As far as stand-up clubs go in Chicago, Zanies is top-notch. It's not as large as the Laugh Factory or some of the others around, but what it lacks in space, it makes up for in pure character and quality of talent. As soon as you enter, you see photos of some of the famous people who have performed there. At first you're like, 'oh cool, like 6 famous people have performed here.' Then, you get seated and look around at the hundreds of photos along the walls and realize you recognize a ton of faces and that you're truly in one of the last remaining sacred spaces of stand-up. Before the show starts, they show a 5 minute video with the history of the Club and it's fun to hear the stories around how it started and continues to be a hallmark of the stand-up community. I do always feel bad for the wait staff who have to squeeze around the tables that are packed together, but they usually do a pretty good job of keeping your drinks full. They also offer some bar snacks if you're hungry--though I suggest you take them up on their 'Dinner & Show' deal they offer where they partnered with some great local restaurants to get you deals on food and the show! Don't forget--there is a 2 drink/item minimum once you're in the club, but if you're not drinking alcohol, soda and bottled water count towards that! read more

This place is so touristy it hurts, but so completely dysfunctional it kisses it and makes it all better. Upon first walking in I was reminded of some sort of shady club in Eastern Europe, maybe the glow lighting on the floors? Multi-colored spot lights? Scantily clad waitresses? The strange bleach smell? My friend won tickets and that's the only way I think I would have made it there in the first place. I can't tell you if the acts were actually funny or if I was full of 32 oz Miller Light. Either way, suburb time and nice change of pace for an evening. read more

Zanies - Comedy Clubs Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The seating can be a bit tight as the rows are squished together, but it's always a good time at Zanies!

Good place overall. Attended last night (a Sunday)- 9:15 show. It would have been good to know that that meant doors at 9:15- I assumed doors earlier, showtime 9:15. Happened to be very cold waiting in line in a driveway with wind from all sides and cars coming through periodically. I have no problem with the two item minimum system-- I assume the ticket money goes to the act and the club makes its money off the food and drink. The problem I had is that the table service completely disappeared after the main act started-- apparently I was expected to slam my two expensive drinks in the first 30 minutes after taking my seat. Left me wondering if the venue prefers to have people pay the cover rather than actually receive food or drink so they can squeeze out a little more revenue. Distracting from being able to focus on the main act, and left a bad taste. Leaving this here so others are aware they'd better get their whole order in right away. read more

Thank you for your reply, Rachel. I would not consider myself a heckler at all. I was merely responding to questions they presented to audience. "Where you from?" What do you do for a living!" In fact, the last thing I said to my friend as an aside was, "that joke was really funny." The comedian than yelled at me to stop saying he was funny and just let him do his set. I wasn't even talking to him. Then somebody was ushering me to the door. Maybe, I'm too loud to sit front Row and I think it would have been fair for your "bouncer" to let me sit in the back, but they kicked me out onto the street as though I had punched somebody or was passed out drunk on the floor. I don't believe I was treated fairly and the customer service as you say was subpar. Even my friend, when I left said she was reprimanded by a comedian for asking her husband about his drink order too loudly. read more

We received free tickets, made a reservation, and arrived ready for a fun night. Free tickets cost $2 each at the door. Lies. And the food was shifty and the comedian not funny. So we left. read more

Saw Dan Soder here. Only thing I knew about him before seeing him was that we was on the show Billions. He was hilarious. Totally enjoyable. Zanies offers a great "dinner & a show" package. They have partnered with restaurants in the area, you can get a free appetizer or even a percentage off your bill, just for also going to see a show at Zanie's. You call them up, book your tickets over the phone, and pick a restaurant from their list. They will make the reservation for you, so the restaurant already knows before you get there. It's a really great date night idea. We will be taking advantage again! We got there pretty dang early, we were able to sit in the 2nd row. First row that's not right up against the stage. They really pack in the bodies here. It was a full house, but I wanna say probably at most, 50 people only. It's "intimate", to put it nicely. I strongly recommend taking advantage of the dinner & a show package because the food at this place is horrible. Even though we already ate, we are pigs, and ordered the pretzel. It was stale and over-cooked. I also ordered some kind of orange creamsicle drink, which was delicious, but not worth the price. If you love stand up, this place is a MUST! If you're looking for random entertainment and snacks, you'd be better off going to arclight theatres over in new city. read more

