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Categories: Performing Arts, Comedy Clubs
Neighborhood: Lincoln ParkSedgwick (Purple Express, Brown)
"I've been here many times, but for some reason I've never written a review. I went here with a few (30) friends for my birthday this past…" read more »
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Hahahaha, I am still laughing!! The Second City did not disappoint on a date night with the hubs this weekend. We bought tickets online for the Friday "America: All better!" 11pm show on the mainstage as the 8pm show was sold out. Seating is on a first come, first serve basis so we arrived around 9:50 and had a drink at Corcoran's across the street. We got great seats once we arrived, 40 minutes before the show, about 4 seats from the stage. The sketch style show was rapid fire and just enough for a good laugh without tiring out the jokes. A lot of Chicago comedy was throughout and hilarious because it was so relatable. I don't know how much was improv and how much was planned out but I enjoyed every minute.
The club has free coat check and the drinks were average priced. Food was available but didn't look like it was anything too special, I would recommend eating at one of the great little places on Wells and then heading over.
Second City is proud to have the likes of Tina Fey and Chris Farley as alum. You can tell because their pretty faces are framed and hung up on the wall behind the bar.
The Mainstage area is smaller than I expected, but this provides for a cozy atmosphere, especially since the comedians don't use mics. But sometimes too cozy gets to the point of cramped, and this was definitely the case. Boo. Hiss.
Ok, so our show lasted about 2 1/2 hours, with an added act 3 that one of the comedians said they were going to do for us, whether we wanted them to or not, so I'm not sure if shows are usually 2 acts or 3. For a show that long though, the seats could definitely be more comfy, kthxbye. I would have liked for the cast to do more improv, as I enjoyed those skits the most, but you can also choose to get liquored up (the menu offers pitchers of booze, along with overpriced bar food like cheesesticks and nachos... and ice cream sundaes...), and everything may or may not be 10x funnier.
I got lucky and found parking across the street on Wells. Buy your tickets beforehand at the box office to avoid processing fees. Adobo's also a good idea for dinner before your show!
What a deal! I came here for the first time in July 2009 and flashed my International Student Identity Card (ISIC) and got my second ticket for FREE! Unfortunately, I don't think many people know about this discount.
Not a fan of the the packed in seating, but quite an enjoyable evening nonetheless.
I've only been to the ETC stage, and I've enjoyed it. I am really hoping to go to a mainstage performance, but I'm more of a fan of improv than sketch comedy.
What's cool about the ETC stage is that there are cute tables to sit around and it's a really intimate atmosphere, which I think enhances the experience of improv.
A Chicago must although I wouldn't go on a regular basis. The cast is usually spot on (for the last 10 years verifiable) and I always bring out of town guests.
Absolutely horrible experience at Second City. Frankly, they ripped me and my visiting friends off tonight. We read a bunch of great reviews about "America: All Better". So we bought tickets and headed down to the show. The website said "America: All Better", the sign on the front said, "America: All Better", and the ticket even said, "America: All Better".
However, they lied. Instead what we got was a piece of garbage sketch comedy. We were told, "They're not running that tonight, instead they're working on new material for another show."
You know what, if the tickets cost $10 or they had said, we're going to charge you $25 to be guinea pigs in our comedy experiment, I would have not minded so much (probably because I wouldn't have gone). But instead, they sold us $25 dollar tickets and wasted 2 hours of my life.
If you're someone that enjoys being lied to and then sitting through what essentially amounted to a string of bad Saturday Night Live skits, then go check this out.
What they did is actually illegal, but hell, this is Chicago, did I really expect to not get cheated out of my money?
Next time I'll go to see the Improv Olympics. It'll only cost $10 and they actually know how to do improvisational comedy.
I'm a fan.
I especially enjoy Donny's Skybox shows because they are cheap and short which works wonders for my wallet and my adult ADD.
What else can I say? If you like funny stuff then this is somewhere you need to checkout once or twice. If it sucks you can always leave and go pay too much for food next door.
I LOVE the Second City group, I saw "Rod Blagojevich Superstar!" on Friday night and it was fantastic! The cast did such an awesome job on this comedy/drama/musical. The best part was "Rod's" wig, too funny! They use awesome vulgarity throughout and they kept the crowd laughing hard!
