UP Comedy Club
230 W North Ave,3rd Fl, Chicago, IL, 60614
UP Comedy Club Menu
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Address :
230 W North Ave,3rd Fl
Chicago, IL, 60614 - Phone (312) 662-4562
- Website https://www.upcomedyclub.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :9:00 am - 10:00pm
Specialities
- Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Parking : Garage, Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Good For Dancing : No
Alcohol : Full Bar
Happy Hour : No
Best Nights : Fri
Coat Check : Yes
Smoking : No
Outdoor Seating : No
Has TV : No
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Andre W.
I had a chance to check this place out this past Sunday afternoon to see Sex, Love & The Second City. The show was very interesting and funny...well worth the tickets I bought through Goldstar. The theater itself was pretty cool as it is a good amount of space and you get a good view of the show from wherever you are sitting. You can tell the place is relatively new because everything looked intact and as Rachel J stated in her review you could smell the new leather on the chairs...lol. She also mentioned that the seating was cramped. I agree that I was a little close to other patrons, but it wasn't too bad..I wasn't uncomfortable or anything. They had a full menu of food & drinks to choose from. We were hungry so we got the nachos which were pretty good and since we had been drinking Jameson before we made it to the show, it was only right to continue on with the Jameson & diet coke combination. The waiter gave us the option of getting a double, so we did it, which proved later to be a bad decision as my night ended with me hugging the toilet a few hours later...lol. I shouldn't have had that 2nd round! Obviously a good place to catch a good show...I definitely recommend!
(4)Laura P.
I did one standup act that was bad, but just do your research on whoever you see. The most recent show we saw was a sketch show, what the tour guide didn't tell you. It was really funny. The venue is good and the actors are funny. Its nice they have wait staff and offer food and drinks. You can imagine that stuff is pretty pricey. Staff is always friendly. The seats are VERY packed together so be prepared. Its good to come with a large group though, you can sit all together and its nice to do something different. Side note about parking: This doesn't reflect on the comedy club's rating but I felt it was important for people to know. The parking will be about $20 for the show if park in garage. Try to take public transit if you can and even a cab might cheaper depending on where you are. But it took us longer to leave the garage as one of the people we came with cannot walk very fast. By the time we paid our ticket and got up to our car, got in the car, programmed the GPS and drove to leave the garage (I guess it was 10 minutes) they tried to charge us another $11!!!! They said since we took 10 minutes to leave the garage it was the same thing as coming into the garage again. It was ridiculous! I asked why it wouldn't be just another $2 (which would be the cost if we had only spent another hour there) and he said it was because we already paid. The parking garage is huge, and there elevator is slow and sometimes there is a lot of traffic in there. They need to be more understanding of people with physical limitations! After getting quite upset and refusing to pay $11 on top of the already expensive parking the very rude parking attendant let us leave. We had the receipt to prove that we didn't just pay and then hang out for another few hours. Quite frustrating.
(4)Ermelinda C.
Great place to support your local artists and have a few loughs in the process. We watched a show about what the Chicago guide tours should tell you, but do not, which was a funny show about every facet of the city - both, good and not so good. Cute theater, next door to Second City, and a nice crowd!
(4)Jose F.
We had a great time watching Pablo Francisco, Chris Fonseca and friends! This place is not huge, which makes the comedy show even more funny and maybe even interactive. It is clean and the stage is not far from the spectators. The waitstaff is helpful and very accomodating. The sound and lights make it easy to enjoy. Also, unlike other clubs, this place has no item minimum (GREAT!) Look it up and catch a good show here. Street parking is much cheaper if you catch an evening show.
(4)Iris C.
We saw "An Incomplete Guide to Everything" which was VERY funny. The improv crew was professional and clearly clicked. The skits were so funny, the guy across the aisle fell off his seat laughing so hard. Our seats were great, close but not part of the "stage." The servers were attentive, drinks flowed. The food was adequate, but didn't expect much for bar food. We got a souvenir cup. I need to warn you, if you eat during the show, be sure to chew carefully while you are laughing. Let me tell you, this is difficult to do, so I don't suggest eating during the show. I would definitely recommend UP to visitors.
(4)Megan M.
Went to see Kurt here last night and he was hilarious! Great time, good atmosphere and yummy strawberry daiquiri!
(5)Gina S.
We went last night to UP and had a great time. We spent $10 more and got the rail seats. It was money well spent. We bought the 20 ounce drink so that we could keep the glass. George was our waiter and kept our drinks full. The show was HILARIOUS! It was a highlight of our trip!!
(5)Kate M.
I love to laugh. I know, I know, who doesn't like to laugh, right? Giggles are the key to my heart, make me laugh and you can wrap me around your little finger. So what better way to spend a Saturday night than laughing and giggling? I was looking for tickets to Second City at the last minute and they were booked, no surprise there, but I was surprised to see the link to UP Comedy Club on their website. Tickets for Pete Correale at 8 were available for around $20 each, not too bad. The $12 service fee seems a little pricey, but I'll pay it instead of having to go to the box office to buy the tickets. UP Comedy Club is located on the third floor of Pipers Alley, in the same building as Second City and Second City e.t.c. They have a complimentary coat check, which is a good idea considering the close quarters in the theater. The seating is not assigned with your tickets, so it's suggested you arrive early for best seating. It's not a huge theater, seems like there aren't any bad seats. Strategically placed tables make it easy to enjoy your drinks and food, although I didn't see anyone actually having any food. You can if you want though, they have a fairly good sized menu of Chicago themed foods and a full bar of course. Like I said, I love to laugh, so I'm sure I'll be back to UP soon. With ticket prices as low as $2 for the show this Thursday (1/12) it seems like I'd be silly to not go back.
(4)Taylor N.
The full experience: live comedy, food, and drinks. Excellent for locals and tourists. We saw "What the Tour Guide Didn't Tell You" which is all based on the Chicago insider experience. The talent was incredible and high-energy.
(5)Angela T.
I've found acts performed and/or written by Second City cast members to be overrated. I've seen several performances at UP Comedy Club, including "The Onion Live!," "improv All Stars," and "What the Tour Guide Didn't Tell You." All were terrible. The acting and writing were both poorly done. For the first one, the actors forgot their lines several times (it was opening week) and for the latter two, they kept attempting to do improv games with the audience, apparently unable to accept that the lack of audience participation and laughter were a signs that they should stop and move on to something else. As for the space itself, it's nice, clean, and decently spaced. The tables are small, but I never order anything anyway, because the prices are outrageous. The service staff are really friendly though.
(2)Julie H.
