Location & Layout

Second floor, up 2 flights of stairs from building entrance. Seating is accessed via 3 steep stair aisles.

Seat Style

The majority of the theater has rows of cushioned chairs with flip seats and armrests. There are a limited number of armless cushioned chairs in the first row on the main floor available (not pictured).

Athenaeum Main Stage Seating (Main Floor, Lower Balcony, and Upper Balcony)

Paradiso

Capacity

200

Location & Layout

First floor, up 13 stairs or elevator from street level building entrance. Layout and seating style is flexible depending on the needs of the event. For most events, patrons can expect rows of armless cushioned chairs accessed via flat aisles, with no-transfer seating available in the front or back row, and transfer seating available along the aisles.

Studio B

Capacity

Location & Layout

Second floor, up 2 flights of stairs or elevator from building entrance. Seating is accessed via 1 stair aisle. There are spaces for transfer and no-transfer seating in the front row that can accommodate 7 wheelchairs or 3 power scooters.

Seat Style

Rows of armless cushioned chairs.

Studio A

Capacity

Location & Layout

Third floor, up 3 flights of stairs or elevator from building entrance. Seating is accessed via 1 stair aisle. There are spaces for transfer and no-transfer seating in the front row that can accommodate 7 wheelchairs or 3 power scooters.

Seat Style

Rows of cushioned chairs with flip seats and armrests. There are a limited number of armless cushioned chairs in the first row (not pictured).

Event Accessibility

At Chicago Humanities, we strive to eliminate barriers to participation related to aging and disabilities. You can request accessibility accommodations when reserving tickets online, or afterward by contacting our Box Office (312) 661-1239 | access@chicagohumanities.org. Requests with at least 48 hours’ notice are greatly appreciated!

For a detailed description of each accessibility feature, please visit our accessibility page.

Hearing

-American Sign Language interpreters

-Assistive Listening Devices

-Open Captions

-Seating Close to Stage

Mobility

-Aisle Seats

-Walker/wheelchair transfer seats

-Wheelchair/power scooter no-transfer seating

Vision

-Audio Description

-Large Print or Braille Programs

-Seating Close to Stage

Sensory Tools

Service Animals

-Chicago Humanities welcomes any and all animals that are registered as a service animal.

Local Dining Options

Dear Margaret: 2965 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60657

Farm Bar: 1300 W Wellington Ave, Chicago, IL 60657

Golden Apple: 2971 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60657

Heritage Bikes & Coffee: 2959 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60657

Mahanakhon Noodle Bar: 2907 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60657

Papacito’s Mexican Grille: 2960 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60657

Rica Arepa: 2913 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60657

Southport Betty’s: 2856 N Southport Ave, Chicago, IL 60657

Concessions are available on the first floor near the Historic Mainstage.

Special Notes

The Athenaeum has guest wifi available.