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    UP Comedy Club

    4.0 (188 reviews)
    ModerateComedy Clubs
    Open 10:00 am - 11:00 pm
    Updated 2 months ago

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    She the people was a great show, very well done
    Michael W.

    Came to see SheThePeople, amazing show, smartly written and performed. The venue is third floor of Second City and has a view of the Harold Ramis school. Miss you Harold. The seating is tight, they like to cram them in, and the service is good. The food/bev prices are as expected, tourist prices. Tip - Goldstar for tik, SpotHero for parking

    Jamie N.

    So I was hoping to be rolling in my seat with laughter, but unfortunately we didn't have the best of comedians that night. Now this is a cool place and improv I'm sure is super hard. It's cool to know that some of the biggest comedians in the US started at Second City. I wouldn't count this place out, but maybe an improve show isn't the best of choices.

    Spotlight mocha $9 before the show.  Baileys, Kahlua, and peppermint liqueur in hot chocolate
    I-Lin L.

    My first comedy club in Chicago! I've heard that comedy clubs are big in Chicago, so I was very excited to check one out. My bf bought tickets online for Game Night on Wednesday at 8 pm. At $24 per ticket plus $12 service fee, this was a pretty pricey night out. We got there about a quarter past 7 pm, and it was pretty empty. But I suppose that was a good thing, because we got seated right in the center with a great view of the stage. I would say the venue got to be about half full, which I suppose was normal on a cold Wednesday night. No drink minimum, but I warmed myself up with a Spotlight Mocha (Baileys, Kahlua, and peppermint liqueur in hot chocolate) for $9 and later a hot apple cider in a souvenir mug for $7. My bf up-sized his beer to a souvenir glass, too, so we both got a little memento to take home with us that night. As for the show itself... well, let's just say that it was like nothing I've ever seen. Rather than stand-up acts, it was a 4-person show with an emcee who reenacted a bunch of old TV shows--such as Family Feud and $25,000 Pyramid--and also some games I've never heard of--such as Celebrity and Match Game. The twist was that they heavily involved audience participation, which was probably really exciting for those who went up on stage, but maybe not so much for those of us watching from the audience. There were a couple of crazy moments--such as when they did an audience scavenger hunt and asked for double-jointed people to display their talents on stage. :O But mostly it was just okay and I didn't split my sides from laughter or anything. The cast was full of energy, probably in an attempt to liven things up... but sometimes I felt that they were just screaming at the top of their lungs and laughing maniacally for no reason. Maybe because I'm from California, I just don't get Midwest humor. For example, at one point, we were asked to suggest vacation spots, and some people from the audience shouted out "Toledo" and "Green Bay"! What the?? Anyway, I would say that it was nice to check this place out once for our date night, but I dunno if we would pay $60 again to come back to this show.

    the outside of the building
    Keemy U.

    Amazing and refreshing! She the People opened my eyes and it was sarcastically entertaining. The venue itself is a decent walk from downtown. In the bathroom there are many stalls do the lines move pretty fast. The food options are basic theatre food. I didn't have any food but everyone around me looked pleased. The seating arrangements are cool, but there should be a little more spread out. There are attentive workers everywhere looking to address any questions or concerns. There is a fee coat check, free chapstick, and information everywhere regarding their improv classes. There are gender neutral bathrooms on the second floor.

    Spencer Q.

    A friend of mine brought me here when we had seen all of the other landmarks in Chicago. This ended up to be a very good idea. We were fortunate enough to get into one of the shows where 6 actors did improv which also included audience participation! It was quite the show. There was an average minimum on drinks. If you visit Chicago put this on your list of things to do! Definitely worth while to see some future SNL actors in action.

    Menu (9.2016)
    Belle L.

    I wholeheartedly enjoyed #DATE ME: AN OK CUPID EXPERIMENT. Talented cast who can rap and sing. Scripted and Improve. Innuendo. Clean language. NO minimum purchase required. SEATING can be tight. I love my booth seating at the very back of the room. I still had a great view of stage. Bouncy cushion. I got a headrest. Unfortunately, it's the path for food and delivery lane b-u-t, I didn't think it was t-h-a-t intrusive. Decent FOOD selections, portion and pricing. I ate all of my 3 CHEESEBURGER SLIDERS ($12). For $5, you can have SEASONED FRIES with ketchup. Kitchen closes before intermission. DRINKS are around $10. Local beers available. I dare you to get the 60 oz Specialty Drink pitcher for $60 -- my friend says it's worth the price. PHOTO OP in the lobby during intermission. 10 stalls in Women's Restroom. :-)

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    Page 1 of 5

    Ask the Community - UP Comedy Club

    Are the improv shows 21+?

