I've been to Irvine Improv three times and have enjoyed the place every single time. Though I've seen my fair share of stand up through different venues, the intimacy and status of the Improv is something that cannot be replicated anywhere else. It's located in Irvine Spectrum so there are a lot of places to stop by before or after the show. Line management has been fairly organized every time I went. It gets a little crowded when you end up seated anywhere else but the booths and barrier. I also feel like I'm straining my neck looking at the stage since the table seats are facing perpendicular to the stage as opposed to towards it. There is a two order minimum, but the food has been decent. Got some shrimp tacos and shared nachos with my party when I went. Overall a good time, but ergonomically a bit uncomfortable. The entertainment far outweighs everything else though, so this will remain my go-to stand up spot. read more

Irvine Improv - Shrimp Tacos. - Comedy Clubs Near Me - Irvine, California

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1 extra star for the comedians. All ordering is done through QR code. The food runners will then bring your food out. I say food runners because they are not servers. Servers take your order and provide a service. These people literally just bring your food. They will charge you $15 for a refillable iced tea. Laughable. Enjoy that and your soggy quesadilla. Then you can expect your food runners to come out before the show is over and completely interrupt while you're trying to enjoy the end of the show. They will spin a tablet around at you that has a 20% tip automatically added and harass you into signing while you're trying to watch the end of the comedian you paid for. Word of advice. Close your tab out online before they have this opportunity. Then you can tip appropriately and enjoy the end of the show without being interrupted. Although you will have to listen to them harass everybody around who did not know this tip. Super fun. Highly recommend taking the opportunity to see comedians at Sofi, the forum, and any other venue where there is no minimum requirements for purchase and you order standing up, therefore not be harassed until leaving a 20% tip for no service. read more

Terrible food. Ordered a fried chicken sandwich with garlic Parmesan fried and two drinks. Chicken sandwich came out right away and was cold , dry same with the fries. They were limp and soggy with oil. I will be coming back for the comedy but definitely not for the food. Nate Jackson was amazing!!! 5/5 stars Food 2/5 Drinks 3.5/5 read more

Irvine Improv - Comedy Clubs Near Me - Irvine, California

Been here 3-4 times and loving it. The place is nice with great vibe. Staff are nice and friendly. The venue is quite spacious and cook ambiance. Big stage and varies type of seating areas. Foods are okey, drinks are great. read more

Irvine Improv - Comedy Clubs Near Me - Irvine, California

Went to Irvine Improv for the first time. You can find parking at spectrum mall parking structure. They have line set up outside Improv for admission. The staff is friendly help with any questions you have. They seat you down on the tables they have QR code for ordering however their website doesn't not work or it's very slow don't blame it since everyone is using this service. They should look in upgrading it so it's more reliable. We end up giving our order to staff member. Of course we don't have menu options to pick from. The food is presented well however taste was not great for the amount you paid. We order nachos that were not good barely any on it. Cheese pizza was good and two soft drinks. Seating arrangements can be better to help with viewing since general admission seat all face each other so you can't see the person on stage. read more

We were at the improv for a drag brunch event. The event itself was awesome. Ordering drinks and food through the QR code is fast and easy and there are plenty of runners getting the food and drinks out to you, so service is great. However, the food is awful. I would not eat here ever again. How do you mess up nachos or a burger. Not only is it terrible, but also overpriced. I will not be ordering food if I attend another event here. read more

This was my first time to the Irvine Improv and first time to see a comedy show. I did not know what to expect when I purchased a ticket to see Middle Aged Boy Band on Sunday. I thought it was probably a parody concert of popular boy band hits kind of like Weird Al-type of parodies. We were seated in the front so we had a close up view of the stage, which I appreciated that. I also liked that I could place the order at anytime during the performance on my phone via scanning the QR code and paying after putting in an order without having to talk to a server. I ordered an iced tea and nachos. The iced tea came out pretty fast, but I had to remind the server about my nachos after not having seen it in over 30 minutes. I was pleased by the food and drink taste-wise. I liked that I could get extra cheese sauce without having to pay extra. I am taking one star off only because of the wait. I am not sure if I would have gotten my nachos had I not asked about it. The show itself was very engaging. The trio came off the stage and danced around us often and played very nostalgic boy band hits in between each comedy skit. I laughed so hard at times that I was in tears. I had such a great time. I would definitely come again. read more

