Brattle Theatre
The Brattle Theatre is located in Brattle Hall at 40 Brattle Street just one block from the Harvard Square MBTA Red Line T stop. It is located between Eastern Bank and the Cambridge Center for Adult Education. The building is shared with Longfellow Bar and Alden & Harlow Restaurant, and the theatre entrance is on the left side of the building—look for the Brattle’s sidewalk poster case and marquee and head down the small set of stairs (or use the accessibility ramp that runs parallel to the stairs).
On-Street Parking
Metered parking spaces are available throughout Harvard Square, however spaces are limited and competition for them can be difficult and time consuming. We recommend use of public transportation when possible, or choose one of the discount parking garages below.
Validated Parking Garages
Have your parking ticket validated at the Brattle box office to receive a discount on parking rates at these participating garages:
Charles Square Garage
At the Charles Hotel, 5 Bennett Street, Cambridge
Contact the garage at 617 491-0298 for current rates and hours of operation, or visit www.harvardsquareparking.com.
University Place Garage
124 Mt. Auburn Street, Cambridge
$2 Discount with box office validation. Contact the garage at 617 491-0801 for current rates and hours of operation.
For groups traveling between festival venues or exploring Boston together, private charter bus rentals can be a convenient option. Services like National Charter Bus, CharterUP Boston, and Boston Charter Bus Rentals offer charter buses and minibuses for events, group outings, and coordinated transportation throughout the city and surrounding areas.
Visit MBTA.com for full transit system information.
Bus
Harvard Square is serviced by a number of MBTA bus routes from Allston-Brighton, Arlington, Belmont, Somerville, and Watertown, including 1, 66, 68, 69, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 77, 78, 86 and 96. Visit mbta.com to learn more. See next section for accessible route from Harvard Square Station.
Subway
Take the MBTA Red Line to the Harvard Square stop. Use the Brattle Street exit through the busway. When you reach ground level you will see Brattle Street ahead to the right. The Brattle Theatre is the second building on the left side of the street, next to Eastern Mountain Sports and Eastern Bank. See next section for accessible route from Harvard Square Station.
Harvard Square MBTA
There is an elevator inside the Harvard Square MBTA station that brings you to street level on the corner of Brattle Street (approximately in front of Bluestone Lane Harvard Square Café), across from the Brattle Theatre. For more information about accessibility on the MBTA, visit their Subway Access Guide, Accessibility on the MBTA, and the Harvard Sq. Station Accessibility page.
Brattle Overview
The Brattle Theatre’s main seating area is wheelchair and handicapped accessible, with adjacent companion seating. The box office and lobby/concessions area are accessible from street level by ramp (see below), and an elevator is provided for access to the main floor of the theater. There are two dedicated wheelchair positions with companion seating at the front of the theater, as well as flexible seating at the rear adjacent to the elevator door. Bathrooms are handicapped/wheelchair accessible. Balcony level seating is not wheelchair accessible.
Ramp Access
Use the walkway on the left side of the building and follow the ramp toward the rear of the building, where it will switch back toward the box office window, lobby and elevator entrance. The manager on duty will assist you in using the elevator to access the theatre.
Audio
The Brattle offers audio description services for our blind and low-vision guests (select digital features only where indicated on website). They also offer assistive listening devices for hearing impaired guests for all features.
We encourage you to contact the Brattle directly or call 617 876-6837 ahead of your visit if you or anyone in your party require special assistance.
The Coolidge
From Mass Pike, I-90 East (Newton and points West)
Take exit 18 Allston/Brighton. As you exit tolls, stay to left for Allston exit and merge with Cambridge Street. Follow until you reach Harvard Avenue on your left, after the overpass turn left at the “Pizzeria Regina” sign. Take the left onto Harvard Avenue and follow through Allston and across Commonwealth Avenue, continuing for about 1.5 miles. Just before reaching the major intersection of Harvard and Beacon Street, you will notice our giant theatre marquee on your right.
From Mass Pike, I-90 West (Boston)
Take exit 20 Brighton/Cambridge. As you exit tolls, keep to your right around the off-ramp for Cambridge Street. Follow until you reach Harvard Avenue on your left, after the overpass turn left at the “Pizzeria Regina” sign. Take the left onto Harvard Avenue and follow through Allston and across Commonwealth Avenue, continuing for about 1.5 miles. Just before reaching the major intersection of Harvard and Beacon Street, you will notice our giant theatre marquee on your right.
From Interstate 93
Take the Storrow Drive exit and follow to Storrow Drive. Take Storrow Drive to the Kenmore Square exit. As the exit splits, stay in the right hand lane. Take the first right onto Beacon Street. Follow Beacon Street through Kenmore Square (past the legendary Citgo sign), staying in the center lane. After you cross the overpass, keep going straight ahead, following the trolley tracks along Beacon Street until you reach the intersection of Beacon and Harvard Street, landmarked by a large Tudor style building with a clock tower (and a Walgreens) on the corner. You’ll see us one half block up Harvard, but continue on Beacon to Center Street and turn right to access our parking lot behind the building.
