Chicago’s Iconic Comedy Clubs
Chicago's Iconic Comedy Clubs
Famed for spotlighting some of the world’s brightest comic stars, Chicago's comedy clubs are a must on any visitor hit list. Here’s where you might espy the next Bill Murray.
As much a part of Chicago culture as pizza and baseball, reigning comedy club The Second City has been an inimitable springboard for US comedic talent, with everyone from Mike Myers and Steve Carell to Tina Fey having trod its boards. You can witness greatness in the making every night of the week, either at the original 1959-established cabaret theatre, or its stand-up devoted offshoot, UP Comedy Club.
If improv is your passion then iO Theater is the one for you. This theatre and acting school, with alumni that reads like a who’s who of Hollywood, keeps it razor-sharp and cheekily fresh with performers relying solely on their raw, off-the-cuff wit. Improvised Shakespeare, a two-act Shakespearean-style play performed in Elizabethan English, is their most popular show – prepare your suggestion for ‘a title of a play that has yet to be written’ and watch the improvised scene unfold.
There’s nary a dull moment at Jamie Masada's Southern California-import Laugh Factory, tickling Chicago’s shores since 2012. Regular headliners include the likes of Tim Allen, Dave Chapelle and Kevin Nealon, but it’s also a great platform for local Chi-town talent. Buy a bucket of six beers and get two free tickets – date night sorted!
But a mic’s flick from The Peninsula, old-school Zanies is a throwback to how comedy clubs were in the 70s, complete with a round-table setup, headshots lining the walls and a two-drink minimum. Jay Leno sharpened his teeth here and likens it, in terms of seminality, to the great Cavern Club in Liverpool.
Fancy your own Netflix special? You too can hone your comedy skills at Southside school and simple showcase The Revival, or catch a diverse lineup most Friday and Saturday nights. Aspiring kiddie comics are catered to as well.
The Second City / 1616 N Wells St / Lincoln Park / +1 312 337 3992 / & UP Comedy Club / 230 W North Ave / Lincoln Park / +1 312 662 4562 / secondcity.com
iO Theater / 1501 N Kingsbury St / Near North Side / +1 312 929 2401 / ioimprov.com
Laugh Factory / 3175 N Broadway / Lakeview / +1 773 327 3175 / laughfactory.com
Zanies / 1548 N Wells St / Near North Side / +1 312 337 4027 / chicago.zanies.com
The Revival / 1160 E 55th St / Hyde Park / +1 866 811 4111 / the-revival.com