My friend and I came here to see Atsuko Okatsuka and she was hilarious. I was so glad I found out she was performing here the week of and so we bought tickets to the 7pm Saturday show. I contemplated paying an extra $10 for VIP seats but it wasn't necessary since we showed up about an hour before the show and got great seats anways. There is a two drink minimum so I ordered Sprite, and the sodas come in a carafe for the same price as two drinks. The drinks they gave us were definitely watered down so I asked for an empty glass with ice and it was better. FYI if you order water, it is Liquid Death cans and they're more expensive than the soda. Wish they would have a price list for the non-alcoholic options. The venue is decent sized but the seats are pretty close to one another, and you have to sit at an angle to see the stage (unless you're sitting at the bar in the back or on the second level). We were close to the stage and it was great to be able to see the comedian up close, felt like there was a connection. The show was enjoyable and the servers and staff were friendly. Parking was busy on a weekend night but not impossible, also appreciate that it's free. Pretty neat that they emailed a code for free tickets to another comedy show. I do hope to see a show here again in the future! read more

I've always been a fan of comedy shows and Tempe improv is always a good time. We saw Akaash Singh here who was great, Rob Schneider and many more. I will say their space could be a little bigger because they pack you in like sardines there. You can barely move without hitting the person next to you. They do have alcoholic beverages and food here, and everything is upcharged. They have a small selection of beers, wine, and cocktails here, but you will not find anything under $12. even mocktails are $13. We've had the fries before which are pretty good, but I had a burger and pizza here before and wasn't super impressed, there's also just not much room to eat. The service is pretty good, and doesn't take too long. Just wish this place was more spacious, but we still have a good time. read more

Tempe Improv - Seating area - Comedy Clubs Near Me - Tempe, Arizona

Overall a great experience! It was our first comedy show and we had the best time seeing one of our favorite comedians Casey Rocket. The way they sit you is interesting lol it was two of us so we sat across from eachother but very close to the people on the sides of us, luckily the show wasn't long because after awhile it would be uncomfortable. I wish they'd take height into consideration though because having to turn to the side to look at the stage and having a very tall guy next to you makes it hard to see lol. The servers are great and have an organized system though! read more

Went to Adam McIntyre's show here; overall the service is great! They were timely and it was easy to get into the venue and they were quick to seat us, guiding us to our seats. Food is definitely overpriced; the calamari while food was $17. I ordered the espresso martini and unlike most espresso martinis it didn't have the coffee liqueur and was eh in quality. However they did have a special drink menu for the show specifically which was a nice addition. Final thoughts: definitely a great show! Just expect high prices for what you're ordering. read more

Came out to see Willie Barcena and Deejay Vasquez and had an incredible night! Our waitress Kate hit the mark time after time by suggesting the best cocktails and appetizers that made the night one to remember. Keep in mind that can have a beer anytime, so if you visit the Improv try one of their craft cocktails. read more

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We had a great time at the Tempe Improv. I'm a native of Phoenix, and the Tempe improv has been around before me. Haven't been here in almost 20 years. That being said despite the age of this great establishment they've managed to really do well to upkeep and renovate the building. Yes yes we know the drinks are too expensive but you know that going into it right? Even though we sat in the back row we could see the stage from our seats the way that they have the layout set up. Waiter was amazing I wish I could remember his name. (Tall, young, gentleman with glasses and kind of floppy dark brown hair). And the cool thing about the Tempe Improv is not only do they do comedy but they also do shows. We attended the bingo local event it was so much fun. Definitely coming back but more than once in the next 20 years! read more

Tempe Improv - Comedy Clubs Near Me - Tempe, Arizona

Tempe Improv is hands down one of the best spots around for a proper laugh night out. The venue feels well executed, intimate but with enough capacity so feel of a live show, and the sound, lighting, and stage flow are strong. They bring in quality comedic talent (from local acts to well-known names) and mix in themed shows like 'Comedy Madness' that keep things fresh and entertaining. Food is above typical club fare, the bar menu is solid, and the 2-drink minimum is fair considering the experience. The atmosphere combines energy and laid-back comfort, making nights here feel special without being over the top. Always a reliable pick when you want entertainment + great laughs. read more