    I don't believe that they are because staff checks ID and gives a wristband at the door for alcohol so they just wouldn't give a wristband if you're under 21. Some (most?) shows at UP are rated R though so use discretion with youngsters.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Review Highlights - UP Comedy Club

    We attended "Dateme: An OKCupid Experiment," which sold out the night before (was an 8pm Saturday show).

    Mentioned in 17 reviews

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    The Second City - UP theater

    The Second City

    (1.4k reviews)

    $$

    Lincoln Park

    Second City Chicago never fails to deliver. Every show I've seen has been genuinely funny on an…read moreintelligent, 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.

    First time at an improv show, Second City was a recommendation from a friend…read more 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.

    Trickery - More magic

    Trickery

    (210 reviews)

    $

    Lakeview

    We attended Trickery on Saturday 04/18/26. Aaron was adept at working with a diverse audience to…read moreinclude them and maintain control of his performance in a very intimate setting. Because it's BYOB you'll get the 20-somethings that feel they have to get loaded beforehand and then act the fool while attending (do you hear that "Neil"? No one wants the focus on you acting like it was your first experience with alcohol) but Aaron was skilled at bypassing them without causing tension or escalating bad behavior. Aaron's attitude is one of someone who has worked hard to make this little venture work, and he deserves respect and recognition for his obvious commitment and work ethic. His act included variations of tricks performed by other magicians, with his own twists. He is an expert at sleight of hand and distraction, which is considerably more difficult in a room about the size of an average residential living-room. He had an appropriate sense of humor aligned with an audience coming to Boystown, an overtly gay neighborhood in Chicago (if you're not familiar). However he wasn't garish, flaming, flamboyant, or offensive; he managed a perfect balance of innuendo humor and audience engagement without being cheap or ingenuine. The snarky one-liners will likely go over your young kids' heads (although bring them to an early show, your 9 year old doesn't belong in Boystown at 10 pm on a weekend), and he carries himself with class avoiding the use of profanity or graphic terms. Again, I can't overstate that his tricks were amazing, impressive, and captivating - as magic should be. You leave the show shaking your head and wondering how it's done - which truly makes it "magic". You would be hard-pressed to spend $36.36/person for an hour of live entertainment that can match Aaron's performance. Pro-tip: If you're driving there you will need to use an app to reserve parking, as there aren't garages like downtown Chicago and every street is filled with so many signs there's no way you will return and find your car not-towed or not-ticketed. Chicago does this on purpose to generate revenue; you'll see "street cleaning" on Tuesday from xx hour to xx hour, no parking when snow is over 2 inches OR any time from Dec 1 through April 1, loading zone, 15 minute stopping/standing with flashers, no parking, residential permit zone only, bike lanes, bus stop restrictions, etc. If you find street parking and think you've beaten the system, think again. Nobel Prize Laureates, Rhodes Scholars, Ivy League PhDs, Mensa members - you can meet them all at Chicago Central Auto Pound retrieving their vehicles. Stephen Hawking couldn't drive, but if he could and he parked in that neighborhood all the quantum mechanics in the world wouldn't make his towed car reappear from the Chicago Parking space-time continuum. The nice thing is if you do reserve parking and give yourself enough time you can walk to many, many restaurants and bars in the area that are open even after the 10 pm show ends. Thank you Aaron for a wonderful experience, you made my wife's birthday memorable for both of us.

    I've attended this show twice now and really enjoyed it both times. It's always a great experience…read more He takes time to thank everyone for coming and even asks how you heard about the show, which makes it feel very personal and welcoming. He's genuinely nice and engaging. I plan to come at least once a year. I also love having a local, neighborhood option instead of having to go downtown to see similar acts.

    UP Comedy Club - comedyclubs - Updated May 2026

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