Such a fun time at The Second City! This was my first time experiencing a show here, and it was a cool. The performers were quick, hilarious, and did a great job working with the crowd. I laughed a lot. I had general admission tickets, and we were seated in a great spot off-center from the stage in the raised seating section. The mix of great comedy, food, drinks, and a lively atmosphere makes this a perfect spot for a night out. Definitely a Chicago experience worth checking out! read more

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had such a fun experience at The Second City! We started the night with dinner and drinks at 1959 Kitchen & Bar, and the food was really good. Then we headed to see Reality Detox: The Improv Experience, which was seriously so funny! I also loved that we could do dinner, drinks, and a comedy show all in one place, it made for such a fun and easy night out. Definitely recommend checking out The Second City if you're looking for something fun to do in Chicago! read more

I was in town for a work conference and a bunch of us headed to The Second City to enjoy a show in our downtime! The location is in the middle of a lively neighborhood, with plenty to do before and after the show! There are a few different stages at this location, so pay attention to which show you have tickets for (we were definitely waiting at the wrong door). The show was absolutely hilarious! Definitely not kid friendly or for those easily offended! It's a mix of improv and sketch comedy that keeps you laughing all night long. I honestly wish it was longer! I didn't partake in any drinks or food, but the servers were super friendly and came around often! I'd absolutely return for another show! read more

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Really great comedy club. We saw pandemonium and it was absolutely hilarious. Also the cast was super talented. Such a fun atmosphere. Also service was slow in the beginning but got better throughout the night and they didn't disturb the show too much. read more

The Second City - Performing Arts Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We went to see "Pandemonium, Please Hold" at The Second City on June 10th. This was my husband's first time at an improv revue like this, and both our first times at Second City. It was a blast! It's first come, first seated essentially. If you buy a premium ticket, you're seated closer and center to the stage, but it's still first come, first seated. We ordered food and drinks there, which was our dinner for the night. Here's what we ordered: -- Hummus Platter (under Table Snacks) -- Straight-Cut French Fries (under Table Snacks) -- Chicago Hot Dog (under Handhelds) -- Diet Pepsi for me and a San Pellegrino for him The food was really good and better than we expected at a comedy club. Our server was cool also. The house staff works hard at The Second City. If you go, don't forget to tip! read more

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This was my first visit to The Second City and I can't wait to go back! WHAT IS IT: This Chi town staple is a creative and fun theater that offers a rotation of improv and sketch comedy shows. The roster of well known Second City alumni includes greats like Tina Fey, Chris Farley, Amy Poehler, Chris Farley, Bill Murray and more. We saw Improv Supernova and what's great about this show is that no two performances are ever the same. WHERE IS IT: The Chicago location is in the historic Old Town neighborhood which has cute shops, cafes, and restaurants in the surrounding blocks. They also have locations in Toronto and NYC. PARKING and ACCESSIBILITY: There is a garage attached to Piper's Alley. They do not validate. There is also metered street parking which can be limited depending on the day and time. The building has elevators and escalators and the theater has wheelchair accessible seating. FOOD, DRINK, and MERCH: They offer fun cocktails, mocktails, wine, food items, and a selection of candy and snacks. You can also pick up cute merch such as mugs, glasses, shirts, sweaters, and hats. read more

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I had a good time here with my cousins and uncle! It was a fun show. We went to "reality detox" an improv experience. There was a good deal of crowd work and the performers did a great job thinking on their feet and bringing the crowd experience into their show! They have food and drink during the show but it's pretty slow. There is a good variety of types of jokes and I would say the humor can broadly apply to many senses of humor! read more

First time at an improv show, Second City was a recommendation from a friend. The place is really big & well decorated. We got reasonably priced tickets and headed up to the 3rd floor. The space was small and intimate but it was great being so close to the stage. Very cute little spot and fun activity with friends or a date. read more

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We saw Pandemonium, Please Hold on the main stage. It was a riot. The last time I was here was the early nineties when both Tina Fey and Rachel Dratsh were performing. It was just as good the second time around. The food at Second City was actually good for a comedy club. The fries were perfect. The drinks were solid pours. They have fast service down to an Art. read more