Just an FYI on the One Nation Under 1% show. There are a few scripted comedy scenes, a few improv scenes and at least THREE scripted scenes that are INTENTIONALLY dramatic. I don't mind spending 25 bucks on comedy show that ends up being not funny, that's just the risk you have to take. But expecting comedy (part of their tagline is "Let's Drink and Laugh About It"), and ending up at a to a two-hour show only to find out that the second hour includes an incredibly heavy-handed dramatic scene between Guantanamo guards and prisoners coming to terms with their similarities? Yikes!
(2)Carol J.
Spectacular new stand up addition to the mothership of improv comedy, The Second City. Situated on the third floor of the primarily vacant Piper's Alley the venue is located at ground zero for comedy in Chicago. A brand new space with luxe appointments and unobstructed sightlines, the room holds about 250. UP! offers a little more than the craptacular Zanies in that its clean and spacious, well organized and fair ticket prices. They also offer a really great product line of draft beer and bottle choices, fantastic wines by the glass, a relatively decent menu of snacks, apps and Lou Malnati's Chicago pizza. But really, who comes here for the food? Service is spot on and its set up so that the server is easy to make contact with at any given point. I was a guest of the cast of Sullivan & Son so I am biased about the talent but it was basically the same crew that did Vince Vaughan's Wild West Comedy show and now they have their own show. Look for headliners like Bobcat Golthwait, Tommy Davidson and Sherri Underwood in the upcoming months. Only caveat is the automatic 18% on checks. I always tip a little larger but my friends got the bill and were miffed at the autograt but c'est la vie. Great venue, great service, great talent. A welcome addition to the Chicago comedy scene.
(5)Elizabeth C.
Food is terrible! No, wait, its TERRIBLE! Go eat elsewhere before the show. The service was slow and evasive and the food was cold (the bones in the chicken wings were still frozen!) and over priced. Not worth the $120 we shelled out!! But the shows are AWESOME! Go see the shows!!!
(4)Ariana S.
Little brother to the ever-popular and uber famous Second City, UP! boasts its array of household name stand up comedians in the same location as Second City in Old Town. To be honest, stand up comedy generally makes me very nervous; I know that not every joke is going to be a zinger but that moment where there is a long pause of silence followed by awkward grunting that is supposed to be laughter is just too much for me. However, we decided to spice up our Friday night and hit up the show. For only $20 a ticket for a 3 hour show, we figured it was worth a try. They sat us in the front row (after I mentioned I was a first-timer) and we were put at a small table with another couple. I usually hate these stranger pair-ups but it wasn't too bad, just a little cramped. Drinks were decent, albeit a little pricey and the food was terrible. I mean, I guess you aren't there for the food but make sure you eat before you go. The show started with an amatuer, followed by a local favorite and then the headliner Ted Alexandro. All were very funny and they kept the awkward pauses to a minimum. Ted was hilarious and made my first experience a good one!
(4)Meredith B.
Absolutely love the comedy! Only reason I'm not giving 5 stars is because the drinks are pricey.... But that is to be expected at a comedy club.
(4)Trixy D.
Came twice in two weeks. Saw a comedian on a Friday night with friends, and an improv show the next weekend during the afternoon with some older teens, both were terrific. "What The Tour Guide Didn't Tell You" was the improv show. The drinks were great and priced normally for a comedy club, we had a great view from where we sat for both shows, and the wait staff is not in your way, or pushy. They do serve appetizers although we did not order any. Funnier than the comedian, was a woman in her mid 50's in front of us who did not crack a smile throughout the entire show, instead opting to steal wicked glances at her husband after every off color joke, and ruin his revelry! Before you go to a Comedy Club, remind yourself to lighten up, if you are not used to some off-color humor. It was hilarious! We tried to go to Second City both weekends but their shows were sold out. UP was an excellent consolation prize and is a first rate club! ;-)
(5)Nina I.
I came here to see Ted Alexandro after receiving complimentary tickets. Let me start off by saying that when Up Comedy Club says free tickets they mean FREE tickets! There was no minimum drink requirement, no donations or merchandise purchase, NO CATCH! And to me that's refreshing. However, I were offered to get in an hour early so I can enjoy food and drink before (but still had some during) the show. Being an early bird I took the opportunity. I got EXCELLENT seats really close to the stage but not right below it as to strain my neck. Score! My table was also private and super cute. I started off the night with a Blue Moon (as is my usual most times) and was pleasanly surprised to read that with the purchase of a 20oz beer you get a complimentary glass on your way out... and I did!!! How cool is that!? The show was pretty good too. Ted Alexandro was definitely a comedian you either love or hate. On my end it was love. The setup of the room was also so wonderful and looked upscale and taken care of. It's exactly what I like to see if I were to pay for the show (which by the way isn't all that expensive either way). The staff and my server were SO welcoming and warm, also super friendly and made the night even better! Good job Up! I'll be recommending this place all the time! P.S. go easy on the food, it's not the best but at least they try and at one point they ask you what you would want to see on the menu and what they could improve on +1 bonus star for caring!!!
(5)Elizabeth D.
I really enjoyed the Improv show with the Second City all stars- comfy seats and a good laugh.
(4)Jason B.
I went this weekend. I really liked this place. The seating area and stage are top notch. We had an 8pm show. Got there at 730. Got seated right away by a very nice staff. The waitresses were great. Drink were good. Very fun and pleasant evening out. Good first date place. Don't buy tickets online. It's only 3 bucks over the phone. 12 bucks online. Much better place than Zannies.
(4)Jessica S.
Had a great time here in March. Cheap price on hottix. Good drinks and the improv was very good
(4)Cathy L.
Enjoyed our night. This was my first experience of true Improv. While I certainly appreciate their amazing talent and quick wit I think stand up is more my thing.
(4)Jamie B.
Saw One Nation Under 1% on Satuday night... this was great. We bought tickets on hottix.org for $12.50 a piece, great deal. This show was funny, clever, and very entertaining! Highly recommend! Drinks are reasonable. We didn't order any food, but it looked pretty good.
(5)Benjamin S.