Irvine Improv - Comedy Clubs Near Me - Irvine, California

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Eight friends and I went to see Don McMillan on Wednesday evening. He was absolutely hilarious! Original, clean, very funny and smart, bright comedy. We all agreed he was the best comedian we'd seen in ages. The service was wonderful. The wait staff was very attentive. What a fun evening! read more

Irvine Improv - Tall club of O.C. members and our friends. - Comedy Clubs Near Me - Irvine, California

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Came for the wrestling, tickets were free, but required to purchase two item minimum per person. The show was fun, the dives and jumps, wrestling very athletic sport. Kahula and coffee. Liked it just the right amount of sweet and hot. Food pepperoni pizza with Ceasar side salad, and nachos. Quality of the food was really good, lettuce fresh, ceaser dressing was tasty. Pizza cheese was very tasty and pepperoni and jalopenos went well with it, the bottom crust could of been cooked a little crisper. But that is my preference. Nachos large plate, very good toppings. Well worth the price. read more

Irvine Improv - Pizza, nachos, and a side salad - Comedy Clubs Near Me - Irvine, California

Parth is my favorite employee. He saved the day for me and my friends. He was super patient and understanding and explained everything so well. Thank you for helping me parth. -Bryan read more

First time at this Improv and I had a great time. There is a lot of seating with good views. We were in one of the rows of seats which were a bit cramped. They try to fit as many people as possible. Food was okay- I liked the pretzel the best. The drinks were pretty good. Overall, nice place for a fun show. read more

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This was my first time visiting the Irvine Improv and it was what I expect from an improv. They are located at Irvine spectrum which is busy on a weekend. Parking was an absolute nightmare so please be prepared and give yourself some extra time to park. It took us about 20 mins to park from the moment we got in the structure. The line starts outside and once check-in process starts, it goes by pretty quick. It is first come first serve for seating so make sure you are there early if you want front seats in your area. There is a 2 item minimum per person, but they have an extensive menu so it shouldn't be a problem. We tried the steak rolls things that were good with lots of lettuce and had a dessert that was also good. My only callout is that they did not bring any napkins and we had to ask for some. I had the 2 martinis that were very tasty and couldn't taste the alcohol, but it sure was there! My bf had a whisky drink that he enjoyed. The ambiance will vary based on performer, but in general is more geared towards adults and it is darker inside. They have booths for larger parties that are totally worth it if you have enough people interested to fill them (4). Overall I enjoyed it but would think it twice on a weekend because of parking. read more

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I go to the Irvine Improv A LOT! It's such an easy and convenient place to catch a show. On nights when they have two shows, I personally prefer attending the earlier one becuase I can time it to show up, walk in and sit down and be out by a decent time even on a work night. I don't enjoy arriving and standing in line outside to wait for the first show to end. In addition to seeing comedy shows her, I've also been there for a drag brunch show. The staff is very chill and good at getting patrons in/out in the most efficient ways. They food and drink come out quite quickly. The comedy club shares a kitchen with Umami burger so the food is ok. You can order using a QR code or directly with the staff. It's a great place to go if you want to get your brain to release some dopamine. They book some great comedians here too! read more

Attended the Atsuko Okatsuka comedy show last week. I had a great time despite being seated in the back. You can purchase general admissions tickets, which are treated us first come first serve. When you arrive, the staff walks you over to your table. They also have available booths for groups of four. The pricing is a little more expensive but I think it's definitely worth it. There's a QR code at the table which allows you to start a tab and order drinks and food. There is also a server who is assigned to your table and will provide service as well. The show was great, the staff was wonderful, and the drinks were not terrible. Can't wait to go back and see another comedy show! read more