Meh. I wasn't impressed with Zanies, especially considering the other comedy clubs Chicago has to offer. The chairs are uncomfortable, the place is packed, it's not pretty, and it's freezing. It was about 65ish outside, and there was an air conditioning vent pointed directly at me. I was shivering. None of these things sound good to me. In fact, they sound so not good, I don't think I'll be going back anytime soon. Food is served, or, something like food. I wouldn't eat it, not with all the restaurants outside the Zanies doors. In fact, Boston Market may be better than what they were serving up here. Drinks are on the pricey side, not a surprise for a place like this. Possibly worth it if there's a good show. None of the aforementioned comfort issues were helped by the fact that I'm funnier than the comedians we saw that night. Seriously, on a good night, my dog is funnier than most of those guys. So, due to the chill in the air and the one coming off the stage I will go elsewhere for my giggles next time. I suggest you do the same. read more

Zanies put together a great line-up and a terrific show. I loved the host. I loved the people around me. Just as an FYI: you don't have to print your email to claim your tickets even though it says to do so. I don't understand their seating system. It's kind of open seating kind of not. We had fabulous seats but I don't know how the Zanies gods decided that we should have them instead of other groups who got in before us. The space is ragged and musty. My allergies were aggrivated immediately and continued to bother me throughout my time there. I ordered two coffees with Kahlua and Irish Cream. I don't think either of them had Irish Cream, but whatever. My main discrepency is that I told the server that I wanted to pay for my drinks immediately (before the show started) but she wouldn't let me pay. Later, she asked which people to include on our bills. My friend and I were supposed to be on one bill and then our other three friends were supposed to be billed. Much to my dismay, the server grouped all of us together and gave us the bill at the end after the show. It was a bit of a clusterfrack and I ended up paying WAY more than I should have. To add insult to injury, the server told us that we wouldn't be able to leave unless we showed our receipt proving that we'd each purchased our two item minimum. What the heck?! There was only ONE receipt for all five of us and I wanted to linger to chat with the new friends I made. All of that could have been avoided if the server split our bill the way we told her when she asked. It would have been improved upon if she let me pay by myself when I wanted to. Oh - and the bathrooms are small and gross. read more

Zanies is the most consistent and reliable place to see good stand up in Chicago, period. There will be shows at other theaters here and there, but for $20 you can pretty much guarantee to enjoy at least one of the 2-4 comedians you'll see on a typical Friday or Saturday night. The range of talent is wide, I've laughed so hard that my stomach hurt and I couldn't stop crying (e.g. Shane Mauss, Tommy Johnagin, Hannibal Buress, Chris Hardwick) and I've left after a few chuckles but still a smile on my face. Do your research and check out the comedian's videos ahead of time to make sure they match your sense of humor and style. As for the two drink minimum, yeah it sucks but it is completely standard in comedy clubs and has been forever. Are you really gonna go to a comedy club and NOT drink? Why? read more

I always thought the comedians at comedy clubs would be lame and not funny--surprisingly, I was wrong. I'm glad I humored my date (pun intended) and went to Zanies for the very first time. All three comedians that night were very, very funny...we were laughing almost the entire time. Seating is a bit tight here but we had a little more room in the upper area in back. There is a 2-drink per person minimum and that's about all you need to know. read more

Okay, I am an unrepentant comedy whore. I spend more time watching comedy than anyone I know. Having lived in LA for many years, I frequented all of the many comedy clubs and people -- a two drink minimum is STANDARD in a comedy club. In fact, there was even a comedy show CALLED "Two Drink Minimum" on air at one time. The fact that so many people are shocked at that tells me they have little experience at comedy clubs. The main difference in Chicago is that there seem to be less free tickets given out. Clubs in LA give out "free" tix, but they expect you to get those 2 drinks. For a LIVE show, I really don't think paying the price of admission and a couple of drinks is a lot of money. You could spend more than that at a crappy movie with popcorn. Yay! for GOOD NEIGHBOR TUESDAYS - FREE Admission if you live/work in zip codes 60610, 60611, or 60614. I'm leaving the area and just found this out. I had been before, but went this past Friday when I received an invite for a $5 ticket to see the hilarious Baron Vaughn from Fairly Legal. There were 2 warm-ups before he hit the stage ... and all three comics were fantastic! See my review on Second City for more details on "free" comedy. read more