We took 2 out of town guests here and they really didn't understand who G-Rod was and what he did. It would be better suited for someone who lives in Illinois or who follows Illinois politics to understand what is going on. Needless to say, our guests still found this musical hilarious! I love the improv that the cast does at the end. You shout out a topic and they do a skit based on what you shout out. Good times, I will see Second City again and again!
So I've been living in Chicago for a year now and I've always wanted to hit the Second City. My fiance and I bought tickets to see 'America All Better' on Friday night.
The environment of the place is really cool. I like that they have a bar and everything. The show was absolutely hysterical and I loved every minute. I enjoyed the cast a lot. It was really fun when they did a couple improv skits as well.
I still want to see Rod Blago Superstar. I definitely plan on coming again.
I'll just straight up say this is my favorite place to take out-of-towners because I actually get to enjoy the experience with them, unlike visiting Navy Pier. Ugh. So here are a bunch of things to keep in mind:
Protip 1: Chances are you'll be drinking the night you see the show. Just make sure you go to the washroom before, at intermission, or after. I almost had one of the players run into me as I tried to drunkenly weave my way back to my seat.
Protip 2: Friday and Saturday are the more expensive shows, but you can usually get tickets to the 11pm show the day of...otherwise, you'll have to book a week or more in advance for the evening one. Monday's cheaper, but since it's a hodgepodge of their best material, you don't get a cohesive theme throughout. Still hilarious, though.
Protip 3: The earlier you get there, the better seats you get...but there really isn't a bad seat in the house. I've never gone with a group bigger than 6 or so, but we've always been seated together.
Protip 4: There's invariably a handful of (freakin' hilarious) jokes that only Chicago residents will get. Prime your out-of-towners ahead of time on the Cubs, the CTA, and the Mayor, and they should be good.
I personally try to go once every couple years, and I wish it was more. If you live in the city and haven't been to the mecca of improvisational comedy, shame on you.
I've been here 3 times over the years, and have enjoyed every show I've seen here. A few Mondays ago, we came with some friends and saw the touring group on the main stage, who did some of the 'best of' skits from The Second City's history, as well as some awesome improv, including some amazing musical improv. They finished up the show with a third act of nothing but improv, which was fun - one bit had my wife laughing until her sides hurt.
We got a pitcher of the cocktail called the Chicago Fire. It was actually pretty good. much better than the pitcher we had gotten last year, the chicago river water. also, their brownie ala mode is good stuff. you wouldn't necessarily expect a good brownie at a comedy club, but thumbs up!
This is quality comedy!
I've been here a few times in the past, most recently for a client's graduation show. I have to say this place is great for several reasons.
Pricing. Honestly, when comparing to other shows in the city, non improv ones included, you get a pretty good deal. You have a variety of different show levels, some shows from students in their school, to the pro's.
The shows: Now you have to take some of the stuff with a grain of sand... or sometimes a handful. Especially the real improved material on stage. Some will fail and fall flat on its proverbial face. Some will thrive and come alive and make you think or even make you laugh. Most will keep you entertained. Heck, they may even get you involved and take suggestions. See, your fifteen minutes of fame is already ticking and you didn't even know it.
The school: They provide a lot of people the opportunity to do, whether they take it and run and go for a life altering chance at the small stage or transforming it in to bigger chances. Or taking what they know and applying it in to their own lives. Improv is not only about making people laugh, but being immediate in your decision making skills. To make a choice and go with it. If it fails you know and you move on. To make choices with no regret. To be aware of what is going on around you. Not bad things to apply to your own life in what ever way you are living.
The fun: Sit back, have a drink or two, laugh, gasp, shake your head, let your belly quiver, but most likely if you can't sit back and be entertained and you snub all that you see. Well, you might be a stick in the mud and an old fuddy duddy that is too square to see you have to laugh and look at things a little bit out of the box. However that is your choice to make.
Me? I'll choose to rack up some laughs and fun times a few more evenings.
I saw Second City at its stage in Old Town a couple of years ago and really enjoyed it. Last week I saw the "Rod Blagojevich Superstar" at Navy Pier. Aside from the fact that I had to go to the deeply despised Navy Pier on a summer Friday evening, the show was really funny. They nailed Blago on his ego, his hair, and his potty-mouthed wife with hilarity! There were some great jabs that only locals would understand, also.
