Arguably the most famous improv company in America, Second City has been the training ground for such comedy greats as Bill Murray, Chris Farley, Eugene Levy, Steven Colbert and countless others. There are three stages, with classes and shows seven nights a week.
Second City
1616 N Wells St
Chicago, IL 60614
(312) 337-3992
www.secondcity.com
Often considered the younger sibling of Second City, the Annoyance Theater is home to many Second City alums as well as other underground, upstart improvisers. The Annoyance hosts shows and classes several nights a week. Contact the theater for any specific performance or audience questions.
The Annoyance Theatre & Bar,
4830 N. Broadway,
Chicago, IL 60640
(773) 561.4665
www.annoyanceproductions.com
Improv Olympic and ComedySportz celebrate short form and \"game\" improv, over the long form, narrative driven improv studied at Second City and Annoyance. Improv Olympic and ComedySportz involve a great deal of friendly competition and audience participation.
Improv Olympic
3541 North Clark Street,
Chicago, IL
(773) 880-0199
ioimprov.com
Comedy Sportz
5100 North Ravenswood Avenue,
Chicago, IL?
(773) 549-8142?
www.comedysportzchicago.com
A smaller, \"workshop\" space, the Improv Kitchen hosts improv shows of all styles and types, and an excellent space to watch up and coming troupe hone their material.
Improv Kitchen?
3419 North Clark Street,
Chicago, IL?
(773) 868-6423?
www.improvkitchen.com
Zanies Comedy Club has been host to some of the finest headliners and upstart Chicago comedians for over 30 years. Tickets generally run between $20 to $40, along with a two item minimum per person.
Zanies Comedy Clubs Inc
1548 North Wells St.
Chicago, IL?
(312) 337-4027?
www.chicago.zanies.com
The Improv Comedy Club in Chicago is part of the largest standup comedy club chain in the country, hosting the premiere comedians working the standup circuit of the day. Tickets generally run between $20 and $0, with a two item minimum for each person. The Chicago Improv often has many ticket giveaways on their website.
Chicago Improv
5 Woodfield Road
Woodfield Mall Store K120B
Schaumburg, IL
(847) 240-2001
www.improv.com
Located just outside of Chicago, Riddles is a smaller, lesser known comedy club which hosts growing up and coming comedians at a more modest price than Zanies or the Improv.
Riddles Comedy Club?
5055 West 111th St.
Alsip, IL?
(708) 422-5055?
www.myriddlescomedyclub.com
The Lakeshore Theater is a comedy theater that hosts, special one night or two night engagements of many of American's biggest comedians, such as Dave Attell, Eugene Mirman, and Doug Stanhope.
Lakeshore Theater?
3175 North Broadway St.
Chicago, IL?
(773) 472-3492?
www.lakeshoretheater.com
The Lincoln Lodge is a small standup comedy venue, known for it's diverse shows and showcases, often hosting improv, standup, open mics, and miscellaneous alternative comedy.
Lincoln Lodge?
4008 North Lincoln Ave.
Chicago, IL?
(773) 296-4029?
www.thelincolnlodge.com
The Beat Kitchen is home to improv, standup, open mics, slam poetry, as well numerous other alternative comedy and performance shows. It is generally regarded as a space to workshop and hone new ideas and performances
The Beat Kitchen
2100 West Belmont Ave.
Chicago, IL 60618
(773) 281-4444
beatkitchen.com
The Artistic Home is a theater and gallery that is host to various fringe theater productions, benefits, and comedy shows. Though Artistic Home is a space with a slightly more theatrical bent, they regularly host alternative comedy shows.
The Artistic Home
3914 N Clark St.
Chicago, IL 60613
(773) 404-1100
www.theartistichome.org
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