I'm wondering if the sound system is set by the venue, or if the show's producers exert control. Here's why I ask, and also my quandary in awarding stars: the storyline of our show was pretty much relayed by song. But the sound was so loud, what they sang was garbled, making it difficult to understand and follow. "Do you get this?" I asked my friend. "I can't make out what they're saying!" she responded. So -- very unlike me -- we left during intermission. I don't want to malign the show. The script (from what I gathered) was clever and the performers, talented. The theater itself is a nice, informal off-Broadway venue: a bar in the lobby, comfortable seating with good views throughout. I'll give Asylum another try. I've noticed they feature some interesting productions. (I'm sorry I missed "Naked Magicians.") But for last night's experience, a regrettable three stars. read more

Asylum NYC - barebones performance area - Performing Arts Near Me - New York, New York

Enjoyed seeing Spirit of the Game there. Fun musical about Ultimate frisbee. Good staff and a well-designed venue.

Comfortable room. The 150 seat theater offers good sightlines. There is a large bar area and rest rooms are located near the theater. The staff is helpful. read more

Ah, it has been a while since I've written any review. I have been to many restaurants but darn too lazy and with the wife and kids no time to do reviews. I am in NY city for work and alone so I have time to kill. But I digress. As I said, I am in NY for work and right beside the hotel is Asylum. I walked by it a couple of night and they always closed early. Finished work early and came in and it was a bar and they also have a show. Not here for a show. I had a drink: salted caramel manhattan. The service was quick and the bartender was attentive. He got me my drink under 5 min. It tasted as expected. Happy hour is until 6:30 pm so get there early. Ambiance? It's a cozy bar and pretty quiet with people waiting for the show. There is no food here though. It's a alright place. Do come and visit it though. read more

It's a nice speak easy feel and vibe in here. As you enter in the bar is to your right, it has an old school nyc feel to it. the showtime area is located through a small hallway towards the back.it is larger than you would think. It's set up like a theatre, which is nice. No heads to block you. It's roomy in there but yet still intimate while viewing the comedians. I had a good time. The bathroom was spacious and clean. I appreciated that. read more

Asylum NYC - Stage area and floor seating - Performing Arts Near Me - New York, New York

Jamie W. and I came here to see "Titanique" plain and simple because we saw an entertaining snippet of it on TV. This Chelsea venue has been around only since 2018, but it evokes the feeling of those mid-century cabaret basement nightclubs in Greenwich Village, the kind where Phyllis Diller or Rodney Dangerfield would headline and Barbra Streisand would show up on some random amateur night. It wasn't smoky like the old-time clubs because like, who does that anymore, but there were a couple of mini-bars where you could order cocktails. Chairs were set up on risers like a pep rally in a high school gym. We were in the front row where the stage was mere inches from our faces. Now regarding the show itself, it was a stitch. It was a musical parody of "Titanic" as reimagined by Celine Dion. Not the real Celine but a hilarious impersonation by actress Marla Mindelle who also co-wrote the piece which sends up the singer's self-absorption and provides an excuse for the cast of twelve to perform her most familiar hits. Happily, each cast member sang with booming clarity and comic zest, and the movie's plot was played for easy laughs down to the gigantic Heart of the Ocean diamond. And of course, Rose was carrying on her back the papier-mâché crate door that apparently couldn't accommodate Jack's frozen body as well as hers. I believe it's running through the middle of November, so hurry if you can, but regardless, I'd also be interested in coming back for their rotation of comedy shows if "Titanique" is an indication of the quality here. It was a fun spot. Near. Far. Wherever you are. RELATED - Looking for things to see and do in NYC? Here's a collection of things that I've experienced and reviewed: http://bit.ly/2ZvQA2F read more

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This a venue that's completely underground, apparently the basement of an old Gristedes according to "Celine Dion" from the show Titanique! (If you loved Titanic, you'll get a kick out of this show!!) There are few different seating sections and booze is available for sale. We were seated in the middle section, directly looking at the stage. It was a good spot! During our show the actors were in the audience during various parts! For the show, we tried a Titanic themed mojito. (I don't recommend it.) Go for something safe, in a can. You could get a bucket with a lot of canned drinks. I think I overheard you could keep the bucket! There really isn't much ventilation, so if you're nervous about that, probably not the place for you. They recommend or enforce you wear your mask if you are not taking a sip of your drink. Ps. There are two stalls in the women's bathroom. Yep, you'll most likely wait in a line. They do comedy shows here too! read more

Asylum NYC - My heart will go on! View is from the middle section, slightly towards the left. - Performing Arts Near Me - New York, New York