I recently visited the UP Comedy Club in Chicago to see Second City's "An Incomplete Guide to Everything." The experience as a whole was far beyond that of what I expected. The stage its self was very modern with seating for probably 250 people maybe more, however it wasn't crowded or uncomfortably packed full of people. We made sure to arrive early because they do not do assigned seating but rather first come first serve seating. This does provide a problem if you can't arrive more than 20 minutes before the start of the show because you may be at the back but we arrived 25 minutes before the show and had plenty of fantastic seats to chose from. When I first arrived I was greeted by a very friendly staff member that directed me to the correct floor and stage. Once at the entrance to the stage you go to the hostess and tell her how many people are in your party and she will find you seats that fit you parties desires the best. I requested to be near the front and by a table and they easily arranged that for me. Once seated I was seated a server came up to me with a smile on his face and gave me a menu and his name. While I personally didn't order any food or drinks from the menu some other people in my party did. The food was reasonably priced with the deserts being rather expensive, However that was nothing compared to the drink prices. They charged 12 dollars for a glass of wine that wasn't up to par too say the least, sure the poor was decent size but that doesn't make up for lack of quality. My sister ordered a Hot chocolate and said it was delicious and from my view it was very reasonable in size for the price. If you are the kind of person that drinks lots of water have no fear you can get free tap water throughout the entire experience. As for the Show its self "An Incomplete Guide to Everything" was supposed to be about everything that you learned in college - or should have learned in college on the days you slept in. However that was really not the way the show came off, rather it seemed to be a series of very well preformed skits that all managed to come back together at the end to tell you that friendship is important. Do be warned that this show is defiantly deserving of an R rating for content but never the less still fantastic. The performing of the skirts was done with the up most professionalism. Since the Second City group prides its self on improv comedy you expect the improv to be great and it certainly was. Only once did it seem like any lines were forgotten but the show just kept moving along like nothing happened. So if you every want to see a show while in Chicago I highly recommend seeing a Show at the UP Comedy Club.
(4)Franky A.
Excellent addition to the Second City. I saw a show there last week and dug the venue.
(5)Ryan B.
4 out of 5 stars because 4 out of the 5 comedians were funny. Went for an all Improv Show, but guessing the Improv and Sketch comedies would have been funnier. All in all great show, semi reasonable priced drinks. Seating was a little cramped but other than a great time
(4)Neha A.
Great night here yesterday. We saw the "second city improv all stars." The performers were fantastic. Unfortunately I was highly disappointed by the crowd there (which is not the clubs fault of course) as many were immature and when the audience was asked for im room suggestions all they could do was answer things like "cocksucker" or with sexual innuendos... The entire night.. It got highly annoying after the first time. Thus, I have to hand it to the performers for really catering to the audience. I know I could have been laughing a lot more that night had some of their improv not been tailored the large groups of teens with above said interests, but you can tell that majority enjoyed it so props to the performers. My only complaint is the terrible service I received from the waitstaff (1 star worth). I ordered my hot chocolate early on when I arrived (45 min prior to the start of the show) and 15min later I wanted a simple order of fries. My friend and I tried to flag the waiter down for nearly 30 min. We even told another waiter and he said he'd send our server over but that never happened. Basically I got my fries 15min before the show ended. Kind of frustrating Bottom line: great performers. Go for the show. I probably would have enjoyed myself more had there been a diff overall crowd. Terrible waitstaff service 30min prior to show and onwards. To be honest food is overpriced anyway as they give such tiny portions!
(4)Ryan E.
Nice place besides the wait staff. The added gratuity to my bill seemed like they were desperate for my money. As a former waiter, I know tips are crucial but small reasons not to return. Did I mention the tasty, overpriced drinks?
(2)Ben B.
The event was a little pricey, and you could tell the wait staff had some incentives to REALLY push the collectors glasses. The seating was very cramped and the tables we had to share with a total of 5 people would be cramped for just 2. The sound and views were good, and I've always got to see Kyle Kinane when he's in town!
(3)Lisa F.
I took 2 out of of town friends to see One Nation Under 1% this weekend. The show was awesome, fresh, relevent and funny....We had a great time. Food was good also,,,, HOWEVER! If you plan on eating here, plan on food in your lap, sharing a 1 foot by 1 foot table with 5 people! Come ON Second City......The accomodations took AWAY from the show....I am sure that the management could come up with a way to make eating here a bit easier for everyone....... Next time, we will skip eating here and just go for the show.....I suggest you do the same as there are many places to eat in the vicinity of this theatre.....
(4)gabriela H.
The show was fun but it was hard to enjoy. I would give this place more points if the chairs were more comfortable. My back was killing me and the theater was freezing. So that's why I'm not giving them 4 stars.
(3)Katie L.
Nice venue. The tables were a little difficult, there wasn't enough room for the three drinks in my party and the food/drinks for the couple that sat in front of us. The service was nice and attentive and really did not take away from the experience. I would definitely go to another show at this venue.
(4)MyongHi S.
Great place! What a true comedy club should look like. Comedians (Dawn B and Donnell Rawlings from the Chappelle Show) were awesome. Great, quick service for drinks as well and super friendly cocktail server!
(5)Nat M.
Ive been watching comedy for decades and theres very little that makes me laugh these days. This show made me laugh, which automatically gets a good rating. And they covered lotsa social issues in a stylish and creative way - a bonus. Props to the writers, expert stage direction, and great talent on stage
(5)Dave S.
It is very difficult for me to give a comedy club a bad review. Unless the show is a COMPLETE stinker it would be difficult for me to translate slips elsewhere to a bad review. This place did not slip anywhere. First off the show was great! We had a great time. The place was packed and our server did a good job coming around and checking on us. We did not have the greatest seats but even the poor location offered a good line of sight to the stage. The sound quality was good also. We had a great time and everyone did a good job!
(4)Ryan S.
We made reservations for the show Nut-Cracking with dinner reservations. They originally sat us in a place that had no table. We looked at the person who sat us and asked "how are we supposed to eat here?" after 5 minutes he came back and sat us near a table. We were at least near a table, but still expected to eat off of our laps. I WOULD NOT recommend trying to eat dinner here. You will most likely be expected to eat off your lap. We chose not to eat here afterall. Truly disappointed.
(1)John K.
First time ever at a comedy club and I was not disappointed. The venue itself where I watched Pablo Francisco was pretty nice actually. I did order any food or drinks, however. I just imagined that a comedy club could not be that good with food (Horrific memories of Medieval Times...) Overall, though the experience was great.
(4)Christina P.
I've been twice to see touring comics. The appearance is quite upscale, especially compared to Laugh Factory or Zanie's. It's got this whole lounge feel going on and not a bad seat in the house. The shows have been great, the local comics hosting have been impressive and the food is surprisingly good for a comedy venue. I've tried the chicken wings (which are more like tenders) , pitcher of margaritas, and the blue cheese burger. The last time I went, the service was a little lacking (i.e we saw our server 3 times - to take our order, to deliver our food (45min later) and to bring the check). It would have been nice to have a drink refill or request for water, but I'm guessing there are still learning curves since my first visit had great service. All in all, a delightful experience that will keep me coming back.
(4)Rachel J.
My boyfriend and I went to see Sex, Love, and the Second City at UP Comedy Club recently, and we were not impressed. While the theater was brand new (you could smell the new leather on the chairs), the seating was cramped and seating scheme illogical. We were two of the first ten people in the door, and we were given seats awkwardly at the end of the row, even though the show had been billed as "dinner and a show." We were readily moved to a table when asked, but we felt that we shouldn't have had to ask when there were plenty of table seats and very few people. We noticed that they kept attempting to seat people not at tables, and many guests seemed unhappy with this. The show itself made me laugh and I loved the acting, but I feel like it wasn't worth the roughly $30 for tickets. I've enjoyed the free shows at the iO just as much, if not more. The food was ok, nothing special, and definitely not worth the money. Next time I'll think twice about going to an UP Comedy club show.
