Best live stand-up I've been to. Each and every person was amazing. I highly suggest watching and the $20 is more than well spent.

My wife and I were in Chicago and we saw this pop up stand up comedy show at the bar a block down from our hotel. 6 great comics and I had a few beers and laughed a lot. Worth seeing! read more

You dont even understand!!! The quality of this show compared to the price is 100/10!! This is better than 4 laugh factories combined. Everyone was funny, everyone was having a good time. You didnt have to buy drinks like laugh factory makes you do.. we just vibed. It was very interactive and everything was just the best. I highly recommend this place for cheap laughs that are worth while. read more

So fun I highly recommend. I had a beer and wings during the show. Don't think there was a spending minimum

This is the best show in Chicago. The comedians are the best in Chicago and the food/drink service is fantastic! If you're looking for something to do, look no further! GREAT DATE SPOT IF YOU WANT TO IMPRESS!!! read more

I've been here probably 20 times. If you don't mind the random day of the week (Wednesday) it's the place to be! Get there early if you want good seats and always buy tickets in advance. read more

Comedians You Should Know - Small theater just the right size - Comedy Clubs Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

A gem in the city of Chicago. Despite a recent increase in ticket prices ($10 to $12), this is hadns down my favorite spot for comedy. They don't pressure you to buy anything and have no drink minimum. I've been here at least a dozen times and at only one show did a handful of the comics bomb. The last show I went to this past Wednesday was 2 hours- hard to beat 2 hours of laughs for $12. read more

Talented, funny comedians for $5 at a place with no drink minimum? They've just beat Zanies on three fronts. read more

Pretty much the best way to beat the mid week blues: drinks & cheap comedy I've been here twice and have laughed hysterically both times. It's casual, a younger crowd, kind of small, the comedians are really funny, and the drink service is usually quick. PS. Extra points for not being obnoxious with their email list and constantly sending annoying emails. Plus, it's actually worthwhile - I won four free tickets by being on the list! read more

I have been to this show several times now and it has yet to disappoint. For $5 pre sale tickets or $10 at the door, you can't go wrong. They usually have great surprise guests as well as the best local talent from Chicago. Drinks are priced well for the area and they also serve food. Perfect for date nights or a night out with friends. read more

It was the first time I went there, and The comedians were good, every comedian put a great effort to make your time there enjoyable. I like the most the comedian Gonzales, I couldn't stop laughing at how good his jokes were. The entrance is just $5 dollars, and it is worth it. the drinks are affordable. The entrance is in cash, otherwise they will charge you the entrance on the tap. read more

CYSK is a great group of dedicated, hilarious dudes who are totally worth the 5 or 10 dollars you spend on them! It's a quiet room off the side of Timothy O'Tooles, with no overlap of noise. Cozy setup with candles on tables and full bar with easy access and also waitresses serving tables as well, good beers with no drink minimum...that's right no drink minimum! But you'll end up getting drunk anyway with $3 beers in the city. The comedians are fantastic and hilarious, with guests and regulars taking the stage! A lot of fun with a date or with a group of friends, highly recommend checking it out! read more

The best show in the city hands down. Pro comedians for a crazy cheap price. This is a $50 show at any theatre anywhere in America, but because it's Chicago and the arts run freely...we get CYSK!!!! read more

We went on a Wednesday night. The house was packed. Very cool for a Wednesday. Good News: Very nice space- audience and comic friendly. The folks working the service end were awesome. The Line Up: Five comics and an emcee. They clearly capped the weak and inexperienced comics with the stronger ones. The Bad News: The middle comics were pathetic, immature and inexperienced- cripplingly horrible. The end cap comics (emcee included) were obviously more experienced but primarily appealed to a young, immature male audience that wants to hear about getting drunk and having cheap sex. There was a lot of "my dick" humor. IMO these topics get old really fast. Good Material: I didn't catch his name, but one comic did a bit on Roe v. Wade and sandwiches that was really great. Too bad his stage persona was not credible and cheapened the POV of his material. Good luck to anyone who goes there. Hopefully you'll hit a better night than we did. read more

Great place funny people. Service was great and atmosphere was also good. Would go back again when in Chicago. Not really a bad seat.

I went last minute 15 minutes before showtime to secure a good seat. It's $10 at the door but $5 if you plan ahead. The acts were absolutely hilarious. It's without a doubt a great 1st date scenario with simple bar bites & drink specials. I'll never stop coming back. Great for groups of friends. read more

I will tell you this much, where else can you take a date for ten bucks (two people) unless you go for ice cream or go to redbox....ice cream melts in five minutes and a movie rental can't be played outside....anyway....the show was great, funny, included five comedians and lasted over two hours. It is first come, first serve, sit anywhere you want. If you're a couple you'll sit with another twosome. If you don't enjoy sitting with strangers come in a group of four. There is no drink minimum which is great but the down fall is paying six bucks for a draft beer. You can park on the corner after six for ten bucks. I brought a first date here! What a great idea, she laughed her ass off, I didn't even need to talk....she just remembered having a great time and it won me a second date....just sayn! read more

Super fun, especially for $5 when you pre-buy the tickets online! well-priced drinks, they did seem short-staffed last week, so it took a little while for them to arrive, but 5/6 comedians were pretty funny which is a much better percentage than most comedy clubs I've been to! Will definitely go back again! read more

A comedy show done right. Basement bar. No drink minimum. Great sound. Intimate room run by comedians who care.

