ACCESSIBILITY
We believe everyone deserves an equal and enjoyable experience when attending events at our venue. This page offers in-depth instructions and information about accessibility to all three of our venues and the options available to users of all abilities. We are constantly working to improve the accessibility of our venue and welcome any feedback or suggestions you may have. If you encounter any difficulties accessing information or have any further questions please don’t hesitate to email us at access@hfents.com
OUR GIG VENUES
ADDITIONAL ACCESSIBILITY INFORMATION
THe GARage
The Garage is located on Sauchiehall Street, with a one-way approach from Charing Cross. However, entry may vary depending on the event. For most events, you’ll enter through the main entrance. In some cases, for specific events, entry will be through the G2 door located in our private car park (unavailable for customer parking). If this is the case, simply follow the Red Painted Lane with the Glasgow nightlife mural beside Lord of Fries.
Upon entering through the Main Entrance (photo above), please be aware that you will need to climb multiple sets of stairs to reach the show hall. In total, there are 40 stairs starting after the initial security check. The first section from the main door to the Box Office consists of 27 steps with two small landings. Once you’ve had your tickets checked at the Box Office, there’s one final flight of 13 stairs leading you to the Main Hall for the show. (Please see photos below for reference.)
ACCESS
The Garage venue has limited wheelchair accessibility via the rear of our venue on Renfrew Street, located directly across from McLay’s Guest House and adjacent to Singl-End Café (see map). This door allows customers direct access into The Garage.
Due to noise restrictions, we can only open the door before and after the gig to avoid disturbing our neighbors. Please be aware that there are limited spaces available for wheelchair users on the raised platform. To secure one of these spaces, please book in advance.
If you require access via Renfrew Street, please contact access@hfents.com. A separate accessibility document with detailed directions to this entrance is available upon request. Please arrive 10 minutes before general doors open and a member of security staff will greet you.
If you encounter any difficulties gaining entry, please phone 0141 332 1120 (option 4). However, please note that the venue is very large, and the duty manager may not be in the office. We therefore recommend that you phone prior to your arrival to avoid any inconvenience.
Please be aware that if you are late, we will be unable to open the stage doors while bands are performing. The door will be opened between bands to check for you. If you are feeling cold upon arrival, please ask a steward or manager for one of our adhesive heat patches.
SEATING
We have two options for accessibility seating in the main hall depending on your requirements:
Please be aware that you may need to share booths with other accessibility customers at busy bookings/sold out gigs. Please make the access team aware if this would be an issue due to medical reasons during the booking process.
OPTION ONE: RAISED PLATFORM
Reaching the Raised Platform: Customers can access the Raised Platform by climbing two steps or using the ramp, which is generally deployed at the beginning and end of the gig. However, we sincerely apologise that due to space limitations during performances there may not be sufficient room for the ramp to be brought out, limiting accessibility.
Stewards prioritise placing the ramp between acts to facilitate access to toilets during these periods when there might be more space available as customers visit the bar or use the facilities. Therefore, if you require frequent bathroom access as a wheelchair user, we recommend avoiding the platform due to the potential unavailability of the ramp throughout the show.
Additionally, the bar is inaccessible to wheelchair users who are on the platform. If you are a wheelchair user who plans to be seated on the platform, we recommend that you bring an essential companion to accompany and assist you. Essential companions may enter free of charge, please refer to the section on companions below for more information.
If you are a wheelchair user who remains on the main floor, please be aware that the venue will be busy and that your view may be limited. We apologise that our facilities are not better equipped at this time.
OPTION TWO: BALCONY
To reach the Balcony, customers must climb one staircase (see photo below). Please note the view of the stage may restricted from the booths if seated. The balcony booths are ideal for customers who require additional space yet are mobile enough to climb up and down stairs when required.
G2
G2 is a wheelchair accessible venue via the G2 entrance. Customers should be dropped off outside Lord of Fries on Sauchiehall Street and make their way up our lane with the Glasgow Nightlife Mural, indicated with G2 painted on the road. Please arrive at the door 5 minutes before doors open to find adequate space in the hall.
TOILETS
There is an gender-neutral, accessible toilet in G2 located in the hallway at the bottom of the staircase. Radar keys are not required as it is unlocked before any gig/ event or there is always a steward on hand to unlock it for you. During club hours, please contact a steward to unlock the toilet.
