TO Live Meridian Hall Venue User Guide

TO Live Meridian Hall Venue

We are looking forward to having you join us at Meridian Hall. This document will help prepare you for your visit. It includes directions to our theatre and a step- by-step guide to what happens before the show to help you navigate the building.

At a glance

Auditorium

• The Meridian Hall auditorium is a large soft-seat theatre that can seat up to 3,153 people. The orchestra seats 2,120 people, the mezzanine seats 244 people, and the balcony seats 789 people.
• There are 85 accessible seats on the orchestra level of the Meridian Hall auditorium and eight accessible seats on the mezzanine level of the Meridian Hall auditorium.

Getting here

• Meridian Hall is located at the corner of Front Street East and Yonge Street. The address is 1 Front Street East, Toronto, Ontario.
• Meridian Hall is accessible by vehicle, bicycle, bus, streetcar, subway, GO Transit, UP Express, taxi or rideshare, and Wheel-Trans.
• Meridian Hall is approximately 600 meters east of Union Station.
• Meridian Hall does not have parking on-site, except for a limited number of spaces for guests with access needs.
• Limited metered street parking is available in the surrounding streets. Public parking can be found at several lots in the local area.

Before the show

• You will need a ticket for an event when you are visiting Meridian Hall. You can pre-purchase your tickets or buy tickets at the box office.
• You will find two refreshment counters each on all three levels of Meridian Hall.
• You will find the patron services desk in the main lobby where you can pick up an assistive listening device or audio description device (when offered).
• You will also find an elevator in the main lobby that can take you up one level to the mezzanine or down one level to the lower lobby.
• From the main lobby, you can enter into the orchestra level of the auditorium. From the mezzanine, you can enter into the mezzanine and balcony levels of the auditorium.

Washrooms

• There are several washrooms on all three levels of Meridian Hall.
• On the west side of the main lobby, there are individual gender-neutral washrooms and a universal washroom.

Getting here

Meridian Hall is located at the corner of Front Street East and Yonge Street. The address is 1 Front Street East, Toronto, Ontario.

This picture shows our venue’s location with a red mark on a map of the surrounding area.

Bicycle

There are many bike racks outside of the venue. Please make sure you bring a lock to secure your bike. If you are using Bike Share, you can dock your bike at the Front Street East/ Scott Street dock one block east of our venue.
Bus
The closest accessible bus routes are 19 Bay, 72 Pape, and 121 Esplanade River.

• If you are taking the 19 Bay bus, get off on Bay Street at Front Street West and make your way east along Front Street West. The theatre will be on your right. It is approximately 300 metres from the bus stop.
• If you are taking the 72 Pape or 121 Esplanade River bus, get off on Front Street West at Bay Street and make your way east along Front Street West. The theatre will be on your right. It is approximately 250 metres from the bus stop.

Streetcar

The closest streetcar routes are 504 King, 509 Harbourfront, and 510 Spadina.

• If you are taking the 504 King streetcar, get off on King Street at Yonge Street and make your way south along Yonge Street. Turn left onto Front Street East. The theatre will be on your right. It is approximately 450 metres from the streetcar stop.
• If you are taking the 509 Harbourfront or 510 Spadina streetcar, get off at Union Station and make your way east along Front Street West. The theatre will be on your right. It is approximately 600 meters from the streetcar stop.

Subway

Union Station and King Station are the closest accessible subway stations.

• To get to the theatre from Union Station, make your way east along Front Street West. The theatre will be on your right. It is approximately 600 meters from the subway station.
• To get to the theatre from King Station, make your way south along Yonge Street, then turn left onto Front Street East. The theatre will be on your right. It is approximately 450 meters from the subway station.

GO Transit and UP Express

Union Station is the hub for GO Transit’s regional train and bus systems and the Union Pearson Express airport train. To get to the theatre from Union Station, make your way east along Front Street West. The theatre will be on your right. It is approximately 600 metres from Union Station.

Taxi or rideshare

There is enough room for taxis and rideshare vehicles to make pickups and drop-offs in the driveway right in front of the main entrance. Please let a member of our box office team know if you need assistance calling a taxi.

Wheel-Trans
There is enough room for Wheel-Trans to make pickups and drop-offs in the driveway right in front of the main entrance.

Parking

Meridian Hall does not have parking on site, except for a limited number of spaces for guests with access needs (see below). Limited metered street parking is available in the surrounding streets, including on the north side of Front Street East in front of Berczy Park. Public parking can be found at several lots in the local area, including at:

1. Brookfield Place, 7 Wellington Street West
2. 33 Yonge Street (entrance/exit off Scott Street)
3. 1 Scott Street
4. 25 The Esplanade
5. St. Lawrence Garage, 2 Church Street

This picture shows a map with the public parking lots in the surrounding area with our venue’s location marked with a red pin.

For patrons with disabilities, Meridian Hall has limited accessible parking in the main driveway available on a first-come, first-served basis. For inquiries about accessible parking or to book an accessible spot, please call 416-368-6161 ext. 7135.

Before the show

Main entrance
The main entrance to our building is on Front Street East between Yonge Street and Scott Street. It has five sets of double doors.

