Where is SPACE located?

SPACE is located at 1245 Chicago Ave. near the corner of Dempster and Chicago in Evanston.  Out-of-towners, please note that Chicago Ave. in Evanston is very different from Chicago Ave. in Chicago.

Can SPACE be reached by public transportation?

SPACE can easily be reached by both the Metra and “el”.

• CTA- The Dempster St. stop on the Purple Line will put you just ½ block west of the Dempster/Chicago intersection.
• Metra- Either the Main St. or Davis St. stop will put you about 5 blocks from SPACE.

Where should I park?

There is quite a bit of metered parking along both Dempster St and Chicago Ave, and meters do not need to be fed after 6pm.  There is also a small public garage with metered spots directly across the street from SPACE.  Please obey any posted signs such as “No Parking” or “Permit Parking Only”.  There’s nothing worse than ending your night of music with a trip to Lincoln Towing.

How do I buy tickets?

You’ll find “buy tickets” links on this very website next to each concert listing.  Our on-line tickets are sold through the nice folks at Front Gate Tickets.  We hope you’ll find the on-line ordering system to be quick and easy.  Like any website, things can go wrong from time to time.  Take a deep breath and give Front Gate Tickets a call.  They’ll walk you through it, fix your issue, or just sell you tickets over the phone.  Like any online ticketing site, there is a service charge to use that system.

How can I buy tickets and avoid paying a service fee?

Stop by SPACE.  We sell no-fee tickets for all upcoming SPACE shows on evenings when there is a show taking place from 5:00-9:00pm.   This is generally Wed-Sun, but the schedule does vary so check it out on-line before you leave your house to make sure we have a show taking place and will be here selling tickets.  While we understand that you may have a 9am optometrist appointment in Evanston and it’d be convenient for you to swing by beforehand to buy some tickets, we’re just not around to sell them to you.  We do host Saturday morning box office hours once a month.  Those Saturday box office hours are always announced to our email list in the weekly email. 

How can I be the first to find out about new shows?

There are 3 secrets to being in the loop here at SPACE.  We almost always announce our new shows to our email list, Facebook fans, and Twitter followers first.  Sign up for one or all three of those and be sure you’re the first to find out about when new SPACE shows go on-sale. 

What kind of ticket should I buy?

We setup the layout of the venue a little differently for each show, depending on the size of audience we’re expecting, the style of music, and most importantly the desire of the musician(s) performing that night.  We want to make sure everyone is comfortable, but this is a nightclub and not a theatre so sometimes it’s just not possible to get everyone seated.  Here’s the low-down on the various ticket options that you may encounter.

Reserved Table Seating: This is the best seating we offer.  Each Reserved Table Ticket gets 1 seat at a cabaret table with a great view of the stage.  Most often these tables are in the center of the room within 4 rows of the stage.  For some shows that have a dance floor in the middle of the room, the tables may be off to the side a bit.  For most shows, you will select a specific table when you buy your ticket.  For some shows, however, you will simply purchase a reserved ticket and we will assign the location of the table seats based on the order in which they were purchased.  Tables seat 4-5 people. We fill every seat at a table, so be ready to sit with other enthusiastic concertgoers.  *For shows where you do not select a particular table when you purchase tickets only: If you have friends that also have table seats and you’d like to sit together, please email the names of the order to seats@evanstonspace.com and we’ll do our best to take care of that for you.  The table seats are pre-assigned and we’ll hold the seats for you through the 1^st set of music.  There are an extremely limited number of these reserved seats and they almost always sellout very quickly.  Once they’re gone, the option to purchase them will no longer appear on the ticketing page.

General Admission (limited seating): Aside from the table seats, we always try to put out as many seats as possible in the general admission section (which you can see on this seat map).  The actual number of chairs varies from night to night depending on the scale of the production, but these seats are first come-first serve.  If you arrive before the doors open (45 minute before showtime), you stand a pretty good chance of scoring a seat.  Some shows the demand for chairs is higher and people line up earlier.  It’s hard to predict.  Once these seats fill up, it will be standing room only.  If you absolutely positively must be seated in a chair to enjoy a show, you may want to think about whether this option is for you.   We understand standing is not an option for everyone, and we try to provide some alternatives.  However once the doors are open and the seats are full, there’s not much we can do to help you and we aren’t able to offer refunds once the seating is full. 