We ended up with free tickets to Zanies, but unfortunately for us -- we only had about a week to use them before they expired. Not knowing the comedians at any of the local Zanies, we decided to go with the Chicago club since it had a guy from Last Comic Standing. If he was on TV, he has to be funny right? We got there hella early because everything I've read online tells you to go early to get good seats. I would say yes and no to this. If you show up an hour early, you'll get placed in the 1st row of tables, which is technically the 2nd row. However, the more packed the club gets, they start sitting the actual 1st row -- which is the row that's attached to the stage. We're early birds, so we were sat in the 1st row of tables nervous that they were going to call us out. Luckily, it wasn't that kinda show and we were able to laugh and enjoy ourselves without being made fun of. There was a girl that opened the show -- sorry didn't catch her name. She was okay but she really thrived on audience participation. She kept asking if anyone was celebrating anything special, but no one really was or at least didn't speak up. I did laugh when she told audience members to stop trying to be funnier than her. The 2nd comic was a local Chicagoan, Sam Norton. He was this scrawny Irish kid who made some great self-hating jokes and had this great bit about how men aren't always the ones to blame for bad sex. I thought he was the best comic of the night and had me rolling most of the time. (Seriously, go see him if you get a chance!) Jamies Adomion was the headliner and the one featured on Last Comic Standing. He was pretty funny and my husband started crying during his joke about if Barnes and Noble came to life. The comedy alone was worth the visit, so don't hesitate if you get the chance to go. The drinks are pretty expensive though and as you know, comedy clubs have this bullsh*t rule about 2 drink minimums. So what else can you expect but overpriced liquor? I got one of their signature drinks for $7.50 and my husband got the beer of the month which was Killian's and it was $6.50 each. We ended up spending over $50 and not even getting slightly buzzed, but at least we laughed our asses off. read more

I bought some comedy tickets off of a discount app online for Zanies and I'm glad I did. There were several comedians we laughed a little and had a few fattening snacks. They had a two drink minimum and required you to show a signed receipt before exiting. Seriously, they wanted to see your receipt to make sure you paid and that you ordered the two drinks. I was ill, so I didn't get two drinks I had a small 6 oz bottle of mineral water that was $5.00. My table ordered two drinks and an appetizer, so they let me pass on my two drinks. :) The chairs were extremely uncomfortable. At one point, I was actually more focused on my back hurting than the actual acts. Each comedian was funny. I will say the main act was the best, but I have to give a special nod for the comedian who was a part time doctor. *shakes head* He's a genius - so funny! Whatever the case, it's a good place to go to break up your week and do something different for a date or hanging out with friends. Dress comfortably this isn't a 5 star place there's no reason to look like you are going to a night club just to sit in uncomfortable chairs surrounded by discounted picture frames and make shift art on the walls. :) Then again, none of that matters if you have a good time in your yoga pants, jeans, or shorts, right? read more

A little hit-or-miss, but if I can get even one chuckle out of a night, I am happy. There have been several times when I have actually enjoyed Zanies more than Second City. I know my mother did! I could tell by the tears falling on her face. Yes, its grubby inside. But aren't all legendary comedy clubs grubby? Yes, there is a 2 drink minimum. But who doesn't want a drink with their laugh? True that one out of the three comedians may only warrant a lazy eye roll. But the other two are usually pretty darn funny. If you prefer a crowded club, come on Friday or Saturday. Or maybe you could bring every friend you know and fill up the chairs yourself. They also feature many high profile (famous) comedians who know how to draw a crowd even on a weekday. Lighten up, people and enjoy the show! read more

So I have been to this place many times and I have had different experiences. I have had the pleasure of seeing some great comedians put on a show here, while others were just horrible. The seating is first come first serve. Normally you have to get there 20 minutes before the show starts to have the option of picking a seat if need be. There is a 2 drink minimum and the waitresses are pretty good at accommodating you. There is interaction with the audience which sometimes can be funny, and sometimes you have that obnoxious drunk that won't shut up throughout the night. read more

