the paramount theatre
The Paramount Theatre is a very special place to me. I have been going there for more than twenty years. It is the hub of the Austin Film Festival (AFF), SXSW, as well as being a place where exceptional music performances, speakers, and the summer film classics are held. For many years, I was there so frequently, and on a first name basis with most of the staff. They would always let me in early to make sure I got my seat for general admission festival events. Over the years I have seen some great musical acts from BB King, Allen Toussaint to David Grisman, in addition to movies and speakers. The first movie I saw at AFF was about Abbie Hoffmann and that movie inspired the tagline of the Austin Daze newspaper, “steal this paper”. I co-created the Austin Daze & we used that tagline for over 15 years.
This past weekend went to The Paramount to see Béla Fleck and The Punch Brothers and the next night, Golden Dawn Arkestra.
Parking at The Paramount is pretty much non-existent, you have to use a parking garage, or try your luck at street parking. There is one accessible spot in front of the theatre, but it has been occupied for about 15 years 🤣. The ticket booth / will call is a breeze to access. The main entrance is very accessible with multiple wide doors. The lobby is on an incline and rather steep, after passing through the main doors, then there are two doors towards the stage. I am fortunate because I have someone pushing me, so the incline is not challenging. In my powerchair, there are no issues.
There are 3 accessible sections in the theatre, the last row by the sound board, these seats are great for the movie showings. It’s a flat level spot toward the back where you can pull into. Then there are also front row spots on either stage left or stage right. These spots have removable seats that can accomodate wheelchairs and companions. From the spot upfront you can see all the magic as it happens on stage. If you do sit up front, earplugs are important, because the speakers are right by these seats, these seats have an awesome vantage point to the stage. Please note, when traveling down the aisle to the seats by the stage, it is very steep. There are upper levels to the theatre also, but we have no access to the box seats and balcony seats because those are upstairs & there is no elevator.
The bathrooms have always been pretty much inaccessible. They are not set up for people in wheelchairs. There are bars, but the stalls are very narrow and you could not fit your chair into the stall. It is not that easy to even get in there because you have to go through two doors to get into the bathroom.
The Paramount is an old school tradition its been there since 1915, and some of these old Theatre’s have not been retrofitted to accommodate the all the needs of those in wheelchairs. The Paramount, is worthy of checking out, just be aware that there are some hard things to deal with, but I remember that there are always options. Right here is where I can offer solutions that I have found to work over the years.
The Paramount Theatre
713 Congress Ave.
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 472-5470
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INSTAGRAM
There is a place just one block down on Congress called, Hideout Coffee House & Theatre. The Hideout is a coffee shop that has two very accessible private bathrooms with bars for transferring & plenty of room for a wheelchair and another person. I have gone over there during all day film festivals, I buy a pastry & a coffee and use the bathroom. After my visit I then go back to The Paramount, and continue the day of films.
The Hideout Coffee Shop & Theatre
617 Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78701
(512) 476-1313
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