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I've been here a few times over the years. It's such a cool place that has had so many wonderful comedians grace the stages. We were here December 30 for holidazed & amused. It was a fun, holiday sketch show. Over 2 hours of improv & staged comedy. So many hilarious sketches. The seats all had a good view of the stage. Although our chairs were an odd height as my feet didn't touch the ground & no where for feet on the bottom of the chair. Not very comfortable. It's always crowded at comedy shows, so it wasn't bad as I remembered the last time I was here. Highly recommend & can't wait to see another show again. read more

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I came for the "this too shall slap" 10 pm show. The cast was funny! It consists of short acts that last 5-10 minutes. The cast looked like the were having fun too! Maybe I was a little tired because it was harder to pay attention near the end. read more

The Second City - Performing Arts Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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We had way too much fun at their improv show. They mixed current events with classic bits, and the whole place was literally laughing out loud. The in-theatre menu is on point too--think delicious smash burgers, table snacks, and perfectly mixed drinks like the "Call Back" and "Obvious Song." Perfect for a date night, solo night, or girls' night-all for under $20! read more

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If you are in Chicago this is something you need to plan on seeing! They have multiple shows every single day. We went to "The Best of Second City" and it was amazing we were cracking up the whole time. The performers were incredible and hilarious. The jokes were witty and the improv was really creative. They serve drinks and a small food menu - loved that they offered mocktails, the food was more like snacky, I would recommend eating before. The theater was great but it did get chilly so definitely bring a sweater! Also if you do not want to get called on try to avoid front or middle seats! read more

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Paid for premium tickets and were sat in standard seating for a mediocre at best performance. It explains a lot about why shows like SNL aren't really that funny anymore. Really disappointing. The players who sang had decent/good voices, and the pianist was really good, but the improvisation was less than impressive. I would not recommend. Do yourself a favor...Go see a stand up show. read more

I think it would have been cheaper to get tickets online, but we paid at the door and I feel as though they were around $50 or in a similar area. I wasn't thrilled about that since it was my first time going, but I was already in a group and committed to going so I paid. Once we sat down we were promptly told there was no flash photography/ no photos whatsoever which is fine and makes sense. So with things going the way they were I was really expecting a good show, and that is exactly what it turned out to be! Since I've never been I was thinking it was going to be some like mom and pops improv show but it was that x10 + sketch comedy and it was hilarious and right up my alley. I had friends who kept getting up to use the bathroom here and there but I didn't want to miss anything that is how much I enjoyed the show. Despite it now being the cheapest show ever I would say it's definitely something I'd see again! read more

How can you go wrong when in Chicago? Always a great time! We got to the show about :30 before show time. We were seated on the rail and got settled in. Our server came by and got our food/drink order. We were served promptly-amazing feat given the crowd. We took our servers suggestion and nibbled on the Elote Dip. Solid suggestion! The comedy club is a must when you are in town! read more

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Ended our wonderful stay in Chicago with Second City and was very disappointed. We paid for premium seats (don't waste your money). The cast was okay, just not that funny. We wanted to laugh, the most we did was smile at the show. When the cast said that they were going to do an extra half n hour; the majority of the audience left! read more

I love improv, I am in awe of the actors who are so quick and witty.  But to add in singing brings it to another level for respect. I was visiting the city with my girlfriends, and suggested we see this show.  So glad I had pushed for it cuz we all had a blast.  Unlike typical comedy where people put down specific groups, improv creates stories on the spot.  This event was the highlight of all other outings for me.  And I got to share it with my besties! read more

Second City Chicago never fails to deliver. Every show I've seen has been genuinely funny on an intelligent, sharp, and expertly crafted level. The cast is consistently brilliant, and the comedy feels effortless while clearly being the result of immense talent, timing, and skill. The food and drinks are also something to note - some places just do the basics, but I like that Second City takes pride in what they serve. I also had the incredible opportunity to take classes here back in 2017 with my husband, which gave me an even deeper appreciation for what happens on stage. The entire concept - how the sketches are written, how they flow seamlessly from one to the next, and how improv is woven throughout - is truly genius. What's especially impressive is how expertly the performers handle audience members who may be a bit too enthusiastic or disruptive. They manage these moments with wit, grace, and humor, turning potential interruptions into laugh-out-loud highlights without ever derailing the show. Second City isn't just a comedy show, it's an institution. Whether you're there as an audience member or fortunate enough to study there, the experience is consistently memorable, inspiring, and endlessly entertaining. A must-see in Chicago, every single time. read more

