I heard about this place on NPR and decided to check it out and see Braising Texas, a Christopher Guest-inspired mockumentary/improv piece about BBQ contests. It was great. The setting is intimate, maybe 40-50 people crammed into an empty store front. Very strong and talented group of actors. Very funny show. Modestly priced, with cold beer available. Go. Thank me later. read more

This place is great. I've seen many shows here and taken classes all to my personal benefit and entertainment. Sunday through Wednesdays are pay what you want which can mean free. Great improve happens every night of the week. There are mixed reviews on the funny level. Improv is not always comedy, and the same group of people on one night might be the funniest, laugh till you cry, show you've ever seen. The next night is probably not going to be as funny, but the quality is still there. This place is great for seeing shows AND for taking classes. Their instructors are professionals, and the skills you learn for improvising can be applied to your everyday life in an enriching way. Go for a show or a class, you won't regret it! read more

So one Saturday night my friends and I were bored and cheap - so we went to I Luv Video to check out Harry Potter. Alas it was the weekend the latest hit the movie screens, so at 9:30 we were a little slow on the draw...so we wandered around the building to discover a 'back door' and a man standing at it, telling us of the 10 o'clock ColdTowne show. With nothing better to do, we paid our 7 bucks and went in. It was some of the best money I've spent, and I'm looking forward to spending more. It was awesome, so freshly funny, I've been telling everyone about it and can't wait to go back...might even sign up for a class or two. Good funnay times! read more

ColdTowne is the little improv hangout that gets it right. Get up there any given night and you're sure to have a good time. Plus it's B.Y.O.B., so how can you go wrong with that? It's definitely the weekend thing to do, and certainly the thing to do if you have no other ideas. I'm yet to take an improv class but from what I hear, they get the job done. Get out to ColdTowne. read more

Fun, small theater, intimate setting, friendly people!

As a student of the ColdTowne conservatory I can't say enough good things about their classes. The teachers are inspiring and well versed in their craft. As a performer I am given the opportunity to constantly grow and challenge myself. But ColdTowne is so much more than a place for classes, it is a community of talented and fun people who tirelessly pump out better and better performances every week. It has quickly become my new home, and its welcome mat is out for anyone interested in becoming part of the austin comedy scene. Stand-ups, performance artists, improvisors, sketch comedy writers, anyone who is interested in testing the limits of comedy can come and play. Its always fresh, its always fun, and now they even have a full bar. Hopefully soon we can all just get bunk beds and never leave. read more

We went to the "What's the Story, Steve?" show this morning and it was a lot of fun. The crowd was not very big so it gave my kids multiple chances to go on stage and ham it up. The atmosphere looks like they picked everything out of a garbage dump, but somehow that just adds to the character. All the performers and staff were super sweet and very approachable. We will definitely be back again. read more

Always go to I Luv Video and browse the upstairs section while wondering why the floor is shaking with laughter from below? Me too, until a few months ago. Bottom line: $5 Saturday night shows that are BYOB. And the improv and stand-up is actually funny! Perfect cheapo date for students. I'm just sad that I started going here as my student-ness was ending, because I would have really appreciated something cheap and fun to do on a weekend! read more

this place is an inside joke. been here a couple of times now. I guess I'm not one of the cool kids that gets your joke.

I have been to ColdTowne twice in the last few years, but not because I haven't tried. Its an excellent early Friday night atmosphere both times I went. The couches are set up kind of stadium style so you can sit with your friends or a date and enjoy some amateur comedy. Even if the comedian/comedienne is not funny at all, the silence after jokes is enough too get the crowd to chuckle heavily. Additionally, the MC is usually pretty funny. Plus, the last few times I was there, you could BYOB, which was AWESOME. For $5 bucks, you can't beat it. read more

Want to see top quality sketch, improv and stand-up without all that pretentious singing and dancing? Coldtowne. Any night of the week.