After the hour long performance, the group did some improv. Overall it was very enjoyable, and the price was right at $25/ticket. Good stuff. And don't forget, you can drink while you watch! Even better stuff.
My husband and I saw Second City while we were in town. We've seen the Detroit one quite a few times, and there's always an element you laugh at because of the "inside" joke pertaining to your city. Thought I'm not from Chicago, I thought the show was funny as hell and well worth the money. Tickets were only $20 each and drinks are reasonably priced. We also ordered some appetizers and they came out quickly and were decent.
My only issue is the seating. And other SC shows I've been to, either the seats were staggered, or I've gotten there early enough to get a good seat. The place was packed (it was a Thursday), and I'm short, and had a hard time seeing some things from where they sat us. I'd suggest getting there at least a half an hour early.
So so sad. Three weeks ago, I would have given S.C. 4 or 5 stars.
I've lived in Chicago just over three years and have been to 7 Second City Shows. 4 main stage shows in that 7.
After last Friday night, I don't think I'll ever go again.
This has always been my go-to place to take friends and family from out of town. I've always had a good time and spent a lot of money while laughing my ass off.
I talked my sister and her friends into coming here for the first night of her bachelorette party to see America: All Better at the 11pm show. I figured I'd play it safe and go for the main stage because I didn't want to take any chances with so many out-of-towners with me.
Um, I thought there would maybe be some improv. I was apparently wrong. No suggestions from audience, everything was sketches, and not very funny ones. There was one section with a polar bear where he talked to the audience, which was improv, but pretty relaxed. There also didn't seem to be a theme for the show at all. There were so many nonsensical, crap sketches in there that I was embarrassed to have brought so many people there. Also, I don't know if it's because it was Friday or what, but it was also the shortest show I've ever seen and they didn't do the improv games I've usually seen after the late show. Very disappointing since I'd told everyone in my group about it.
I didn't recognize any cast members from all the other shows I've been to, so maybe they're just light on talent now or something. The diversity of the cast was also disappointing with the one black guy making lots of "hey, look at me! I'm black!" Kind of jokes. At one point during this guy's guitar sketch, I looked at all the laughing, white faces in the audience and felt kind of gross about the whole situation.
Another thing I've noticed, but haven't been upset about until my party complained to me about it. They water down their beer with soda water. Um, I used to think that maybe they just cleaned the pitchers with soda water and that's how it got in there, but now I think they do it on purpose. If you're charging $20 for a pitcher of 312, please don't give me soda water with it. Each glass didn't have any natural beer head and had SODA BUBBLES bubbling up from each glass. Gross.
Maybe it was an off night, maybe they had the JV cast onstage and maybe the soda water is some weird house specialty thing they do to rip people off, but either way. I will never be back and can't wait to spread the word to all I know for fare warning. What a sad thing to happen to a Chicago institution.
First night in town and we were looking for something fun and entertaining on a Monday night within budget. Boy did we get what we asked for. The touring group did a Best Of show with lots of Improv included. It was also one of the actors last night so they had other members of Second City come up on stage for a Final Third Act and participate. Just a fantastic evening!
Just saw another show on Saturday because some family was in from out of town. I called the box office first, but was told they were sold out for all Saturday night shows. So I checked online for same exact show and found available tickets! Thank you, technology.
Overall, as usual, a great time. Funny as heck. I have seen some of the skits before, so they weren't as funny the second time around, but my family loved the show.
The only problem was with the draft beer... It had either gone bad, or there is a problem with the line somewhere. My beer tasted rusty. Next time, I'll just order it in a bottle.
I love to laugh! Who doesn'r right? But rarely do I laugh till there are tears or to the point I don't remember much else besides just plain laughing..
I was fortunate to be taken to a Faculty Show where the current instructors to short skits much like the tv show "What's my line".
Oh, geez, oh man. It was so funny. I told everyone about it. It's been 2 weeks but sometimes I'll start thinking of one of the bits (Treasure Island ON a treasure island)...and I'll start cracking up...
I get it that places like this can have off nights but if you ever get to see the faculty perform you must go! I"ll see you there!
My first time at second city was so much fun! I went for the America:All better show which was hilarious. The first was good and the cast did a great job with the skits. I liked the part which included the audience except the part which they tried to make a story about a theme an audience member chose. I would definitely go again. Great place to take visitors!
As much as it pains me to write this about this Chicago Comedy Venue....Meh.