General admission (standing room): We may be able to put out just a few chairs in this scenario, but the vast majority of the general admission ticket holders will be standing.

General admission (dance floor): Plan on standing.  Better yet, plan on dancing. 

General Admission Seats: These tickets indicate that we’ve made a distinction between general admission seats and standing room.  You’ll be guaranteed a seat somewhere in the room.  The location will be first-come first-serve, so arrive a little early to make sure you get seats together for your whole party.  After the show starts, we’re no longer able to guarantee seating. 

Standing room: This really and truly means that you will be standing.  There will be seats in the room, but they will have all been reserved in advance.  We’ve got a nice wall and a bar to lean against, and a few high bar tables as well.  This area is in the back of the room near the bar, but that still only puts you 25 feet from the stage and the sound and sightlines are still great. 

I’d like to arrive early and hold 27 chairs for my friends, is that okay?

Please be considerate to your fellow concert holders and only hold one extra seat in the general admission section for your late-arriving friends.  Lots of people line up early to score seats, and we want to make sure they have a good chance at finding a seat. 

What is the difference between the different shipping options?

• Mail- Hard copy tickets will be mailed to your home. 
• Will Call- We’ll have your name on a list at the door the night of the show.  We recommend this option as there’s nothing to lose or have stolen. 
• Print Pass- Tickets will be e-mailed to you as a file, which you’ll have to print out and bring in the night of the show.  The important thing to remember is that this means you will not have tickets waiting for you at will call, so please don't forget to print them at home. 

I’ve lost my tickets, forgotten to print them, or my cat ate them.  What do I do?

Don’t panic, they can be reprinted.  Bring your ID and confirmation email with your order number and we can reprint them at the box office.  Please know that this slows things down as we try to move a few hundred people into the venue and start the music on-time, so you may need to hang tight while we work on reprinting your tickets.  Better yet, let us know ahead of time, and we can print your tickets in advance and hold them at will call.  You can email boxoffice@evanstonspace.com with any questions about this.

Tickets are sold out, but I’ve seen this band 35 times and absolutely have to go.  What do I do?

Well, if the show is listed as SOLD OUT online, it means just that.  It’s worth keeping an eye on the website as from time to time additional tickets do open up.   No need to call SPACE to find out if there are additional tickets.  Everything we’ve got will appear on the website.  We may try to let our Facebook or Twitter fans know about these extra tickets, so consider following along. 

If you live in the area, it may be worth stopping by the night of the performance.  If we have a large number of ticketholders who do not show up, we’ll try to sell a few additional tickets at the door.  We really won’t know whether or not that’s the case until the show is underway, so please be patient. 

As always, please be careful buying any tickets from scalpers or third party websites as SPACE cannot guarantee their authenticity.

I see that tickets are going on-sale at a certain time.  What’s the best way to get tickets?

Use the website to purchase tickets.  When they go on-sale, you’ll have as good a chance as anyone of getting the best seats.  We’re an extremely small venue and it’s not uncommon for Reserved Table Seating to sell out within a few minutes of being put on-sale.  In fact, for some shows, all of the tickets may sell out right away.  We assure you, there’s no tricky business going on.  Just a simple function of overwhelming demand for a show with very limited supply.  We’re music fans ourselves, and have done our fair share of camping out for tickets.  We know how important it is to see your favorite musician.  We’ll do everything we can to help make it happen. 

Do I need to be a certain age to see shows at SPACE?

No, SPACE is an all-ages venue, and music fans of any age are always welcome unless otherwise noted on the event listing.

What time can I get into the show?

Doors typically open 45 minutes before the showtime listed on your ticket. 