Irvine Improv - Comedy Clubs Near Me - Irvine, California

I was not a fan of the two-item minimum policy because I knew the food would not be that good for the price, and I was right. It was so expensive for no reason but the only upside was that food counted as a part of the tw0 items. I ordered the Improve Mule which was not good so I gave it to my boyfriend and the meatballs and marinara. It came with 3 meatballs and 3 slices of bread. It wasn't horrible but I would've rather spent my money outside on a good meal instead of settling for movie theater quality of food. However, we had great seats and the service was great too. The waitress kept checking in on us and the food came out right away. There weren't any assigned seats so your seat depends on when you arrive. The usher walks you in and luckily, he took us to a bar-type seating that a great view of the show we came to watch: Gals on the Go. read more

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Thank you to Joe for making good on a promise to correct what was a horrible experience into an unforgettable one. After a few years of hiatus from a previous experience, I was able to reach out with a lot of effort to get into Sammy Obeid. Laughter is what I needed. It made a huge shift for those couple of hours to have my mind forget about all the troubles of the world, the pain, the suffering, the negative space of health challenges and instead be in a room (which i normally avoid) and feel safe with a few family members. The acts were hilarious, my migraine was held at bay, the lighting was perfect, the sound not aggressive or triggering, and the VIP section easily ADA accessible for my specific needs. The server that helped my table was able to accommodate my dietary restrictions and even was able to get sweet potatoe fries from Umami Burger next door to be delivered to me. Who does that? We were super impressed. The favorites of the evening: The Improve wagyu burger, the fries, and the fried Oreos with ice cream. My cousin loved his expresso martini, and his wife and I had a margarita that was amazing. I wanted to come back for Maz Jobrani for Valentines Day weekend, but due to health issues had to pass. I will be back. I will be seated in the ADA section, with an open mind, an open heart, and space to laugh in order to cleanse my spirit. I really like the updated menu and look forward to coming back. read more

Irvine Improv - Sammy Obied - Comedy Clubs Near Me - Irvine, California

I went recently to the Irvine Improv venue to attend a standup show. Overall, the general vibe was enjoyable. I arrived early and was promptly seated at a table with two other small groups of patrons. You have to order at least two items off of the menu, drinks included. After the show was over, I stayed seated at the table, waiting for the rush to the exit to die down. I was finishing my drink when the staff started stacking every single cup in the room on my table. read more

Irvine Improv - Main stage - Comedy Clubs Near Me - Irvine, California

Nice and clean. Service is slow so Make sure to Order right away. I ordered boneless lemon pepper wings, Long Island and pina colada. Drinks were really good. They chicken, not so much. There was literally a pool of oil in the bowl they served it to me in. Plus, my stomach did not take that well. SUPER GREASY. Ugh. Good thing the comedians were hilarious! Tony Rock was the main headliners and then there were two others. I really enjoyed that whole set. read more

I have zero complaints about this venue for my first experience there. 4 of us purchased the VIP booth which I highly recommend. Even though it was a bit pricey, you know convenience always comes with a price. We attended the first show, we arrived 30minutes before the show started and there was no line because most ppl were already seated. We walked right up, got our wristbands and was walked right over to our table. We scanned the QR code on the table to view and order off the menu. Now, mind you with the VIP booth you get a credit towards your food and drinks so I might take back that the booth is pricey because after all the food and drinks for the evening we paid nothing. The service was great, everyone was friendly and fast! Feel like we barely submitted our order and it came right out. We stayed after the show to take photos with Nate Jackson who was the comedian we went to see. They were very organized. The 2nd showings line was pretty long. I'm assuming it takes a bit for them to clean up and get the next group back in so that's understandable. If I did have to complain it would be that I wish the restrooms were a little closer. They're at the very entrance. Parking as well is very ugly at the Spectrum on a Saturday night but we parked in the structure across the street literally across from the improv and just walked right over.. much better than waiting in a long line for the spectrum parking. I will definitely return to this venue. read more