I've been to 3 different stages....small to medium to The Second City and have yet to find a performance that would really make me laugh at a majority of the material. What I find is that I sit there and through most of each show feel a pain inside due to the lack of real entertainment and humor, but rather just endure a long line of cheap (old) gags and bad jokes.
This particular show...."America: All Better" was hopefully going to change that for me....it didn't.
Though the show did have a few folks based on their performance will probably move on to bigger and better things, if they are not too old looking, which some were, which means they are stuck in Chicago until they do something else.....and we are stuck having to watch them until they make their move.....
The joint is packed at my visit and is always that way it seems from the other reviews........either by tour bus or school bus, it makes for a VERY tight seating arrangement. I've never been a fan of Chicago tourists.....even when I was one and now I avoid as many venues I think they'll be in mass.
Drinks....are a bit pricey and also a bit warm when it comes to the beer, plus if you down a few just before the show or at the break, be prepared to have to think about either one of two things.........the first is how you really have to pee OR laugh at the joke you thought was funny, BUT...the former may make the latter even more unpleasant. If you have anything in the realm of a small bladder, skip the drinks......and as for any food.....you're kidding right....its a comedy club, not an eatery.
Of course this is the place you may see people on stage and think...hey? I've seen that guy/gal somewhere....one of the guys on stage has a 3 second bit in a Buffalo Wings commercial that involves a camera man at a game using a big flash......honestly, neither performance was really that good. Now I'm grateful my girl got me the tickets as I was dying to see a show here, but she was also witness to a painful comedy experience with me earlier this year (thank god she stayed with me after that fiasco.... :^) ), so we are even at this point..........but I did laugh at some jokes....its kinda like an 80/20 rule....I didn't laugh at 80% of the jokes...
I one shining star in this entire experience is the memorabilia in the entrance way, stairwell, and bar area. Going back to the beginning, you'll see a ton of faces you know from TV and the Big Screen which was nice.
Is this place worth visiting....yes. Will I go back again, probably, but not for this show, nor this crew.
Always a good time at Second City. Recently, I went to a Chicago ETC performance with a group of friends. It was hilarious and very interactive. It's as good as the main stage (and maybe better).
I just received an important email, which announces Second City's smash hit "Rod Blagojevich Superstar" is moving to Navy Pier for six weeks only, beginning March 26, and will include some new songs and frequent updates as the political saga continues to unfold.
Seriously, this is one comedy you don't want to miss. Now is your chance to get tickets folks, since I have a feeling they will be selling out faster than an "Enquirer" at the old folks home, but you don't have to take my word for it.
P.S. Mary T. reminded me that If you go here: http://www.chicagoshak... and use the code "Super" you can get a $5 discount. Oh and if anyone wants to add it to events, have at it!
Really hilarious stuff happens here at Second City. Mary T., my boyfriend, and I were able to… Read more »
**show extended through early May, will be at Navy Pier. Check website.
Rod Blagojevich Superstar show at the Second City etc location, which is at 1608 N. Wells, the Wells street entrance for Pipers Alley. This was hilarious. How could it not be? Second City+Blago spoof is sure to work. It really did. My husband knew the songs from Jesus Christ Superstar and so it was extra funny for him. I don't want to give any of it away, but it was very nice to see such an irreverent handling of our former governor. We ate and drank too at the show which was nice. The carrot cake would have been better with a cream cheese frosting instead of butter cream, if the Gods at Second City are reading......
When I got the tickets I ordered them over the phone which saves you from paying a huge surcharge for online ordering. Over the phone the fee is only $2 total vs. a per ticket charge of something like $4.50 online. We parked at Treasure Island's parking lot just north of the store, kind of across the street plus a little north from the theater, for a flat fee of $9 which is OK for the area I thought.
So it's ironic that the show was a riot and my review is not funny at all. I think the brownie bites I've been eating are giving me a sugar coma. Sorry folks. :-) We really enjoyed ourselves and will probably go to another Second City Etc show in the future.
***Check online because they are continuing this show but it'll be at Navy Pier. Go to http://secondcity.com, choose chicago, choose etc stage, then rod blagojevich, then they will give you the scoop.
Went here a couple weeks ago and unlike other reviewers, I did enjoy myself at least partly. Was it the funniest thing I've ever been to? Definitely Not!
