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    Cheaper Than Therapy

    4.8 (765 reviews)
    Closed Closed
    Updated a few days ago

    Cheaper Than Therapy Photos

    CHEAPER THAN THERAPY ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Live music
    Hipster
    Intimate
    Classy

    Recommended Reviews - Cheaper Than Therapy

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    Stage
    Rose H.

    [[HIGHLIGHT]]Such a cool and unique comedy club!![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]Went here on a weekday and was a full house.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]Bar is right outside the theatre and doors open 5 minutes prior to the show.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]The seating is very intimate- feels like you're almost on stage with them.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]Comedians were hilarious and the audience had so much fun.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Would def come again!

    Yes, I got a drink! This couch is located in the lower bar, and reminds me of Willy Wonka.
    Anh W.

    Excellent fun for a night out in SF! This place is a hidden gem. There is no drink requirement and that says a lot for me because they don't need you to be tipsy to make you laugh. It's pure talent. They have two bars (one upstairs and one downstairs). [[HIGHLIGHT]]The venue is cozy and has an old school feel which I really appreciate and like.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Even though seats are first come first serve, the staff will manage the line so that everything is orderly and no chaos. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Overall, I really love this place and appreciate the fact that I can see and be of close proximity to the comedians.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] They all have worked hard to make their jokes funny and it's nice to see who they are as a person as oppose to seeing a face on a big screen in the back at a large venue. Great job everyone!

    I'm a regular comedy fan and usually enjoy a good roast, but my experience here crossed a serious line. One of the comedians appeared to be visibly impaired during the show e.g almost falling off his chair, stumbling and behaving erratically. What started as typical crowd work quickly became xenophobic and mean spirited. He spent an extended amount of time targeting me and my friend from the audience. He made comments about my friend being Italian, calling her "white but not nice white. like war white, Eastern European war white." He then turned to me, and after learning I'm from El Salvador, made multiple offensive comments including saying I "must have a knife" in my bag, that someone should call 911, and that he'd "rather go to prison" in El Salvador. He then asked where I live and went ahead and judged just by my zip code that I must be doing tax evasion. Too surprised that someone from my background would be living there. Given the current times we live in I was expecting some sort of acknowledgment from him that he had crossed lines. These weren't edgy jokes anymore, they were harmful stereotypes based on our ethnicities. There's a difference between playful comedy and discriminatory attacks, and this was clearly the latter. The comedian's apparent intoxication made the situation even more uncomfortable and unsafe. I love comedy and can take a joke, but this experience was deeply disappointing and hurtful. I hope the venue takes performer conduct more seriously going forward. Sad to say I won't be returning. I was a regular spectator and recommended this place to my friends a lot but I was very disappointed this time around. On this show we only liked one comedian and she was great.

    Constance L.

    Intimate comedy club with no drink minimum and talented performers! Our tickets were $25 and there are 2 bars in the small establishment if you want to get drinks before or for the show. Keep in mind there isn't much sitting or lounging room, so if you arrive too early before the show, you'll likely be stuck standing in the bar area before they open the doors for the show.

    This was hands down one of my favorite nights of all time! My boyfriend and I went to a late show and it was so fun. The comedians were so funny and very tasteful at the same time. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The environment was light hearted and well decorated.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] We will definitely be going back!!

    CTT
    Merci M.

    First time and I'll be back! Funny comics, great time, lounge type atmosphere. Everyone was hilarious. The last guy though left us almost in tears. The comics all "picked" on my bf but they were nice about it not humiliating at all. Thanks. Also loved that the drinks were not forced on the patrons trying to watch the comedy show. They also allowed people to leave in the middle of the show to use the bathroom and get more drinks. I've been to many comedy shows around the country and all the above is very appreciated. Would go back every time I'm back. They have 0 alcohol beers, and other drinks too!

    Cocktail menu
    Annabelle R.

    Attended the New Year's Eve comedy event with champagne toast at midnight and live jazz afterparty (which was actually just random tunes performed on the piano, fun to sing along to, with a fun and carefree vibe) along with late night food being served to guests, included with the ticket price... all of this taking place in the downstairs lounge area of the Shelton Theater. The main stage entrance for Cheaper Than Therapy is toward the right of the bar. And the comedians for the night were hilarious and entertaining, many of which were creators of the show, as well as one of my faves, Emily Van Dyke. They had me cracking up all night, and feeling good as the clock struck midnight, a perfect way to ring in the new year. I'm not too fond of how doors to the show and auditorium open so late, but we did enjoy sitting in front row seats with plenty of legroom, and using the ledge on the stage for our cocktails (otherwise there are no drink holders with the seating here). My go-to drink at the Shelton Theater is When Life Gives You Lemons, but my bf got the Pirate Drink and enjoyed that too. We also checked out the current art exhibit at the Shelton Theater, featuring the work of Cedric Wentworth (The Roaring 17's), which was quite interesting. The staff here always makes us feel welcome as well. Both CTT and Secret Improv Society are awesome!