My family & I attended our first comedy show together on Saturday July 15th for the DL Hugley @ 9:45p show. It's located in Tempe plaza across from ASU by Trader Joe's & lot of other businesses. Upon arriving; as we were walking up notice a huge line waiting outside & assume we had to wait until 9:45p until they start to letting people in. We were there about 15-20mins prior to start time so we can park & get our seats right away which was not the case. We waited 40mins outside in the heat w/ no water offered to anyone & no explanation. Later; after over 25mins of waiting someone started to come around checking purses & then 10mins or more after him a lady came around to check tickets & give VIP bracelets. Once she came around she said the previous show ran behind/late & then had to clean up for the next show. We understand things may happen; Tempe Improv could have explain the delay ahead of time, pass our water to everyone & also possibly remove 1 of the drink requirements due to the delay. Once entered; we were seated immediately & was given water right away. Our waiter Faithin was very kind & kept returning to see if we needed anything. He said we needed to order 2 more drinks & was thinking waters maybe an option but assumed it was free & needed order soda & or alcoholic drinks. It's a 2 drink requirement when attending the show which we were all aware of. The specialty drink menu did not have prices listed & once we received our bill was charged $17 for each drink which is very expensive & the drinks were not strong. If you are going to charge that much for a drink; it should be made right & in a bigger glass. Our show that evening should have all received a courtesy drink due to the delay of waiting 40 mins outside in the heat. Overall; their were 2 comedians prior to DL Hugley were hilarious & then DL Hugley which was amazing. All the comedians were professional, friendly, entertaining & so much more. Also the tickets were $50 . The comedy show was a 5 plus star rating. Just our overall experience was 3- 1/2 stars. We would love to attend another show again & tip to use 1 credit card for purchases & or bring cash. It's worth purchasing VIP tickets since you can seat right in front of the stage. We heard the food was okay so we ate ahead of time. read more

Great time! Perfect for a needed date night with my wife. Can't wait to come back for our anniversary

ALSO THE FOOD WAS A JOKE. A Comedy Show or a Legalized Scam? I came here expecting a night of laughs, not a financial shakedown. The comedians were alright--some good jokes, some misses, but overall decent. However, whatever entertainment value this place had was completely overshadowed by its outrageous drink policy. First off, a 4 drink minimum just to sit and watch a comedy show? Are you kidding me? If that wasn't bad enough, these so-called "drinks" had zero alcohol in them. I might as well have been drinking overpriced tap water with a fancy name. And the worst part? You're forced to buy drinks even if you choose non-alcoholic options--which, by the way, are $20 each AFTER tax. Let that sink in: TWENTY DOLLARS for a soda or a mocktail. I don't know what kind of twisted business model this place is running, but forcing guests into an absurd drink minimum--regardless of what they're drinking--is beyond stupid. It's pure greed, plain and simple. I came for comedy, not for a financial scam disguised as a night out. Save your money and go somewhere that values their customers instead of exploiting them. Honestly garbage place and garbage rules. read more

I bought my tickets for the Luenelle show since July VIP I took my 18yr old daughter it turns out I got pushed back to the 9:30pm show because it was 21and over the 7:30pm show, I lost my VIP and we had to wait until the 9:30pm show and did not get VIP I'm sure they sold my VIP for more money, I was told I was going to get a refund for the VIP ticket and never got anything, this is some serious robbery of people's money. I will never will be giving my money to these money hungry people, I rather go to Stand up live!!! I give Tempe Improv a big Zero!!!! read more

I just wanted to leave 5 stars to help compensate for the amount of people complaining about the 2 drink minimum. This isn't a Tempe Improv thing, this is industry standard EVERYWHERE. Just say you've never been to a comedy show. They don't need to justify why they charge what they charge. And who tf orders calamari in the desert at a comedy club and expects it to be 5 stars?!? Side note... This is consistently mentioned as one of the top venues in the country for stand up, maybe laughing just isn't your thing. These 1 star drama queens need to stick to Kevin James at the footprint center (I hear you can get 2 bud lights for $32 there) read more