Irvine Improv - View from the first VIP booth. Photo doesn't do it justice. It was still close enough I was getting eye contact with the comedians - Comedy Clubs Near Me - Irvine, California

Grabbed a VIP ticket to see Sam Morril in August, and was blown away by the difference between Irvine Improv and Brea Improv. The experience in Brea (Taylor Tomlinson) was good, so I was expecting similar, but here's where Irvine was even better: Absolutely no line. I arrived maybe 20 or 30 minutes before the show and was taken right in, but what I noticed is that even the "regular" seats had no line - perhaps it's because I arrived late-ish, but I arrived with similar timing to Brea, and though I didn't have to wait to get in, the other line was at least 30 deep. Service was FAST. At Brea, I waited 20-30 minutes for each item I ordered, but here, it was almost like they teleported food and drink to me. Apart from that, it was the general good vibes at any comedy show, and the staff was great. All in all, a positive experience and I'll absolutely go back, the next time one of my faves is performing. I do highly recommend spending the few extra bucks for a VIP seat here and anywhere, if it's in the budget, because it removes all the guesswork with respect to lines/being seated in a good location. At least if you're willing to risk being selected for crowd work. :) (Thankfully, I wasn't!) On a separate note, there's tons of food and shopping around if you're interested in making an event of it; I didn't take advantage of this, but certainly noted it for next time. A final note - allow some time for parking. Maybe it's just because I hadn't been there so pulled into the first parking structure I saw, but it was a bit of a hike from the structure to the venue, so I wouldn't recommend arriving within 20 minutes of show time, especially if you're the sort who wants to use the restroom and be settled in before your performer takes the stage. read more

First time at the Irvine Improv. Came to see Alfred Robles, everything was well organized from the line to get in to the check in to being seated. Staff were friendly at all times. Drinks were good, everything is contactless when it comes to ordering food and drinks. Restrooms were clean. read more

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Really solid time here. They do a good job of seating people in a timely and efficient manner and none of the seats are really bad. We did our ordering through the QR code which is as super efficient (albeit the menu is expensive). The layout of the seats is accessible and the bathroom is easy to pop out to during the show. Parking can be a bit confusing with the garage but it ends up being pretty convenient. Super easy check in and friendly staff. read more

There is a joke in here somewhere, just missing a proper punchline. If it wasn't for Attell, all the puke and tarry stool would've warranted a throw down. I spent that following night thru morning projectile vomiting everything I had there, INCLUDING the water. While Jerome spent the following week squirting out the rest of that garden flatbread. I hope it's ok that I'm saying this but together we make a great cast for the next exorcism movie. Or- MAYBE Dave Attell was SO funny that we couldn't stop pooping and throwing up. For 3 days. read more

Irvine Improv - Buffalo chicken and fries - Comedy Clubs Near Me - Irvine, California

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This is an awesome place to go with friends and family over 21. The service is quick and helpful. The Ambiance is dark with some really cool lighting. When you're at the table where you're sitting, there is a menu to scan on your phone. You simply place an order with your phone and the food or drinks will arrive. There is an option to keep the tab open until you're ready to pay or wait till the end. It's all about enjoying the show and making any order seamless. I really enjoyed myself here and plan on coming back. read more

Irvine Improv - Chandelier - Comedy Clubs Near Me - Irvine, California

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Always good to get some laughs in, and the improv is always providing that. Good times and good laughs. Been coming here a few times now for a different variety of comic lineups. Can't wait to go back for my next adventure. The nostalgia here brings some unique vibes, makes for a great date night or night with your friends. The staff here is super friendly and nice, they work very hard to provide you quick, fast service. I always have a blast here enjoying the cocktails, mocktails, and food is good here too. I've enjoyed a lot of the finger foods they offer. The fried spicy pickles are my favorite as well as the French fries can't go wrong there! Thanks Irvine improv for the memories can't wait for next time!!! read more