Laugh, laugh, cough, laugh. Perhaps my inhibiting cold hindered my ability to enjoy the show to its fullest potential. But when I'm sick, I behave like an 80 year old grump. Cranky, impatient, constantly thirsty in a room of 100 people with one cocktail waitress. "What's with the music turned on so loud when we're just sitting here talking before the show? Why are all the chairs squished in here like herded cattle? What's taking so long??" But I ordered my hot chocolate (and noooo, I wasn't the only one, Judgey McJudger) and waited as patiently as the length of time my cough drops suppressed the tickle in my throat. The three comedians ranged from mildly funny to downright hilarious to hand-covering-my-mouth raunchy (that's you, Alex Ortiz). I enjoyed Alex putting the verbal smack-down on a loud-mouthed "mami" who could not stop herself from talking and snapping her fingers every fifteen seconds. She didn't seem fazed, but he scared me! Prices here range from moderate to ridic. Like $4.50 for a soda. A soda! Six for a domestic brew and $7 and up for import. I would equate Zanie's to living with a roommate. The early stages of living, where you share even the smallest living spaces, sometimes your roommates talk over the tv show you're trying to watch, and sometimes they forget the milk you asked them to pick up on the way home. But so much fun at the same time. read more

In business for 40 years, and easily books the best national acts of any club in Chicago. Far and away the best club in this city. Comedy is subjective and people are very sensitive, so, ignore reviews that rate the comedians. read more

Zanies - Comedy Clubs Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I was invited to attend by a friend of mine who was performing last week. It was my first time at Zanies, and I have to say - what a cool place! The stage is little, and the two "item" minimum is a little obnoxious, but it was a neat set-up, well organized, started on time, and pretty good comedy! Will definitely return! read more

Sometimes you can't argue a night spent in sweatpants, zoned out in front of American Idol, where your most pressing concern is whether a bowl of ice cream is worth getting off the couch. However, when you have the opportunity to spend a few hours enjoying the verbal genius of nine local comedians surrounded by friends and adult bevs, there shouldn't be a question which option to choose. I had never heard of Zanies until my friend offered me a free ticket to last night's show. I'm so glad we went - it was a cute little place, and the talent was impressive. My face literally hurt by the end of the night from laughing so hard - Pat McGann and John Roy were among my faves - while everyone garnered at least a chuckle, these two had me rolling their entire set. Most awkward moment of the night? When the show's emcee asked if anyone in the audience was there celebrating something, and the guy in the front yells "a new rack" - apparently in reference to a recently purchased set of fake boobs for his wife sitting next to him. Wow, I'm sorely jealous she took that gem off the market. The service was good, but the alcohol is really pricey (not particularly surprising though). I'll definitely be returning for another night of laughs as soon as possible. read more

Simply put, Zanies is legendary. Yes, the venue is small, and they try to pack a lot of people in. To call the venue "intimate" would be a bit of an understatement. While this would be frustrating in other capacities, it is fantastic for a stand-up show. The line up is consistently stellar. It has been a right of passage for plenty of up and coming comedians for the last 30+ years. Get to the show early (since seating is first come, first serve) and just scan the walls to see obscure (and plenty not so obscure) comedians. The service is considerate and efficient. The drinks aren't too expensive (watered down or not). The bookings are fantastic. If you consider yourself a fan of stand-up, you have to go here. Tip: If you're thinking about making it into a date or something of the sort, Zanies offers a "Dinner and a Show" promotion where they will make a reservation at one of a handful of restaurants near the club, and set you up with tickets for the show, both nicely discounted. It's worth looking in to. read more

What comedy was meant to be! Tons of people awkwardly crammed into a small space laughing at poor, struggling comedians that are not afraid to make fun of themselves!! I LOVE it! Waitresses are accommodating to large groups, which you don't often find in comedy clubs. They are attentive, yet non intrusive. Also, if you sign up for the birthday, email list, they WILL most definitely call you up and say you won 6-8 tickets for one night (of your choice). I've won twice and two of my friends have also won. Granted you are asked to buy two drinks per person, but we would have done that anyways for hours of comedy. read more

Zannie's was a great time and the comedians were on point! I especially loved the Irish gent with the ginger hair! He was very charming! The only think I disliked was their two drink policy, bc I ended up having to pay $13 for two tiny bottles of water! read more

Just went and it was not funny at all. What happened to this place? Used to be fun. We left early.