Came here for a date night out to see Modi live for some stand-up comedy. The pros: intimate setting, lots of parking, great comedians, and not a huge upcharge for meet and greet with the performer. The cons: two drink requirement is awful, the prices are even more awful, and you can't sub in food. We paid $40 for four waters. That is seriously uncool. Plus, they pack you in so tightly, even in the VIP section. read more

Improv Comedy Club in Tempe on University is one of - if not the - top spot for me to enjoy great national and local comics! seating is tight but doable - and honestly much better than similar sized comedy clubs that try to pack you in like sardines. The staff are all super nice and attentive and even during the show will get your orders in pretty quickly. A number of good bar drinks, beers, and usually the headlining comic will have a few "special" drinks associated with them and their show. VIP is well worth it but you can always get regular tickets and call to reserve your seats. Join the mailing list for free tix to some of the shows! read more

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I wouldn't have minded the 2 drink minimum had I received my order punctually and correctly. While the staff was friendly, the service was subpar which dampened my overall experience. Parking was free and shared amongst a plethora of stores in the plaza. Although the lot was packed, the flow was consistently in and out so I didn't struggle with parking. Located next to Society's EVO and Trader Joe's, the Improv Comedy Club had a sleek, glass exterior and cozy interior. The line moved steadily and my group was seated on the second floor in the furthest back row. The stage was visible and there were TV screens available if there happened to be a taller individual in front. There was a strict no phone use policy so take photos prior. There was a mandatory 2 drink requirement with admission and food wasn't applicable. The menu had standard, pricey bar food and drinks. Strangely the listed cocktails weren't properly labeled but they were priced at $16.50. There was a "special" menu inspired by each headliner that came with a free 2 admission pass with each purchase. There were two mocktails for designated drivers which also came with the free pass. The back row was unfortunately neglected. Despite being one of the first groups on the second floor and placing our order at 6:30PM, we didn't receive our food until 8:30PM. We were consistently told that they were busy with orders from the first floor even though we observed other groups around us receiving food. By the time we got our food, the show was nearly over and we were given take out boxes instead of plates. Half of our group didn't receive the advertised free passes, although we don't plan on returning. *Truffle Fries: decent portion and mostly crispy. The fries had prominent truffle flavor and were seasoned well. Would have loved to have such a salty and hot side with my cocktails but it wasn't meant to be. Easy shareable. *Chicken Quesadilla: soggy and cold. Felt like this dish was left out for two hours as the cheese had congealed and oil had visibly permeated through the tortilla. Difficult to taste given the oiliness. *I Get Around: white and dark rum with passionfruit syrup, orange and lime juice. Favorite cocktail of the night as it resembled a citrusy smoothie. The passionfruit syrup made this cocktail thick and sweet. Could have been a bit stronger with the rum but it went down easily. *Blankman: cognac, peach schnapps, pineapple juice, cranberry juice, and banana liquor. Incredibly disappointing as this drink was overwhelmed by the pineapple. Had no presence of banana, peach and cranberry and given how late I was given this cocktail, the ice had diluted my sips. As for the show, we were disappointed with Damon Wayans Jr's portion but loved Chinedu. The stage was fairly simple with no special effects or backdrop but I enjoyed the clarity in sound and video quality. My group collectively had a miserable time with the dishonest service and we don't plan on returning. Expect to spend at least $40 for 2 cocktails and for service to be incredibly slow if not nonexistent. Transparency would have gone a long way with the prices and forgotten orders. read more

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Waited 45 mins in line, then went in and got seated (didn't even check my ticket) and got put in the middle of the isle in front of two random people (had no idea it was like this), sat for maybe 5 minutes and left due to the absolute worst seating situation. They should just lower the capacity by 100 and remove the isle bar seats that are in the back cause it's so dumb. read more