Went to see Exorcistic at Asylum NYC. It's a small theater. You don't get assigned seats but sit wherever is available when you get there. Special kudos to the staff - very kind and welcoming. Thank you! As for the show, it was out of control lunacy! So amazing the talent that people in this world have. We sat in the front row and the cast was so close, making eye contact during the singing, and literally interacting with us with gags and the such during the show. Just zany crazy irreverence. It's a rock musical and the singing is sooooo good (get ready because the speakers are turned up super loud so you might have hearing loss after this spectacle). I am amazed that these people do this every night - I was exhausted and I didn't even do anything but sit there! It's an amazing show and another wonderful reason to live near NYC. Rewatch the Exorcist movie and then GO SEE THIS SHOW! So much fun!!! read more

Rather small venue. Now that I think of it it reminds me of a dive bar that they transformed into a off broadway / comedy club venue. Came here to see TITANTIQUE. This parody show was amazing hands down. Basically it's a funny retelling of the story based on the movie of TITANTIC. It's the funny retelling told by Celine Dion . Although the venue was very tight, benches uncomfortable and the atmosphere on the clammy side . It's important to support these small local business read more

Asylum NYC - a poster for the movie titanic - Performing Arts Near Me - New York, New York

Went here to see Titanique. Small theater and everyone during the show, unless you are sipping on your drink must be masked. Show was great and made me laugh! I gave a three star rating due to the drinks my friend and I had. We had a strawberry mojito type drink and it was pretty nasty. My friends one was worse than mine. We had three or so sips through out the whole show. It was not drinkable for our liking. read more

Asylum is great and true to it's name will have you laughing like crazy. I came here over the summer for a characters show and was amazed. Their check-in is right by the door which also hosts a rotating lineup of all their shows. Once you've shown your vaccination card and paid, you head down the stairs where drinks and the stage are situated. The bar offers a really nice variety of beer/wine/cocktails and a 4 for $20 beer bucket where you can mix and match. The theater is intimate and has 3 sides and allowing the audience to see the stage from different angles. If you sit in the front row center you're bound to feel a part of the performance. If you need a good laugh and some fun, then I highly recommend Asylum. Any day, any night, Asylum will treat you right. read more

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Old school, show in the basement kind of place down near Chelsea. I was lucky to see Titanique here. Perfect venue, up close and personal with the performers. read more

Great way to laugh for $20...there were 3 troupes performing and it's original and very funny. read more

Asylum NYC - Entrance - Performing Arts Near Me - New York, New York

What a great location for wonderful comedy. This is going to be the best set up to see the best entertainment with two separate theaters in one space. Management and ownership has great vision being implemented here. I was blessed to attend during Asylum's pre-launch phase a suprise show with Kyle Gordon. What a fabulous act. So great to see the show live with a great audience. You can feel it differently and better. Congratulations to the team for bringing such great performances to NYC. read more

Soooo.. I went to see a show last night & paid for a VIP ticket. I loved Pauly Shore and encourage everyone to see his one man show . Alan was also great to work with and I will be back at a later date. Thanks for your help . read more

Asylum NYC - a man on stage with a microphone - Performing Arts Near Me - New York, New York

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I took my boyfriend to a show here at the rose room and he loved it. It was a burlesque kind of show but very cute and low profile. The host was hilarious and everyone did a great job. They don't have a huge bar as it is a small location and there is no food. You are literally going for a good show read more

Have been to the main stage show here twice and I can't wait to come back! The overall vibe of the place is chill and waaay bigger than I thought it'd be. The bartender was super friendly and the cast was on POINT! A blend of sketch and improv that I can honestly say I've never seen before. Will make for a fun night no matter who you bring! read more

Asylum NYC - Performing Arts Near Me - New York, New York

Amazing! We went to see 'titanique' and it was worth every penny. The staff was very nice and the the facilities were clean. We would definitely return to see other shows if we lived closer. read more

This place is awesom! We went to see a show called Uncle function and it was hilarious! The drinks were great, and reasonably priced!! And the staff was very friendly! If you are visiting NYC you gotta check this place out. This is where the comedy scene is!!! read more

My wife and I spent a fun evening at the Asylum just over a week ago. We are huge fans of improv and this group was extra funny. In fact, these folks sure have a lot of fun on stage and make improv look easy. The gal who volunteered from the audience who first date was a 'naughty date" set her and her friends up for a night of insane and hilarious jokes. Anyway, we went on a Monday night and laughed so much our stomachs hurt so we highly recommend seeing this group of talented folks! read more

Fun place. Energetic, young comedy troupe. Don't come looking for comedians you might see on tv soon, but if you want high energy improv in a relaxed setting- check it out. read more