So much fun and knowing many big actors started out at The Second City like Dan Akroyd and Chevy Chase. This is where the big ppl started over 50 years ago! Greatness and the spirit of amazement rests here. We saw the Theory of Chaos today. It was fun. I would say Second City actors are my favorite in Chicago. Smart and well trained. read more

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We had the best time! We attended the "this too shall slap" and the cast was absolutely hilarious! We laughed the whole time. We ate before hand, but had a waiter making sure we were refreshed on drinks the whole time.... The inside is dark and it's similar to an SNL performance. We had the best time and it was definitely one of the highlights of our trip! read more

The Second City - Inside - Performing Arts Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Service and food were good. Ravioli bites a-plus club food! Bartender good. Drink selections-great! BUT we went for The "best of second city 13+ family tolerant " show was anything but. The f-word isn't today's equivalent of "um", improv team . You are more talented and you don't need it as a crutch- overuse. And so much Christian bashing tonight. Wouldn't have spent the money. And definitely wouldn't have brought my 13 yr old had I known there'd be so much "d-sucking " and "f-bombing" in the family tolerant show. Ridiculous. The crowd was there for your cleaner version. We didn't expect a church service - so don't chalk this up to some pride old ChurchLady- we could've handled some. But this was just way too much and definitely not appropriate for the crowd you marketed to. 13+ is PG-13, people.Oral sex descriptions =R-rated. And when you pair them with people in the Bible , definitely not funny. You didn't get as many laughs as you could have- which is unfortunate because the talent is there. Major let down. read more

My wife and I have been going to second city since 1981. It's grown from one theater to now four that are all housed in the same building. It's important to know which specific theater your comic act is in cause the theater assistants are almost useless with directing you to the multi level theater arrangement. They need more assistants in directing their customers to the proper theaters. Comic acts are not near as good as the comics in the 1980's. They seem to have forgotten that personal appearance and hygiene still matter in comedy. Still we will go back next time we visit once we figure out how to select which of their four theaters have the best comedians. read more

The Second City - Performing Arts Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We went to the Chaos Theory of Everything show. The service was great, and the bits were funny. I would echo some of the previous reviews I've read noting that the bits often went on too long, but we had a great time! With so much humor coming from our phones these days, it was fun to attend a comedy show and enjoy the company and the crowd. For everyone commenting on the leftist nature of the show, I would say: This is the birthplace of so many SNL comedians, what did you expect? This is not a rhetorical question. read more

Absolutely hilarious. This was our Second City experience and I'd say I'm hooked. We attended their 49th e.t.c. Revue show The Chaos Theory of Everything and had a great time. It should come as no surprise that Second City's performers are highly talented and I enjoy their variety in sketch types. There's a bit of crowd participation but there's no telling who it will be! The show is unpredictable to say the least but I love their concepts, often blending current day topics. I like to take note of the performers, always rooting for them and hoping their careers continue to grow. Can't wait for the next one we attend! P.S. Great service! We were checked on quite often so I was impressed by this too. read more

Fun night out if you're visiting Chicago or have guests visiting you in Chicago. All the seats are good seats, and there are tables for food and drinks. The show was fun, and the performers are solid! read more

Entertainers were talented when you could hear them. No mics. As they were talking , a piano played almost all the time to drown them out. Second, They would turn to each other and talk, instead of talking to the audience. Last, they had interactions with front row people. Pretty funny, except you didn't know what the audience members had said, so much of it was kinda' lost. Would not return read more

Don't waste your money, especially on premium seats. We came to the best of show last night expecting to have a great time. I bought 2 premium tickets and we arrived early to get a good seat. There were plenty of tables and chairs in the first and second rows, but we were seated at the farthest right table on the second row, where we could barely see the stage. I asked if we could sit in the middle of the row since there were plenty of seats. Instead we were put in the third row behind tables that were empty, and we didn't even have a table. Shortly before the show a tall couple were seated at the table in front of us, blocking my view of the stage. Seriously pissed that I paid extra, arrived early and was given third-rate seats. Honestly I was so mad it ruined the experience. Not funny. read more