Every time I have gone and ordered the specialty drink with "2 free tickets" they never actually give you the tickets. you have to go up and ask for them at the end of the night. Its just so annoying. Just give your customers what they ordered, dont put them in the position where they actually have to ask. Thats just bad service. read more

I've been here, been to the Desert Ridge Improv, and Phoenix StandUp more than 20 times since 2021, and it's getting more and more expensive to go there even with free tix. Now they don't even tell you how much a beer would cost. They give you a range between $10 and $20. They used to give out complementary tickets for regular shows if you order non-alcoholic cocktails, but not anymore. I've been to New York Comedy Cellar last year, and it was more affordable and reasonably priced where you have to get 2 items regardless of whether they are food and drink or just drinks. Here they only count drinks towards their "minimum". I like the variety of comedians they bring, but giving 3 stars due to their increasing menu prices. read more

Been here many times! Manager was arguing with a patron during the middle of the show right in front of us and when I asked for her to take it outside, I was told to deal with it! Worst customer service ever especially when you are paying top dollar for a comedy show. Very disappointing after being to the improv many time. Arrogance and rudeness needs to stop. read more

Last night we went to the Tempe Improv to see Brad Williams. He was of course as funny as ever and it was a great show. What really made it perfect though were the warm up acts. Normally the openers just aren't that funny to be honest but Quincy Weekly and J. B. Ball just killed it! Now we have to check these guys out further as we were rolling in the aisles. The night was great and we just had a wonderful time. read more

This was my first time going but won't be my last. The comedians headlining for Tony Baker were great. Tony Baker was amazing. I hope he returns to the Improv. Seeing him in person was just a great as following him on social media. Great show. Thank you Tony. Almost as big a hit was the Korean Rice with Salmon I ordered at the suggestion of my waitress. I never would have thought one of my best meals in Tempe would come from a comedy club! If you are looking for social distancing, this is not the place for you. But if you are looking for a great time with great food, consider Tempe Improv. read more

Tempe Improv - Tempe Improv. - Comedy Clubs Near Me - Tempe, Arizona

We're from LA and wanted to do something fun for our Anniversary trip. Pros: Great show with DL Hughley. Although the opening acts were a little better. Very helpful and accommodating with people with disabilities. I emailed in advance about my husbands needs and they followed thru with no problem. Cons: Doors were supposed to open at 530. We arrived at 530 and there was already a line. Mind you, it's 113 degrees outside and they did not open the doors until close to 6. My husband waited in the car. Seating was good until more and more people showed up and they sit strangers at your table(who in our case, were tall and you have to look around them to see the person on stage)and expect you to share this little space(refer to the picture). Also, we were informed of the 2 drink minimum ahead of time but what we weren't informed of, was that if you get food too, you have to spend $50 per person which forced us to order a total of 6drinks And food. Overall it was a cool experience, but I wouldn't go back if I have to share a table with strangers, it was very uncomfortable. read more

Tempe Improv - Food and how close you're sitting to strangers. - Comedy Clubs Near Me - Tempe, Arizona

When we first got there everything was great. There was no line at the door, and we where seated right away. We sat in the VIP section and it was a bit tight on space. Our server came in and introduced himself. He was friendly and did a good job through the night on checking on us. I will say the two negatives about the night where that the parking lot was chaos and we had to park pretty far from the Improv. I also didn't like the two drink rule. I know it's part of their conditions, but I feel like if you don't drink that you should be able to substitute the two drink rule by ordering food. I feel like the tickets are reasonably priced, but the food and drinks are overpriced! read more

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I think they were understaffed because it took forever to get an order in. The fries were kinda gross for $16 and i usually love truffle fries. The pina colada was also kind gross and small for $18. The way seating is arranged makes it hard to see the stage. Also I'm just not a fan of the communal tables. Show was great, though! read more

My friends and I attended a hypnotist show here and it was hilarious and so entertaining! One of my favorite shows ever! I didn't care for the 2 drink minimum which I was aware of; however, I don't drink so I had 2 glasses of Diet Coke at a crazy price. The food was just ok, not good or inedible. The seats are pretty crammed too. 5 stars for the show. For the venue, food and drinks, 2 stars, so I'm giving this a 3 star overall. read more