From Route 9
Route 9 inbound to the Brookline Village/Harvard Street intersection. The Brookline fire station is on your right. Go through the intersection and take a right immediately after the fire station, and loop around the back. You can now turn right and cross back over Route 9 onto Harvard Street. Follow Harvard Street through Brookline Village, about one mile to Beacon Street. Cross Beacon Street and you will immediately see our marquee on your left. Parking is along Beacon, or go around the block and enter the lot behind our building on Centre Street.
For groups traveling between festival venues or exploring Boston together, private charter bus rentals can be a convenient option. Services like National Charter Bus, CharterUP Boston, and Boston Charter Bus Rentals offer charter buses and minibuses for events, group outings, and coordinated transportation throughout the city and surrounding areas.
By train: take the Green Line (C branch to Cleveland Circle) trolley from downtown to Coolidge Corner via Beacon Street. The Coolidge Corner stop is at Harvard Street, 5-10 minutes from Kenmore Square.
By bus: take bus #66, Dudley/Harvard Square. All buses and trolleys stop at the Harvard Street/ Beacon Street intersection.
You can find route maps and the latest schedules at the MBTA web site
Nearby metered public parking is available behind the theatre (on Centre Street one block from Harvard Street) and along Beacon Street. Meters are free after 8:00pm and on Sundays and holidays.
Parking is also available just a short walk away at the Courtyard Marriott in their parking garage for a similar fee.
Please note that the lots tend to fill up on weekends or during large events, so please plan a little extra time to find space. We strongly recommend public transit for events and films you anticipate will be very busy! Additional parking at an hourly rate is available across Beacon and Centre Streets at the Courtyard Marriott Hotel garage on Webster Street.
Our building is accessible via the main entrance, which includes an automatic door opener.
All six theaters are accessible by either ramps or elevators.
Restrooms
Six ADA accessible, all-gender restrooms are available around the building. All of the restrooms are ADA accessible, except for the multi-stall restrooms in the basement.
Seat Size
The seats in our historic theatre (MH1-4) measure 17.5” in width. The seats in our expansion (MH5 and MH6) measure 21”. Ask our staff to point you toward adjustable and accessible seating options, including seats with mobile arms. Email jane@coolidge.org for more information. Find detailed information about our seating here.
Assisted Listening
Our headsets use infrared to receive audio. Now one headset will work with any of our 6 screens and Education & Community Engagement Center. Turn on the power button (the light will indicate green when it’s getting signal in the theater) and control the mix on the headset: HI adjustment is located on the left rear of the headphone, and VI-N adjustment is located on the right rear of the headphone. Live movie introductions and post-show discussions done through microphones will also run through the system.
- Includes 3.5mm jack to drive neck loops or direct audio inputs on hearing aids or implants (neck loops not provided at this time; please bring your own if needed)
- Provides DC and AC magnetic fields to drive automatic switching telecoils in hearing aids
- User-selectable HI and VI-N audio mix
- User-adjustable soundtrack and/or a description of the screen action.
2026 Parties
All BUFF parties are for badge-holders only. Badgeholders include participating filmmakers (+ their registered guests), accredited press, paid badgeholders, and BUFF staff/volunteers.
The Painted Burro
Wednesday (3/20)
10:00pm – 12:00am | 21+
The Painted Burro is a Mexican kitchen & tequila bar that features an exciting seasonal menu highlighting the diverse cuisines of Latin America. It is located at 32 Church Street, Cambridge, MA 02138. BUFF’s opening night reception will be in the downstairs lounge.
The French Club
Thursday (3/21)
10:00pm – 1:00am | 21+
Officially known as the Association Notre Dame of Cambridge, this casual neighborhood social club is located near Davis Square at 2322 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02140. *Cash Only (there is an ATM on-site).
Whitneys
Friday (3/22)
10:00pm – 2:00am | 21+
Whitneys has been a staple of Harvard Square for locals and students since 1953 and is located at 37 JFK St, Cambridge, MA 02138.
Tasty Burger
Saturday (3/23)
10:00pm – 2:00am | 21+
The traditional home of BUFF’s karaoke party, 2024 marks our triumphant return to the downstairs bar of Harvard Square’s best location for burgers, beers and shakes, Tasty Burger! We wanna hear you sing! It is located at 40 JFK Street, Cambridge, MA 02138
The Lilypad
Sunday (3/24)
10:00pm – 1:00am | 21+
The Lilypad is a rad music venue & event space located in nearby Inman Square, at 1353 Cambridge St, Cambridge MA 02139. Join us here for our Closing Night Awards celebration, MC’d by DJ ManInDaBag. *this venue has an accessibility ramp and accessible restroom.