This picture shows the main entrance to our building.
The first door at the far right is an automated door, and the push-to-open button is to the right of this door. If you have any issues with the automated door, or if you need any assistance, our staff members would be happy to help.

This picture shows the automated door and push-to-open button for our building.

Box office

When you enter through the main entrance, the box office will be on your left. There is an accessible box office counter at the far right of the box office. You will need a ticket for an event when you are visiting Meridian Hall. If you did not pre­purchase your tickets, you can buy tickets at the box office. If you pre-purchased your tickets, you may have received your tickets electronically by email. If you are picking up pre-purchased tickets at the box office, the box office will ask you for a piece of photo identification and the credit card used to make the purchase.

This picture shows the Meridian Hall box office.

Main lobby
When you enter through the main entrance, there will be another five sets of double doors that lead you into the main lobby. The main lobby is a large space that features a grand video wall with a set of stairs and an escalator on either side leading up to the mezzanine.

This picture shows the Meridian Hall main lobby.

In the main lobby, you will find two refreshment counters on the east and west ends of the lobby where you can purchase snacks and beverages.

This picture shows one of the refreshment counters in the main lobby.

You will also find the patron services desk in the main lobby where you can pick up an assistive listening device. For performances where audio description is being offered, you can also pick up your pre-reserved audio description device from this desk. There is no charge to use these devices, but a piece of identification must be left as a deposit.

This picture shows the patron services desk in the main lobby .

If you have any questions or concerns during your visit at Meridian Hall, the patron services and box office staff members would be happy to help. You can identify our team members by their uniforms, specifically their colored polo shirts with the TO Live logo.

This picture shows the beige, black, red, pink, and grey TO Live polo shirts worn by Meridian Hall patron services and box office staff.

You may hear bells or an announcement in the lobby when the show is about to begin. These lobby bells are different than fire or emergency alarms. The bells are played to let the audience know that they should make their way to their seats. From the main lobby, you can enter into the orchestra level of the auditorium. There are two sets of doors: one for aisles 1 to 3 on the east side of the lobby, and another for aisles 4 to 6 on the west side of the lobby. You can find your aisle number on your ticket.

This picture shows the set of doors for aisles 4 to 6 into the auditorium from the main lobby.
You will also find an elevator in the main lobby that can take you up one level to the mezzanine or down one level to the lower lobby. The elevator door opening is 42 inches wide by 84 inches high, and the inside of the elevator is 43 ½ inches wide by 60 inches deep.

This picture shows the elevator in the main lobby.

Mezzanine
You can get to the mezzanine by taking the stairs, escalator, or elevator up one floor from the main lobby. If using stairs, there are 28 steps up to the mezzanine from the main lobby.

This picture shows a set of stairs and an escalator leading up to the mezzanine from the main lobby.

The mezzanine is another lobby space that is on the upper level of Meridian Hall.

This picture shows the Meridian Hall mezzanine.

You will also find two refreshment counters on the east and west ends of the mezzanine where you can purchase snacks and beverages. From the mezzanine, you can enter into the mezzanine and balcony levels of the auditorium. There are four sets of doors: one for aisles 1 to 2 on the east side of the lobby, one for aisles 2 to 3 in the centre of the lobby, one for aisles 4 to 5 in the centre of the lobby, and one for aisles 5 to 6 on the west side of the lobby. You can find your aisle number on your ticket.

This picture shows the set of doors for aisles 2 to 3 into the auditorium from the mezzanine.

To access the mezzanine and balcony levels of the auditorium, there are 12 steps up from the mezzanine. You can also access aisles 1 to 2 and 5 to 6 using the lift found in the mezzanine. If you require the use of the lift, please speak with one of our uniformed staff members who would be happy to help.

This picture shows the stairs and lift leading up to aisles 5 to 6 from the mezzanine.

Lower lobby
You can get to the lower lobby by taking the stairs or elevator down one floor from the main lobby. If using stairs, there are 26 steps down to the lower lobby from the main lobby.

This picture shows the stairs leading down to the lower lobby from the main lobby.
The lower lobby is another lobby space that is on the lower level of Meridian Hall. However, the lower lobby is not always used during a performance. It is often used if merchandise is being sold for a show, and for private events in conjunction with a show.

This picture shows the Meridian Hall lower lobby.

There is a small stage in the lower lobby that is sometimes used for more intimate performances.

This picture shows the stage in the lower lobby.
If the lower lobby is being used, you will find two refreshment counters on the east and west ends of the lobby where you can purchase snacks and beverages.

Auditorium

The Meridian Hall auditorium is a large soft-seat theatre that can seat up to 3,172 people. The orchestra seats 2,133 people, the mezzanine seats 250 people, and the balcony seats 789 people. Seating is assigned in the auditorium, and your ticket will tell you your row and seat number. If you require assistance locating your seat, let a theatre attendant know and they will take you right to it.

This picture shows the Meridian Hall auditorium from the stage.

The seats in the Meridian Hall auditorium are between 19″ and 22″ wide, with most of our seats being 20″ and 21″ wide. If you need additional room, please contact our box office team either ahead of your visit or during your visit who would be happy to assist you.