(2)MG J.
I saw Orny Adams last night perform at Second City and I had a great time!!! What I didn't expect though was to see another performer who I've seen before - perform before him. I guess it was like the opening act before the "real" band comes on stage? I didn't think the opening act was funny. But maybe this is what UP does at every show? At any rate, I would go see Orny perform again!
(4)Sean K.
Very fun time last two times we went. Don't get there too early, unless you want to sit in front and may be involved in jokes. Pretty good drinks, very good service. Better to buy tickets at the box office if possible, saves a few dollars.
(4)Danielle B.
This place is great for comedy! They are affordable and there's not a bad seat in the house. The drinks were okay but I wasn't too impressed with the food. My husband enjoyed his bacon burger but my veggie burger was just okay. I think we will be back for a show but might skip dinner next time.
(4)Timothy W.
Very solid, funny and a great place to spend a night.
(4)Eric D.
Terrific place, and adjoined to the legendary Second City comedy club. This place had the Sklar Brothers when I came, who turned out to be hilarious! The food and drinks are filling, but only OK in quality. You don't have to have dinner there, but if you do, you get a closer seat! Very hip and funny club with some blue-chip talent to boot. I'd really recommend coming here and the Second City if you're visiting the area.
(5)Michael M.
A really great comedy club in the city that delivers an excellent venue, attentive wait staff and an overall good vibe. I have seen a couple shows here and all of my experiences have been nothing short of positive. The best part is, there is no drink/item minimum like almost all other clubs have. If you are just looking to see a show, no problem. If you do want to eat dinner, you can call them ahead and reserve a booth. Easily my favorite comedy spot in the city.
(5)Pete F.
I saw Rhys Darby here, and he was hilarious. The atmosphere was great, and the setting is very intimate, which made it a great show. Tickets were not too expensive! They bring in good names too.
(5)Jessica L.
Went to see "One Nation Under 1%" when I was in town for business. Ticket easy to buy online, & staff was friendly. Did not eat there because I don't eat typical "bar" food so can't comment on that. Show was very funny with talented cast.
(4)Brian D.
My wife and I went to Up to see One Nation Under 1% this past Friday. It was hilarious. Seating was efficient. Go to a HotTix booth to get discount tickets. We had half-price, general admission tickets, got there early and stood in line for a little while, were seated at the foot of the stage, and saw a great show while sipping daiquiris. Can't say enough about the improv cast. I really admire their skills.
(5)Amanda B.
We had a great time here! The admissions staff was friendly and accommodating when my husband got stuck in a bathroom line right before the show started. The food and drinks were good and the wait staff was attentive. We weren't in the front, or in the center, but still had a great view and felt involved in the show. The show we saw, #DateMe, was great. It was different than other comedy shows I've seen. It wasn't stand up, wasn't improv, and wasn't all slapstick either. It was actually pretty serious in parts. I wasn't expecting that, but it was definitely entertaining and you could see how well rounded the talents of the comedians are. I would recommend it. The theatre is located within/beside second city. I was excited when I realized that I was in THE comedy club of Chicago. Definitely check it out!
(5)Jenny M.
Came here to watch the Second City Incomplete Guide to Everything last year (guilty of having it bookmarked and forgetting to review it, but I did not forget how great of an experience it was!) A friend and I shared the bucket of beers, which was $23 in 2013 and pretty worth it. Service was good and the venue is great. Come early if you want good seats! The shows are definitely worth the price but I would actually advise buying tickets over phone if you can't show up in person/want to buy tickets ahead of time - at the time it was $3 for the transaction vs. if you bought online for $6 per transaction.
(5)Jess H.
The Sunday Bloody Mary Sunday brunch & improv show was excellent! And a great deal too! $40 for a show, bottomless mimosas (I had three ish), a breakfast bar - chicken and waffles, a carving station with ham, scrambled eggs, bacon, salads, fruit and yogurt bar. The service was superb, I felt like royalty. My only complaint was I wish the improv show was a little longer than 30 minutes or another group performed after the first AWESOME group. I highly recommend it if you're in town and near Second City! I can't wait to go back!
(5)William E.
NOTE: This is only for the service and not the show itself. I was very excited to see a show at the Up! comedy club this night. I had heard great things about second city performers and let me clear that the performers themselves did not disappoint. We saw the improv all stars, and if you are looking for a quick show, it can't be beat. What a great show by a talented group of individuals for the right price. And on a monday night no less. Where I really had a problem was the wait staff. The first issue was that the host and the seaters got in a fight right in front of us while seating. This was not a screaming match, but it made it very uncomfortable. I'll try the play by play: Host: Seat them in section X Seater: Oh I just sat a couple there that didn't like their previous seats Host: Why did you not tell me this? We have a system and this throws things out of whack. Seater: The lady was very uncomfortable and was complaining. I did what I could. Host: That is not your job. okay... that is a conversation that could be done without us staring the whole time just wanting a seat. What really ground my gears though was the wait staff. We arrived 30 minutes early to make sure we could have a drink with us for the show. After being sat we were given menus and waited patiently for a server. We watched as the people around us received drinks. No server came by for us. 15 minutes passed and I started getting a little nervous that no one would come. Was i forgetting something? A server was looking at his phone while at other tables and i thought "maybe it's an online thing." Checked and it was not. Fast forward 5 mins before the show (25 min wait time) still not a single server has come to us. I try to flag down a person (not something I normally do) but they continued to walk on by. Okay maybe they did not see me. The show starts with no water, no service and I am in a bit of a bad mood at this point. The actors kept me laughing even though I was stone sober, but I really wanted to have something (even a water would be great at this point). A server comes to the couple in front of us, takes their order, leaves and comes back with beers for them. I start waving at him for attention (this is 15 mins into the show), he looks right at me pauses, turns and walks away. I was so taken aback by this apparent rudeness that it took me a few minutes to get back into the show. Summary: The actors are great but don't expect basic service. I would normally never recommend this, but if you want a drink for a comedy club sneak in your own stuff instead of risking it on subpar service. They probably would not even notice.
(1)Heather T.
Love the feel of this place! First comedy club I've been to. We got there right before it started so we were closer to the back, but they had offered us a chance to move up if we wanted. We decided to stay where we were since everyone was packed in kind of tight. They have 20 oz beers for $13 but you get to keep the glass afterwards, refills are $9. Also had an order of bbq sweet potato fries and they were yummy. The cast here is very talented. I was laughing soo hard most of the time!
(4)I-Lin L.