I went with a group of 10 and we saw "Brother, Can You Spare Some Change?" on the Chicago, etc. stage. I liked it. There were definitely boring parts, but there were a lot of parts that I can relate to so that probably made it that much funnier for me. Okay, now that I think about it, I guess there were only 3 out of the many skits that really made me laugh.
The drinks were okay, although not strong at all and the server only came a couple times and we seemed to be waiting a long time for our drinks to come. (And, I'm not even that big a lush or at least that night).
There was also a mix up with the seating even though we had RSVPd to sit together. That means two of the girls sat on the floor for awhile until the manager came and apologized. Although, they didn't get any free drinks or anything. Oh well...
Will I be spending $25 to go watch some people try to be funny again? Definitely Not! Shoot, I'm funny enough; I might just charge people to come see me...how does 25 cents sound? :)
Simply amazed at the bad reviews. First off, people shocked at the price of beer? It is a comedy club, have you ever been to a decent one where the alchohol hasn't been on the pricey side? Going to Second City is a nice peek in on how people start off in comedy. I saw "America" there, a lot of the jokes were fantastic, quite a bit flopped, but that's how stage performances work. I'm sure there was someone in the audience who laughed at the stuff I did not. I'd rather go to Second City and pay twice the price of a crappy movie, than watch yet another poorly written "comedy." I hear the cries for a bit more improv, not sure how their shows are structured, but I would wager they have more improv centered shows than "America."
When you are there, be sure to take time and look at all the pictures on the wall, it will definately jog some memories- and funny ones.
So f-ing funny that this review will not do it justice.
"Rod Blagojevich Superstar" brought me back to Second City; I'd been here a number of times, but never to the e.t.c. stage. RBS is a musical satire chronicling the rise and fall of our lovely ex-governor, which draws inspiration from Jesus Christ Superstar and Godspell. You don't have to have seen either rock opera, but it does make their versions of the songs even funnier. Imagine a version of "I Don't Know How to Love Him" sung by Patty Blagojevich with f-bombs thrown in left and right!
To me it was side splitting hilarious, but maybe that's because I had an unusual affinity (read obsession) for Jesus Christ Superstar as a kid. Seriously, the album was in heavy rotation on my Fisher Price record player; I'm surprised my parents didn't toss it out the window!
I was kind of glad our server forgot my water until late into the show because I probably would've ended up wearing most of it due to this non-stop laugh riot. The guy who played Rod was hilarious and his hair was pretty stellar, but it was *potty mouth* Patty that really won me over.
Bottom line: Second City consistently has a talented group of performers that put on amazing shows. If you're looking for something a little out of the ordinary catch a show, I don't think you'll be disappointed. I don't know if main stage shows are the same price, but tickets were only $14 (before surcharges).
TIP: If you're seeing a show on the e.t.c. stage enter off North Ave or the doorway between Adobo and Starbucks.
FYI: Tickets for all Rod Blagojevich Superstar shows are sold out, hopefully they will add more. If they do GO, it's awesome.
I love Second City and supporting such a great show. Stay for the after hours improv if you can, sometimes it is funnier than the actual show. I don't think it is that expensive, there isn't a drink minimum, like most comedy shows.
My only complaint is that we have seen the last two mainstage shows and 8 of the sketches were repeated in America All Better from No Country for Old White Men. I don't think I will see consecutive mainstage shows again, because I felt like I deserved half my money back since half of the sketches were repeated. Otherwise, they are hilarious, and def worth it if you haven't seen the last show. And there are other options though, the etc stage.
Original comedy and entertainment value - 4 stars
Repeating sketches - minus 1 star
Creating the show "Rod Blagojevich Superstar" - plus 1 star.
FUN!!!
Took my boyfriend there on a Thursday night (for the main stage show, "America: All Better!") as a part of his Chicago experience, and we had a blast. Shared a pitcher of Stella and many, many laughs. I will say that you need some knowledge of current events to appreciate some of the jokes, and do expect lots of profanity and sexual references (that are not at all subtle!)
They definitely try to pack the venue so you will get to know your neighbors, which, c'mon, isn't at all a bad thing unless you're some sort of antisocial prick in which case Second City would be a waste of money.. anyways, 2 acts and 1 final improv act later (which I heard could be hit-or-miss) I was satisfied with the bang for my buck.
Polar Bear Comedy?!? Laughed pretty hard last night.