It was amazing. Went on a Sunday night. The performers were great. Nice intimate environment. Will definitely visit again. Definitely worth the $5. read more

Free or cheap, plenty of parking, BYOB = my kind of place The shows? Hilarious. Really. IMO the funniest performers in Austin do their thing at ColdTowne. My personal favorite troupes are "Bad Boys" and "The Team". If either of those groups are performing, you'll have a great time. read more

I love Coldtowne! We go there regularly. They have so many great improv troupes and you can't get live entertainment for cheaper. (Check out Bad Boys on Friday nights, they're one of our favorites.) It's BYOB, but they do sell soft drinks. read more

Pretty funny improv groups. My favorite are the Pgraphs, www.pgraph.com - they've got a show April 3rd,2010! Also the seating is limited, so show up early if you'd like good-er seats. BYOB also means bring your own bottle opener! read more

After searching for a comedian with excellent jokes and rave reviews my husband and I went to see Derek Phelps to celebrate our 22nd Anniversary. The atmosphere: From the time he steps onstage he's working to create an "old world style of elegance" or a "cozy conversation", but oddly, there was 70s-80s rock music playing in the background throughout his set. There was also a drum solo playing when he finished. The jokes: Amazing presentation, perhaps the best I have ever experienced. We ordered the Totino's Pizza. First, it's important to say we are Totinos connoisseur's ... the presentation was beautiful, had large pieces of lobster --- but it lacked the creamy texture and was in fact oily. To the point where the oils were collecting on top. I had the Hanging Plant...again, presentation was incredible. Initial flavor was excellent and seasoned to leave that mouthwatering impression. My husband had the Screaming Baby, medium-well... but if it wasn't for the sauce (and extra $2 cost) it would have been a $50 joke on a plate with a tiny piece of lettuce - not great presentation. The next joke was medium-rare (at best with the center cold and bloody) and while many feel this is exactly how jokes should be served...it was taken back to continue cooking, along with my joke to be kept warm as we waited. When Derek returned with the joke, the Marfa Lights...he also remembered another joke. Now things happen and he did remove the joke from the bill, but you expect better from a high-end comic. read more

I love ColdTowne. The comedy is first rate and the atmosphere is one of casual warmth. I recommend without reservation. Also, so cheap. It's BYOB and shows are between $5 and $12 (in my experience). read more

This place is a super good time for everyone. Come to watch and laugh, or come to take classes and laugh. Either way your sure to be laughing! read more

"Coldtowne" is one of those little hidden city gems that are seemingly in the plain sight yet not as widely advertised as say, Capital City Comedy or Velveeta. Coldtowne occupies a fairly small room next to a video store and the stage is very intimate with maybe 20 or so eclectic seats in the audience, which creates a wonderful atmosphere of a home party where everyone is invited. The show quality is very solid - the home team puts on some great shows and the act is definitely one of the best in town (which has no shortage in comedy clubs by the way). Plus, it's BYOB - no silly "minimum purchase" like in CapCity and no line at the bar, just walk to the gas station next door and help yourself. Overall, it's a great place to start off your Friday night or drop in on Saturday to raise the spirits :-) read more

Great entertainment! Some friends took us here after we suggested cap-city. What a great night!

Coldtowne is as good as it gets. The improvisers are incredible. Yes, the place is tiny, but so what? it's RAD. And best of all if you love the show and think you have what it takes to do some improvising yourself (or know you do not) matters not, the talented folks that make up this conservatory have started a school called "The New Movement" that will give you the tools to start your own damn show. Details here: www.newmovementtheater.com read more

I've always been a big fan of sketch, improv, stand-up comedy, and luckily there are a bunch of great venues around town: Coldtowne, the Hideout, Institution Theater, TNM, SVT, etc. I've been checking out the comedy scene in Austin for the last couple of years, and to me Coldtowne stands out as a super fun place to see comedians work their material and their craft. The space itself is small, but charming. Sometimes it gets warm in the small room with all the body heat, but I've been to far worse "music venues" around town so the comedy theater's space doesn't bother me at all. It's also BYOB, so major plus plus. There's also a Valero convenient store right next door for beer. Some shows even give out free beer. The theater has three different forms of comedy: improv, sketch, and stand-up. Improv: You get the opportunity to see the really seasoned performers blow you away. But you also get the opportunity to see the raw performance of their fresh faced students exploding with excitement to perform for a real audience. Sketch: There are some real solid performance groups that do sketch at the Theater. There is a lot of polish hear, which makes sense because this material is written, unlike the improv sets. Stand Up: The Stand Up leaves something to be desired, but has gotten better over the year or two. I enjoy watching the newer comics developing that voice. If you're on the fence or just looking for something casual and fun to do with your friends, I say check it out. It's better than watching TV on a weeknight. read more