    Natalie J.

    A great spot to see comedy for a several reasons! 1. Great location. My hotel was about .7 miles away from the venue so we decided to walk. My husband and I felt completely safe walking in the area of this venue (this is important info to know because many people worry about being safe in SF. At least I was concerned being that I haven't been back to the city since pre-COVID.) 2. The tickets prices are very affordable. And you're supporting a small business. 3. My favorite, No drink minimum!! I don't drink alcohol and I only drink water in the evening, so when I'm forced to spend $14-$18 on water, drives me insane and I'll usually avoid those club when possible. So I truly appreciate this. 4. And finally, all the comedians were great. I laughed maybe a little too hard.

    Downstairs bar
    Michele G.

    A couple girlfriends and I decided to check out Cheaper than Therapy during our girls trip to San Francisco. It was the perfect activity for our first evening in town! Tickets were totally affordable and the location was ideal as it was right around the corner from our hotel. We were able to walk right over and felt completely safe. Entering the building, there's a unique hallway and ticket booth, and once you walk inside you hit a really cool and aesthetic lounge with seating and a bar. The bartender had the best energy and she was super friendly! All great first impressions! Down the steep steps you arrive at another lounge prior to entering the auditorium. The lounge had another bar, all sorts of intriguing art, and they were bumping some old school hip hop jams - yesss, all the fun vibes. The bartender was fun and engaging, and by then, we knew we had hit the jackpot ending up here! In fact, all the staff were so welcoming and enthusiast throughout our experience. Some of them also ended up being a part of the comedy production and even performed on stage. You can tell they're a close knit community but they were also so welcoming. I can't imagine how much work it must take to put on a weekly show like this! Some staff had multiple roles so kudos to pulling it all off! We had a great time, laughed, and were able to chill in the downstairs bar/lounge afterwards as we decided what to do next on our first night in SF. The staff were all warm and welcoming, had great energy, and I would definitely recommend checking this spot out!

    Wall Deco
    Noah J.

    Fun Comedians; those who are better than therapy. Recommended. Cocktail served was a bit pricy, at least for me. entrance fee definitely worth the tag ( I just wanted to avoid white emoji).

    Paul and Travis

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    2 months ago

    Great comics, good vibes, overall so much fun! The energy of the crowd was infectious and the variety in the rotation was great too.

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    8 months ago

    Go. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Lots of good laughs in a classic small theater environment.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Can't miss. Will be back.

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    4 months ago

    [[HIGHLIGHT]]Intimate setting, good drink drinks, and best of all funny comics![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Will for sure go again next time in SF.

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    5 months ago

    Absolutely a gem to check out, the comics are so funny in their own genius ways and the contents are new each time I visit.

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    6 months ago

    Great Show. Definitely worth the watch on up and coming comedy. Great show with funny comedians giving it their best

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    Cheaper Than Therapy Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Cheaper Than Therapy

    How much are tickets?

    Hi, Mike! You can see our ticket prices on our website: https://tickets.cttcomedy.com/

    Is there a place online to see who will be performing in advance of a show?

    Lineups are subject to change, but you are welcome to email us for a list of comics booked for any given show. A list of past lineups, per show, is provided through our Instagram, @cttcomedy Thanks!

    Is it the same content every day or can i keep coming back again and have a differently experience?

    Hi, Poonam: the comedian line-up changes regularly, so you will likely get to see a different set of performers the next time you come in. A given comedian might tell similar jokes to what they have told before, but even that experience varies since… 

    Any recommendations for restaurants nearby to eat before the show?

    We've got you covered, Jennifer. Check out our area favorites on our website: https://cttcomedy.com/restaurants/

    Is this a fun thing to do for a date?

    I would say yes. It's a small theater, very intimate. Bar upstairs and down for before and after. Good restaurants close for a before dinner.

    Do you have to be 21 to go to the show since it has a bar?

    Hi, Hector! The minimum age to be part of the audience is 18, but you do need to be 21 and have a valid photo ID to partake in adult beverages. (18- to 20-year-olds can enjoy the non-alcoholic drinks at the bar.)

    How much does it cost to go? Thank you ladies for responding! I live just down the street, and like to know all I can about where I am going instead of going aimlessly. So I…

    Tickets are $15 each. They usually sell out so I'd get them in advance. It's a great show!

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Review Highlights - Cheaper Than Therapy

    I don't remember the last time I went to a comedy show but coming here made me want to get back into it!

    Mentioned in 52 reviews

    Read more highlights

    Club Fugazi - NYE Special Show "Dear San Francisco"
5:00 PM and 10:00 PM
Surprise guests, amazing acrobatics, and a countdown with a glass of Champagne.