Are there drinks available during the show?

Yes, SPACE has a full bar with a nice menu of beers, wine, mixed drinks, and specialty cocktails.  We also serve a variety of non-alcoholic soft drinks, juices, teas, and coffee.  Servers make rounds during the show as well.  We do accept credit cards at the bar. 

Is food available during the show?

We don’t offer full-service dining, but you’re welcome to order a pizza from Union Pizzeria, the restaurant in the front of our building.  They’ll box up the pizza and you can bring it back to enjoy during the show. 

May I bring in outside food or beverages?

Only pizzas and drinks from Union Pizzeria are permitted at SPACE.

Will I be able to purchase CDs and meet the musicians?

This is really up to the musician you’re coming to see, but most performers do have CDs and merchandise available for purchase during the show and many of them are happy to sign CDs after the show.  Be on the safe side and have cash for this, as there is no ATM in the room and many artists are not able to accept credit cards for their CDs. 

I like to talk loudly to my friends at concerts.  Is that cool?

Not cool.  We’re all for having a good time and enjoying the show with friends, but the majority of our audience is here to listen to the performer on-stage and not to you.  Please respect those around you and step outside to the restaurant bar if you’re looking to talk. 

What time will the musicians go on tonight?

Take a look at the show listing on our website.  If there is an opening act listed, they’ll start right at the time listed on the tickets and website.  The headliner will follow, typically 45 minutes to an hour after that. 

Do you have an ATM in the building?

There is no ATM in the building, but credit cards are accepted at the box office and bar.

Are gift certificates and SPACE apparel available for purchase?

We’re so glad you asked!  Gift certificates are available and can be purchased easily right on your computer.  You’ll have the option of emailing your gift (read: perfect last minute gift!) and it’ll be good for tickets at the SPACE box office or drinks at the SPACE bar.  Click here to purchase a gift certificate.  A full line of SPACE branded t-shirts, sweatshirts, hats, guitar picks, and stickers are available for purchase at the box office as well. 

We’re coming from out of town.  Do you have any recommendations for hotels in the area?

• Hilton Orrington (10 blocks from SPACE)
• Hilton Garden Inn (14 blocks from SPACE)
• Best Western University Plaza (3 blocks from SPACE)

Are there taxis available in Evanston after the show?

There are taxis, but you won’t be able to hail them on the street.  Call Northshore Taxi at the end of the performance and they’ll usually have a cab here within 10 minutes or so.

I left something at a show.  Do you have a lost and found?

We do have a lost and found.  Please email lost@evanstonspace.com to see if we have your item.  If you left a credit card at the bar, please stop in on a night when a show is taking place to retrieve it. 

I keep calling SPACE, but no one answers.  How can I reach someone?

We’re sorry for any inconvenience.  We don’t keep typical office hours, due to the nature of our show schedule.  Please feel free to leave a message and we’ll return it as soon as we’re back in the office.  For a quicker response, try emailing info@evanstonspace.com.  Thanks for your patience. 

I’m having an event.  Is SPACE available for private parties?

Yes, SPACE makes a terrific venue for private events.  You can find some basic information on this page of our website.  Please email rentals@evanstonspace.com with any questions or to arrange a meeting.

Who took the photos on the SPACE homepage?

The photos in the slideshow on the homepage were taken by Harvey Tillis. His beautiful shots are also featured in the entrance hallway to the venue.

How can I get myself or my band booked at SPACE?

Thanks for asking.  Feel free to send along the following information to booking@evanstonspace.com.

• Website.
• Video and audio links.
• Where in the area you’ve performed before, who else was on the bill, how much tickets cost, and how many people came.
• What shows you’ve seen at SPACE and why you think you’d be a good fit.

We’ll take a listen and see if you may be right for SPACE.  Please know that we do listen to every submission sent to us.  The volume of inquiries is overwhelming at the moment, so while we do our best to respond to everyone, sometimes it is not possible.  That being said, if we think you’re right for SPACE, you’ll absolutely be hearing from us.