The Social – What to Expect

View our What to Expect guide for the Social, Aviva Studios

  • Photo of visitors sat down in the Social

    Photo by Marco Cappelletti, courtesy of OMA and Factory International

    Overview

    The Social is a public space inside our building, Aviva Studios. It is on the ground floor and is the first space you enter when you arrive at the venue whether you’re just popping in for a quick cup of tea or attending one of our productions in the Warehouse or the Andrew Law Hall.

    The Social hosts many community-centric events and activities, the majority of which are free for visitors to access. From workshops to live comedy, artist talks to video game stations, the Social programme is designed to make Aviva Studios feel like a home away from home.

    With a venue like ours, every night is different, so please check our opening hours and What’s On listings before you make the trip.

  • The doors from Riverside square leadings into the Social

    Arrival

    There are two main entrances to the Social: the city-side entrance and the river-side entrance. Tactile paving located across our public realm will direct you to either of these entrances, both of which can be accessed through ‘touch to open’ automatic doors.

    If you are arriving for a ticketed event taking place in either the Andrew Law Hall or the Warehouse, you may have to queue before being greeted by a member of our Security Team at the door. They will ask to see your ticket and search your bag before inviting you to enter the venue.

  • Orange Information Point in the Social

    Information Point

    Once in the Social, you will be greeted by one of our Hosts. They wear orange jumpers with black writing on them and are here to answer any questions you have and help you with whatever you need during your visit.

    You can also access support at our orange Information Point, which is located in the centre of the Social. Here you’ll be able to borrow a portable sensory kit, a water bowl for your assistance dog, an assistive listening device and spare fuses for your mobility scooter – whatever you need to enjoy your visit. The Information Point includes a lowered service point and a portable induction loop and, during ticketed events, typically has a Ticketing Team member present to support with any booking enquires.

  • Food and drink sign above the bar in the Social

    Food and Drink

    Inside the Social there is a bar where you can purchase food and drink. The bar offers two lowered service points. Large print and braille menus are available on request. We are a cashless (card only) venue.

    During the day, a mixture of seating – including chairs with backs and arms, and lower-level sofas – are set up in the Social and you can enjoy a range of hot food and drinks at your leisure. The café is open and available to visitors whenever the venue is open to the public.

    During the evening, or during ticketed events, the number of tables and chairs is typically reduced to accommodate the addition of a small stage or DJ set-up within the Social. The food and drink offer shifts to cold drinks and bar snacks.

  • Photo of the sinks and cubicles in the toilets at Aviva Studios

    Aviva Studios. Photo by Marco Cappelletti, courtesy of OMA and Factory International

    Toilets

    There are three toilet blocks available to visitors to use in the Social: the men’s, the women’s, and the gender-neutral facilities. These are all located within the brick arches, positioned on the ‘south wall’ of the Social.

    Inside each of the toilet blocks are shared handwashing facilities, followed by individual toilet cubicles. All toilet blocks include accessible cubicles, ambulant toilets, baby change facilities and sanitary bins. You do not need a radar key to use the accessible toilets.

    Inside the men’s toilet block you will additionally find urinals located towards the back of the space.

  • Inside of the Changing Places toilet

    Changing Places

    A Changing Places toilet is also available inside the gender-neutral toilet block. This is positioned towards the back of the space and includes a tracking hoist system and height-adjustable, adult-sized changing table, as well as a height-adjustable sink and showering facilities. You do not need a radar key to use the Changing Places toilet, but please do remember to bring your sling with you if you wish to use the hoist system.

    Both the door into the gender-neutral toilet block and the door into the Changing Places toilet itself are ‘touch to open’ automatic doors.

    The size of the Changing places toilet cubical is approximately 2.5m x 5.3m.

  • The Social at Aviva Studios during a DJ set

    Chris Payne

    Sensory Information

    The Social can be a busy and noisy place, especially immediately before an event that is taking place in either the Warehouse or Andrew Law Hall. Music is typically audible within the space and people chat, laugh and sometimes dance, which all contributes to the overall sound environment.

    The Social is lit using overhead, white lighting that ranges from bright and airy during the day to less intense, dim and moody lighting during the evening. For specific events, some coloured lights may be visible. However, strobe is never used in the Social.

    Digital displays, featuring moving images, are present throughout the Social.

  • Chill out space in the Social

    Additional facilities

    Depending on when you visit, there may be additional facilities set up in the Social. These include:

    • A shop: this is where you can buy merchandise that is commissioned for our major productions.

    • A cloakroom: a place where you can pay to store your belongings. This typically costs between £3 and £5 and is available for our large standing only events in the Andrew Law Hall and the Warehouse. Payment is via card only.

    • A chill-out space: a portable structure intended to support visitors who need a private space to take a break and self-regulate. Inside the chill-out space, you will find soft furnishings, weighted blankets, fidget toys and ear defenders, along with a bespoke sensory toolkit designed by Manchester-based artist, Sarah Marsh.

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