Plan Your Visit

Plan your trip using the MBTA Trip Planner to find the best route, schedules, and fare information for your journey to The Platform.

The nearest MBTA station is Kendall/MIT on the Red Line. From the station, The Platform is approximately a 5-minute walk from the station and easy to spot thanks to its distinctive blue and orange terracotta exterior.

Upon exiting the station, head north on Third St. and turn right onto Kendall St. The Platform entrance will be on your left.

Orange Line: Take the Orange Line to Downtown Crossing, then transfer to the Red Line (Alewife-bound) and travel two stops to Kendall/MIT.

Green Line: Take the Green Line to Park St. and transfer to the Red Line to Kendall Square for the shortest walk to The Platform from the subway. The Lechmere and Science Park/West End stops on the Green Line are an approximate 15-20 minute walk to The Platform.

Blue Line: Take the Blue Line to Government Center, transfer to any inbound Green Line train to Park Street, then take the Red Line (Alewife-bound) two stops to Kendall/MIT.

Commuter Rail: Travel to South Station, then transfer to the Red Line (Alewife-bound) and travel four stops to Kendall/MIT.

MBTA Bus (Routes 64 & 68): Take the bus to Main St. @ Kendall Station. Walk west on Main St., continue onto Third St., then turn right onto Kendall St. The Platform entrance will be on your left.

EZRide Shuttle: Take the shuttle to Binney St. @ Second St. From there, it’s about a 4-minute walk: head to Third St., turn left, then turn left onto Kendall Str. The Platform entrance will be on your left.

Bike share stations are located throughout Kendall Square, including several within a short walk of The Platform. Check the Bluebikes app or website for current station locations, bike availability, and pricing.

For the most convenient arrival, we recommend rideshare drop-off and pick-up at the corner of Kendall St. and Athenaeum St., just steps from The Platform entrance.

From the North: Take I-93 South to Exit 18 for MA-3 North toward Government Center/Kendall Square. Cross the Longfellow Bridge, continue onto Main St., then turn right onto Third St. and then right onto Kendall St. The Platform entrance will be on the left.

From the South: Take I-93 North to Exit 18 toward Storrow Drive/Kendall Square. Follow MA-3 North across the Longfellow Bridge, continue on Main St., then turn right onto Third St. and right onto Kendall St. The Platform entrance will be on the left.

From the West: Take I-90 East to Exit 131 toward Cambridge, then follow Storrow Drive and cross the Longfellow Bridge into Kendall Square. Continue on Main St., turn right onto Third St., then right onto Kendall St. The Platform entrance will be on your left.

Limited metered street parking is available on Linskey Way and Athenaeum St., typically with a two-hour time limit.

Several public parking garages are located within walking distance of The Platform. Please note that The Platform is not affiliated with these garages, and parking rates are subject to change. All garages listed include accessible parking spaces, elevator access, and EV charging stations.

350 Kendall Street Garage (across the street): Offers $13 parking after 4PM on weekdays and all day on weekends. Vehicles must exit by 6AM.

650 Kendall Street Garage (4-minute walk): Offers $13 parking after 4PM on weekdays and all day on weekends. Vehicles must exit by 6AM.

245 Riverview Garage (245 First St., 5-minute walk): Convenient parking within a short walk to The Platform.

CambridgeSide Garage (100 Cambridgeside Place, 12-minute walk): Offers $5 parking after 3PM on weekdays and anytime on weekends. Vehicles must exit before midnight.

For current rates and availability, please contact the garages directly.

The Takeda Theater lobby typically opens one hour prior to the scheduled performance time, and seating typically begins 45 minutes prior to the performance.

Seating for events at Tempo Stage typically begins 45 minutes prior to the performance.

Guests are encouraged to arrive early to allow time for ticket scanning, accessibility accommodations, and coat check.  For concessions before and after the show, the UpBeat Bar on the ground level is ready to serve you!

Patrons requiring accessibility accommodations may be eligible for early entry. Please contact Audience Services at 617.999.0500 in advance or speak with the House Manager upon arrival to request assistance.

Opening and seating times may vary by performance. Please refer to the event page on The Platform website or pre-show communication for the most up-to-date information.

Elevator access is available from The Platform’s main level to the Takeda Theater lobby, upper-level seating, and the Rehearsal Studio.

Coat check is available for most Takeda Theater performances beginning one hour before the scheduled performance time. This complimentary service is offered as a courtesy to theater patrons, and no fee or gratuity is required. Availability will be confirmed in the event listing and/or in the pre-concert email sent to ticket holders.

Due to limited capacity, each patron may check one item. Bags, luggage, and other large items cannot be accepted. Coat check service is available on a first-come, first-served basis and may reach capacity before all requests can be accommodated.

Coat check is available only for patrons attending Takeda Theater performances and is not available for Tempo Stage events.

Please remove all valuables from items left at coat check. The Platform and its staff are not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged belongings.