This picture shows the Meridian Hall auditorium stage from the back of the orchestra.

There are 85 accessible seats on the orchestra level of the Meridian Hall auditorium. Seats 1 to 12, 47 to 51, and 61 to 72 in row KK are designated as accessible seats.

This picture shows the Meridian Hall auditorium stage from accessible seats 1 to 12 in row KK.

Seats 1 to 14, 21 to 34, 61 to 74, and 81 to 94 in row PPP are also designated as accessible seats.

This picture shows the Meridian Hall auditorium stage from accessible seats 81 to 94 in row PPP.

There are eight accessible seats on the mezzanine level of the Meridian Hall auditorium. Seats 1 to 4 and 93 to 96 in row DD are designated as accessible seats.

This picture shows the Meridian Hall auditorium stage from accessible seats 1 to 4 in row DD.

Castlepoint Numa Lounge

The Castlepoint Numa Lounge is a multi-purpose space on the main level of Meridian Hall that can be used for a variety of events including private events and corporate meetings.

This picture shows the Castlepoint Numa Lounge.

This picture shows an example of how the Castlepoint Numa Lounge could be set up for an event.

During a relaxed performance

If you are coming to Meridian Hall for a relaxed performance, there will be a short introduction before the show starts telling you a little bit about the show, the characters, and if there is anything that may be surprising during the performance. You can also expect reduced sound and lighting effects. The house lights will be on at a low level so that you can enter and exit safely at any time. Audience members are free to sit or stand, make noise as they need to, or use fidgets as needed. We want you to be comfortable.

Quiet area
If you need to leave the auditorium during the show for any reason, you are welcome to sit in any of the lobby spaces. You may still hear some of the sounds from the show while you are in the lobby, but it will be quieter than inside the theatre space. The mezzanine is the quietest area during a performance.

Washrooms

There are several washrooms on all three levels of Meridian Hall. On the east side of the main lobby, there are men’s and women’s washrooms.

This picture shows the men’s washroom on the east side of the main lobby.

On the west side of the main lobby, there are six individual gender-neutral washrooms and one universal washroom.

This picture shows the entrance to the washrooms on the west side of the main lobby.

This picture shows the universal washroom on the west side of the main lobby.

This picture shows one of the gender-neutral washrooms on the west side of the main lobby.

On the mezzanine level, there are men’s and women’s washrooms, as well as a universal washroom. Please note that the universal washroom is not equipped with a push-to-open door.

This picture shows the women’s washroom on the mezzanine level.
On the lower level, there are men’s and women’s washrooms on the east and west sides of the lower lobby that are both equipped with accessible stalls, as well as a separate universal washroom on the west side. Please note that the universal washroom is not equipped with a push­to-open door.

This picture shows the accessible washroom on the west side of the lower lobby.

Rehearsal Hall

The Rehearsal Hall is used for community events, such as workshops and classes, as well as private events and rehearsals. If you are attending an event in the Rehearsal Hall, you may be able to enter using the Yonge Street entrance. Follow the instructions in your event confirmation email to confirm whether you can enter on Yonge Street. The Yonge Street entrance is between Front Street East and The Esplanade. It has one set of double doors. The door on the right is an automated door, and the push-to-open button is to the left of the double doors. If you have any issues with the automated door, or if you need any assistance, our staff members would be happy to help.

This picture shows the entrance to Meridian Hall on Yonge Street.

To access the Rehearsal Hall from the Yonge Street entrance, take the stairs or elevator down one floor to the Bl level. Follow the signs leading to the Rehearsal Hall. If using stairs, there are 29 steps down to the Bl level from the Yonge Street entrance.

This picture shows the set of stairs leading down to the Bl level from the Yonge Street entrance.
If using the elevator, there is a lift to take you down a half level before transferring to the elevator.

This picture shows the lift at the Yonge Street entrance.

This picture shows the elevator near the Yonge Street entrance.

Once you arrive on the Bl level using the stairs or elevator, the Rehearsal Hall will be on your left.

This picture shows the Meridian Hall Rehearsal Hall.

There are men’s and women’s washrooms directly outside of the Rehearsal Hall that are both equipped with accessible stalls.

This picture shows the men’s washroom near the Rehearsal Hall.

Get in touch

If you have any questions or concerns about the venue guide or planning your visit to Meridian Hall, please reach out.

• Nathan Sartore
  Programming & Accessibility Coordinator

• Email: nathan. [email protected]

• Phone: 416-368-6161 ext. 7209 or 647-616-0446

• If you want to tell us about your time at Meridian Hall or have feedback that you would like to share, you can send us an email, call us, or write to us.

• Our email address is:
  [email protected]

• Our phone number is:

• 416-368-6161

• Our address is:

• 1 Front Street East

• Toronto, Ontario

• MSE 1B2

• Thank you for coming to Meridian Hall.

Do you need more information, or would you like to schedule a visit to get more comfortable in the space?
Contact Nathan Sartore, Programming & Accessibility Coordinator

• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: 416-368-6161 ext. 7209 or 647-616-0446

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