Buddies in Bad Times Theatre
12 Alexander St, Toronto, ON M4Y 1B4
Buddies in Bad Times is a non-for-profit theatre company located in the Church-Wellesley Village. This venue has two areas: The Cabaret, which has 100 seats with additional standing room for about 20 people, and The Chamber, which seats 200. I was excited to review Buddies in Bad Times this week because The Rose Centre for Love, Sex, and Disability just announced that they are having a fashion show here in October.
There is a long 35” wide ramp at the entrance of Buddies in Bad Times, with an automatic door opener at the 37.5” entrance. There are ramps to get into both The Cabaret and The Chamber. I was told that seating options vary depending on the event, but that there is always removable seating in the first few rows, and wheelchairs and mobility devices can be accommodated there. There is no fixed stage in The Chamber—a new one gets built for each show. There are tile floors throughout the venue. Alcohol is served at most events.
Buddies in Bad Times also accommodates performers who use wheelchairs. There is a ramp for the stage in The Cabaret, and there is a large accessible dressing room for performers that includes grab bars and a wheel-in shower with a removable shower head.
The washrooms for Buddies in Bad Times are all located in the basement, which can be accessed via a small 56” by 52” attendant operated elevator with a 38.5” entrance. There are two gender neutral washrooms, one with urinals that go to the floor and one with stalls. There is a 62” by 60” accessible stall, which includes on L-shaped grab bar and a toilet seat with a height of 16.5”. This stall has a 34” entrance. The sinks in both washrooms were high at 34”, but they did have space underneath to wheel under.
The nearest accessible subway stops are Bloor-Yonge and Dundas. There are parking garages nearby at 31 Alexander Street and at the Courtyard Marriot Hotel at 475 Yonge Street.
Buddies in Bad Times’ event listings can be found here: http://buddiesinbadtimes.com/events/