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ACME Comedy Hollywood
Categories: Arts & Entertainment Performing Arts Nightlife Comedy Clubs Performing Arts, Comedy Clubs [Edit]
135 N La Brea AveHollywood, CA 90036
Neighborhood: Mid-City West
(323) 525-0202
- Hours:
Fri-Sat 8 pm - 12 am
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street, Valet
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Music:
- Live
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Thu, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- No
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
About This Business:
Arthur Murray Dance Schools are a fun, energetic way to meet new people, get exercise, and learn to look good on that dance floor! Our dance instructors… read more »
25 reviews for ACME Comedy Hollywood
Review Highlights
25 reviews in English
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Review from Benjamin S.
Newhall, CA
1/14/2012
Super fun and Unique comedy venue in Hollywood. I went and saw a Dennis Hemphill show they put on and it was incredible. Great lineup. Awesome atmosphere. Keep it up!!
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Review from Shanno N.
Los Angeles, CA
Updated - 10/3/2011
I sure did return on September 1st to watch the 'Angry Ken Doll' rip a well-deserved new one for Los Angeles. Once again, Hailey Boyle opened and had the crowd cracking up. Look for the chick in the tie-dye...
2 hours was not enough, but loved every minute of it.
Even though he refers to ACME as an 'f****** dollhouse', I enjoy the fact the theater is there for its purpose: to showcase the talent, not overwhelm it. So therefore, this KenDoll was in his element...1 Previous Review: Show all »
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6/10/2011
I just came here for the first time to see Colin Kane: Unzipped and I have to say this was a fairly… Read more »
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Review from Maggie M.
10/1/2011 1 Check-in Here
This is a really nice small place to go see really good comedy shows. The staff is really friendly and fun to talk to. The venue is very cozy and the seats are very comfortable. The stage is small so all seats are great seats and you will always enjoy the show from wherever you are.
The valet parking is pretty cheap - $6.00 so be ready to pay up as there is almost no street parking on Friday nights. -
Review from Kristen S.
Los Angeles, CA
5/8/2011
Strictly a review for the improv class.
I took said class from some guy named Joseph (I kid, I kid, he's cool) because a) they're a helluva lot cheaper than Groundlings, b) Groundlings is a little too name-droppy-who-you-know for me, and c) Joel McHale is an alumnus. Yes, star of the most incredible sitcom on television right now, along with the most awesome talk-ish news-ish show, Joel McHale.
Turns out I made an excellent decision by choosing ACME to fulfill my lack of improv skillz. The class was small and intimate, and totes fun. A very comfortable learning environment as well, for those of us who live in fear of looking like, I don't know, a complete idiot or something (and you will). At the end of the 8 weeks we were given personal counsel should we want to pursue improv further. I didn't, but it was helpful nonetheless to see where my strengths were.
Price may seem steep, but for the quality of instruction you get, I would wholly recommend it. These people know what they're doing, and they love to do it. Will be back to review again once I actually get my arse out to see a live show.Listed in: Strung-out on Sunset
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Review from Julia b.
2/20/2011
The theatre at ACME is really intimate. The isn't a bad seat in the house and the place seems to be maintained very well. It's really nice that there isn't a drink minimum and that there is an attached bar/restaurant, Almalfi. It sounds like ACME has some great comedians/performers that pass through their stage!
Having said that, we really struck out with the show we saw Saturday night, "TNT". I commend the Comedians because I could never stand up there and perform for strangers every saturday night, but it was just not funny at all. I would come back to Acme for stand-up or improv, but not for the comedy show. -
Review from Teri L.
Northridge, CA
6/9/2011
Just saw Colin Kane....The show RAWKED!!! Funny as hell!
Amalfie restaurant next door is insane! I had the pumpkin-filled ravioli with braised short rib in a mascarpone sage sauce, and it was one of the BEST meals EVER!!!!!!! -
Review from Casey T.
Los Angeles, CA
2/21/2011
The actual facility was gorgeous, cosy and clean. The seats were comfortable and the theater was clean. The sound system wasn't too loud, as some others have been in the past. I loved that we weren't forced to purchase any drinks, but were able to if we so chose to from the restaurant next door. This laid back policy adds to the appeal and vibe of this place. ACME's facilites are some of the best I've been to for a theater this size.
