We had fun! Improv theater is unpredictable and at times hilarious. We saw two groups at the 6pm show and enjoyed the whole experience.

Came here for maestro improv with some friends and we loved it!! They have beer/wine/coffee here as well and I got a glass of cab that was delicious!! We had so many great laughs and definitely will be back!! We loved the concept!! read more

Post-pandemic reviews are in, and this place is still solid. This intimate comedy speakeasy is nestled in the back of a coffee shop. Grab a cuppa or a beer and head in (it will be very noticeable if you leave in the middle to grab a drink because you'll be inches from the stage, so be prepared) to see some up and coming fun. Interested in taking improv classes? I hear they have 'em here. Or maybe just have a coffee klatch with your pals before a show at The Paramount down the street. read more

The Hideout Theatre - Crosswords with comedians - Performing Arts Near Me - Austin, Texas

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We love this place !! It is a true Austin gem !!! We went to a ten o'clock show of improv to be very much surprised. We were greeted on stage by the original improvisers from 25 years ago !!! What a TREAT They were all excellent and ever so clever. It was a great night AGAIN !!! read more

Having been here for not only improv and musical improv many times over the past year, I cannot recommend a more quintessential Austin thing to do except to come here and laugh. You'll laugh so hard you'll get a 6 pack. One memorable show was with the Stranger Things themed improv night. I invited a group of 6 friends and while some of us were caught up on the latest season (4) and some were not, we all left feeling like we experienced real comedy and humor. Everything was pretty clean as I brought some new friends, fearing there would be cringe worthy, lewd jokes but it was nothing but wholesome and witty. The most recent musical improv show I went to was the Ramadamaling high school rock themed one where they ask the audience for inspiration and build a real story line and set of songs - verses and choruses included. My friends thought it was a hit and it's catering to a creative, witty, and family friendly humor. No drink minimum like some other places and no need as there's plenty of natural buzz in the theatre. You can book tickets in advance which helps. Just recommend to come early to get good seats as a first come first served basis. read more

First improv comedy show I've ever been to and it did not disappoint. $15 for our ticket and we bought it the day of for the Maestro show at 10pm. Started a bit late so we didn't get out til 11:50pm. So funny and love how the audience votes for sketches. read more

The Hideout Theatre - Performing Arts Near Me - Austin, Texas

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No one is better at improv in Austin than The Hideout, and I can say as a repeat customer you will lay laugh and have fun. The games are unique are aren't all a copy from Whose Line Is It Anyway, which was refreshing! Pro tip, if you participate when they ask they like to give a free ticket for a future show! :-) read more

I come here for my weekly improv class and love it. The curriculum is incredible, and the teaching talent is an unexpected surprise. Huge shout out to Caeriel for creating a safe space to play and learn. read more

The Hideout Theatre - Weekly improv class - Performing Arts Near Me - Austin, Texas

So much fun! I have gone to many shows here over the last several years and have never been disappointed. I've often taken out of town guests, the price is right and I love the energy read more

If you're a theater lover and not quite sure what this whole "improv" thing is all about, The Hideout Theatre is the perfect gateway drug to the world of improvised theater. If your only dose of improv is "Whose Line is it Anyway?" then your first stop should be the weekly Maestro show. The cast is made up weekly of the best players in town, and the audience is just as much part of the show as those on stage. Be ready to laugh, with some moments of tenderness thrown in there, too. You'll get to vote on the winner, and trust me, it'll be hard. If you're into plays, try one of their main stage shows. While every theater in town is on somewhat of a shoestring budget for shows, you'd never know it at Hideout. The costumes, the set pieces, it all comes alive and you will find yourself wondering how the heck this could all be made up on the spot. Past shows have included improvised works of Shakespeare, entire musicals (yes, improvised!), and pop culture shows inspired by Star Trek, Stranger Things, Barbarella, and more. Shows are Thursday through Sunday (kids shows on weekend afternoons!), reasonably priced, and the cafe stays open so you can bring a snack and alcoholic beverage in with you while you watch. And if you're interested in taking classes and trying your hand at the craft, you won't find a more welcoming theater. The classes are tight-knit and supportive, the teachers know how to put a class at ease and get the most fun out of every hour. It's a great place to start your improv journey and make incredible friends. read more

What a little gem! We stopped in for coffee and tea (very tasty little menu) and realized there was live improv comedy happening that evening! Came back for the Maestro show and were thrilled to learn that not only had all the participants taken some improv lessons right there, but we were able to participate a little in the show as the audience. Well organized, fun, I belly laughed several times. Was delighted to support live theater and made me wish we had something like this in my home town! read more