This show rocked my night... Cost $5 online for tix or $10 at the door... You get raw standup from 5 comedians and 1 emcee... All I have to say is that I left with my face hurting from all the laughing I did. The comedians were great, and all acts were completely different from each other. I have seen shows at the Beat Kitchen (another money spot), but this has been the best show I have seen to date. There is no doubt that I will be back, and I think this is a great place to go with friends. Go in there with an open mind, don't get offended, have a beer and laugh your face off for two hours. Good call... read more

These guys put on the best comics in the world. It's one of Chicago's finest showcases, for sure. Plus there really isn't a lot going on downtown on a Wednesday so if you live in the area be sure to check it out. I live in Uptown and it's just a train ride and a short walk so I'm sure to make it every week. read more

What a great way to spend a Wednesday night! I came across the Comedians You Should Know show on Metromix and it was super fun. 2 hours of hilarious comedians, half price apps, attentive waiters and no drink minimum for only $5? Yes please! I'll definely go back. read more

I am hesitant to write this post because I want to keep this awesome hidden gem, hidden. This was my second time at Comedians You Should Know at Timothy O' Tooles and tonight was awesome. Six comedians all hilarious - one guy with the last named Derosa didn't go with any jokes per se, but just ripped on the audience and did a fantastic job. definitely a great spot with go with a big group of friends or double date. I went about three months ago and it was not crowded at all, tonight it was packed and getting bigger. Also real cheap, i think $5 if you buy tix online and $10 at the door. read more

This is the best standup comedy show in the city and I also like the wings and buffalo chicken eggrolls.

Took an awesome young lady on a 1st date and could not have picked a better show. $5 tickets, half priced apps and the comics kept getting funnier and funnier throughout the night. Her and I immediately decided to come back the following week. This is most likely our new Wed. night tradition. Can't beat it!! Don't miss out! read more

Even disregarding that it's a wednesday night and is cheap as hell, CYSK consistently puts on the funniest comics in Chicago today, and even manages to pull in talent from around the country. All of the comics are funny in their own way; I've never gone and had less than a hilarious evening. I was even called "pleasant" by one of the comics once. Do yourself a favor and go see this show; trust me when I say that once won't be enough. read more

This is great place for live comedy in Chicago. The most bang for your comedy buck in town! $5 admission and NO drink minimum, c'mon! They had a gret line up of 6 comedians and each one had the room rolling. good times. read more

Great spot! You just cannot beat the entertainment value. $5 in advance and $10 at the door. Went last night for the first time and enjoyed the comedians....except the last one. Things got a little out of control with 4 obnoxious ladies in the front row who were distrupting the show. It went down hill from there and there were even mentions of the Conn shooting victims. All that said, I will be a regular here. Food at the pub was pretty good too and WOW do they have a great beer selection! All in all a great spot for your entertainment dollar on a Wednesday. read more

By far the best comedy in Chicago. Marty DeRosa is a comedian to watch out for. Been here 3 times now and always get the feeling that I am at one of the great LA or New York comedy clubs. They put on a professional show and it is a can't miss in chicago. This is not for the faint of heart so expect some swearing. Great date spot for something different than the sketch comedy that dominated chicago until CYSK raised the stakes. read more

Attended the show on June 15 and had an awesome time. There were 6 comedians and everyone brought something different, and all were hilarious. I would definitely recommend coming to Timothy O'Tooles and then attending CYSK (Comedians you should know) in the back room. Anything that I could say was a negative is there is a different menu in the room than in the bar. read more

This is pants down the best stand up in Chicago. It's a group of very talented, relatively fledgling, and somewhat rotating cast of local comedians. I went for the first time last night by myself and laughed so hard I almost forgot how terribly alone I was. The performers were Joe Kilgallon, Liza Treyger, Dan Ronan, Marty De Rosa, and Mike Lebovitz. Each had their own style, were well-polished, and should be more goddamn famous, but thankfully for me I could see them all perform their balls off for $5. Plus, they all hung out after the show, and were generally affable, though they may have just been looking for a ride. read more

Great show. The only comedy show better is The Blind Bet at The Pony Inn at 9pm on Wednesdays. This show is so good though I'm still giving it 5 stars. read more

Went on a recent Wednesday night and really enjoyed the show. The comics were all really funny (some more than others) and they put on a really solid show. There's nothing wrong with belly laughing on a Wednesday night all for the fair price of $5! I'll be back again soon and will bring some more friends with me next time! read more

$5 with flyer from Timothy o'Tooles. Best $5 spent in ages! Hilarious comics and fun crowd. Will be back next time I'm in town.

Best independent comedy show in the Midwest. CYSK is a showcase, meaning you will see 6-8 comedians do shorter sets in ranging from 6-15 minutes in length. This is great cause you get more bang for your buck and there will be something for everyone. On top of that they regularly get surprise guests that are national touring acts. There's no drink minimum and if you get your tickets online (which you should, they regularly sell out) its only 5 bucks. The only way you won't enjoy this is if you are a real asshole. read more

This is super fun, easy to get to, and very affordable! It's always a different show with new and hilarious comedians. I don't even know how many times I've been because I love it so much. The wait staff is super friendly and really into supporting the show as well so that makes the atmosphere that much more exciting. What a great way to support local artists! I think they're a must see Chicago institution! read more

Great comedians, great service, cheap tickets, good bar food.

Really fun and professional group! It was a very affordable night, and my friends and I had a fantastic time.

I have seen "Comedians You Should Know" a few times and believe it is one of the best comedy shows in Chicago. Everyone should at least check them out. They perform every Wednesday evening at Timothy O'Toole's. It's a great place to go with a group of friends or for a date. You will definitely get your money's worth in laughs. Oh and another great thing about the show is they have different performers every week! read more

Comedians you should stay home for. desperate and boring. it wasn't comedy it was talking. host was babbling and anecdotes were aiming for shock humor, but not funny. Like they were trying to be purposely offensive to make a name for themselves and that's fine but you sit there and wait for the punchline at the end only it never came.. there wasn't any humor behind it.. anywhere. skip this one read more