Just left the show and I am pretty disappointed. I enjoyed the host (he was so funny.. Michael Laramere) and the opening act was funny as well but I maybe 50% enjoyed the main act.. Kevin Bozeman. He just included too many racist jokes for my comfort. Others enjoyed his act so I know it's a personal preference and not the clubs fault that I found him in poor taste. That's not even why I'm giving it 2 stars.. The low rating comes from charging premium for titos vodka ($23 a bottle usually & my absolute favorite because I'm from Texas and it's delicious) but Belvedere vodka is at least $10 a bottle more.. And Grey Goose is even more than that however Zanies charges Titos as a premium vodka. The only place I've encountered to charge $100 for a 2 hour tab and not that many drinks. Plus the drinks are weak. Not sure I'll be back. ****Update: I am completely impressed with the kindness and genuine concern the office manager and staff have for Zanies and the feedback they receive. They have gone above and beyond to right a wrong. I will definitely give them another chance and I look forward to my second visit. Good customer service goes a long way with me. Although I don't agree with premium pricing for call brand alcohol at least I know for my future visit and it will not be a surprise when I get my bill. read more

The only reason this didn't receive a single star is because the headliner was hilarious. First, they didn't open the doors until 9:23 when they were supposed to open at 9:15. Not a big deal almost any other night except when the temperature is -19 degrees. As many people have stated before, the seating leaves a lot to be desired. The chairs are uncomfortable for a two hour performance and it's pretty cramped. However, by far the worst part of the evening was the disrespectful service. Our waitress didn't split our checks correctly and then gave us attitude when we asked to correct it. After using a $20 to pay for my $12 check I had to ask the waitress for my change and she responded "yeah I guess I can get you change if you really need it." The whole check fiasco took so long that we were the last ones remaining. Again keeping in mind it's -19 degrees, my buddy asked if we could wait inside for another 3 Minutes while our lyft ride arrived. Without even letting him finish his sentence, one of the other equally rude servers snapped "no. I'm waiting for you to leave so I can lock up." Now I totally get that she'd probably had a long night and was ready to go home, but politely responding that she was sorry but they needed to lock up should have been a no-brainier response for someone in the customer service industry! read more

Disclaimer: This review is based on the fact that Zanies is NOT wheelchair accessible. Well technically it is if you count a very narrow corridor to a side door, two steps to a bathroom ( that may or may not be accessible if you go outside, around the back and enter separately). There is really not a good place for a wheelchair user to view the show. My fiance was pretty much parked in the middle of the aisle-definitely not space intended for someone to sit there. We realized the true inaccessibility of Zanies only after we were pressured to begin our "two drink minimum" and so we asked for our money back and let them know that we would pay for the drinks we ordered. No check came, however, and after a few minutes my friend tracked down the manager, whom I had previously spoken to, and the manager said our drinks were on the house, but if we could just exit out this door. so we left our drinks and skedaddled. The folks there were nice enough but clearly clueless when it came to access. When I explained to the manager that the bathroom was not accessible because of 2 steps, he corrected me and said, "It's just one step." (that's cool, it's actually 2). I said, "Well even if he can get in that 's no guarantee the bathroom itself is accessible." He said, "Oh, I think it is. I think we made it accessible." ....? read more

No reservations? They will seat you right up front. As others have noted, it is a small venue so there is not a bad seat in the house. I've never been disappointed with the comedians here, but expect a fair number of tourists and suburbanites. They also have free admission on Tuesdays if you live or work in 60610, 60614 or 60611 (though there is still a two item minimum) read more

