I've now attended 4 Critical Hit shows. It's an absolute steal of a night out. They've got great alternating hosts, and comics that punch way above average. I've been to shows at Cobb's that were a big letdown and have yet to experience such at Critical Hit. Last night the crowd was ready and they had to add extra seats in the back to accommodate. Sure there's no brick wall or velvet backdrop, who cares?! I came to laugh. Xander Beltran closed out a night that already had everyone gassing with great sets from the hosts and Diana Hong! There's something special about local talent sharing a stage with other locals and touring comics. The standup community is a patchwork of regions and backgrounds that somehow finds ways of supporting each other and pulling the best out of these crossing paths. Need ideas for a date night? Critical Hit is the closer. Anywhere nearby in Temescal is going to have good food and drinks. If you're a planner, getting tickets more than a week in advance and it adds very little cost to your budget for the night. If you can't plan your way out of a paper bag, it's still stupid cheap to finish out your night with comedy on a whim. There's also a local ice cream shop around the corner open til 11pm on Saturdays. Can grab dessert before or after the show. I don't recommend making eye contact with the comics while eating your cone. Do not recommend. Actually wait, since you're the one eating and making eye contact, maybe I'm the one watching, so... highly recommend. Bottom line: I enjoy standup comedy, if you enjoy standup comedy, you'll like the laughs available at Critical Hit. read more

i have been going to this show for years, and always have a good time. it's a well run show with professional, diverse lineups. the hosts have been working together a long time and you can tell they have really fun onstage chemistry with each other. it's also in an amazing local business, one i've shopped at many times, and it just feels cool to be watching stand-up in a game store. i took some friends who were visiting from out of town, and it was an awesome way to show off oakland. would recommend this show to anyone! whatever style of comedy you dig, they'll have it read more

Wasn't really a good time. Echoing others-- it's a very white, very male space. Lot of Asian-bashing jokes and uncomfortable crowd work. At the beginning of the show, it was packed, and by the end I could see straight through to the stage because most of the audience had left. Maybe we should've left with them. read more

Have been to more shows than I can count, and they've all been funny. Great comics in a laid back atmosphere in Oakland's best neighborhood. Always a good time. Also, the weekly emails are hilarious. One of the few mailing lists actually worth a signup. read more

There's an other review on here that mentions this but this show is a VERY white space. Yes there are people of color performing but when I tell you the vibe is off...damn! I was with a group of people enjoying one of the comics and was literally laughing at the jokes and turning to my friend to laugh and got shushed by a white dude who swore we were ruining the show for the people around us. This dude has not spent a lot of time around BIPOC having a good time cuz that's what we do...laugh and turn to our friends and laugh. It ruined the whole vibe for the rest of the night. Apparently there's a right way to enjoy a comedy show...the WHITE way. I had been once before and had an okay time but also felt like it was a very white space. Def don't waste your time here. read more

So sad to say--I do not recommend this comedy show if you are a Black person. Myself and 5 other girlies I came with were out on Saturday night for a fun night of comedy but I realized as soon as we checked in what kind of night it would be. We are in Oakland, the literal chocolate city of California, but this was the most hostile place we have experienced as native Oaklanders and Californians. The evening started off with the host saying-- please laugh and enjoy your liquor, but every 10 seconds our group was being singled out to be quiet when so many people around us were also talking. At the bathroom line, we ran into racists who commented on the number of us in line to use the bathroom, as well as the duration we were in the bathroom (literally minutes). We were told to move and get out of the way. I am disappointed at the way Oakland is turning. I am disappointed in this show and the lack of social accountability they have. This was a white space that we Black people, unfortunately to the dismay of the organizers, discovered. We will not be back. read more

Oh I really enjoyed this show! The comedians were TERRIFIC (with mostly clean jokes) in an intimate and relaxed atmosphere. Loved it and would highly recommend. read more

A fun and eclectic comedy experience from local and not-so-local comedians. Every Saturday night, doors at 7:30pm, BYOB (no hard liquor),

What an amazing bargain for top-flight entertainment! I went for the first time last night, and I was blown away by the quality of the comedians and the energy from the crowd. It's only $10, and you can bring your beer and wine. read more

I almost don't want to post this so that I never have to worry about getting a seat when I want to go, but I must speak my truth. Critical Hit is a great night out. I've been to plenty of local comedy shows which I've usually found to be hit or miss (lots of miss...). Not here! The lineups this last times I went were all great. Really, really funny and original acts that I ended up looking up later because I liked them so much. It is the best entertainment deal in Oakland, IMHO. $5 and you bring your own drinks. A night out at the Punchline can run you $50-$70 a person, and I frankly have enjoyed these comedians more than most nights at the Punchline. Go, go, go! read more

'Twas dope. Talented comedians with local subject matter in a relaxed environment. Small venue, cheap tickets and quality jokexxxx. Check it out, bring your own booze and now pizza since they don't give it away from free anymore. A criminal offense indeed, but someone's got to get paid around those parts. read more

New line up every week, new line ups every week with diverse talents, highly recommend

