MWA Report
THE guide for gettin your crip ass into the cool places in Chicago!

Park West is at 322 W. Armitage, 929.5959

It is a concert venue in Chicago.

In rating for Park West I found:

How accessible is it?

(First floor)

(Balcony)

How problematic are the staff?!

Staff:

NO major complaints the past time or two I have been here. They don't fall over themselves to help, but they aren't jerks either...well maybe the one manager that thinks that gimps are fire hazards...

How problematic are the other patrons?!
Patrons:

It really depends on the show...a lot of the shows are totally seated. Then it is no problem to get around people...when I was last there though, the front area was opened up and so when the show started a lot of people were sitting on the floor, when I had to go to the bathroom I had to get through this sitting crowd. Most of them moved without much proding. When the show started everyone stood up in front of where I was sitting.
If you haven't done it, let me give you a tip. When you need to see at a concert roll directly through to the front. Just keep moving and saying excuse me, blah blah...even when people don't really want to let you through, they do because they don't know what to say.

One of the biggest pains about Park West is parking. If you don't want to drive around for 30 minutes to an hour looking for street parking up to 4 blocks away, use the valet. It is worth the moolah (especially if you are mobility impared, but not in a chair.)

The entry area is REALLY STEEP! There are no stairs, but having a buddy for this one is reassuring...at least have your tip bars down. Ask them to let you in when you get there...that you can't wait on the angle, and need to get settled. I have never had any trouble with this. You might need to be a little bit insistent.
Once inside-- After they take your tickets go to the left. Follow the hallway...it goes left and then right <<DOWNGRADE>>, left, right and then on the upgrade there will be a doorway out onto the main concert floor area. If you want to you can sit here...either just off to the side of the stage, or in the seating area...if you want to be front and center there is one step to contend with.
Bathrooms-- They are accessible as the average public. You can get in and out, but it is pretty tight and often requires knocking trash baskets out of the way. You might have to back out of the stall area...nowhere to turn around.
Balcony-- It is a full flight of stairs. No other access. If you have any way of doing stairs you know the drill. Nuff said.

One of the better venues actually.

If you have disagreements with my assessments or things to add, please feel free to email me.

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Standard Dis-claimer: Input is welcome...as well as submissions for places to review or reviews of them. I am very aware that I am only reviewing for mobility accessibility at present. I will attempt to start reviewing for other accessibility issues in the not too distant future.

Who am I? I am a queer cripdyke with MS. I also do web, multimedia, sound & graphic design...check out my company:

or drop email to the cripdyke reviewer.

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My thanks to Mark & everyone at Centerstage for publicizing these reviews.