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Other than the comedian, everything about Irvine Improv deserves a 1 star. First of all for the seating, we were packed like sardines elbow to elbow. I was closer to a stranger than my friend. The tables weren't even facing the stage so not only did my head have to be turned 90°, but in order to see past the person next to me, I'd have to lean forward, probably hindering the person behind me from seeing too. It seemed like it was set up to be a restaurant more than a comedy club. When purchasing the tickets, no where did it mention a 2 order minimum PER PERSON, and on top of that the food and drink were extremely pricy for what it was. I asked for waters BEFORE the show and never got them until I had to ask again at the END of the show when I paid the bill. I was super excited to go to Irvine Improv for the first time but was let down and will not be coming back. read more

There is a parking garage near the movie theaters and will have plenty of parking spaces. It was my first time coming here for a comedy show and it was a good experience. We waited in line and then someone would come by and scan your tickets and stamp your hand if you have been scanned. They do check bags and once inside, they direct you where to sit. They do have a two-item minimum and prices range from $7 - 20+. You scan the QR code on the table to order and pay via your phone. I got lemonade ($7) and Seasonal Fries ($9). The seasonal fries were pretty good for the cost but were quite salty. Overall, great vibes, but the menu items were quite expensive for what you get. Recommendation(s): - Seasonal Fries Service: 5/5 Tip(s): - Check bags - Park near the movie theaters - Scan QR code on table to order and pay via your phone read more

We loved it ... great service and we will be back.. I did like getting the tickets the day of show because it prevented people from scalping tickets read more

I've seen a few shows here and it's really a hit or miss on who is headlining. First, I should say that they cram you in like sardines. You have no elbow room and if they put you in the long tables, if you get someone taller than you in front of you...you might not be able to see that much. They have a two item minimum, just like all comedy clubs. The prices are outrageous. For a soda, it's like $7. The food is eh, just OK. However, the service has always been good. Very friendly waitstaff and very responsive, especially considering how many people they have to help. I wasn't impressed with the last two shows that I saw here. Just not very funny. I will be back but I will be researching the comics before I attend next time. read more

My husband and I moved to Orange County from NYC. Love that this place exists in Irvine out of all places. The bookings have also been really great. We had seen some (to us) recognizable names here without having to drive all the way to LA or SD, which is awesome. Saw Atsuko Okatsuka the other night, and went to see Ian Fidance tonight. Will see Duncan Trussel next. Service and people working the venue have always been nice. Tonight our server was Monty, who was very attentive and sweet. The food generally is just alright, but fine for what it is at a venue like this. The one thing I'll say that's a bit jarring is the sound system. The high notes of the music that gets played in the beginning gets painful to the ears when you sit by the speakers in the front. (I bring ear plugs.) That said, knowing what to expect, we will still come back and hopefully continue having a great time. read more

Irvine Improv - Fried pickles with ranch and sweet & sour sauce. - Comedy Clubs Near Me - Irvine, California

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A sorta mixed bag here. Generally, the staff here is on the ball and very well organized. The front door people, in particular, were especially efficient and friendly. One reviewer mentioned that you are packed in like sardines here, which I would agree with. We went last night to see Jiaoying Summers, and still had a very nice time. The food was just mediocre. I ordered the burger with fries and both arrived lukewarm, like it had been sitting under a heat lamp awhile. My other party ordered the chicken wings and she said they were just so so. Pricing on the food is what you would expect to pay. The drinks, on the other hand, are quite expensive. Keep that in mind if you are considering ordering more than one drink. There was no cutlery or napkins when the food arrived, so I had to wait a good 15 minutes to flag down the server just to get those. Still, our sever was quite friendly. Just not as attentive as I would have liked. Will definitely come back, but will read other reviews here as to what food to order before coming here again. read more