My first comedy club in Chicago! I've heard that comedy clubs are big in Chicago, so I was very excited to check one out. My bf bought tickets online for Game Night on Wednesday at 8 pm. At $24 per ticket plus $12 service fee, this was a pretty pricey night out. We got there about a quarter past 7 pm, and it was pretty empty. But I suppose that was a good thing, because we got seated right in the center with a great view of the stage. I would say the venue got to be about half full, which I suppose was normal on a cold Wednesday night. No drink minimum, but I warmed myself up with a Spotlight Mocha (Baileys, Kahlua, and peppermint liqueur in hot chocolate) for $9 and later a hot apple cider in a souvenir mug for $7. My bf up-sized his beer to a souvenir glass, too, so we both got a little memento to take home with us that night. As for the show itself... well, let's just say that it was like nothing I've ever seen. Rather than stand-up acts, it was a 4-person show with an emcee who reenacted a bunch of old TV shows--such as Family Feud and $25,000 Pyramid--and also some games I've never heard of--such as Celebrity and Match Game. The twist was that they heavily involved audience participation, which was probably really exciting for those who went up on stage, but maybe not so much for those of us watching from the audience. There were a couple of crazy moments--such as when they did an audience scavenger hunt and asked for double-jointed people to display their talents on stage. :O But mostly it was just okay and I didn't split my sides from laughter or anything. The cast was full of energy, probably in an attempt to liven things up... but sometimes I felt that they were just screaming at the top of their lungs and laughing maniacally for no reason. Maybe because I'm from California, I just don't get Midwest humor. For example, at one point, we were asked to suggest vacation spots, and some people from the audience shouted out "Toledo" and "Green Bay"! What the?? Anyway, I would say that it was nice to check this place out once for our date night, but I dunno if we would pay $60 again to come back to this show.
(3)Shambavi K.
This place does not disappoint. it was packed on a Monday at 8pm for the All stars shows. It was a good show, despite being only 50-55 min oddly. I thought it would be longer. No drink minimum is a big plus.
(4)Diana J.
Always a good time here! Recently went to their Sunday bottomless mimosa and Bloody Mary brunch buffet + improv show. Food was really good- way exceeded my expectations! Favorite was the shrimp and grits, rivaled Nola! Mimosas were made well but the bloody Mary's were so strong I couldn't drink it (awesome if ur looking to get a good buzz though!). The improv was interactive and made me laugh the whole way through. Great job!! Will be back again!
(5)Beth H.
Billed as an hour show ran about 50 minutes. Check into yelp gets you a discount on your seat I saw after ticket purchase. Light fare menu available. Saw Best of Improv show, group did a great job.
(3)Danielle S.
I love comedy. I love laughing. And I love Nick Offerman. We came here the other night to see the mustache live and in person. It was a good show, I have no complaints about that. The venue is nice, but I wish the seats were a little more spread out and elevated - it was hard to see at some points, and I can't tell you how many times a waiter was brushing up against my head to get to another guest. Very tight seating! Luckily, we didn't want to order food or drinks, because our waitress didn't realize that she had our table until about 15 minutes before the show ended. She did apologize, however. They will take your orders throughout the show. They have a few drinks/food options. A little pricey, so honestly I would rather go somewhere else beforehand.
(3)Alisha M.
I like this place because it's raw local talent learning the ropes that's pretty cool. HOWEVER the drinks and food are overpriced and the service is kind of shitty. Also the way you have to share tables with strangers if you even get the luxury of having a table is super awkward. It's almost impossible to get up and go to the bathroom once everyone's seated.
(3)Samantha R.
This was my first time at Second City and it was a great time! I had no idea they served food and drinks in the theater, and I was pleasantly surprised. The servers work in almost complete darkness at times and worked very fast and were very nice. I had a couple ginger beers (yum!) and some chips and queso. My boyfriend had the chicken fingers and my other girlfriend had the chicken caesar wrap. Everything came out hot, which is the most important thing to me! I liked the queso a lot, but the chips definitely needed more salt. I stole a fry from my boyfriend and it was really good, I left his chicken strips alone. There were only three in a serving and it cost $10. They were dinky too, he said they tasted like Tyson strips. My friend's wrap looked okay, I would have been disappointed if I ordered it because it was deli chicken and not chicken strips. She said it was good, basic wrap. Overall, it was about $80 for five beers, two ginger beers, two entrees, and an appetizer. A little expensive, but a nice experience. I will definitely return, if not for the food, then for the wonderful comedy shows.
(4)Eric H.
Went to UP Comedy Club for an improv show...and if you want a masterclass in improv, look no further than Second City. I've been to a few different improv shows in Chicago, and Second City is by far the most impressive. Sharp, funny and feeding off each others energy, the cast was an impressive mesh of different comedians from coast to coast. We attended "Dateme: An OKCupid Experiment," which sold out the night before (was an 8pm Saturday show). We bought our tickets online, entering each other's order number, so we could all sit together--which is obviously a good plan if you're going with a group. Was a great venue with decent seating, as long as you get there a little early. Will definitely be returning, ready to laugh my ass off.
(5)Caryn J.
The venue itself was great fun! I like the set up of the space and the TVs so the shows can use multimedia with their sketches. Tip: Snag yourself a booth in the back if you're with a group. I recently saw #DateMe here (side review, 3 stars). We were a group of four, and unfortunately had terrible service from our waitress. She didn't like the fact that we first asked for waters while we looked at the menu. She refused to bring them until we ordered something and then slammed them on our table. I didn't think it was an odd request. The food was decent for a comedy club though. I'd go back for a different show.
(3)Kirk L.
Good show but a little disappointed in that it was only around 45 minutes. Suppose to start at 7 and was 10 minutes late and ended before 8.
(3)Cristina P.
I am totally surprised at how much fun I had. The summer blockbuster show was so funny! I thought it was going to be cheesy, but I laughed the whole way through. This is a great place and show to take your family or friends when they come to visit. The humor was a little raunchy but I would say appropriate for 15 yrs and up. Drinks: DO NOT get the Pina Colada..So disgusting. The nachos and popcorn shrimp were pretty good. I can't wait to try another show.
(4)Sonya M.
