Frequently Asked Questions

What should I wear?
Business casual is the answer we give when pressed, but we would prefer to think that our patrons feel free to dress up or down as the spirit moves them. It is not unusual to see concert-goers in blue jeans sitting next to a couple dressed up for a night on the town.

How can I get to Mandel Hall?
After you’ve “practiced, practiced, practiced,” check our Mandel Hall Directions page for several practical options.

Where can I park?
Free parking is available on the street and in the University Parking Lots after 4:00 p.m. on weekdays and all day on the weekends.

The Visitor Lot at 55th and Ellis is an enclosed parking garage about 3 blocks from Mandel Hall, which is also free after 4 pm. Gates will remain down, however, and visitors must take a parking ticket. When exiting, take the ticket to the pay station for validation. Retain the validated ticket to exit the garage free of charge.

The Lexington Lot, a small lot adjacent to Rockefeller Chapel on the west side of the building, offers a few parking spots within steps of the venue, available after 4:00 p.m.

Mandel Hall and Rockefeller Memorial Chapel are both handicapped-accessible. Please call in advance of the concert to make arrangements (773)-702-8068. Parking rules are strictly enforced. Please observe all signs in parking areas and on the street. Call the Parking Office for more information at (773) 702-8969.
See Parking Map

Can I catch a cab after the concert?
Although taxis can sometimes be found standing near the University hospitals, it is better to call in advance and arrange for a cab to pick you up at the Reynolds Club (site of Mandel Hall) or Rockefeller Chapel after the concert. The main cab services are Yellow Cab and Checker Cab. Both can be reached ahead of time by calling 312-TAXICAB (312-829-4222).

Is there someplace to eat nearby?
A coffee shop (called “The C-Shop”) and a food-court (called “The Hutch”) are both open in the Reynolds Club before concerts. Both are self-serve, inexpensive, convenient and typical of the campus setting. The C-Shop remains open during intermission for beverages and sweets.

Elsewhere on campus and in Hyde Park, options range from pizzerias to elegant French restaurants. A few are listed below. One caution, however: if you plan to eat after the concert, call ahead to make sure the kitchen stays open after 10 p.m.

Bartlett Dining Commons
5640 S. University
Across from the Reynolds Club, the University’s excellent, full-service cafeteria

Lucky Strike
1055 E. 53rd St.
773-347-2695
An informal campus grill and bar attached to a bowling alley

Medici
1327 E. 57th St.
773-667-7394
Long-time haunt of campus regulars, serves pizza, sandwiches and more

Noodles
1333 E. 57th and 1460 E. 53rd St.
773-947-8787
Pan-Asian cuisine, limited seating; 57th St. locale only 5-10 minute walk from Mandel Hall

Pizza Capri
1501 E. 53rd St.
773-324-7777
Pizza of every variety, from basic cheese and sausage to gourmet adventures

Dixie Kitchen
5225 S. Harper
773-363-4943
Cajun and Southern country cooking and a good variety of beers

La Petite Folie
504 E. 55th St.
773-493-1394
Hyde Park’s own fine French restaurant, not a meal to be rushed

What if I can’t make it to a concert for which I’ve bought a ticket?
We regret that we cannot provide refunds or exchanges for unused tickets (with the exception of the one time ticket exchange policy for subscribers – see our refunds & exchanges page). We will, however, send you a donation letter for tax purposes, if you call to donate your unused ticket before noon on concert day. You may, of course, give your ticket to a friend to use, but we will not be able to issue a donation letter.

Where is the Box Office?
During the business week, Monday through Friday, 10 am to 5 pm, the Box Office is located in Room 102 of the University of Chicago Presents offices at 5720 S. Woodlawn. On concert days, the Woodlawn Box Office closes at 3:00 p.m. and reopens at the concert venue about 1 hour and 15 minutes before the performance begins. The Box Office is located just to the left of the main entrance to the Hall; the Will Call Box, for previously purchased tickets, is located to the right.

May I turn my ticket in for a better one on the night of the performance?
We always try to assign the best available seat(s) at the time of purchase. Upgrading tickets at the last minute is not an option.

What if a performance is cancelled?
Every attempt is made to find a replacement for the performer(s). This has happened on a few occasions in the last several seasons, and few patrons have been disappointed in the replacement. We recognize, however, that sometimes a purchase is made exclusively to hear a certain performer. We are sorry for the very real disappointment a cancellation causes in these cases, but we regret that we cannot refund the cost of the ticket or provide an exchange.  All Artists and Programs are subject to change.  No refunds will be given unless a performance is canceled in its entirety, with no replacement performance scheduled.

May I record or take pictures/videos in the hall?
We do not permit recording, photography or videography in the hall before, during or after the concert. You may occasionally see press photographers or other professionals who have been given special permission to photograph or record a performance. You will also regularly see an audio-engineer recording our concerts for archival purposes and possible delayed radio broadcast.

When should I clap?
In classical concerts in the United States, clapping is confined to the ends of pieces. This can be surprisingly tricky for the novice concert-goer who may not be sure whether a piece has ended or whether a movement has ended (classical compositions often call for a pause between movements). The best tactic is to observe the response of the majority of the audience, since many UCP regulars have been doing this for years. But don’t worry if you get carried away. Few musicians will hold it against you!

What if I arrive late?
You will be asked to wait in the vestibule for an appropriate break in the music before taking your seat. If you arrive within the first 10-15 minutes of the concert, you will probably be seated at the first available pause in the music, specified ahead of time by the House Manager. If you arrive later than this, you may have to wait until the end of the piece. Sometimes, if pieces follow one another closely, you will be asked to take a seat in the back until intermission, when an usher will help identify your assigned seat.

What about my question?
Do you have a question you didn’t see here? Feel free to send it to us via email at concert-office@uchicago.edu. We will try to reply to it and to add it to our list.

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