Unfortunately the ACME TNT troop we saw on Saturday night left us more in fits of rage than fits of laughter. I usually enjoy and at the very least can tolerate off-color comedy- but there is nothing funny about rape, ever. (We did only pay $11 for the show, so I guess you get what you pay for?)
I'd love to go back to ACME for one of their more well known acts for a good comedy experience at this lovely theater. -
Review from Suzanne C.
Santa Monica, CA
3/21/2011 10 Check-ins Here
We performed here for two weekends and it is a fantastic theatre! The staff was super helpful and friendly. Plus a good backstage area and great sound!
I would love to perform here again! -
Review from Dolores H.
Los Angeles, CA
I like this place. Like what a lot of the other reviewers said, it's intimate yet comfortable. I feel kinda bad stealing their words, but they described it best.
I've only been here once but I liked it. The crowd wasn't obnoxious, the act was funny and it was just a generally enjoyable experience.
It's convenient to buy the tickets online and print them out. My friend had the e-tickets and it was nice not to wait in line and to just go in and have kind of first picks at the seats.
Generally I had a nice experience here and I'm probably gonna come back sometime. -
Review from Charles R.
Tustin, CA
3/1/2006 ROTD 6/3/2006
The ACME Comedy Theater provides an excellent alternative to the standard comedy club. Instead of the stand-up comic, ACME provides team-based improv in a wide variety of alternatives.
Like those old radio shows? Try "Liquid Radio Players". Missed your soaps? Check out "Scandal". Are you a Goth dude/chick? Brood over "Dark Gables". ACME has several themes of improvisation 5 days during the week. There are also a variety of one-man & one-woman shows, and some special performances as well.
My highest recommendation goes to "What's My Line?" (Wednesdays at 8 PM), based on the old game-show. This performance is a humorous flashback to the classic show, with intriguing guests and panelists and a special "celebrity guest" at the end. The show is a respectable homage when being "live" was the closest to being a reality-show. As host J. Keith Van Stratten states, "No one gets voted off, no one gets fired, and no one eats any bugs." Also accompanying Van Stratten is talented musician Adam Chester & beautiful hostess (and newly-inducted ACME player) Claudia Dolph. This is ACME's most popular show, so I recommend making a reservation.
Also, the theater is right next to an excellent Italian bistro. It has a trendy-yet-pleasant atmosphere, for dinner before the show or if you want to stop off for a drink afterwards.
You can find out more information at http://www.acmecomedy.com. For more on "What's My Line?", go to: http://www.jkeith.net .
Stop by ACME. Its small size doesn't hold back its BIG performances.Listed in: The Places I Go Out
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Review from Lisa B.
7/14/2009
My bro does improv here quite regularly. The ACME theater is right smack in the middle of the Hollywood area. It's relatively small, but I think conducive to the art of improv.
It seems that improv has become a tool for people from all walks of life to work on their fear of speaking, get over shyness, think on their feet and of course just to learn the skill of improv. Because of that, you do get a mix of really good players and some pretty bad ones. That being said, I don't think that's such a bad thing. That kind of mix can give the good ones some great subject matter to react to.
As others have mentioned, there's a restaurant that's attached to the theater. You can head over for a pre/post beverage, or have dinner. If you're expecting "Who's Line is it Anyway" you might be disappointed. If you're looking for a unique, fun evening and some laughs, check it out. Keep in mind, what you get always depends on who's playing that night. -
Review from Bill T.
Los Angeles, CA
9/19/2011
Funny with a capital F!
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Review from Xuan T.
Los Angeles, CA
9/25/2009
Came here last night to witness the first annual Middle Eastern Comedy Festival.
Things I dig:
1. The bar inside is pretty swanky. I didn't sample any of the liquor because I was in a cheap mood that night. But I did see people enjoying a variety of drinks including wine.
2. The stage was well set up. It didn't look run down, or like it was put together by a high school production. There were cameras and flat screen monitors on the stage which were used during the skits.
3. The comedy was solid. I laughed a good number of times, and the time pretty much flew by.
4. The bathrooms were clean. Thank goodness. It wasn't like going in a random gas station bathroom that was last cleaned in 1974.