Run don't walk to the Asylum NYC comedy theater. This place is putting on fantastic Comedy all week and you can't go wrong with their mix of Improv and sketch and stand up. From mind blowing musical improv to polished Sketch Comedy, i've never seen a disappointing show here. In a city full of options, make Asylum your first choice. read more

Asylum is A+. It's a great mix of underground comedy -- literally underneath a grocery store -- and polished performers doing what they do best. The venue is the old Upright Citizens Brigade improv theater in Chelsea with a much-needed facelift, including a full bar. It's no surprise SNL cast members do shows here. read more

Asylum NYC - comfy seats - Performing Arts Near Me - New York, New York

Asylum is a great place to catch a show and a drink! their shows have something for everyone, from traditional stand up to alt-comedy from the banks of Brooklyn. read more

I've been here three times and each time the show was funnier than the last! Recommend for both New Yorkers and out of towners!

Sooooo much fun!! Great bar service and access to comedians made the show fun . Laughed more than i have lately. Friendly affordable fun... why stay home?? read more

Hysterical improv show! Excellent original material in a great setting & excellent location. Truly is the funniest show you'll ever be a part of. Can't wait to catch another show next time we're in NYC! read more

Asylum NYC - Performing Arts Near Me - New York, New York

This review is for renting out the space for events, not for the regularly scheduled shows the venue puts on. I'm with a nonprofit organization, and we reached out to the person in charge of booking events, Bob Melley, about 12 days ahead of when we wanted to book his space for a performance event we were doing. Bob responded immediately (within an hour) that the space was available, and responded promptly after that to all my questions. He was willing to get on the phone with us pretty much any time, and made booking the space very easy (most other venues we reached out to didn't even respond to us). The space itself is great for any performance based event--great sight lines of the performers and good acoustics. The tech people also did a good job helping us with the music and everything we needed for the performances. I would highly recommend booking your event at this venue read more

The best theater in Manhattan, as well as the best comedy!! Every show they put up is so, so great. You could go here any night and be guaranteed your money's worth. Gorgeous gorgeous girls do and watch shows here! read more

The comedy here is hilarious. There were many times during the show when I couldn't stop laughing. I was here for a friend's bachelorette and they did a great job incorporating her relationship story into a sketch. Truly memorable, kind staff, and great comedy. I plan to bring others here. read more

The show was hilarious! I loved the interaction with the audience. Also there was singing! And all of the performers were good singers!

Absolutely hilarious and so relatable. Very entertaining. The cast was awesome. I've send the show twice now and would bring my friends and family back. read more

Such a funny show! I brought a date to their opening night and was blown away. Their mix of improv and sketch is unique and waaaaaaay better than an improv-only or sketch-only show. The space is really intimate, too. Excited to see what they'll perform next! read more

I flew in from Chicago and my friend is a comedy buff. She invited a couple of us to an Improv Asylum Saturday's show one month after opening. There was only about ~20-30 people in the audience but the show was amazing! The performers were not alarmed that it wasn't a full house and really gave it their all. We were all hysterically laughing for two whole hours. The atmosphere was great, the performers were great with the improv the audience was throwing them, and for the price- I would go back every weekend night! I'll definitely be coming back and looking forward for the Asylum to keep growing! read more

So.... we went to this place when we couldn't get tickets to amateur night at the Apollo, and it did not disappoint! It was seriously so hilarious and the crowd interaction made it perfect. If you go to the 8pm show, you can watch the 10pm show for free, which is more r rated haha. Much love, all the way from Vegas! read more

This is a new place and the audience was small. So I didn't expect much. But it was terrific. We laughed non-stop. And, it was memorable. Great use of the audience. I could tell the comedians were giving it there all. Even their mistakes were funny. They did part sketch, part improv. A great mix. Favorite parts included the waitress with the difficult customer scene and the singing of reviews from Yelp (or some site like that.) Lots of talent on this stage. We loved it. read more

This an amazing comedy show everyone should check out! The show's cast is insanely talented and drive the show with an endless amount of energy. Crowd loved every minute of it. The newly renovated space of the old UCB is much more inviting than before - truly a great experience. read more

Went for the friday night shows (8 and 10pm) and they were great all around. Both were the same group, which I think is their main "in house" group (they also have outside groups performing at other times throughout the week). Nice performance space with a well-stocked bar and really friendly staff. Highly recommend and excited to come back! read more

The Cast was incredible. As soon as we walked in the staff was incredibly accommodating. Ive never been too an improv show Ive appreciated so much. Each cast member could easily break out! If you can catch the cast whene they're still here DO!!! Awesome venue in a great part of the ciity. GREAT NT COMEDY. read more

Improv Asylum is hands down the funniest Improv I have seen in the city. You should go- you will not regret it! The performers are not only talented but very NICE ;) read more