Outstanding service ! Our server Jill was honestly the best part. Perfect amount of attention to constantly help us without distracting from the show. Great comics and a good crowd. read more

Tempe Improv - 2nd floor view - Comedy Clubs Near Me - Tempe, Arizona

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I enjoyed the comedy show here. Opener wasn't great, but I really enjoyed Hannah Berner. The line to get in moved quickly and my friends and I got good seats- we were in the very back but could still see great and enjoyed the show. I do wish they'd get rid of the two drink minimum, I'd rather pay 15$ more for my ticket than pay for drinks. I got a bottomless coke for my two drinks and paid 16$. I can't speak on the food as we didn't order any, but it looked good. Our waiter was great and the place was nice and clean. I'll definitely be coming here again. We did come on the night of an ASU football game. Unfortunately, no parking was available here which was very frustrating. I'll make sure to look it up next time and arrive earlier. read more

The comedy has always been great and the service has always been really wonderful but the change in the prices for drinks and food is ridiculous. I'd rather pay more for my ticket then have to pay $16 for a glass of crappy wine. It was really undrinkable! I got a nonalcoholic cocktail that was so sour I had to add water to it and only got halfway through. $18 for margarita? seriously?! And you have to have two of something! I'd recommend you just get a shot of something straight if you're drinking alcohol and a regular soda or iced tea if you're not. There mixed drinks are not good! read more

Great night! We saw Noelle Miller, did better than expected, great comedic, though needs more material, I went because we've been long fans of him, did not disappoint, great place but the two drink minimum sucks, I do enjoy the drinks they have read more

Tempe Improv - Me and gf - Comedy Clubs Near Me - Tempe, Arizona

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I came here to see Atsuko Okatsuka recently and had a blast! She was soooo funny I couldn't stop laughing - my cheeks definitely hurt from smiling and giggling so much ! I have to say though, we paid for VIP and it didn't seem all that. The tables where we were sat felt crowded. I thought having a VIP table would be a bit more secluded from others but it was fine, just not what I was expecting .. then we had to do a two drink minimum too, which we knew about ahead of time. The server we had was super kind, I can't imagine squeezing between people with trays full of drinks is easy stuff so props to the servers honestly ! But anyways, I wish the seating layout was different - I think I would have enjoyed sitting at a table where our chairs faced the stage instead of being perpendicular to it. It was an overall decent experience. read more

This was our first time at the Tempe Improv. The venue is clean and the staff went out of their way to make you feel welcome. There is a 2 drink minimum for most shows, but the drink prices are not outrageous compared to other similar places we have visited around the country. We went ahead and ordered sliders for an appetizer and found them delicious. For dinner, I had the Korean rice with chicken. The rice and vegetable part of the meal was very good, albeit spicy, but the chicken was way overcooked and almost crunchy, it was so dry. My daughter ordered the burger and it was cooked well, but the bun literally fell apart while she was trying to eat it. Overall, the venue is worth it. If you are expecting fine dining, you are in the wrong place, but if you are looking for a good venue for Improv shows - this is it!! (Note: I am not going to review the individual show as they can change drastically by the day) read more

Tempe Improv - a stage with a large screen - Comedy Clubs Near Me - Tempe, Arizona

The location is excellent with a lot of parking spaces. We enjoyed the show very much and had a great time. The servers are fast and helpful. The only downside is the prices of food and drinks are much higher than regular prices. I understand the difference because of the location and service, but I still believe the margin could be lower. read more

Tempe Improv - Comedian name: Tehran - Comedy Clubs Near Me - Tempe, Arizona

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Stopped in at the Tempe Improv last week and saw Tony Rock. Great show, and a great time with long time friends. The wings were solid, I had the dry rub lemon pepper and my wife had the buffalo. I also ordered the Salmon dish with kale, mango, and broccoli. Service was good, the drinks were just ok. read more