I went w/a date to the Big Bash 8pm Friday night improv show and we both enjoyed ourselves. However, while each little skit was mostly funny and when the cast incorporated the lines the audience wrote into the final skits, it was funnier often than not; both my date and I were kind of surprised and baffled at how off the cuff and almost disorganized the show was, especially for the $15 price tag. Having been involved in the improv scene in Indpls and seen a few shows around Austin at much cheaper ticket prices, I was kind of sitting there expecting a bit more giggle for my buck. The improvisers were good, but they often broke character, cracked up at their own jokes and I just felt like I was more watching a graduating improv class than a $15 improv comedy troupe. I will say, that the keyboardist (his name escapes me at the moment), was the BEST part of the show! Seriously, this guy's musical prowess was just amazing! His musical improv skills were just incredible and he definitely made the show! Anyone who can play a bossanova rendition of "Silent Night" on the fly deserves made crazy props! read more

The Hideout Theatre - Performing Arts Near Me - Austin, Texas

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This was hands down one of the coolest things I've done in Austin. This theater is tucked in the back of an adorable coffee shop, nestled right on Congress Ave. The space is intimate which is great both for the ambiance and the viewing - there really isn't a bad seat! The coffee shop serves beer and wine so you can also enjoy a dranky drank during the show if you are so inclined. I saw several people also brought snacks (it was a late show - 10:00) which I think was a solid idea as well. The improv we experienced was called Maestro which had a very fun vibe! It was sort of like Whose Line Is It Anyway but with numerous contestants. I have never experienced improv before but this totally blew me away. The cast and hosts were hilarious and I loved that the show, in true spirit of improv, was our own to experience - they never have the same scene twice! I highly recommend this theatre and show. Running since the 1990's, they must be doing something right. read more

The Hideout Theatre - Very intimate! - Performing Arts Near Me - Austin, Texas

Had a blast coming to the show with my college bound son. It was so very funny and enjoyable. If he ends up at UT, we'll definitely make this place a regular spot to visit. We did two different clubs in Austin, this one was definitely better (to each their own), both places seemed to be passionate about their craft and the art of improv/theatre. Worth the visit for a good laugh! read more

Hmmm. I suppose I could bat out a head-to-head comparison between Hideout and ColdTowne, but the people who keep plugging away at Austin improv deserve more than being compared like pancakes from Magnolia and Kerbey. Okay, maybe not a whole lot more, but at least a little extra. Besides, I'm mildly curious where I'm going with this. My dilemma here is I want to say Austin's improv clubs are the best entertainment bang for the buck, and the Hideout Theatre is one superb place to see it. On the other hand, if I had a dollar for every time some audience member shouted "Proctologist!" as a suggestion or some troupe invariably went for the gay and vagina scenes as an easy out, I'd have one big stack of bucks. I'm not saying that's good or bad material, I'm just saying when I'm paying to see improv, predictability makes me think you're being lazy. It's really not a big deal, and I understand going for the sure thing. Like I should have done with a straightforward review in the first place. Okay then - Hideout Theatre is a cool venue, the box-office is in the back of the first floor Hideout Coffeehouse, and you will wait and go upstairs to the actual theater. If you use Foursquare, check-in first and take advantage of the two-for-one deal. The theater seats around 50, you can pre-purchase tickets online to guarantee your seat, and I'm pretty sure all improv clubs in Austin are BYOB. It's hard to beat Hideout's Thursday night special - three troupes in a row for $5 at 8pm, and an entirely separate free show beginning at 10pm. Remember this place is right downtown on Congress, so give yourself enough time to find and pay for parking. On the Thursday we attended, "Oh, Science!" was on top of their game, "Goat" was pretty cool, and we realized everyone in the "Bad Boys" troupe wears glasses. They were also hilarious. We didn't do the 10pm show. It also occurred to me that Austin's improv groups must be a fairly close-knit community, since I see the same performers at different venues on different days. I'm kind of curious what venue is their favorite, and what type of crowd works best for them, or if that even matters at all. I'll ask them sometime, right before someone starts shouting, "Proctologist!" read more

The Hideout Theatre - the stage before any people came on it. - Performing Arts Near Me - Austin, Texas

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I've seen 2 shows here, and the comedians are extremely talented! Plus they sold drinks at happy hour prices during the show - bonus! The most recent one I saw (Austin Secrets) was a combination of funny and real/dramatic/moving skits. I was impressed at how well they could move back and forth between making you want to laugh and cry. The theatre room itself is a bit warm and stuffy, and they could use a little more space for seating (but couldn't we all use more space in Austin?) Intermission is a welcome reprieve for some fresh air. That being said, it's still great fun, and I'm totally going back! :) read more