Unclaimed items not retrieved within seven days may be donated, discarded, or otherwise disposed of as appropriate.

For events in the Takeda Theater, restrooms are located in the Takeda Theater lobby and outside the upper-level seating entrances.

For events on the Tempo Stage, restrooms are located in The Platform lobby, next to the box office and adjacent to the elevators.

Patrons arriving after a performance has begun will be seated at the discretion of House Management. Depending on the performance and artist requirements, late seating may be delayed until an appropriate break in the performance.

To minimize disruption to performers and other patrons, late-arriving guests may be seated in an alternate location. When applicable, patrons may move to their ticketed seats at intermission.

Photo Policy

Professional cameras are not permitted unless a photo pass has been issued.

Mobile phone photography may be permitted at select performances when phones are set to silent mode and used without flash. Please refer to your ticket, pre-show communications, or announcements from the stage for event-specific policies.

Audio recording, video recording, and photography may be prohibited for certain performances.

Food & Beverage Policy

Food and beverages purchased from the UpBeat Bar or Bar Tempo at The Platform may be brought into the Takeda Theater and Tempo Stage performance spaces.

Outside food and beverages are not permitted, with the exception of sealed bottled water or reusable water bottles.

Outside food and nonalcoholic beverages can be enjoyed in the Ground Floor Commons public space.

Smoking & Vaping

Smoking, vaping, and the use of electronic cigarettes or similar devices are prohibited inside The Platform.

For detailed information about accessibility at The Platform, including accessible seating, hearing assistance, ASL interpretation, service animals, and other accommodations, please visit our Accessibility page.

If you have lost an item, please email Audience Services at info@theplatformkendall.org or call 617-999-0500.

Please allow up to 2 business days for a response. Items not claimed within 30 days may be donated, recycled, or discarded, as appropriate.

If you have questions before your visit, please contact us at info@theplatformkendall.org or 617-999-0500.

The Platform offers two bars serving beverages and light snacks during select hours before and during performances.

UpBeat Bar (adjacent to the Tempo Stage): The Platform’s premiere destination bar is open on performance evenings from 5PM to 12AM. You

Offstage Bar (Takeda Theater Lobby): Opens one hour before each performance and remains open through intermission. For performances without an intermission, service concludes at the start of the performance.

Bar hours, menu offerings, and service times are subject to change.

Premier Restaurant Partners

Visit Locke Bar & Restaurant at 6 Broad Canal Way, Cambridge for American food, craft cocktails, wine, and craft beer in a welcoming setting for dinner before the performance or drinks and conversation after the show. When the winter chill arrives, come in from the cold and unwind by the indoor fireplace. On milder evenings, take the conversation outside to the patio and fire pits. Whether you’re planning a date night or gathering with friends, Locke is a place to settle in, share a meal, and make a night of it.

Global Arts Live members receive 10% off (excluding alcohol)

 

Batifol is a French brasserie in Kendall Square, Cambridge, founded in 2022 by Loic Le Garrec and co-owned by Arnaud Abdoun. It offers a lively Parisian dining experience with classic French dishes and a stylish metro-inspired design. In 2023, PRB Boulangerie opened next door, serving fresh French pastries, sandwiches, and coffee. Both are part of a larger restaurant group, including Petit Robert Bistro in Boston’s South End. Our Executive Chef, Hoel Le Goff, focuses on seasonal and local ingredients, bringing a quality homemade menu to Greater Boston.

Global Arts Live members receive a complimentary appetizer or dessert from a featured menu with a minimum purchase of $10

 

FEATURED RESTAURANT PARTNER

 

More than a seafood restaurant, Row 34 is a connection to the ocean. The name Row 34 is a nod to the 34th row of oysters grown in Duxbury Bay on the South Shore of Massachusetts. True to our namesake, our menu is all about responsibly sourced seafood from local waters. We want our guests to come back again and again, so everything we do reflects a commitment to freshness, community, and hospitality. Whether you’re posting up at our raw bar or diving into one of our signature lobster rolls, we can’t wait for you to taste the best New England has to offer.

Global Arts Live members receive 10% off (excluding alcohol), valid only at Row 34 Kendall Square

 

RESTAURANT PARTNERS

 

Shy Bird is an all-day rotisserie, bar, cafe and takeaway. We strive to be affordable, approachable, and accessible while offering crave-able food, warmth, and hospitality. We offer a serious beverage program that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Located in the heart of Kendall Square on the corner of Broadway and Third, steps away from The Platform.

Global Arts Live members receive 10% off (excluding alcohol), valid only at Shy Bird Kendall Square

Glass House

Glass House is a restaurant, bar, and modern day “meeting house” inspired by the history and present day identity of Kendall Square.

Global Arts Live members receive 10% off (excluding alcohol)

Restaurant hours, availability, and offerings may vary. Please contact individual establishments for the most current information.