Eventim Apollo

I've visited this venue a few times and it's a very accessible venue for me. Staff came up to me as I neared the venue to tell me where to go for the accessible entrance. There were a few people there already queuing and those who needed a seat had been provided with one to queue. There was a pre-show show for those who had purchased tickets, so we were let into the bar and merchandise area while we waited. There was no access to toilets during this time. The area got very crowded as they also let the main queue into this area to wait for the auditorium to open. This did feel very claustrophobic especially being lower down that others in my wheelchair and when the doors opened we didn't realise nearly everyone from the pre-show would leave the auditorium so I got stuck in a crowd. When we finally got in we were taken to the wheelchair accessible viewing area which is higher up that the main seats so you can see really well over people, even if they stand, and there was a lot of room. There are two disabled toilets on site, one right by the seating, and another between the bar area and auditorium however it's at the end of the corridor which is thin, and this also makes up the queue for the ladies toilets so it's extremely hard to get to and from. The toilets use a radar key to access but staff have them if you don't have yours. The toilet was ok for my needs, virtually a flat transfer for me. Also very handy window sill for a bag and or drink so ifs not on the floor. Door is extremely heavy though The exit is also opposite this toilet so leaving is very straight forward and has a ramp down and you come out at the side of the venue. There were no lowered areas at the bar or merchandise stand but staff leant over to me to help me reach. My only negative point is you have to call to book accessible tickets and the phone isn't always answered. I was told what time it opener and was on hold for over an hour and 1/2 the last time I called for tickets, thinking I was in a queue but if was just me waiting for someone to answer.

Our first visit here recently was to see the excellent B52s. Upon arrival we were greeted by one of the dedicated accessibility staff and after a quick search we were escorted to our disabled area, which was to the far left of the auditorium and at a height that afforded a clear view of the stage There was full step free access from street to viewing area with no portable ramps to contend with. We were first to the disabled area and had our pick of where to pitch ourselves; we took up a position at the front of it, about sixty feet from the stage. The disabled area rises towards the back of it so those sat behind us had a good view too; I had to remember not to stand up and strut my stuff! I took the opportunity to have a look around the auditorium and foyer before the masses descended; it really is a lovely looking venue and has had a sympathetic restoration befitting of its glory days. The nearest bar to us was probably about forty feet away and although it was quiet to start with, when more people came in a wheelchair user would have had a struggle getting to the bar without taking out a few feet and ankles along the way. I didn't notice a lowered counter at the bar, nor was a 'drinks to your seat' service offered. The good sized accessible toilet was next to the disabled area, literally fifteen feet away from us. It required a Radar key, preventing it from being abused, and was also being policed by the dedicated staff near to us. At the end of the concert we didn't have to wait for the crowd to clear as there were exit doors really close to us that led straight outside.

Excellent dedicated space for wheelchair users and carer goes free