The Hideout Theatre - "Austin Secrets" show - Performing Arts Near Me - Austin, Texas

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This is good entertainment. I went to see "Austin Secrets" and the experimentation in the craft and the stage skills are remarkable. These actors know how to take a stage without hesitation. Good timing, good presence, and wonderful way to read an audience. I would recommend checking them out to any seasoned or new improv performer. Great job! read more

The Hideout Theatre - "Austin Secrets" smartly designed show that thinks outside the box. - Performing Arts Near Me - Austin, Texas

The Hideout Theatre is a great way to spend any Friday or Saturday night! Their improv shows are fun, young and are sure to keep you laughing! It's simply perfect for a unique date night with that special someone. Before or after a show you can also enjoy a yummy beverage or a sweet treat in the cafe. There is a wide selection and a lot of interesting drink options. The cafe is intimate and cozy and the staff is very welcoming. It was my first improv experience and I would highly recommend this to all my friends in search of something new to do in Austin. read more

The Hideout Theatre - Performing Arts Near Me - Austin, Texas

Great entertainment and theater, period. After the period, you also have to consider how incredibly cheap tickets are, and the complete package is undeniably sexy and awesome. You're in a small theater, so you can interact with your fellow audience members and have some fun too. We attended the Choose Your Own Adventure Improv on Friday, and had a blast. It was basically a re-enactment of your favorite CYOA books growing up, but all done improv. Even the premise was decided by the fans through applause. We ended up with a story about a 13 year old world famous archaeologist that had to investigate some strange goings-on at the local reservoir that also involved the Olmecs somehow. It was so much fun a great audience and improv group presentation. The Hideout crew was also far and away the best improv group I have ever seen, and we can't wait to go to our next show! read more

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The Hideout Theatre's improv comedy shows are a great way to switch up a night out! The Big Bash show was great, it's so interesting seeing people trying to think on the fly. I enjoyed how they included the audience into the show too. The actual theater is above the coffee shop, and you can hang out before the show. The theater is smaller than I expected and the seats are close together, but it wasn't an issue at all. Tickets were $15, but I believe prices vary depending on the show. A head's up: (as of January 2019) their website says they can provide discounted parking at the Bank of America garage nearby. When I asked for a parking voucher at the ticket office, they said their lease ended at the end of 2018 and had no more vouchers. While I only ended up paying $10, it was frustrating to start the night like that. read more

This is a great little performing arts venue. Downstairs is like a deli kinda place, though I don't think I've ever there, so I couldn't tell you what it's like. The improv troupe is frickin' hilarious. I saw them do a show over Charles Dickens and his work, and I was laughing the whole way through. There are plenty of theater and comedy troupes all around Austin, and these guys are some of the best. Definitely recommend seeing them. read more

Such a cool and cozy venue. This place is great for date night or even with a small group of friends. The theater is located at the back of a coffee shop. The coffee shop itself is a great place to hangout a little before your show starts. Aside from coffee, they sell some munchies and alcoholic beverages as well. It has a nice quaint feel about it but it really gets hopping and full of buzz as people start trickling in for a show. I've been to the theater to watch a show a couple of times. The most recent show we saw was 'Escándolo'. The show drew a sold out crowd but the venue comfortably fit everyone. The stage itself is small to medium sized and the audience's seats begin pretty close to the stage and begin to slope upward giving that stadium feel. Everything about the theater is great. From its quirkiness, layout, and intimate setting. During intermission you have the luxury of grabbing a drink at the coffee bar and brining it back to your seat. I highly recommend this place to catch a show. read more

So fun and cozy! I went to see my friend Justin G. perform in the improv comedy "Meat Cute" and I loved this experience. I had never been to improv before and this was one of the best ways to introduce me to it. The theater itself is charming, I liked the concept of the coffee shop downstairs and theater upstairs, so you can get coffee, beer or snacks/sweets during intermission. It's a small space but that also means there are no "bad" seats. The sound is good and I enjoyed the minimalistic set design and lighting work done. "Meat Cute" was fun, I was wondering what they were going to come up with next and it made me laugh a lot. I wish I could have been around the whole month to see all the iterations of it. I will definitely return if there is a fun show like this next time I am in town. read more

I take improv classes here and I LOVE it. The entire community is so welcoming. I HIGHLY recommend taking classes here. It's a great way to make friends, have fun, and learn a really cool skill that'll look pretty goofy (but awesome) on your resume! Check out their free classes, go to their hilarious shows, drink delicious coffee in the cafe, and become friends with the people around you! It's easy! read more