Second city theater was our first experience with comedy in chicago. They did improv and some skits. They even had crowd work. We absolutely loved the smash burger!!! Definitely recommend it with the caramelized onions on it. The fries were seasoned well and maybe beer battered. Hard to tell in the dark theater. We also liked the trio of cookies. Friends liked the skits. Prob would only be back for the food. Jake, kevin, d, mark read more

Great service, was constantly checked on for drinks, prices were reasonable, bathrooms were clean, and the entertainment was outstanding...... read more

Just a good time. Food and drinks are expensive, but service is swift. Overall, the atmosphere was a lot of fun. I was struggling to hear at times as our seats were off to the side. . read more

Chicago institution with decent food, fun drinks, and really killer comedy. I've never had a bad show here, and the comedy hits for everyone. The service is great, and it's kinda like watching the Yankees play, but the comedy version... so many legends read more

The Second City - Cheese curds - Performing Arts Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

A Chicago institution! Comedy, improv and community. Food and drink served. Service is excellent - organized and efficient. read more

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Service was fast, prices were high even by Chicago standards. Theater is quaint and nicely tiered. The comedy was not great. They stated that this is the 65th anniversary with material written by the great alumni, but some things were very topical. Improv would have been better. The cast was real talented, too bad "The Second City" sold out to a hedge fund. Won't be seeing me again. I saw a couple of TSC alumni in Iowa six months ago and they were fantastic. Leads me to believe it's not the talent that's broken read more

House Old Fashioned - ice cubes and lots of liquid watered down the bourbon flavor (which is my favorite part of an old-fashioned) Service - on point. Friendly and accommodating. When the menu wouldn't load on my phone, she quickly accommodated with a laminated menu. The show - this was TERRIFIC! Funny, puntastic. All over the place so one is never bored with the content. The check in process and move between floors is easy. Seating might be a little tight, but not overpowering. The show is long enough that I felt we definitely got more than our money's worth. Can't waist to see if some these performer/comedians end up on SNL and beyond! read more

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I thought it was odd that they don't allow you to take pictures or video even at the end of the show during bows. Who are these people that we can't do that? Even Broadway allows you to do that. I didn't like that I got scolded for that but, all in all the experience was fantastic! The chicken kfc wrap definitely was way too dry. It needed some kind of sauce but it was hearty. Drinks were good. Got the old fashioned. Service was impeccable and organized and the show was unique. This was the tour so while improvised, there were scripted parts but, I appreciated its fluidity. You got a good bang for your buck! The theater was really nice. I did feel bad they all were not mic'd! Why? Definitely should invest in that so they aren't tearing their voices all night. Handhelds were offered at times.:) all in all, the merch, the cleanliness of the venue and bathrooms was all lively. The talent was excellent! read more

The Second City - Outside- there is another entrance around the corner - Performing Arts Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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My friend and I attended the Best of the Second City: 65 Years of Funny at 3pm on a Saturday. We got a free upgrade and were able to sit closer to the stage! We had a table too. It was my first show at Second City and I had some good laughs here and there. It was a combo of sketches and improv. I enjoyed both, but improv is funnier. Service is great and they are very attentive to your needs. The entrance is very confusing. You will have to enter from Wells street side, not on North Ave. read more

The Second City - Not the entrance - Performing Arts Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Sooo many choices in which show, stage and time to see performances! We saw, "oh, the places you'll glow" scripted + improv. They added on a bonus 3rd act that night! Total show about 2hrs with a break in between--so if ya have to run to the bathroom to avoid the lined. read more

The Second City - Performing Arts Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Had such a fun night at The Second City! my cheeks hurt from laughing the whole night! I loved being able to had good and drink served right to our table! read more

What a great venue! What talent! And what a great show! This is a great way to spend an evening with friends, a perfect date night, it's great for groups, and frankly - great for any outing. Table service is highly attentive. We didn't have any food, but the drinks were good. read more

The Second City - Performing Arts Near Me - Chicago, Illinois