    Club Fugazi

    4.8(462 reviews)
    0.7 miRussian Hill, North Beach/Telegraph Hill
    $$
    Locally owned & operated
    Romantic vibe

    I took my family for the second time to see the show "Dear San Francisco" last weekend and loved it…read moreas much as the first time. The show is exciting, truly professional, and feels like "home". The small sized venue and local theme makes you feel like you are with family in a comfortable livingroom. I won't hesitate to see it a third time!

    If you haven't been yet what are you doing with your life? Everyone always talks about wanting to…read moresupport the arts and participating in culture. Come enjoy the acrobatic experience of dear San Francisco at Club Fugazi. There really is a part of the show for everyone. It is great for both young and old. Maybe you'll even feel inspired to try acrobatics yourself! The cast is absolutely amazing. I love acrobatics and have been a part of dance, gymnastics, yoga, and pole dance. They are killing it out there and I'm so happy to see a show dedicated to our beautiful city. Each time I've come by I just have gotten a tea or a glass of wine. I recommend to come early to settle in, write your letter, and get your order in before the show. Everyone comes all at once at 7:25 PM and it's a bit of a mad rush. For those looking for date night inspo take your girl at to club fugazi for an amazing night. I would be over the moon.

    Photos
    Club Fugazi - "Dear San Francisco" the high flying show at Club Fugazi

    "Dear San Francisco" the high flying show at Club Fugazi

    Club Fugazi - "Dear San Francisco" the high flying show at Club Fugazi.

    "Dear San Francisco" the high flying show at Club Fugazi.

    Club Fugazi - "Dear San Francisco" the high flying show at Club Fugazi

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    "Dear San Francisco" the high flying show at Club Fugazi

    San Francisco Playhouse - Seat E109 view - M. BUTTERFLY by David Henry Hwang

    San Francisco Playhouse

    4.4(355 reviews)
    0.0 miUnion Square

    Purchased tickets with ease, was given the option to add to calendar with full info which I always…read morelove! I did two separate purchases with blind seating, we added a fourth person later, it was not possible to select seating purchasing blind. We were completely ok sitting separately. Day of when ticket email came and seats were viewable all seating had been placed together which was REALLLLLLLY appreciated and not expected!! The theater is old, and stunning all the details in the architecture. Due to its age the seating is not elevated which is NO current fault. However it did cause all spectators to move their heads around to see the production. The row above us was empty we ended up climbing up a row in order to see. When I book again I won't book blindly and will select my seats. The production was cast WELL!!!! Chemistry isn't always evident among theater cast, it was present here.. Very present!!! Choreo was on point, vocals were Spectacular, energy was high, not one person in the production skipped a beat!!! We all really thought Hairspray was PHENOMENAL!! Will I return: ABSOLUTELY!!!!!! Great customer service, easy purchasing, small details like grouping tickets purchased separately, PHENOMENAL SHOW......: I'll be back sooner than later!!!!! We used spot hero app to find parking at 520 Mason Street which was underground and secure!!!!! The plus was it was literally around the corner and a one minute walk to the theater!!!!!

    I hadn't been to the SF Playhouse in ages, not since it was the Post Street Theater! It's a great…read moretheater with very good sightlines from every seat. I was there for "Dracula, A Feminist Revenge Fantasy, Really" and had a wonderful time. The sound system was pretty good; I heard most of everything that was said on stage, but whatever I missed can be blamed on my hearing, not their sound system! Seats were relatively comfortable and the legroom was at par with other theaters. The bathrooms, which were not separated for men and women, were clean with seat covers and plenty of toilet paper. It was a bit strange seeing men walk out of the stalls in the bathroom, but it didn't bother me. I would really prefer that the seat is returned to a downward position, though, and happy the floor was dry!

    Photos
    San Francisco Playhouse - Stage and playbill

    Stage and playbill

    San Francisco Playhouse - Show posters for Flex

    Show posters for Flex

    San Francisco Playhouse - All Gender Bathrooms on the 3rd Floor

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    All Gender Bathrooms on the 3rd Floor

    The Speakeasy

    The Speakeasy

    4.4(336 reviews)
    0.6 miNorth Beach/Telegraph Hill, Russian Hill
    $$$

    Hidden two floors below China Live Restaurant on Broadway Street is an entertainment space called…read moreThe Speakeasy (also the Palace Theater). I went to see a show " Italiani Veri "  last night. Fabulous cabaret-type show with performer Arianna. She's a true (veri) Italian from Milan who sang, danced and explained Italian culture as part of the entertainment. She has an amazing voice! She could have been a finalist at the San Remo Music Festival - the most famous singing festival in Italy. She fessed up saying she had been an Italian Mouseketeer! The venue has a bar/lounge to enjoy cocktails then a few steps down further is the theater. You need to be mobile since there are a lot of steps. Seating is first come-first serve. I have to admit that seating is quite tight. You are shoulder to shoulder with your neighbors. Get cozy folks. They typically have magic shows here! If you want to see a historic night club, this would be the venue to come to and enjoy a show. Italiani Veri show was a real treat! Highly recommend it!