Yes, this place is small and crowded. This is what comedy clubs are supposed to be like, or so I'm told. The chairs are close together, but they seem to make an effort to seat groups of two in areas where you won't be in the middle of a large group (i.e. near the wall, a small table or the railing in the middle). I rather enjoyed our seats since we had a little bar/railing/table thingy in front of us so we didn't have to share a table and other space with the people next to us. The liquor prices are OK, which is saying something, considering places like this usually charge an arm and a leg. The beer was reasonable and the service was quick-ish, so we were able to keep drinking (which is what the comedians want). Small food menu, not totally overpriced, so worth ordering if you're hungry. Zanies usually has pretty funny acts coming through, too. Some big names, local comedians and a bunch of people you've never heard of. The ticket prices are usually not too expensive, which is good since a lot of the big theaters just charge one standard, high price. I'll come back, especially since I quite enjoy comedy. read more

It was my first time in Chicago and I was interested in a comedy show! Zanies has a great atmosphere with great staff and the show was really great! Can't recommend this place enough! Definitely a spot to check out! read more

5 STAR night. Drinks could have been a little stronger for what they charged, but who can complain when you are too busy laughing at the guy on stage to care what you are sipping on. I dont remember the guy who did stand-up this night, but it was hilarious. Literally... I had tears in my eyes. It was all current material, nothing out-dated or overdone. I think Zanies really has a down to earth feel, and the comedian really connected with the audience and factored some of the audience info we gave him into his routine. It was awesome. Everything I wanted and more. Only complaint? We got there 10 min before it started, and it was PACKED. IF you want to get a table, make sure you arrive 45 min prior to be the first one to walk in there, otherwise.. you are in the back. I will say that the audio was awesome, we never struggled to hear him, we just wanted to be more "in the action". :) Awesome show. Def coming back here again. ALSO-- dress attire is totally random haha, I saw guys in suits, and guys in jeans. Who knows what to expect, but just wear whatever you want. :) read more

I just went here last night, and I would give it 3.5 stars, but that's not an option. I went with three other friends to see Wendy Liebman, who my friend recommended, and who is apparently featured on comedy central, the letterman show, etc. I guess I'm not that plugged in to the comedy world because I had never heard of her. The show didn't start until 7:30, but we were advised to get there at 6:15 to get good seats. Honestly, we could have gotten there at 7, and still gotten decent seats. The club itself is cute as is the emcee Pat. (Pat, if you're reading this, get in touch!) Our tickets were $23, which seemed slightly pricey, but this was considered a "special event." I think most other shows are cheaper. Also, there is a two drink or food item minimum. The only food they serve is mini pizzas, nachos or chex mix. So, if that isn't your thing, eat before you go. All in all a good experience and a fun evening. I would go back if they had a comic I wanted to see or for a cheaper act I haven't heard of. ***special note: it's smoke free! read more

Came here for a Bachelorette. I thought the price wasn't too bad, but the show didn't really get started until 11: 15 and it was done by 12:30. I think it could have went longer. You must order two items and word to the wise, the best value is beer or a mixed drink. The specialty drinks were generally disappointing for those who had them. I was unable to partake in the alcoholic drinks during this visit and was not surprised to find water cost $5. The bummer was it was a 6 fl oz bottle of perrier. The beer prices were really good, I suggest sticking with beer. Ohe perk is they give you free tickets to week night shows as you leave a weekend show. read more

I decided to come here because we had some time to kill in the evening so might as well. I enjoyed the comedy show I saw that night but like majority of comedy clubs I think every night varies and it can be hit or miss. I do like how it seems like they have something going on majority of the night so if you ever have an available evening you can come here and check out a show. They have pictures of famous comedians who have performed here over the years and when I went they had a variety of comedians taking the stage. They also have a 2 drink/item minimum and I opted for water and some nachos. Of course the water and nachos were overpriced and not very good but that is what I would expect from a comedy club. They also charge cover too. So out the door after paying cover and for food this show probably cost me 20-30$ which isn't too bad. read more