I visited UP comedy club for the first time when I went to see South African comedian, Trevor Noah. Trevor's standup routine was hilarious but this review will be solely about my experience at the venue. We arrived at Pipers Alley and attempted to enter the side entrance. There were staff members waiting outside who asked us what show we were there to attend. Once we said that we were there to see Trevor we were told that we had to walk around to the front entrance and enter there. There was a crowd lined up waiting to be seated but we didn't have to wait long. We were ushered into the venue and seated in the middle of an aisle not far from the stage. The staff were extremely friendly and personable which was refreshing! Customer service done with a smile, imagine that! Anyway, we weren't happy with our seats because we had been seated behind two really tall people. We couldn't see above their heads and felt claustrophobic due to the seats being smushed together. The seating was very, very tight. It was so tight that it was uncomfortable so we asked to be moved. Luckily, the staff agreed and they seated us specifically in an area where no one would sit in front of us. Those seats were much better. We felt like we could actually breathe without disturbing the person next to us! I love live comedy so frequently visit comedy clubs even when I'm on vacation. UP comedy club has to be one of the most claustrophobic environments I've ever encountered. The whole place screams fire hazard to me but since they're open I'll assume that they meet the city fire code regulations. The waitresses barely have room to maneuver too. We only ordered sodas so I can't speak for the food. Hell, we wouldn't have eaten even if we were starving due to the tight seating! There's no way that would have worked out well. I do love that the place doesn't have a drink minimum though. That's rare for a comedy club and it definitely didn't go unappreciated. The tickets were $20 so with added service fees I ended up paying a little over $50. A little pricy for a comedy club but Trevor Noah was worth every penny! If there's ever another comedian worth seeing at Up I'd return. The seating isn't what I prefer but it sure beats driving to the Improv way out in the nw burbs.
(4)Kristina M.
The comedy was great! The management was absolutely terrible. We had a mix up with drinks and wanted to leave a tip for the waiter. All we had was a card and the owner denied the waiter the tip (because it wasn't cash). This is the absolute worst management I have ever seen. Their attitudes towards their customers is terrible. They did a great job at ruining a trip to Chicago.
(1)Debra V.
We laughed and laughed. Went to the 4 pm show. The placed was packed. Good clean fun. The comedians were great improv actors, too. Get there early to sit up front. Next time we visit Chicago we'll go again. We had a nice walk from the river. Would walk it again.
(4)Taylor S.
This is a great place to take friends when they visit from out of town. The cast was brilliantly funny and it was well worth the price of the tickets. I must make it a point to go to more of the shows at Second City. Laughing is the best medicine of all
(4)Christina C.
Great shows and hosts! I saw Trevor Noah for the first time and the two comedians before him were ridiculously funny in their own special way. They ended up assigning seats for at the entrance, so that was a bit of a bummer. but it's better than people fighting over seats =\ def. going back to see up and coming comedians. extremely entertaining and a good night out
(5)Mike M.
Pretty fun place to end the day in Chicago. We hit up an 11pm show hosted by the all stars. Truly funny stuff. A goodsized room with great sight lines. Efficient staff serving drinks and a fun crowd. Lots going on in this building including classes, workshops, several stages and theaters. Well worth a visit.
(4)Jared F.
Stopped in last week for the Second City's Holidazed & Confused show. We got there an hour early and had to stand outside the room for a half hour until we could get seated. It was my wife and I and they sat us close to the stage, facing the stage which was nice but there was a very small table between us so it made for an awkward two hours. The table was about 12"x24", it's set up that we could use the "front" of the table while the three people behind us could use the "back" half of the table. Plus the lamp and menu's on the table, it was full and hard to move with just drinks. I'd definitely like to go back, but with different seats.
(3)Adri B.
I have attended two shows here this year (Trevor Noah and Godfrey) and enjoyed the openers just as much as the main acts. Also, the chicken fingers were pretty delish. I only have one MAJOR complaint: in an attempt to make as much money as possible and pack in as many people as they can, the seats are right on top of each other (I should have taken a photo). The time around, I was seated right in front of the stage and had to scoot my seat back a bit bc- the way the seats were originally set- my MY KNEES WERE SQUISHED UP AGAINST THE STAGE- AND I'M ONLY 5'3"!!!!!! I could only scoot back so much for the man behind me was already struggling with space.
(2)Chris S.
Great show and awesome venue. I really enjoyed the improv and audience participation. However the only downsides are the seats. We did a premium add on and ended up in the very middle with no table so had to try and steal a little bit of the table behind us to sit our drinks down. Also being in the center all foot traffic went past us so was a little annoying. Drinks are good and strong. I tasted more of the booze than mixer which can be good or bad to some. Loved the show tho and the host was awesome despite so rather annoying people in the crowd. Thanks again!
(4)Ebs B.
Hehehe... Hahaha... LOL... OMFG! (snorting part of the $20 margarita out of my nose) That is pretty much how things wrap up for me whenever I see a show at the UP Comedy Club. On the show front, I enjoy the audience participation and improv bits the best, but no matter what every show I've been to has been entertaining. Now, when it comes to the venue itself, the seating could be better, but I understand... They want to fit as many people as they can in there. Which means that sometimes if you go to a day show, you might be sharing a table with your alcoholic obsessions with a 12 year old. In that case, feel free to ask if you can move (I have this thing where I don't like drinking or cussing around kids, so I've moved in cases like that). All in all, the hostesses are accommodating, and don't "seem" to mind (which means they hide it well and are good hostesses). Mixed drinks range from around $10 for a regular glass to ~$20 for a souvenir glass (which is nice because they do bring out a clean one for you at the end of the show), and a lot more for a pitcher. Here's my take: It's a great venue to take visitors. You can always find a good deal on Goldstar.com . Most importantly, it's something different than the normal going out to bars.
(4)Natalie L.
This was a nice Sat. night alternative to the sold out Second City main stage. For my out of town in-laws, it gave them the Second City experience. The setting was comfortable. There are two ticket price points. We chose the lower. We were sat at a booth to the side, getting there about 30 min before the show started. It definitely did not feel as uncomfortably cramped as the main stage seating. Our server Ariel was really nice. The food was good enough to hold us over until a late dinner after the show. We got a couple of appetizers. They were generic fine-- about what you would expect (average bar food) for the venue.
(4)Elizabeth A.
The show started off slow but towards intermission time and after it really picked up and was a great time. The food and drinks came out quickly and were all good but the waitress, omg, where was she ...like the entire night? I had to call other waitstaff to call my waitress because she was seriously never around. The comedians had the nerve to joke that we should tip 80% because the waitstaff was so great. NO! No! No! Our waitress was distracted (on the phone barely listening to our orders every time), forgetful (I had to ask for lemons 3 times), and came around maybe twice the whole night.
(3)Bianca C.
The food was meh, but that's not what you go here for. The comedians were hilarious!! I don't usually go to comedy clubs, but I will now. The sets were great and the comedians were hilarious! Definitely come here if you want a good laugh :)
(4)Vito G.
Great comedy club in the Second City. Better food than most comedy clubs I have been to in the past. Shows at Second City usually sell out on the weekends so this is a good alternative as a last second option
(5)Hector E.
Recently went there a couple weeks ago , it was great time & the comedians were great! the wait staff was awesome beer never went dry so that was a plus ! Got there early third in line & got to sit in front was nice !I truly recommend this place for a great laugh
(4)Misstoo B.
