A practical guide to the Chicago Theatre at 175 N. State Street, covering transit, entrances, food and drink rules, accessibility services and parking.
The venue at a glance
The Chicago Theatre is at 175 N. State Street, Chicago, IL 60601. That address is the anchor for everything below: how to arrive, where to enter and what the house allows once you are inside.
SeatCommons lists events at this venue, and the official pages cover directions, accessibility, food and drink. Where those pages are silent on a detail, this guide says so instead of guessing.
Address: 175 N. State Street, Chicago, IL 60601
The official directions page covers 'L' trains, buses, Metra, rideshare, parking and accessible transport
The official accessibility page covers the accessible entrance, elevators, seating accommodations and assistive listening devices
Getting to the Chicago Theatre
Transit is well covered on the theatre's directions page, and the 'L' stops are close enough that the walk is spelled out block by block.
Rail and bus specifics come straight from the official page. If you are coming in by car or rideshare, the parking and rideshare section below covers drop-off points and the official parking app.
'L' train: exit at Lake
'L' train: on the express elevated lines, exit at State/Lake
'L' train alternate: exit at Washington, walk one block east on Washington and one and a half blocks north on State Street
CTA buses 2 and 148 run during weekday rush periods only
Metra South Shore Line: get off at Millennium Station, at the southwest corner of Randolph St. and Michigan Ave., two blocks east of the Theatre
Entrances and getting to your seat
The page checked for this guide names one entrance specifically: the accessible entrance on Benton Place. Guests are encouraged to use it.
For the layout of levels and sections, the official pages checked here do not describe a section-by-section seating chart. Ask an usher or guest experience representative on site if you need help finding your seat, or check the theatre's own pages before you travel.
Accessible entrance: Benton Place
Elevators: at the southeast side of the Grand Lobby at the Benton Court security doors
Accessible restrooms are located throughout the venue; ask an usher or guest experience representative for the nearest one
Food and drink inside the theatre
The short version: bottled water is always fine, outside food and drink are not, and the theatre does not currently sell cooked food. Concessions stands are located on all levels of the theatre as long as the event is near to sold out, according to the official food and drink page.
The policy for taking food and drinks into the auditorium can vary from show to show. Bottled water is always permitted.
Alcohol comes with its own rules. Read the bullets before you order.
Outside food and beverages are not allowed into the theatre
The auditorium food and drink policy can vary by show; bottled water is always permitted
Concession stands are on all levels when an event is near to sold out
The theatre does not currently sell cooked food
Alcohol sales are limited to up to two alcoholic beverages per customer per transaction
All guests may be required to show ID to purchase alcohol
MSG Entertainment policy requires guests who appear to be forty years of age or younger to present valid ID to purchase alcoholic beverages
Canadian ID other than a valid passport will not be accepted at the Chicago Theatre
No outside alcohol, and no leaving with alcohol purchased inside the theatre
Management reserves the right to refuse the sale of alcohol to any guest
Accessibility services
Plan ahead where you can. Accessible seating may be secured through Ticketmaster or by contacting the Accessibility Services Department, which is open Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. CT at 888-609-7599.
Seating with movable armrests and larger chairs without armrests is available; contact the Accessibility Services Department at least 48 hours in advance of the event if you require this type of accommodation.
Guests are encouraged to use the accessible entrance on Benton Place. Drop-off and pick-up locations are on State Street or near the corner of Lake and State under the 'L' train stop.
Wheelchair transport to your seat is available free of charge for patrons with mobility limitations who do not have access to a wheelchair. Personnel will not remain with you during the event, and you will not be able to remain in the wheelchair for the duration of the event. Upon completion of the event, a staff member will return your mobility device to you at your seat.
Assistive Listening Devices operating on the FM system are complimentary for guests who are deaf or hard of hearing. Collateral such as a driver's license or credit card is required to borrow one and is exchanged at the end of the event. Service animals are permitted inside the theatre.