Zanies - Zanies colada and Evian water - Comedy Clubs Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Visited Zanies this past friday (Dec. the 28th). Saw two headliners Kevin Doughton (maybe) and Shay Shay. Both were very funny in different ways. The place is cozy and has the feel of general intimacy. The place gets packed quickly so you should arrive early. It would be nice though if they had a waiting area, we had to wait in line outside for the 10:30 show., not to bad though. it wasn't too cold. Other then that, I'd say as a tip you may want to ask for your check when you feel the show starting to wind down. otherwise, the waitresses come around after the lights come up to past them out. then it becomes a free for all, and if your not paying with exact cash then you'll probably be waiting an additional 5 to 10 minutes. the experience as a whole was very good. the 2 drink minimal is standard and the cost ($25) for two pretty funny comedians was definitely worth the entertainment. I'll be telling the jokes (wrong of course) for days to come. read more

A couple of weeks ago, I took my brother to this comedy club. I thought all three comedians were excellent. The atmosphere is like most comedy clubs: a little close for comfort and a bit grimy. The food is edible but forgettable. The service is fast and on point. For live entertainment in Chicago, 25.00 a ticket is not bad. Also, the place is easy to get to even for out-of-towners. There is a parking lot right next to the venue for a reasonable fee. Otherwise, parking that does not put your vehicle in a place vulnerable to being towed is hard to find. All in all, we enjoyed our experience and will probably return. read more

I've been here twice, with relatively similar experiences both times... The first show was a few years ago w/ some friends. I feel like we got the tickets for free from somewhere, with a 2 drink minimum... I remember the comedian being funny.. The second time around was just recently during the TBS Just for Laughs comedy festival. Tim Meadows hosted a two show live taping for an upcoming 10 show series on TBS--the "Very Funny Show"--which were all filmed @ Zanies live during the comedy festival. Every act we saw was pretty hysterical. The crowd will be a mixed bag of tourists an locals. The two drink minimum might irk some who already paid to see the show, but it probably says 'two drink minimum' right on the ticket or wherever you bought it, so it shouldn't be too much of a surprise. The drinks here are no more expensive than in any other bar. The venue is indeed small inside, but to me that adds to the intimacy, and the comedians can really feel the audience. They serve a bit of food here, but I wouldn't eat here... It's basically pretzels and maybe nachos or something, nothing exciting. read more

I liked it! Came here last Friday night for the Jake Johannsen show [ no, I'm not a tourist. no, I wasn't in a birthday/special event/large party ] partly because I like Johannsen, and partly because I'd never been to Zanies. I enjoyed both! Zanies is smaller than I expected, but you better believe they can pack a big crowd in there. I thought the show started 30 minutes earlier than it actually did, so, surprise - we were there an hour early. Not entirely a bad thing, because we got premo seats. Front row, but not the very very front row where the stage doubles as the table. (not cool) Chairs surround little tables scattered throughout the whole space, and every inch of wall is covered in celebrity/comedian photos. We were in eye sight of a very young Jimmy Fallon photo. I liked all the old photos. The host was funny; the opener was funny; the headliner was funny. Drinks were strong, and we got some bonus comp tix for next time on our way out. Booyow! Looking forward to going again! read more

A college acquaintance was co-headlining a show this week at Zanies, so we decided to check it out on Thursday night. We arrived five minutes late, and the front entrance was closed off. We were directed via signs hanging on the building to go around to the second door along the side. We knocked on the door to get in. Upon entering we were in this weird kitchen/back area of the club. The girl had to walk away to get her manager who sold us tickets. It was pretty weird. There weren't any tables left, so we sat in the back along a ledge that provided a place to set drinks. Immediately upon being seated, a server came up to us to get our drink order. We had just sat down, so we told her we were ok for now. She immediately reminded us that there was two drink minimum, so we had to order. I seriously wonder what they do if you don't buy two drinks. It's kind of a ridiculous policy to have. The comedy was great, so I would come back for a show again. I really don't get the two drink minimum policy and think it takes away from the business by being hustled into having drinks. read more

Love Zanies! Great location means you can pick any number of fabulous restaurants to eat at and then head over to Zanies for a hilarious show. They pack you in like sardines and the place could use a remodeling but the laughs keep on coming. I've seen Mitch Fatel and Jeffrey Ross here..they bring in very big names and the intimate atmosphere is the best. Sure you're sharing your neighbors nachos, but hey what are neighbors for right? I went here on a 2nd date with the boyfriend and highly recommend it. I'd never been before that and gave him major props. read more