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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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    Reviews With Photos

    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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    Review Insights

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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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    5 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

    Natoma Cabana - Fortaleza Blanco Neat | $16

    Natoma Cabana

    4.0(306 reviews)
    0.6 miFinancial District, SoMa
    $$

    Great spot for drinks. I used to come here all the time with coworkers when working downtown. The…read morebuilding artwork is cool, and the inside is super cute! #cabanavibes There is even a little upstairs seating area. It's a great spot to come with coworkers, friends, or a date! They have fun cocktail, beer, and wine, and I believe NA as well. I came recently on a Sunday afternoon and it was super mellow. They have a big projector screen playing things. Highly recommend any day of the week!

    I've only been to Natoma Cabana during First Thursdays, and it's always a really lively spot during…read morethe event. The space has a fun indoor-outdoor party vibe with string lights, a big bar area, and a lot of people moving through throughout the night. Because it gets very crowded during First Thursdays, the energy feels more like a social event than a typical bar night. It's a good place to stop by if you're already out in the area and want somewhere with music and a busy atmosphere. The photo here was taken from their little loft area, which is actually really cute and a great spot for people watching since you can see the whole bar and crowd from above. One thing I wasn't sure about was the plastic cups. Every time I've gone they've served drinks in plastic cups, but since it's so busy during First Thursdays, I'm not sure if that's their normal setup or just something they do to keep things moving during the event. I ordered a rosé, which was perfectly fine and easy to drink while walking around.

    Photos
    Natoma Cabana
    Natoma Cabana
    Natoma Cabana - Taken from the loft area

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    Taken from the loft area

    Iron Horse Cocktails - Espresso martinis

    Iron Horse Cocktails

    4.7(275 reviews)
    0.3 miUnion Square, Financial District
    $$

    Great bartender and excellent cocktails in a great hole-in-the-wall setting. Highly recommended if…read moreyou're in the area.

    My friend and I were in the union square area around St. Patrick's Day and were initially going to…read morego to Harlan Records, but saw a massive rollicking crowd outside celebrating St. Patrick's Day, and wanted to go somewhere quieter instead. Luckily, my friend had already been to Iron Horse Cocktails, and suggested we go there instead. Walking down the alleyway it is located in was a nice getaway from the otherwise hectic union square atmosphere. Walking in was also a neat experience that felt like we were stepping out of the city into a tiny pub. We also really liked the atmosphere inside and the cozy upper floor that had an interesting mix of old paintings and woodwork, creating an eclectic feel. I got the We've Got the Beet cocktail with mezcal, beet reduction, ginger, fresh citrus, thyme and firewater bitters. I love mezcal's smoky flavors and was drawn to the combination of ginger, citrus and mezcal flavors in the drink. The cocktail was very good and had a nice smokiness from the mezcal, along with the kick from the ginger and zest from the citrus, creating a refreshing and tasty drink. My friend got the About Thyme, with gin, blackberry liquor, black pepper thyme syrup and fresh citrus. We both really liked his drink as well, which had an interesting kick from the black pepper thyme syrup that offset the gin and blackberry liquor nicely. While we only had time to grab a drink each, we were both very happy with the drinks and would definitely come back the next time we're in the area.

    Photos
    Iron Horse Cocktails - Bar top decor

    Bar top decor

    Iron Horse Cocktails - Montage of images from Iron Horse Cocktails

    Montage of images from Iron Horse Cocktails

    Iron Horse Cocktails

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    Harlan Records - Monkey 47 Gin w/ lemon twist ($17) + Fernet Neat ($9)

    Harlan Records

    4.5(140 reviews)
    0.2 miUnion Square, Financial District
    $$

    Tucked away in a quiet alley, Harlan Records is the kind of place you'd walk right past if you…read moredidn't know better. There's zero hint from the outside about what's waiting behind that door and that's part of the magic. Inside? Total vibe. Moody, trendy decor, shelves of great vinyl, solid drinks. It feels like the kind of spot you accidentally stay at way longer than you planned. Greg, our bartender, was fantastic. Friendly without being over the top, and he even gave us bar recommendations all over SF, which was a nice bonus. We ordered the Mi Sharona and the El Mariachi. The Mi Sharona leaned a little sweeter than I usually go for but it was still really good. The El Mariachi, though, was the winner: just the right amount of spice, subtle and balanced, not overpowering the drink at all. Love this spot.

    Tucked away in an alleyway near Chinatown is this cool Japanese listening bar. The drinks are quite…read morecreative and there's even the option for dealer's choice. For $15 a cocktail, it's definitely one of the more affordable spots in the city. Came here on a Saturday afternoon, and it wasn't busy, probably since it was quite early in the day. We got 2 drinks: - The Green Room: this hands down is a great cocktail choice especially if you're looking for something on the lighter side. I would recommend this if you are unsure what to try. - I don't remember what the second drink was called but I do remember it had roku gin in it (not sure if it is the gin and juice). It is definitely on the stronger side. If you do not enjoy gin... you will not like this. Was not expecting it to be so strong. Overall, I like the vibes of this place and like that it is open on the earlier side. The drinks felt a bit of a hit or miss, but we only tried 2 of them.

    Photos
    Harlan Records - Harlan Records Sundays Are Dead Grateful Funk Fest 8/31/25

    Harlan Records Sundays Are Dead Grateful Funk Fest 8/31/25

    Harlan Records - Mi sharona left. El mariachi right

    Mi sharona left. El mariachi right

    Harlan Records - Interior

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    Interior

    The St. Regis Bar - Grand Deluxe

    The St. Regis Bar

    4.1(178 reviews)
    0.5 miSoMa, Financial District
    $$$

    Great hotel with good bar food and live music. It's a big…read morebar with plenty of room to meet friends.

    I love a hotel bar and 15 extra points if its super fancy! I felt like the ultimate princess…read moresitting at the St. Regis bar. Arrived on a whim at around 6pm on a weekday and found a nice seat at the bar top. They have these little orb lights that can't be moved. Sitting in front of one takes some bar space away from you, so I changed seats to get a few more inches of space. Emilio the bartender was mega friendly and went over some items on the menu. He also told me I was right on time for the saber champagne presentation -more on that in a sec. For drinks, I ordered the Hibiscus Spice and the Paradise cocktail. Both were super fruity and delicious! I had a great time sipping on this while chatting it up with a few folks at the bar. To nibble, I can never say no to ahi tuna tartare and this one was great! The most interesting little wafers, ahi tuna with some avocado cream and a little spicy sauce. I absolutely devoured these! So good! Now for the best part, the champagne presentation! A gentleman gave a little info session on on how this process is done and at the end he took a giant to a bottle of champagne to open it. Really Cool! What made this even better was that everyone at the bar got to snag a complimentary glass. What a treat! Super cute little hour of so sitting at the bar at the St. Regis. Absolutely a little pricey, but i'ma girl who lives to spoil herself a bit. Because YOLO. Right?

    Photos
    The St. Regis Bar
    The St. Regis Bar - Inside

    Inside

    The St. Regis Bar

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    Cheaper Than Therapy - comedyclubs - Updated August 2026

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