It's weekly now! As I've gotten older, I've been more open minded about labels of "professional" and "amateur." Years ago, I would be snobby and like "I don't want to go to an uncomfortable amateur comedy show!" if anyone suggested such a thing. Now, I have realize all professionals need to start somewhere and while experience does help, some people are just funny. At least the comedians here don't take themselves to seriously enough to go Michael Richards on the audience for bombed jokes. But there's honestly good jokes to be had. Sometimes because it's a hilarious insight, sometimes because it's said by someone unexpected, and sometimes the timing is just right. I don't need to be laughing every minute anyways. I need breaks to drink my BYOB booze and free pizza slice. Recommended to come at 8 pm to get the pizza and a decent spot to sit. Even on a rainy night, it's been packed. read more

Weekly local comedy from some of Berkeley and Oakland's very own up and coming comics. Hilarious! read more

The hosts always make me laugh so it is a guaranteed great show. A friend and I are are becoming regulars. Our favorite guests...Sean McKenzie, Mean Dave, and Johan Miranda. read more

I love coming to berkley with the wife and family;there's always something new to explore.Todays was coming out to this comedy club and want be my last,had a great time and comedians are very funny. read more

I had a great time! The comedy was fresh, the space was comfortable, it was also an amazing deal! only $5. for the show and it was BYOB. I came when the doors opened at 8pm and even got a free piece of pizza. I would highly recommend this venue for anyone who wants a good laugh with some very polished comedians. The host Erik Krasner was especially funny. read more

We went tonight for the first time and it was better than we expected. I cry-laughed with one of the comedians, which is definitely the sign of a good show. We live nearby and will definitely be back. read more

Hilarious! My friends and I went last Saturday and couldn't stop laughing. A lot of the comedians have performed at cobbs and punchline in SF and our favorite comedian of the night shanti charan will be at sketchfest! read more

Surprisingly high-quality--who knew a games shop could attract solid comedy talent? Looking forward to going again.

No more pizza... Also, the show is every weekend now... i think it was better quality and had more people attending when it was every other week. read more

Very affordable way to see local comics perform in a dungeons and dragons atmosphere! Will return

Super fun comedy show with hella nice people definitely worthy Saturday night adventure.

Great to see a fun show for only a few bucks and to bring your own booze. Everyone has a fairly short set so you get to see a variety of good acts. Definitely a fun and laid back thing to do on a Saturday night. read more

Amazing show last week. So good i might just go back tomorrow! This local comedy show is held every week at Its Your Move board game store on telegraph. Its just $5-10 per person and they even have pizza. The best part is that you can bring your own alcohol which is a huge plus if your not into over priced drinks. The comedians were all quite entertaining. In fact, its the first local comedy show ive been to in the bay area where there was not a single comedian i didnt. Usually there is one or two that i just dont connect with, but at least on my first visit, they were all superb. Bring some friends and come prepared to have an amazing time. read more

Fuckin dope, highly recommend. I laughed at least once. How long do I need to make this review before yelp lets me post it? I had no idea yelp had a character minimum, it's really ruining my whole attempt see minimalism. read more

Awesome show. Always super funny comics. Always full of people in a very big space so get there early. BYOB is cool since there's a liquor store down the street. Totally worth the money. read more

Like some others have written, I almost don't want to tell the truth for fear of this being too popular! It is one of the best Saturday night deals around. Nothing fancy, but for $5, you don't need atmosphere in my book. Multiple local comics. BYOB is also a plus, and another money saver. There is a liquor store across the street if you need a last minute purchase. read more

Gone a few times now and love it. they get great up and coming comedians and its a fantastic deal at $5. Plus no drink minimums. It's in a game store, so no food/drink is served but you can bring your own drinks and snacks. read more

Brilliant comedians performing in an off-beat setting (game store by day, comedy club by night). We laughed until our faces hurt. We will definitely come back! read more

I've been to comedy all over SF and Oakland. This is my favorite spot. A chance to see comedy in the making with some big names trying new material. Intimate venue. If you're looking for a well polished 1 hour set stay home and watch netflix. If you want to laugh in a cool venue and have an excellent comedy experience this is the place. read more

To be honest, I haven't been here yet, but I just heard they have booked Jackie Kashian, who is one of the funniest comics working today. First Saturday in December read more

Awesome experience and funny as hell! This is something I don't wanna share but just had a BFF night!

Always funny and the producers are always very nice! Living in the neighborhood, its great not having to figure out what to do in a sat night and just head over to its your move knowing you'll have a good time! Keep it up, guys! read more

We attended last night's comedy show and, boy oh boy, what a great time we had. 6 or 7 comics, one after another, over a two hour show, with the headliner being the wonderful Liz Miele. Not a bad comic in the bunch. Some er up and coming and some were more polished, but they were all funny. The owners serve as emcees and they too are funny(and nice) as well. Great local references and topical comedy.....all for the enormous entry fee of five dollars!!!!! You cannot find a better value or a better way to spend a Saturday night. read more