The Astor Theatre

The Astor foyer is accessible from Chapel St via four steps.

For step-free/wheelchair access to the foyer, there is a temporary ramped entrance on the left of the main doors on Chapel St that leads directly into the Overlook Bar. Staff will set up the ramp, so please see a MIFF staff member or volunteer on arrival. Once inside, take the internal ramp on the right to enter the main foyer. 

Please note: The width of the door with ramped access is 91 cm wide. There is a side entrance through the laneway off Chapel St through two large double doors that also allows step-free access directly into the Stalls seating area if a wider entrance is required. Please see a MIFF FOH staff member when you arrive if you need to use this entrance. 

The Astor is split into two levels – the Stalls level and the Dress Circle level. 

• The Stalls entrance is via large double doors on the left-hand side of the foyer with step-free access to the rear of the cinema. For step-free/wheelchair access to the front of the cinema, there is a ramp to the far left of the foyer and through a door on the left.
• The Dress Circle level is up a large staircase in the centre of the main foyer. Head through the Dress Circle foyer and turn right and there are two staircases of approximately 10+ steps that lead up to the Dress Circle seating. There is no step-free/wheelchair access to the Dress Circle.

Please see How to Book Your Ticket if you require step-free and/or wheelchair access at The Astor.

Wheelchair-accessible seating is available at the rear of the cinema on wooden floorboards with a decline towards the screen. Wheelchairs will need to have brakes enabled to prevent rolling forward.

There are some wheelchair-accessible seats at the front of the cinema that are on a flat floor.

The seats inside The Astor are older-style seats made of vinyl or leather. The seats are 47 centimetres wide with armrests. The seats have no cupholders or side tables.

Please see How to Book Your Ticket if you require step-free and/or wheelchair accessible seating at The Astor. Please approach a MIFF staff member for assistance when you arrive at the venue.

There are bathrooms on the foyer level and on the mezzanine level. The foyer bathrooms have step-free access via the ramp off the main foyer.

An accessible bathroom is located along the corridor to the left of the large staircase with step-free/wheelchair access via a ramp. It is the third door on the right. This bathroom is also accessible from the front of the cinema through the right-hand side door when facing the screen.

• The Astor is located on the corner of two busy roads, with limited footpath space.
• For busy MIFF sessions, you may need to join a queue outside of the venue. We recommend you dress warmly.
• The Astor’s ground-floor foyer is brightly lit with a 1950s-style mix of yellow plaster and rich velvet red curtains. When busy, it can be loud and the sound can travel up into the mezzanine above.
• There is a bar to the left of the main entrance that has booth and window seating and dim lighting. There is less foot traffic in this space.
• The mezzanine foyer leading to the Dress Circle has a small number of seats. Lighting is a soft yellow colour, and the space is carpeted.
• The cinema has two levels of seating, and has a combination of natural wood and pleather-bound chairs. These are old seats, and some of them may be chipping or frayed. 
• There are bulbed seating lights approximately every four to six rows that remain on during sessions to help you find your way around.