Things I didn't dig:
1. It started late. The show time was 9:15 but it started at 10:15. Apparently they ran into the same issue last night, but couldn't fix the problems tonight. I hate to be particularly anal about timeliness, but it's important. It's a sign of professionalism and it's just plain considerate.
2. Street parking. Can't help that.
3. The seats were a lil cramped when it came to leg room. I could barely cross my legs and people had to stand up to make enough room for others to pass.
This theatre gets a thumbs up for me. The comedy was well worth the money. I would say this is a great place for friends and couples. Just be sure to show up early so you can get decent parking and call dibbs on the best seats.Listed in: They have theater in LA?
Comment from Eliot H. of ACME Comedy Hollywood 2/1/2011
Xuan: Thanks for coming to ACME and for taking time to… More » -
Review from Romo C.
Los Angeles, CA
1/14/2011
The classiest and most high-tech 99-seat theater you're ever gonna see. The quality of the shows vary, especially with "guest shows" mixing in with the house productions. They do some neat experimental improv stuff, with musicals, soap operas, matchmaking shows, etc. And whenever they have live music in the shows, it's tight.
The space is gorgeous, like a little TV studio and with built-in HDTVs into the set. Clean bathrooms and a nice lobby.
Prices vary, but don't think I've seen anything at Acme more than $12.
Only complaint is the management, which at times seems overbearing (interrupting shows, hectoring guests) and other times absent (theater doors locked on show night, box office not open or overwhelmed). Nothing awful, just annoying.
Still, enough talent and good vibes to be worth checking out. -
Review from Jay J.
Los Angeles, CA
5/11/2008
My co-worker, Sue is in an improv play currently playing, 'Ten Indigenous People', and she plays the Swedish housekeeper in a whodunit murder/comedy mystery.
The theater is tiny, but there are seats for everyone. When you purchase tickets, part of the price goes towards a drink at the adjoining Amalfi restaurant.
Parking is either street or valet. Great space to watch a play and celebrate the arts! -
Review from brian b.
Los Angeles, CA
6/9/2010
I have been a fan and performer at ACME Comedy for over 10 years. I first started at ACME as a fan when I saw some of their improv and sketch shows. I loved it so much I decided to take classes there.
First of all I've studied at all the comedy schools in town, Groundlings, IO, Second City, UCB, etc. ACME was an amazing experience and I was lucky enough to have some of the best instructors in town who were my teachers at ACME.
Eventually I became a company member and have done hundreds, if not more, shows at the theater and am very proud to still be doing shows there regularly.
There are many theaters to choose from in town, some very funny, some not so much, but I can say with 100% honesty that ACME delivers quality material and has a great cast of actors in a beautiful hi-tech theater. Like I said, the school is great too. Come and see a show and judge for yourself.
Also there is a great restaurant and bar right next door, Amalfi.Listed in: The Places I Go Out
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Review from Harrison G.
Los Angeles, CA
12/28/2009
Saw a friend perform some stand up here along with an improv show. It's a decently sized theater and it appears that they have a good comedy schedule. I think you can also rent out the space for private events, i.e. screening your latest short film.
It's also just a short drive away from some good bars entertainment on Fairfax and La Brea. Also, you can drink at the restaurant/bar (Amalfi) next door and bring your drinks into the theater.
I'll come back if there's someone I like performing. -
Review from Josh P.
Los Angeles, CA
6/23/2010
This is an intimate yet comfortable performance space.
If you want to check out a comedy show and not sit in a folding chair, but rather raked stadium seats, then this is the place for you.
If you want to enjoy a show without being interrupted by waitresses hassling you and people near you about drink minimums, then check out a show here.
ACME produces its own improv and sketch shows on Fridays and Saturdays.
It also hosts a variety of outside acts. Russel Brand and Christopher Titus have workshopped their comedy specials here.
And there is always a variety of independent productions. My Big Fat Greek Wedding was originally a staged one woman show here at the ACME. Tom Hanks saw it here and then helped develop it into a feature. -
Review from Rocio V.