Came to the 10pm show and it was hour 30-31 of a 48 hour marathon. I don't know if this impacted them but these guys were not funny. There were 13 people taking turns on stage. You'd think surely with that many people it'd be good! No, their humor was weird, random and non-sense. Almost like a group of drunk friends having a convo you have no idea what's going on. At intermission we left and we were not the only people that farted for the door. To make it worse, the MC had unbearable BO and I was glad to get fresh air! Very disappointed. I'd rather hit Pete's Piano Bar. read more

My 3 children (18-21) decided to take in Maestro on a whim last night. The Improv was delightfully entertaining for the entire group. The venue was personal (about 75 seats). The crowd was fun and respectful. The hosts were entertaining. And the Improv was just wonderful. You do NOT need to be early. Do not get concerned with the coffee house venue and the limited restrooms and waiting area. Just trust the process and be prepared for a uplifting evening of comedy! read more

I came for the Valentine's day show, and it was great!! The actors and actresses were awesome and hilarious, and everyone was laughing the entire 2 hours. I will definitely be back here for another show. The only bad thing was that the seats are very uncomfortable and tight, you are literally rubbing elbows with your neighbors. read more

The Hideout Theatre - Performing Arts Near Me - Austin, Texas

Very cool place. The atmosphere is bright and inviting. They have a very nice tea selection. Which Im very grateful, for Im not much of a coffee drinker. Big selection of coffee though. On the walls there is delightful art.. very groovy and entertaining. Theres an improv theater on top which I'm quite curious about and will check out soon. read more

The Hideout Theatre - A very flavorful Flower and Berry medley tea.. with a turkey and provolone croissiant. - Performing Arts Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Saw a terrible comedy show here. So bad we thought of leaving in the middle of the show but we were in the front row so it would have been rude. It was sketch comedy so we figured they had time to write the scenes and rehearse but it was sloppy and completely not-funny to the point of incredibly uncomfortable. Will not be going back. read more

I went there late December on a Friday night, 8 or 8:15 show. We were looking for a comedy experience that would allow kids under 21 to attend. My husband and I love comedy and didn't know what to expect when coming across this place on Google. Oh my God! It was absolutely hilarious and so much fun! My kids (ages 16 to 21) also enjoyed it so much and were completely engaged and laughing the whole time! We almost went back the next night, it was that awesome! Totally recommend anyone to experience a night out here. read more

Fun time, lots of laughs! Very talented group, quite impressed by the improv. Def will return sometime soon. read more

The Hideout Theatre - Performing Arts Near Me - Austin, Texas

We were a little adventurous and decided to try and catch an improv. Tickets were $10 each. You could buy a beverage before you walked in to the theater. I thought it would be more of comedy improv vs a play. But it was cool. Something different to do other than just go to bars and drink and listen to music. Of course we did that after this. Would try to figure out a way to target one that is more comedy focused. The play was cool. They started off a little bit slow but finished off strong. They certainly have talent. My only gripe is that they make you take a big spoon with the key for the restroom. Was kind of like a gas station. Ditch it and just trust your customers read more

Without the Hideout, downtown Austin would be a darker, sadder, less creative, less funny, less interesting, less theatrical, less jocular, less literary, less extraordinary, less pretty, less important, less lovely place. With the Hideout, you know, the opposite. read more

Had a blast! A friend and I were in the area for a conference. Stumbled across this hidden gem on Yelp. Enjoyed a great performance put on primarily by students. Wouldn't have known it was students if it hadn't been mentioned at the end of the performance. read more

I've been to several shows here but I'll just review the last couple. Austin Secrets. This is an Improv show that uses anonymous secrets as the basis for the improv scenes. Anyone who wants to can send in a postcard revealing some kind of secret. Some are funny and some are more serious. The show lasted about 1 hr 45 minutes and to be honest, I didn't want it to end. It was so funny watching what they would come up with using secrets such as "I cried more when Steve Jobs died than I did when my grandfather did." The actors even reveal some of their own secrets. Another show I saw recently (the weekend before) was Maestro. This is a long running show but more like a competition. Twelve actors perform randomly and are scored based on the audiences votes. Then eliminated one by one until there is a winner. This show was a blast. I laughed so hard I cried. The theater has a coffee shop below which sells your standard coffee shop fare. They've recently changed owners and are currently waiting on their liqueur license. But soon, you'll also be able to get some drinks prior to the show. It's a relatively small venue. There are approximately 50 seats? So buying tickets in advance is a good idea, although they may have tickets at the box office. You can take your chances. I know Austin Secrets has a tendency to sell out, for example. Tickets are pretty reasonable, ranging from $6-8 with even some that are free. So great for those on a budget that want a fun or unique date than your standard, dinner and a movie. read more