Dear Improv...you've gone and completely ruined a great comedy club. Riddle me this dumbasses...how do you literally run out of half of your bottles of beer and all of your wines by the glass and then drop a brand new menu (with totally jacked-up prices)? Wear did you guys get your business degrees? Trump University? University of Phoenix. C'mon and get you shit together...you're running a comedy club here, not NASA. You get your only 2 stars for hiring our AWESOME server (Faithin)...dude was super nice, apologetic, empathetic and overall a great server and guy. But that's....get your act together? read more

Came to the Improve Comedy Club to watch Mike Epps with a friend. The biggest issue I found with this place is that it is extremely crammed. We were seated in an area where people continuously passed by me and disrupted me for my WHOLE entire visit. We ordered wings and pretzels as well as the special drink of the night, tailored to Mike Epps. We had to eat in the dark which was extremely uncomfortable. The service was pretty nonexistent, other than them making sure you got your two drink minimum. Mike was hilarious and the laughs made it all worth it but I probably wouldn't return. read more

Tempe Improv - Comedy Clubs Near Me - Tempe, Arizona

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Not my favorite comedy club, but not my least favorite either. The parking situation can get pretty dicey, especially if there are any ASU events going on, but Tempe improv is super easy to find on the second floor of the plaza. The entrance situation is easy enough, with them checking your tickets then someone showing you to your seats (you can reserve seats if you choose to eat dinner here). It's a pretty big space, but like with any comedy club, you're packed in like sardines. There's really good acoustics in here though and a good view of the stage regardless of where you're sitting--two things that are shockingly uncommon across clubs, I've found. The service is pretty much as I'd expect for a setup like this, and our server was nice but brisk. Not at all a complaint. My main issue was that we assumed it was a two-item minimum per person... standard across pretty much all comedy clubs. But nope, food items don't count towards that. Which is garbage. So we were forced to order four DRINKS total, not four items. Would've been good to know walking in. The wings were gigantic, but otherwise unremarkable. The bourbon bacon bbq sauce was good, but didn't at all taste like bourbon or bbq. Our drinks were fine but super sweet. They were decently heavy pours though, so at least there was that since we were paying $16 a pop. Probably not my first choice to return to, unless there's a really good act coming only to Tempe Improv and not hitting up any other venues in town. read more

Tempe Improv - Bourbon Bacon BBQ Wings - Comedy Clubs Near Me - Tempe, Arizona

We had an enjoyable private Christmas event here which included a couple comedians, dinner and drinks. Comedians obviously vary greatly, but I thought the venue was intimate and cozy. The staff was accommodating and the food was decent. I wouldn't hesitate to come back if a bigger name came in town. read more

Went to the Improv last night. It was packed. This was my second time there. I have now ordered two mixed drinks and they were both terrible. Last night I order a Moscow mule and it was served in a pint glass. I took one drink and couldn't drink anymore. I think all that was in the drink was vodka and sour. I understand having a two drink minimum but I would actually like to be able to drink what I ordered. read more

Great venue to see Standup comedy. It's intimate enough to where any seat is a good seat in the house. Our group sat on stage right and we were able to see the performance perfectly. The parking situation is that there is a parking lot in the back of the venue with plenty of parking spots available. I came just as the show was about to start and was still able to get a parking spot. The tickets were free but keep in mind that there's a two drink minimum. read more

So I know comedy places enjoy the 2 drink minimum, but I feel like this rule is super outdated. I went to the Improv to see a show so I absolutely read the details where it says every person has a 2 drink minimum. I don't drink alcohol so I asked the waiter if he would be ok with me ordering an ice tea and instead of getting a second drink I order a meal or food. Mind you the food prices are much higher then my ice teas would be. The waiter advised that management does not make exceptions and will not substitute food for the drink requirement. I feel like this rule is super outdated and should be updated. If it's a revenue thing, the improv selling more food would benefit them more. That being said I ordered my two ice teas to meet the requirement. The food and drinks are wildly over priced but you're there for a show. Not sure I'll be back any time soon unless there is an amazing comic I want to see. read more

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