Los Angeles, CA
4/4/2009
So i went for my first time yesterday to watch " The sword of the cross: chapter 5," which is an improv comedy of ancient rome. I really want to go next week to see what happens and to laugh my ass off. The tickets weren't too bad, only $12 at the door and $10.50 if you buy online, but you have to fill out information about yourself before purchasing (pretty much create an account).
So while I was there they gave me a little coupon that I could use at the bar next door for a dollar off any drink and then take it inside for the show, which i thought was pretty cool.
And let me tell you, no show has been able to make me cry and laugh at the same time, but the shows that my mom puts on during holidays lol. I really liked it and i will be going back to laugh and cry at the same time lol. -
Review from Matt L.
Hoboken, NJ
6/22/2009
This theater seems to have gone downhill over the last 5 years. If you like being seated next to loud, obnoxious, jeering and drunk friends of cast members, getting gleecked on by loud open-mouthed smelly gum-smacking in the row behind you while you let the cast make you cringe with their bad jokes and 2D over-the-top character choices at snail's pace, go here.
We went along to see "Scandal!" on Friday night. The above accurately describes our experience. Things were already not looking good when we arrived to find an empty theater. Tickets were advertised as $5 on the website but were bait-and-switched to $10 when we got to the door.
Inside, the jeering was so loud that we actually had to put our fingers in our ears, and we could barely hear what was going on on stage. It was so bad that we ducked out 3 minutes after the show started (and what we saw in those 3 minutes was not funny).
So we figured we'd ask for a refund. The box office lady didn't seem to know anything about how to do that (to be fair it was her first day) but this was already not a good sign. She asked somebody to fetch Dan, who she said would be able to help us out.
When Dan arrived, the lady told him that we left the show right after it started and were asking for a refund. Without asking us anything at all about why we left the show, he immediately snapped that they had a "strict no-refund policy" and that he wouldn't be able to help us. He claimed all ticks were 'non-refundable' and that this was clearly stated on their website - it is not. Also, we'd bought tickets on the door, and there was no sign anywhere, or mention that tickets were non-refundable.
We protested. He then offered to give us comp tickets for another show. This sounded acceptable (mind you, he still hadn't asked us why we left) until he started to impose conditions. We would have to decide on the spot what show we wanted to see, and at what date and time. They only have a few shows a week and I was going to be out of town anyway, so this wasn't practical. We told him so and he then said he could give us "48 hours" to decide and that we could email him, because he said his "new computer system" wouldn't allow him to make changes after 48 hours. This was obviously not satisfactory (why couldn't he just give us open-ended comp tickets?) and we told him so. He said he couldn't help us further, and we left.
Shortly after, we went back, thinking we'd talk to his manager or boss. Dan turned out to be the owner! We told him we'd never return, and left. He didn't seem to care - at all - and actually seemed kind of happy about the whole thing, which is very stupid, because he never found out why we left, and because I am now writing this.
This has created a lot of bad will against the theater for us and we will never return, as long as Dan is the owner. If you want good comedy, go to IO, Second City or the Groundlings instead. Avoid ACME like the plague.
We can only guess it's changed hands in the last few years, because last time I went back in 2004 it was a much better place. The incredibly small audience should have tipped us off - there were about 10-15 audience members, for a Friday night 10pm show.Comment from Eliot H. of ACME Comedy Hollywood 6/22/2009
Matt; Sorry you had a bad experience. So that readers… More » -
Review from Will M.
Van Nuys, CA
6/9/2010
Nice theater. It's been awhile since I was there and they have really remodeled! Someone plunked down a lot of money into this theater; high tech; four huge flat screen monitors in the front window, 2 in the lobby so you can watch the show, and a bunch of flat screen monitors in the theater that they use quite well in their shows. very cool.
I like that you get a discount drink ticket and a bar, Amalfis?, is connected to the theater next door AND you can take your drink into the theater! Plus, there is NO drink minimum! You don't have to buy a drink! They have valet, but I've always been able to find street parking on LaBrea.
Great shows. Love the celebrity guests and the bands! Seasoned performers. And a bonus was the nice lady in the box office; why do so many box office people have attitude? ACME box lady was friendly and actually smiled! LOL
We plan on going back to see more shows. Oh, I heard that they live stream their shows on the internet; never tried it, but very cool and again, high tech! -
Review from B B.