Went here and had a great time. It is a must if you enjoy improv and willing to be a part of the show. We went during a flash flood and the show added another act on - not like we could go anywhere....but it was a lot of fun.
(4)Jason H.
It is a great venue for a show and the Second City does it right.
(4)Erin M.
It is definitely worth checking out the Comedy All Stars on Monday nights. The improv show is quite fun and the actors have such great energy. The food here is also pretty good. We split an order of hummus and olives because I was starving and had skipped dinner. It was very satisfying. There was no "two drink minimum" as with other comedy shoes which is also a nice touch.
(4)Eileen O.
So what's a Nana to do to create a good memory with her two very funny college grands, well I took mine to the Up show and it was hilarious. We all laughed from beginning to end with the clever cast. We were fortunate to have center stage seats back from the front of the stage but they were great. Loved the audience participation...some of the responses were pretty funny since questions got thrown out and many were really dumb, but funny, answers, which made the show! It's a great deal for some very good talen!
(5)Joe P.
The intimate setting, excellent service (you get frequent drink service right to your seats), and surprisingly funny improv, surprised me at how much I enjoyed it--as I'm a comedy snob. Definitely worth it, especially at how cheap it is (my pre-funk cost more than the show).
(5)Jenna S.
A note before we begin: this is a review focused on the club itself and not the acts that they book. A few of us came here a few weeks after the opening and everything was mediocre. The ticketing process was fairly smooth but the seating assignments are pretty haphazard and ridiculous. In most of the club, there are no tables, so you just have to balance drinks and food on a tiny "arm rest" or your lap. Blech. The food and drinks are - surprise! - insanely expensive. I really wish someone would do something about this since it just doesn't need to cost like $10 for a Goose Island (it's made like a mile away). Parking is also insanely expensive, so prepare for that. As far as I could tell, there was no valet service so don't plan on leaving your car at the curb, even if you're willing to pay. The shows the book seem to be decent and we really enjoyed Brian Posehn and it looks like they have a bunch of good upcoming acts. I just don't get why comedy clubs need to be so expensive (on top of ticket prices). We all want to drink and would likely drink more if drinks were cheaper. No one wants to be sober at a comedy show.
(3)Allen C.
One of the recommendations I received for things to do in Chicago was to watch a show at Second City. We went there not knowing the difference between Second City and UP (I'm still a bit fuzzy on the exact details), and we ended up watching something at UP but we really enjoyed it. The show we watched was "Summer in the Second City." According to the description, they do a lot of classic sketches from Second City's old performances in this show. It's well worth the money, it's a quality show. I loved how the actors were able to come up with lines on the spot when the audience shouted out suggestions. We were also lucky that the audience member who was randomly chosen for audience participation embraced his role, even though he was really embarrassed. Food and drinks are a bit pricey, but at least the service is top notch. Overall, a fun way to spend your evening in Chicago.
(4)Matt C.
This place was great and the show was hilarious. We saw a show that was part skit part improv and they did really well. I brought my mother who isn't big on R rated material and she had a blast, it wasn't very vulgar. Near the end of the show we decided to get some apps, the artichoke dip was amazing and the chips and queso were ok. The place was really cool and not too crowded, decent service and a great show. Was a great way to spend the evening
(5)Lupe D.
This is a really cute venue! We saw Pablo Francisco here and I gotta say I was very impressed for several reasons. The good- - no "item minimum" - that by itself was awesome. - place looks new - as in the decor, including furniture, looks really nice! Nothing against old school comedy clubs, but it's nice to be in a NICE place. - food and drink selection are nice and varied. Now I did NOT try the food, but I liked what I saw and will definitely not show up full when I return! - staff is really, really nice. I mean not fakey nice, but really nice. - They sell buckets and pitchers of beer - this is important. - They offer several options for take home souvenir glasses that include the price of the glass and unlimited refills of soda, iced tea, lemonade, juice - which may not seem like a big deal to some, but to non-alcohol drinkers or on a hot summer night, will be a bargain when normally the price is 2.50 per glass, while the take home option with refills is under $9. The bad - not all necessarily the UP's fault - but something to keep in mind. - PARKING SUCKS. Either plan on paying an arm and a leg in a lot (carpool and split this charge if you are with a group), drive around and around and pay for a meter VERY close to show time if you happen to have tickets to a show that will keep you there past 9:00 pm, or take public transportation and/or a cab. - first time getting to the UP was a little confusing because there are several venues at Pipers alley and there is a lot going on - on the PLUS side, there were several nice people around helping us first-timers. - seating inside the UP is a little tight - which is OK if you are with a group, but if not, you WILL smell the person's breath and body odor sitting around you and you WILL be sharing a table with strangers... Overall, I loved this place and wish more comedians come here because, frankly, I am getting tired of going all the way to Schaumburg to see my faves!!
(4)Emma C.
Best place in the city to see stand-up (since Lincoln Lodge's original stage closed). Excellent headliners, the food is very good (there is often a 2 for $25 meal deal when you buy tickets online) and no drink minimum. Elegant and intimate club, not a dive. Great place for a date!
(5)Paul A.
Prices for the wings and beer blew more coke than Belushi at a Black Flag concert, but the show was worth it.
(5)Stephanie W.
Just saw The Second City's Incomplete Guide to Everything - Yay! I'm a fan!! This show is very entertaining, the service was great, and we lucked out with great seats as well. Pretty much laughed from beginning to end - I wish the show hadn't ended! Staff from the greeters at the entrance to the hostesses to the waitresses were all exceptionally nice. We asked for gift cards for Christmas, and used those. Highly recommend as gift ideas when people ask you- it certainly added to our enjoyment! We are looking forward to using the rest of the gift card (and to the next gift giving occasion for that matter)!
(4)B. D.
I went to see a standup show with my girl-friend. We were given prime seats, in the back and it was very nice. There was a big group in front of us and the waiter just took care of them. The manager noticed that nobody took our order so personally got it. Towards end the of the show, one of the women from the big group, who was very drank, got up and started talking to the guy in front of her. It was very distracting and annoying. The manager, who was watching the audience the whole time, immediately realized what is going on and put the lady back on her chair and gave her a warning. And at the end of the show he told us that the drinks were on the house for the trouble. Overall I am extremely pleased with the management and it was a great experience!
(5)Jeremy C.
Seen some great shows here. They always book the best acts. For a comedy place to have a "no minimum drink" policy; that's pretty rare and cool. I ordered food once and it was surprisingly good. Service is always good. Friendly ushers, etc. This is what you want to know... Seating.. It's a good venue and not really a bad seat in the house unless you're sitting behind some giants. I've been to 4 shows here and each time I've been sat in nearly the same identical spot. I'm a tall person so I think they like to put me to the side so I don't block views I guess. Beware if sitting off on the far sides. The last show I was at, during the sketch portion I had trouble hearing the dialogue. I'm not deaf but the actors were speaking directly forward, were not speaking into microphones, and I couldn't pick up everything they were saying; hence -1 star. I was surprised the performers were not mic'd up.. If the comedian you're seeing has a mic, then you're all good. That's my only beef... Otherwise I like the venue, the location (usually grind on some Adobo grill next door), and the service.