Accessible entrance: Benton Place
Elevators: southeast side of the Grand Lobby at the Benton Court security doors
Accessible restrooms throughout the venue; ask an usher or guest experience representative
Accessible seating: through Ticketmaster or the Accessibility Services Department, 888-609-7599, Monday to Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. CT
Movable armrests and larger chairs without armrests: request at least 48 hours in advance
Free wheelchair transport to your seat on request; the chair cannot be kept for the event and staff do not stay with you
Assistive Listening Devices: complimentary, FM system, collateral required
Service animals permitted
Electrical outlets available throughout the venue
ATMs and Reverse ATMs have braille number pads, volume increase capability and voice activation, and are compatible with headphones
Accessible van transport: All-Ways Medical Carriers, 847.279.2740
Accessible van transport: SCR Medical Transportation, 773.356.6000
Paratransit service: Pace Paratransit, 847.364.7223
Parking and rideshare
There is no officially designated rideshare zone directly at The Chicago Theatre. The directions page instead points riders to two nearby options: along State Street between Lake Street and Benton Place, and along Benton Place near the south side of the building.
Lyft is the Official Rideshare Partner of The Chicago Theatre. New Lyft users can use code THECHICAGO50 for 50% off their first 2 rides, up to
0 per ride; the code is valid for new Lyft users only and must be used at time of purchase.
For driving, SpotHero is described as the official parking app of The Chicago Theatre. Parking prices are not confirmed in the sources checked.
No officially designated rideshare zone directly at the theatre
Rideshare drop-off and pick-up: State Street between Lake Street and Benton Place
Rideshare drop-off and pick-up: Benton Place near the south side of the building
SpotHero is described as the official parking app of The Chicago Theatre
Lyft code THECHICAGO50: 50% off the first 2 rides for new users, up to
0 per ride, used at time of purchase
Bag policy, prohibited items and re-entry
The official pages checked for this guide do not set out a bag policy, a size limit or a re-entry rule for The Chicago Theatre, so none is stated here. Confirm those details with the theatre before you travel rather than assuming.
What the official pages do cover is what you can carry in and what you can buy once inside. Outside food and beverages are not allowed into the theatre, and outside alcohol is not permitted either. Guests may not leave with alcohol purchased inside the theatre.
On ID, MSG Entertainment policy requires guests who appear to be forty years of age or younger to present valid ID to purchase alcoholic beverages at The Chicago Theatre. Canadian ID other than a valid passport will not be accepted.
No bag policy, size limit or re-entry rule is stated on the official pages checked
Outside food and beverages are not allowed into the theatre
No outside alcohol, and no leaving with alcohol purchased inside
ID may be required to purchase alcohol; guests appearing forty or younger must present valid ID under MSG Entertainment policy
Canadian ID other than a valid passport is not accepted
Door and show times
The pages checked here do not list door times or start times for this venue. Check the theatre's official event page for the performance you are attending, and treat the time printed on your ticket as the reference point.
Arriving early helps: the accessible entrance is on Benton Place, and elevators serving the Grand Lobby are at the Benton Court security doors.
Door and start times are not confirmed in the sources checked
The official event page for your performance is the place to confirm times
Accessible entrance: Benton Place
Elevators: southeast side of the Grand Lobby at the Benton Court security doors
Check tickets
Browse events at this venue on SeatCommons to see what is listed.
The Chicago Theatre is at 175 N. State Street, Chicago, IL 60601.
Which 'L' stop is closest to the Chicago Theatre?
The theatre's directions page lists exits at Lake, at State/Lake for the express elevated lines, and at Washington, where you walk one block east on Washington and one and a half blocks north on State Street.
Can I bring outside food or drink to the Chicago Theatre?
Outside food and beverages are not allowed into the theatre, and outside alcohol is not permitted. Bottled water is always permitted, and the auditorium food and drink policy can vary from show to show.
Where is the accessible entrance at the Chicago Theatre?
Guests are encouraged to use the accessible entrance on Benton Place. Elevators are at the southeast side of the Grand Lobby at the Benton Court security doors.
How do I request accessible seating or an Assistive Listening Device?
Accessible seating may be secured through Ticketmaster or by contacting the Accessibility Services Department at 888-609-7599, open Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. CT. Assistive Listening Devices are complimentary, with collateral such as a driver's license or credit card required to borrow one.
Where can rideshare drop me off near the Chicago Theatre?
There is no officially designated rideshare zone directly at the theatre. Drop-off and pick-up are along State Street between Lake Street and Benton Place, or along Benton Place near the south side of the building.
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