I have taken all 6 levels of classes at the Hideout Theatre and can honestly say it was some of the best money I have ever spent. At first I just thought it would be something fun, and then I went down the wormhole and discovered an art form that is magical, amazing fun, and a great way to build community and make new friends. The theatre is enormously supportive of new improvisers and there are loads of opportunities to perform at the theatre for those that desire. Also, you have student showcases at the end of each level (except level 1) and the opportunity to build your performing skills. The teachers here are all excellent and regularly perform (so you know they got actual skills!) Experienced improvisers are very encouraging to new ones, and I remember being encouraged to audition for a show that I was way under qualified for, but the director still made me feel welcome and not like a complete idiot when I fudged my monologue for the audition! Check them out, it is amazing fun. I continue to perform here and participate in all the great events they have including but not limited to: Improv Marathon - every June OOB Fest - every Labor Day/weekend/week Maestro - every Saturday night Monthly happy hours/mixers read more

Um yes. Have lost count how many times I have been here for improv and also during work for a coffee. The gardito - 2 shots of espresso with some half and half is absolutely amazing. and we forever look forward to Thursday nights, where for $5 we are happily entertained by mediocre or sometimes really good improv for a few hours! Cool, cool, cool spot and I hope it never leaves Austin. I tell EVERYONE about this place. Coffee is good, pastries are good, improv is good, ALL GOOD THINGS read more

Tired of paying 40 bucks per ticket for an evening of laughter at Esther's Follies? The Hideout Theatre offers a reasonable, ridiculous, riotous alternative on an almost nightly basis. The entertainment is what sets the Hideout apart from other coffee shops. Their coffee drinks set taste buds to dancing, sure, but a coffee house isn't going to be in business long if that's not true. The comedy at Hideout always provokes out loud laughter. The additional corner stage in the shop allows for further live entertainment. On the con side, every entertainment connoisseur in Austin knows about this place. Translation: Crowds. If you want to see the celebrated Maestro improv group, buy your tickets in advance. My last visit, I played the cliche comic strip character as the teller told the person in front of me, "You got the last ticket for the night!" Take a note. Use the free Hideout wi-fi to get a ticket while you're sipping your coffee the day before the show. read more

Best improv shows in Texas! This is such a well run place. They really put a lot of thought into everything they do, making sure you definitely get your moneys worth! I've thoroughly enjoyed every show I've seen there, from Dickens to Parallelogramophonograph. Always high quality laughs and a memorable experience. Easy to buy tickets online too. This is also a great family or date night event. So much better than taking her to a movie! Highly recommended! read more

After an usually strange year, I found myself seeking creativity to jump start my own creativity. My husband surprised me with tickets to see "Holy 1960's Batman, BATMAN" It's was our first time since we moved here that we did an evening outing in downtown Austin. First impression of Hideout Theatre cafe was warm and inviting. I like small, intimate and quite places. We walked over to the ticket booth to get our tickets and waited for the main event. Soon after the theatre was open. As I walked through the entrance and saw the layout (small and quite pleasant) I knew we were going to enjoy the show. Prior to the show starting I asked for permission to take photos/video and the Hideout Staff was quite cheerful in giving the okay. I've learned always ask. I'm glad I had my little vidcam, I was able to capture some snippets of "Holy 1960's Batman, BATMAN" I love to share my adventure with family and friend. Here's my video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdFaxoFdTGQ This will surely give you a glimpse to an amazingly talent Hideout Crew during their performance. After viewing the video you might just decide to do an outing yourself. It's well worth it. So much so that when we arrived home that very night I expressed my desire to see the show again. Both Deano aka BATMAN and Kaci aka ROBIN performed beautifully. Not only did they get so into character but also the other performers... Cheif O'Hara was too much...I laughed so hard. I can't help it, I LVE BATMAN. Yeap, we got tickets to the last showing of "Holy 1960's Batman, BATMAN" The last show had Dark Dandy played by Kareem Bad... had me tearing... He's got such a wicked laughter. It's true each show IS definitely different... that's why I enjoy improve performance so much so. It's a great way to enjoy an evening full of laughter, joy and so much fun. Another point that I also like about Hideout Theatre is that it's quite affordable thus allowing us to come back again. TO THE HIDEOUT CREW: Thank you for all your hard work. It shows...the audience and us laughed so hard...excellent performance. Everyone at Hideout did an amazing last performance. read more