The Vic Theatre — Attraction in Lake View Township

If you’re disabled, don’t bother trying to go unless you want to pay for a box seat and have the ability to climb the stairs. I don’t know if they have an elevator or not but I couldn’t help but wish I were up there. The staff were very organized and helpful and they even had an attendant getting things for folks in the ADA section which is why I’m not giving one star. The disabled seating is in the /back of the auditorium/. The layout for the General Admission tix at the concert I attended had the ground/pit, a standing mezzanine, and the upper mezzanine. The handicapped seating is seated at the upper mezzanine, in front of the bar and across the aisle/ramp from the sound booth. Conceptually it’s close to the bathroom or the exit but in practice, the people on the center mezzanine were standing, packed bar to bar, at eye level with any of the people sitting.

What I don’t think people realize is that it’s not just “nice to have a seat,” many if not MOST disabled ppl can’t stand at all, in fact it’s pretty Rude to stand if you’re seated in the ADA section because you’re blocking the view of the people behind you who may not be able to see at al- which is the whole point of accessible seating. It’s not to make sure they have an out for the bathroom, it’s so they can experience the same show as everyone else. I experienced the back of people’s heads and tired non-ada patrons sitting on the edge of the platform, basically at my feet. I’m attaching photos of my view as the realization dawned on me that it was doomed from the start. If a handicapped person has a guest with them, that non disabled guest is also then forced to sit in the handicapped section and experience that same terrible time or abandon their disabled friend so that at least someone gets a show out of it. I’m not kidding it was so upsetting, I left the show after one song into the main act of my favorite band and waited in the car because I couldn’t stop crying over how heartbroken I was. It was easier than forcing myself to essentially listen to a live album while being hot, sweaty, and sad.

It would be so so simple to rope off a section for ada on the middle mezzanine because there’s no stairs to get there, it’s literally a ramp. The height between it and the floor would likely eliminate all issue. If you’re making accommodations, you have to think like a disabled person, think about what they might need.

ALSO, before I forget, if you want artist merch and have a mobility aid that won’t let you do stairs, you better hope you have a friend or a kind stranger who will represent a place in line for you because the merch line is routed to go up the stairs for some reason??? It would be safer and easier and more accessible to put the table in the back of the auditorium, near the back of house bars where then people at least might be able to line up along the edge of the house and disabled folks don’t have to owe it to strangers to hold a place in line for them and wait at the bottom of the steps like a kicked dog.

If I manage to get ahold of the management or team behind the band I attended, I’m going to beg them to never book with The Vic again. The place is beautiful and clean, and it seems like it could put on great shows, but I literally wouldn’t know. It was one of the most demoralizing and heartbreaking experiences that I’ve ever had at an event...

Hello. I came here for the first time for a show from Indianapolis. It was around a 3 hr drive/6 round trip. I came with a friend to see the Anjela Johnson-Reyes comedy show. I have been wanting to meet her for so long, I'm a huge fan. I purchased the vip package to sit close to the stage, meet her and receive a signed book. The tickets were purchased through asx and the system when booking would not allow me to just purchase the 2 tickets needed, so I bought 3 just to ensure I see her. (Most shows all over on her tour dates are sold out).

I contacted asx and the insurance company that I paid extra to for insurance on the ticket and they were unable to help me with my ticket for a refund. I called the theater and thankfully, they helped with a refund.

The theater itself was old and I was looking forward to a nostalgic experience. Instead, security was extra tight and all who worked there were tense and unwelcoming. I had just driven a long way and wasn't allowed to use the restroom until being checked in for the meet and greet. When I finally was able to use the restroom, I had to go upstairs because the downstairs handicap ones were being guarded. There wasn't even an elevator or ramp for anyone handicapped/in a wheelchair, nor did I see anyone with a disability.

The balcony had regular theater seats, but where we sat in the 2nd row from the stage, there were folding chairs! I would have paid the lowest price to be all the way up in the balcony if I had known. Just being in the room/same venue was good for me. The theater was small and intimate. I also didn't know about the balcony seating to the right and left of the house seats. They were like small boxes with seats and a table.

Besides waiting to sign in for the meet and greet, once you were in the building you couldn't leave so we had to wait until after the show to have dinner. (Go to Cheesies, review to follow). The parking in the garage across was around $40. I would have loved parking to be included in the show/package. It was raining and didn't have an umbrella. Always check the weather! Opps. There was no food at the venue, only drinks. A bottle of water was $4! You couldn't bring in your own and there were not water fountains. They also were going to charge for tap water. Seriously?!

The started slightly late but once I used the bathroom, I was good! The opening comedian, Ron was good. He was clean and funny. I had a wonderful time overall, definitely an answer to prayer to meet such an amazing person. Her husband was also there with her. I love that. Do your research before going to this theater of what's around, how much things will cost, layout of the theater, etc. Remember when driving about the tolls. They bite you...

We were at Struts concert on 8/9/25. I am an ambulatory wheelchair user (meaning I can stand and walk, just not for long periods at a time) and I had called the box office a while back (like right when tickets went on sale) and asked if there was a designated area for wheelchairs and person said there was and I asked did I need to do anything special to be seated there (and made sure there was a chair for my wife to sit next to me) and person on phone said all I had to do was go to main door and give my name and they would help me. True to their word, Ash and Mateo saw me coming up walk way and immediately opened the wider set of doors to allow my chair through. They took us right over to ADA section and got us situated straight away. They couldn’t have been kinder or more helpful. Truly so great! They also told me where the ADA bathrooms in lobby were so I didn’t have to try and manage stairs to get to main bathrooms. I would give The Vic 5 stars for them alone! However…

Our only complaint is where the ADA section is. It is in back section of main floor…that is all (at least for that show) standing room only! So we literally didn’t even catch a glimpse of the performance unless we stood up (physically hard and taxing for me, not to mention blocking the view of people behind me in ADA section-not that they were seeing anything anyway, but still-)! SO disappointing! I can’t believe The Vic can’t find a way to do better for their disabled guests! At the Sylvee (Madison, WI), the Barrymore (Madison) or the Rave (Milwaukee) they all have their ADA sections in places that afford the disabled guests really great views. We paid the same price as everyone else but literally didn’t see anything of the actual performance. The Struts are my favorite band (and we were super excited to be seeing-ha!- Dirty Honey (opening band) as well as we are fans but hadn’t seen them live before, and the tickets were my anniversary gift. So heartbreaking that we couldn’t actually see them performing (especially when we drove 6 hrs round trip from Wisconsin to get there)! I hope you can reexamine how you might make the live event experience more equitable for all your guests, Vic Theater. Or at least sell the ADA tickets at a significant discount if you’re unable to move the...