    My hubby and I had an amazing time!…read more We attended the 8P show for: We Call It Jazz, A Journey to The Heart of New Orleans. I bought our tickets through FEVER and got the rail seating. Very good view From entering to sitting down, we were well taken care of I had bought two tickets online but when checking in, it only showed one- I pulled up my ticket and the usher at the front quickly apologized and got us situated I really appreciate the quickness Everyone was super friendly We stopped by the bar before the show started and got some drinks Music was spectacular One of the best live shows I've got to experienced Definitely made me want to check out their other events 10/10 phenomenal!

    Photos
    The Speakeasy
    The Speakeasy
    The Speakeasy

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    Secret Improv Society - Some of the Secret Improv Cast with our new T Shirts

    Secret Improv Society

    4.5(216 reviews)
    0.0 miUnion Square
    $
    Full bar
    Large group friendly

    My wife and I decided to go for a new comedy experience by checking out an improv show at Secret…read moreImprov Society, and we're sure glad that we did. Let's get into it... Ambiance - After getting your tickets from the ticket booth, you go down a sharp flight of stairs which dumps you out into a bar area with two large doors on both sides of the room. The room on the right-hand side is where they have stand-up comedy (Cheaper than Therapy), and the left hand side is where the Improv show takes place. You wait in the bar area until the doors open. Once you enter, there are a handful of rows of chairs (barstool style with backs) and it's general admission. It's a pretty cozy area, maybe fitting around 50 people or so if I had to guess. Before the show, one of the improv team members came around offering Oreos to guests. We did not partake, but if you like Oreos you're in for a treat. The show itself was great. There were four improv comedians and they took a bunch of crowd suggestions and tailor-made a show based around our suggestions. The show itself is about an hour and a half, but didn't feel like it was that long at all. When it ended, I was shocked that an hour and a half had passed already. Time truly does fly when you're having a great time! I would definitely return again as we had a blast and really enjoyed the quick wit the improv team had to offer. I would highly recommend checking them out!

    Incredibly fun and very inexpensive. Beware, outside a sign just says "better than therapy" which…read moreis a comedy club in an adjacent room at the same address. Also it was good that we got there a bit early in time to get drinks (a nice large selection). Small to moderate intimate theater with very talented keyboard player who "improvised the music" with each skit all night long. "Actors" were very personable and talented--so much fun--we will reco to all SF friends and family

    Photos
    Secret Improv Society - Stage during show

    Stage during show

    Secret Improv Society
    Secret Improv Society

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    Palace of Fine Arts Theatre - Inside the theatre

    Palace of Fine Arts Theatre

    4.1(79 reviews)
    2.4 miMarina/Cow Hollow

    Wow! I visit San Francisco 2-3 times a year for over 3 decades and just finally got the chance…read moreexplore...parking is always horrible, but I stayed at a nearby hotel in walking distance. The architecture is absolutely amazing and breathtaking...it's straight out of Italy, Greece, Star Wars, Star Trek or Lord of the Rings movie. Words can't describe it...see the photos or really just go see it for yourself in person!

    Now let me be clear, this review was for the Palace of Fine Arts Theater NOT the event we attended…read more Last night we visited the PoFAT and had a mixed reaction. The venue seemed a bit disorganized, opening a few minutes after the stated time, both for VIPs and regular patrons. The refreshments bar was not fully set up, and one could see that they were rushing to get it done, making their patrons wait (suggestion, start your prep earlier). Delays by staff during a VIP experience, takes away from the time there, which costs a premium. You show your appreciation for your audience by how you treat their time. Later the meet and greet we attended but got started late, then the entry into the seating ran about 20 mins late, one staffer saying they were still setting up the lighting. Seriously? How long does it take to set six lights shining on curtains for two people in chairs? Having just finished a week on stage crew at a venue in Sacramento, there is no need to "run late" (suggestion, start your prep earlier). The times listed for the event did not have a reliable seating/entry into the actual theater but they made sure we all knew when to pick up the items we had already picked up in our VIP experience. Finally, I thought that having the ladies' restroom door set so you could see them going in and out of the stalls, including some feet/legs while doing their business was tacky. On the upside, the seats were very nice and we found parking nearby. The setting outside was amazing as when I volunteered there when it was the Exploratorium.

    Photos
    Palace of Fine Arts Theatre
    Palace of Fine Arts Theatre - Inside the theatre

    Inside the theatre

    Palace of Fine Arts Theatre

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    Cheaper Than Therapy - comedyclubs - Updated August 2026

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