SEATING
We have booths that run down the side of half of the hall directly across from the bar. Spaces in booths can be reserved if you can’t stand for the duration of the gig (Limited Number Available).
Please contact access@hfents.com to arrange a booth.
If you are a wheelchair user who is attending a G2 show, please contact access@hfents.com to arrange early entry into the venue. Unfortunately, all wheelchair users must remain on the floor due to the booths size and being raised onto a step.
THE ATTIC
We apologise that The Attic is not a wheelchair accessible venue as it is located on the top floor of the venue. As this is a small venue, seating is typically unavailable due to merch and is also located out of view of the stage (See photo below).
The entrance to The Attic is in the G2 car park to the left of the G2 Door, can be identified by The Attic design on the wall at the corner of the wall. Customers should be dropped off outside Lord of Fries on Sauchiehall Street and make their way up our lane with the Glasgow Nightlife Mural, indicated with The Garage Sign and The Attic painted on the road
Any patrons wishing to visit shows in The Attic due to its location will have to climb a total of 42 stairs before reaching the box office located in the room itself to the right-hand side of the door.
ESSENTIAL COMPANION TICKETS
We aim to facilitate an equal experience for all patrons, therefore deaf and disabled patrons may be accompanied by an essential companion free of charge. If you are requesting an essential companion ticket, please email access@hfents.com at the time of booking providing the required evidence.
The following forms of copied evidence makes a customer automatically eligible for an essential companion ticket:
– Front page of DLA / PIP
– Front page of Attendance Allowance letter
– Evidence that registered severely sight impaired
– Recognised Assistance Dog ID card
– Credibility’s Access Card
Documentation must be sent in prior to the show date to secure companion tickets, for those who cannot provide the recommended evidence, each application will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Companions must enter the venue with who they are there to assist on the evening as no physical ticket is given to the companion and is attached onto the customers tickets.
AUTISM-FRIENDLY
We are working on making The Garage an autismfriendly venue. For many people, nightclubs and live music venues can be overwhelming, loud, crowded, bright and unpredictable.
To minimise challenges, we welcome daytime visits to help guests familiarise their surroundings. If a quiet place is required to help a guest unwind, please notify a steward who will take you to our First Aid room, located on the ground floor.
We offer sensory bags, which can be borrowed for the event, free of charge. These contain ear defenders/ earplugs, a stress ball, and a sunflower lanyard to discreetly identify hidden disabilities to our staff. Please email access@hfents.com to reserve a bag as we have a limited number available or to request a quiet space.
TEMPERATURE REGULATION
We understand that some of our customers need to stay warm for medical reasons, therefore we have adhesive heat patches available. If you wish to request some, please contact our accessibility email at access@hfents.com or ask a Steward/ Manager on the night.
ASSISTANCE DOGS
Assistance dogs are welcome at The Garage, but please be aware that noise levels are high during some events.
Please notify us if an assistance dog will be accompanying you at the time of booking. We do not take responsibility for any assistance dogs and ask that the dog remains with the owner.
If your assistance dog shows signs of distress during shows due to the high noise levels the security may ask you to come down to a quieter room for a bit to allow the dog to relax or leave the venue in cases of extreme distress.
For more information on Assistance Dogs, you can visit www.assistancedogs.org.uk
STROBE LIGHTING
Strobe lighting and other special effects are often used during performances. If you have any questions please contact us.
MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS
Please notify us ahead of arrival of any medical items you require to prevent any security related concerns via access@hfents.com. Please ensure that prescription medication is in its original packaging.
HIDDEN DISABILITIES
We recognise the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower. Customers with Additional Needs/ Hidden Disabilities can wear a lanyard to make our staff aware of hidden disabilities. If you plan on wearing a lanyard, please email access@hfents.com.
ACCESSIBILITY ENQUIRIES
Please contact access@hfents.com and we will do our best to accommodate your accessibility needs.
For accessibility to The Garage, G2 or The Attic please cc in aimee@hfents.com
For accessibility to The Cathouse please cc in cathouseall@hfents.com
ACCESSIBILITY FEEDBACK
If you would like to leave us some feedback on accessibility, please email access@hfents.com or leave a review on Google, Facebook, TripAdvisor or Euan’s Guide.