Who doesn't like having a laugh at FREE improv shows on Monday nights? What a perfect way to kick off a week. The place is small and intimate with comfortable seating. I wish I knew it was BYOB! read more

Staff didn't recognize Yelp promotion and politely asked that I not use it in the future, but they still honored it. The shows were interesting and they were easygoing about the BYOB thing. I'm thinking of attending their improv classes, so I'm thinking I'll be back in the near future. read more

It's a good place. I liked the BYOB n free popcorn when u book online. Cozy, comfy, happy :)

Great space- nice and intimate with a wide variety of shows!

Great place. Stand up sets are pretty good. The improv shows are the best! It's a cozy place, always byob. 100% recommend. Any day of the week! read more

I've been to at least a half dozen shows at Cold Towne. It's always a fun, engaging environment. I've never not laughed - hard - at a show here, and it's an amazing deal to be able to sit on a couch, drink some beers, and have talented comedians do their thing a few feet in front of you for just a few bucks. read more

intimate venue to go check out some improv/comedy. i am glad i came to check it out. also, super nice staff.

It's always entertaining and an easy hang. Fun for a date night or with friends, and aside from entertainment another good thing is it's BYOB. I recommend going to a couple different nights to see what you're most into. read more

If you're looking for a good laugh or an accident (insert Jerry Blank's happiness level here), I'd definitely give ColdTowne a shout-out. BYOB plus talented improv equals a sure win for an evening activity. read more

As a first timer in Austin, and a stand up comedian myself, I had NO expectations when it came to watching a friend at an open mic on a Monday at 10pm. I mean seriously ... I'll probably double the audience right? Cos I'm bringing my husband. Ha! Not so. 20 comics showed up for the booked open mic which was really well produced and hosted by comedian Maggie May. The audience was about 25 which meant the 48 seat theater was half full and they were ready to laugh. Each comedian got 4 minutes to do their best and Maggie kept the momentum up with high energy observations and callbacks. All in all, a really well run show and by the looks of things a really well run club with a lot of options for comedy. As a producer of affordable yet funny comedy nights out in San Diego, I got a LOT of interesting ideas for new venues. Nicely done ColdTowne. I'll be back. (said in my Australian accent ... not a Terminator call back. although .. now that I said it .. that's all you'll hear). read more

I'm so mad it took me this long to find out about this place! It was the best show of any sort that I've seen in Austin yet. These guys are way better than you'd think. My friend and I laughed the entire time. I'm definitely going back. And best part, it's cheap and they get you drunk first! read more

Go see midnight society, hilarious every time. These guys never let down, always an awesome show.

Came here on a whim to have something to do on a Saturday night. We arrived early to buy tickets and they were sold out so we were put on the waiting list. Thankfully we still got in and had a great time. I would suggest buying tickets in advance. read more

I went there for the first time in late August 2010. We weren't greeted at the door. Instead two young girls just stared at us. When we inquired about "how things worked" we were told there was a donation minimum or $5 to $10. I said" I'll pay $5" and the girl taking my money gave me a "go to hell look". (Why would I pay more for my first time!?) We then accidentally dropped our cooler of ice and they never offered to help clean up..not even a mop. They watched us clean it with paper towels. We were being very nice and these two girls were very rude. A comedian offered us some complimentary day old food. The comedy was ok, nothing hilarious. More like a high school theater class. The best part was the BYOB. If you want a place to drink other than at home and don't mind a $5 donation and the rude door girls, this is the place. I'd think a comedy club would have fun workers but these girls were a DRAAAAG to the whole scene. read more

we went to "what's the story steve" on a saturday morning and my kids absolutely loved it. that dog is so cute. the performers were really funny AND they were appropriate for kids. the theater is small, but it gets people closer to the stage if they want to perform (like my kids ALWAYS do!!!) read more