Live in LA and went to check out this venue because we really like Janelle James. She was amazing. I really liked the venue. The food was just okay but service was good and fast. They are very efficient. We sat up front in VIP. It was super cool to be so close for the show. read more

Irvine Improv - 5 stars for the comedian. She was great. - Comedy Clubs Near Me - Irvine, California

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Second time coming here, the service is always top-notch super friendly people very helpful and getting us to some great seats. We sat right at the front. We usually just order drinks, but the burgers look pretty good though we're not here for the food we came and saw Bassim Yusuf. He was hilarious. Great atmosphere and very lucky to have a great comedy club nearby to see all these big comics in a small venue is pretty cool. read more

Irvine Improv - got to meet the Dr and legend Bassem Yousef - Comedy Clubs Near Me - Irvine, California

Joe, thank you for taking the time to address all our concerns and to make it right. We had a great time last night. The food was much better, Pete Lee was awesome, and Greg was a great server. We'll see you again. read more

Irvine Improv - Shredded street tacos - beware of bay leaves. - Comedy Clubs Near Me - Irvine, California

Great place but service lacks once the show is on. I ordered food and a drink that never came. The show was over and I had to ask for it. I took it just because I'm just not that person. We had a great time there but the service seemed to dwindle mid-show. They had many servers but I think they forgot to check the online orders because that's how I ordered. I'm glad they had sufficient security to stop hecklers. Restrooms were super clean. The only reason I gave the 3 stars instead of four is due to the lack of customer service and having to ask for my food twice before they served it at the end of the show. Then looked at me as to why we were eating there with no to go bag. That kind of s_cked because we had a good time. read more

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The Irvine Improv is a must-visit comedy venue that provides a complete, top-tier experience. I recently saw Alfred Robles, and the comedy was non-stop. The service is truly exceptional, specifically from Brien. Having been here over 30 times, I can confidently say he is the single fastest and most efficient server. His lightning-fast service is flawless. Also, don't overlook the food! It is genuinely underrated--high-quality and fresh, setting it far above typical club dining. World-class talent, superb staff like Brien, and great food make this the perfect spot. read more

If you have a GA ticket, get here early and you can sit right next to the stage! The Improv has a really detailed system in place to get people seated and get their orders out. I recommend ordering right as you get seated to beat the rush! The chicken tacos were actually so delicious. The meat was shredded, tender and juicy. The salsa verde was also quite tasty. The show itself was hilarious seeing bobby lee! I do wish they would have turned down the mic at some points. We were right next to a speaker and it felt like my ears were gonna blow out lol read more

My husband & I went here last night to see Chad Daniels. We got there early for good seats. Opening acts were decent to pretty solid. Chad Daniels nailed it! He is a super cool guy and smart. Drinks are on the expensive side and the food has gone downhill drastically since they unpaired with Umami Burger. We got the spinach artichoke dip which was pretty good but idk why they had to season the tortilla chips. Service is aways friendly and they do the best they can. read more

Irvine Improv - Spinach artichoke dip with overseasoned tortilla chips - Comedy Clubs Near Me - Irvine, California

Service was good and food was better than I expected on both taste and portion size- came here to share my pic of shrimp tacos. They were so big I ate at least half of the taco with a fork before I could pick it up! read more

Irvine Improv - Shrimp tacos, one untouched to show how huge they were! Tasty and loaded with shrimp, highly recommend! - Comedy Clubs Near Me - Irvine, California

Came to see nurse John Honestly loved it. Our sever was really nice very attentive and knowledgeable. The food was decent. The nachos were just a little bit too much. There was so much going on which it became so soggy. The fried pickles were delicious. Honestly my favorite thing. The drinks were good very strong. But a bit pricey. Super clean and well organized. read more

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