(4)Victoria O.
"What the Tour Guide Didn't Tell You" is that rare show about a specific location which manages to appeal equally to tourists (like me and my boyfriend) and longtime Chicago residents. The clip led me to believe it was a musical but it's really not though the performers do sing a fair amount and the pianist is off the hook great. I would see it again if I were in town next week. I didn't have a legal pad with me and it moves so fast, I can't remember all the bits. But among our favorites was the Art Institute sketch. We died laughing at this tour from Medieval to Renaissance to Impressionism to Modernism. When it came to Picasso, Shad Kunkle--who reminds one a bit of Colin Quinn but with greater range and heart--said to the art-ignorant youngster on the tour: "Here we come to Picasso. If you can find a nude OR a tree, we'll give you a million dollars." We also loved the bit with the young married couple from Oklahoma new to Chicago and researching neighborhoods, even though we didn't know many of the places by name. My boyfriend suggested an airline cockpit for an improv and they ran with that as deftly as they did with the Lincoln Zoo suggestion early on in the evening. The improv is so impressive. After the two acts, Kunkle plugged the comedy school but said, "It's really f***** hard" which is both true and funny. The chemistry among the six players was marvelous, and while I almost always enjoy live theater or comedy (and have significantly lower standards than for film because I so love being in the presence of talented people), these performers really astonished me. We have no comedy club in SB: comedy in part derives from hardship and SB is a kind of bland La La Land with perfect weather, great food and nice people where nothing much happens and there is consequently no indigenous material. I missed Second City at the UCSB Arts and Lectures series and will make every attempt to be in SB for the next show. If you've read my Hollywood Improv Yelp review, you know I'm a huge fan of standup and saw Jay Mohr twice in a month. I don't know of any improv or sketch comedy like this in LA but I am sure there is some in NYC. I couldn't help thinking that these talented, dedicated, highly-trained people are vastly funnier than most people on sitcoms today and that if they could bear the banal and frankly stupid sitcom world, they might make make a pile of money for a few years and then come home to Chicago and do what they love in the city they love. A truly wonderful night. I told my local friend in her 60s that she and her husband needed to go see this next Tuesday and I will recommend to all my Midwestern friends. Note: The food is not stellar. The appetizers are all fattening: fried mozzarella sticks, wings (I can't stand wings), nachos (we had those and they were decent but they're terrible for you). The sliders looked fine and they do have higher-priced entrees but the food here is definitely the least good of any comedy club or cabaret with food I've ever eaten. So plan to eat before or after. The beer and wine list is relatively diverse and I liked my New Harbor Sauvignon enough to order two. They have fun, tropical cocktails too, which must come in handy when it's -110 degrees here in winter and 110 degrees with 110% humidity in summer! In both cases, tropical drinks fulfill fantasies of escape to clement weather.
(5)Esther G.
We saw the show "What the Tour Guide Didn't Tell You: A Chicago Revue." As you might have guessed from the title, it's a Chicago-centered show. I think even if you're not from the area, you'd appreciate the show and wouldn't have too difficult of a time following along and knowing what the jokes are. But I do think being familiar with the city will you appreciate it more. The show was way more scripted skits rather than improv, which in the end, I liked. The two biggest problems for me were the sound and the seating. Certain voices projected better than others, but it's not like you don't have any idea what they're talking about. As for seating, I was trying to see the stage in between people's heads. I think I would've liked it more if it wasn't a wide U-shaped seating but have 3-4 people tables and have people sit around it. Not every row had a table so you were likely sharing with the people in front of you. Well, if those people both have their arms resting on it, I have nowhere to put my drink down. My friend scored discounted tickets off Goldstar, so check that out before you book.
(4)Michal F.
This is a very Chicago, comedy club. Half the jokes are about mayors, favorite Chicago landmarks and just things Chicago is famous for. It's a blend of improv and pre-planned skits. (or at least the delivery seemed so smooth they seem like pre- planned skits. With good laughs, drinks and snacks I thought the investment in these two hours was well worth it.
(4)Diane R.
Seating was awkward. Sat with a friend and had a table between us and 3 guys sat right behind us and shared the same table. I noticed this throughout the venue. Make sure you ask for a counter seat or booth in the back. Maybe those cost more?? We got our tickets last min thru Groupon, place was cool, but seat layout was not.
(3)Jack P.
I imagine the reason I don't enjoy team sports is I've never played them; although I do like watching tennis and skiing or volleyball because my klutz self has managed to do those things. Too bad they don't have kickball on TV. My point here is it's easier to enjoy things or "get behind" them, appreciate the efforts of those performing when you've done what they are doing. Having done improv comedy way back when, I can appreciate the energy, creativity and effort here.I've been to the Second City main stage many, many times. Second City, ETC quite a few, too. But this was my first visit to UP comedy club, now a third venue in Piper's Alley. It was fairly easy to get last minute tickets for the show on a Saturday afternoon at 4PM. It's not always that easy with the main stage. Tickets are $22-25.00 which is really a good deal when you can pay almost as much for a VIP type movie ticket. And you are getting live original entertainment. The show was a mix of proven comedy sketches, improvisations with audience participation (probably still the most fun and surprising aspect of the Second City experience), a few musical numbers including the Wayne Brady made-up-as-you-go-along tunes, a new integration of video backup which was hilarious. And all around a fairly heavy topical theme of culture, race, and politics. In fact, it gets just a little too heavy with one particular prison scene. The show is rated "R" and correctly so, as there are many moments of audience groans along with the hilarity. so if the "F-word" offends you, stay away! The ensemble performances here were spectacular. The energy and synergy of the performers was spot on. It's not easy to keep up this level of excitement for two hours, but these talented folks did. And it was obvious they were enjoying the ride. My out-of-town visitors were living testimony of the effects of the show-they all complained that there jaws were sore from laughing. I wonder if there's a medical term for that. Tim Kazurinski, an old SC alum had a term which may apply: Jawgasm. Get yours at this fun and original venue. Check their website for a number of different shows running during any given week.
(4)Andrea C.
Watching what the tour guide never told you and it is so funny! The drinks are a good price and the food is okay. Do NOT get the guacamole. There is no seasoning it's just mashed up avacados :/. Popcorn shrimp and pretzel bites were good. I'd definitely recommend this place and I'll be coming back. Super crowded though and it's just a Tuesday night. Can't imagine a weekend.
(5)