Culver City, CA
9/16/2010
This review is solely for a show I saw at acme recently called SCANDAL. What was I thinking? This show was pretentious and lacking in any substance. It didn't help that the actors invited their friends and were annoying the crap out of everyone by laughing at every scene that was only funny to them. Im sorry ACME but you are guilty by association. I want my money and my time back! Do not see scandal unless your friend is one of the actors and you want to support them.
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Review from Christian H.
Los Angeles, CA
5/28/2009
I really like this theatre a lot, and the sketch comedy, but I just wasn't too impressed with the cast. Yeah, they were funny, but there were some skits that were very drawn out. Neil Flynn was the guest host for ACME This Week, and he was okay. I was also surprised that the attendance was low for a Saturday night. I'm definitely going to make it back here, but I'm going to make sure the guest host is more...funny...than Neil was. Good prices though, and the theatre is in great shape!
Comment from Eliot H. of ACME Comedy Hollywood 5/29/2009
Christian - thanks for the review. I was at that show, I… More » -
Review from Deb G.
North Hollywood, CA
6/24/2009
I was very excited to check out Acme, as I love improv. Acme makes a good impression when first walking through the doors, and the theatre is sizeable and inviting. Unfortunately, the show we attended on Friday night ("Scandal") was not enjoyable for us, partly as a matter of personal preference, and partly because of the loud audience members in our immediate vicinity. Because the show did not seem engaging to us personally, we decided to leave after less than 5 minutes in the theatre.
We walked to the box office where we asked for a refund, but when the owner Dan appeared, he did not ask which show we had seen, nor our reasons for asking for the refund. Before even asking details of the situation, he said to the box office assistant, and not to us (even though we were standing right there) that there are no refunds. This abrupt manner was unfortunate and in my opinion, unwise for the following reasons:
1) There was no sign at the box office saying "No Refunds" so we were caught unaware. Also, we had only been in the theatre for less than 5 minutes, so we were in no way taking advantage of the situation.
2) We are two big fans of improv that would have been very willing to come back and try out another show. The owner did offer to switch the tickets, which would have been acceptable, but the window of time to select an alternate show was only 48 hours, and I have never had such a condition placed on comp tickets. And as we didn't know when my boyfriend would next be in town, we were not able to pick a show. And even when we explained this, the owner would not work with us to find an alternative way to switch the tickets.
3) As a general rule of customer service, it is better to work with the customer in finding a real solution. If he had granted a refund, or open-ended comp tickets, based on the facts that there was no sign out front, we had only been there a few moments, and our undetermined schedules, he would have gotten 2 improv-loving customers that would definitely come back to try out another show, (my boyfriend had been before a few years ago and really enjoyed Acme) which may have turned into more business from us and friends we may have recommended them to. The owner's manner came across as unsympathetic to a young couple who just paid $20 for a show they were not enjoying, and who were willing to accept exchange tickets/comp tickets to another show. I would ask him to put himself in our shoes, and in the future, to assume that his paying customers do want to enjoy your services, if you would only give them reasonable chance.Comment from Eliot H. of ACME Comedy Hollywood 7/5/2010
Please note that this review is from the same instance as… More » -
Review from Jessica L.
New York, NY
6/9/2010
LIke Brian, I am a performer at ACME. LIke Brian, I've studied at several of the other schools, as well as seen many a show in their theaters. The reason I chose to study and perform at ACME was that I was so impressed with the shows I saw there.
ACME features a variety of shows to cater to your comedy desires. The soap opera "SCANDAL!" is great fun, allowing you to go back each week and continue the entertaining story--something I highly recommend. Not to mention the shows which feature celebrities and musical guests! I've seen some amazing talent grace the stage--celebrities and company members. The sketch program is, in my opinion, the best in L.A., and you won't see a funnier live sketch show than ACME Saturday Night.
To anyone who's had a less than stellar experience, I suggest you go back and try again. Improv is, by nature, a completely different show every time, and the sketch shows feature mostly brand new material each week. It's unlikely you'll have the same experience each time, but it is likely you'll find a state-of-the-art classy theater (and bar next door) with reasonable prices and performers who truly want to give you the best performance they can.
