Wortham Center

Wortham's Cullen Theater

The Wortham’s Cullen Theater has been home to Mercury’s Downtown Series since 2006. Part of Downtown’s Theater District, the two-block Gus S. Wortham Theater Center is one of five performing arts complexes in a seventeen-block area. Spend some time before the show walking along the beautiful Buffalo Bayou or grab some eats at the many wonderful restaurants nearby.

How to get here

From I-45 North Freeway, heading southbound: Take the McKinney exit (left exit, #47C) and go north on Bagby St. to Texas Ave.
From I-45 Gulf Freeway, heading northbound: Take Houston Ave/Memorial Dr exit, follow ramp towards Memorial Dr and go east on Memorial Dr (towards Rusk). Go north on Bagby St. to Texas Ave.
From I-10 West: Take exit to San Jacinto St./Main St. (right exit, #769B) and stay to right until Main St. Go south on Main St. then west at Prairie St.
From I-10 East: Take exit to Smith St./Downtown Destinations (right exit, #769A) and head south on Smith St. At Prairie St. go right for underground parking.

Parking

There are many parking options downtown, but please allow plenty of time to find parking. The Theater District often hosts several large events a night, sometimes adding 15-30 minutes to your arrival time. Please note prices are subject to change, please let us know if something is out of date.

Theater District Underground Parking: Entrances on Texas or Prairie between Bagby and Smith. $15, credit only.
Alley Theatre Parking Garage: Entrances on Smith or Louisiana between Prairie and Texas. $12, credit only.
Lyric Garage: Entrance on Smith between Preston and Prairie. $10, cash or credit.
One Market Square: Entrances on Milam, Prairie and Travis. $15, cash or credit.

Valet Parking is available for Patron Society members.

Public Transit

The Wortham Center is about 5 blocks west of the Preston Street stop on the Red Line MetroRail and 3 blocks north of the Theatre District/Capitol stop on the Green/Purple Lines. Many bus routes also serve the theater.

For more information see: www.ridemetro.org

Will Call and Box Office

The box office opens 90 minutes before the concert in the Texas Lobby (between Texas Ave. and Prairie St). Our ticket windows are marked “Mercury” and usually are those closest to Prairie. Pick up your will-call tickets there or buy last minute tickets if you need to!

Seating Begins

About 30 minutes prior to the concert.

Accessibility

Wheelchair seating and assisted-listening devices are available. The Wortham is wheelchair accessible via the Prairie Street entrances as well as via the underground tunnel from parking. Passenger drop off is available on Prairie Street and handicap parking is available in the underground parking garage on the orange level near the Wortham tunnel.

Pre-Concert Lecture

Join us before each Downtown concert for a pre-concert lecture with Dr. Gregory Barnett (Shepherd School of Music at Rice University). Take a fascinating dive into the life and times of the composers and their music.

Please check your concert reminder email sent before each Downtown concert for the lecture details.

Save with the Downtown Series Subscription

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Downtown Series

Great restaurants nearby

Encore Cafe

501 Texas | 713-237-1439 | $$

Located in the Grand Foyer of the Wortham, Public Foods features light café fare by Levy Restaurants for those who prefer to eat at the theater. Food & drink are also available to pre-order for intermission.

www.downtownhouston.org

Birraporetti's

500 Louisiana | 713.224.9494 | $$

Italian Restaurant/Irish Bar; Good for dinner before the concert and drinks afterward.

www.birraporettis.com

Barnaby's Café

801 Congress | 713.226.8787 | $

Casual, fun, all-American café within walking distance of the Wortham. Mercury Box Office’s favorite pre-concert dinner spot.

www.barnabyscafe.com

Cultivated F+B

701 Texas | 713-228-9502 | $$$$

Featuring American cuisine, this restaurant is located in the historic Lancaster Hotel just blocks from the Wortham. Reservations required.

www.thelancaster.com

Hotels

The Lancaster

701 Texas Ave. | 713-228-9500 $$$$

This charming boutique hotel in the heart of the Theatre District is a Houston landmark and an audience favorite, just two blocks from the Wortham.

www.thelancaster.com

The Sam Houston

1117 Prairie St. | 832-200-8800 $$$$

The Sam Houston by Hilton’s Curio Collection is stylish hotel in a historic building beautifully renovated in 2013. Located about five blocks from the Wortham.

curiocollection3.hilton.com