I know with Comedy it can be it or miss and is subjective but "America: All Better" was a great show IMHO. Late Night Improv was a little lame, that being said it is pretty hard to do so I will let them have an off night.
Second City comedy certainly got some laughs out of me....and I'm a little hard to please with this sorta thing.
I've gotta say, I do find it odd that the fallback comedy topics always seem to be race and fatness. This is not a Second City thing, I think this is a broader phenomenon. (Incidentally, in Australia, the jokes are all about bogans and penises. I wasn't saying that overseas the comedy is any more sophisticated,... just... different.)
But Second City offered a thoroughly entertaining evening, complete with a cocktail tightrope walk, and lots of free chicken tenders.
My boyfriend was hungry, and ordered chicken tenders. for some reason we were served two batches of them, which he gobbled up at record speed, in case Second City wanted to take them away again. The bar food was a little greasy but delicious. Well worth the shed dollars (not a super cheap night, but certainly better than sitting in a bar, losing track of your friends' conversation because of the flickering TV screens).
Can I give this place zero stars?
Really? This place was HORRIBLE! TERRIBLE! Seriously, we walked out after 30 mins.
Maybe I was expecting something different. Something FUNNY! Especially at a comedy club that produced such greats as John Belushi, Mike Myers, Bill Murray, etc.
Let me start with the setup. This place tries to pack in as many people as they possibly can so prepare to have zero leg, back or moving room. You WILL be sitting on top of your neighbor basically.
Now, on to the show, this is a mix of a horrible musical, skits, bad humor and generic jokes. The wit is nonexistent.
I don't even know what else to say about this place. This was the biggest disappointment of my weekend. We looked forward to this for months. Booked in advance and in return we dropped over $60 and walked out 30 mins into the performance after not cracking a smile and falling asleep.
Go see real comedy some place else...
"Brother, Can You Spare Some Change?" was hilarious! This was my first Second City show and I thought all the performers were really funny and talented. For those who don't know, the show is made up of smaller comedy sketches. We arrived just a couple of minutes late, and were seated on the side of the small theater, but I could see fine. They serve drinks and food, but I appreciated that there was no drink minimum. After the show there is a free improv set as well.
The e.t.c. stage is located in Piper's Alley, a couple of doors down from the entrance for the mainstage.
There probably isn't a more enjoyable show to see in Chicago. I saw "Studs Terkel's Not Working" at the Etc. stage. The performers were really great (even away from the main stage), the sort of quality I would expect at the biggest comedy feeder in the U.S. It was a relatively even mix of improv and planned sketches with three acts in total. And if you want to experience it drunk, your waiter/waitress is all about facilitating that. If you get there early, you'll get a better seat, but I doubt there is really a bad seat at the venue. Also, our hotel concierge clued us into this very useful fact - if the show is sold out, go 2 hours before it's scheduled to begin and you can get on a waiting list for unclaimed will call tickets. The success rate seemed pretty good and that worked for us.
Saw "America - All Better!". awesome!
the improv afterward was so-so.
also, kind of random, but: the cheese fries here are kind of gross.
I've had to go to Chicago a couple times for work recently and took clients to see "No Country for Old White Men". Holy Crap!!! These people are freaking hilarious! The first time I saw the show was on a Friday night and I think that was the better cast. The second time was on a Tuesday. The 3 strongest performers were there again, but there were 3 others replacing the actors I had seen before. I recommend the weekend show. The chick that does the "lard & sugar" scene is f-ing awesome!!!
Be sure to look thru the program to see all the names of the greatest comedic actors that have performed there. It's AMAZING!!!
Its super casual there and the seating is a little tight, but the drinks are cheap and the show is full of laughs. If you take clients or family be sure they are ok with some foul language.
I will definitely visit Second City next time I'm in town!
I've been 2x to the e.t.c show and have never been disappointed. For $25 you get a good 2hrs of solid improv that will make you laugh your ass off.
Beer prices are pretty average as well. Good selection of drinks which they will serve directly to your seat. Can't comment on the food - only had the nachos, which were average.
Go here for a fun time for less than you would pay at a local pub.
Second City is a nice little getaway from the everyday. When dinner and a movie or whatever your usual thing might be, just isn't cutting it, the city second to one is for thee.
Stripped down, gritty and full of character the place quite literally houses some great characters and talent. We checked out No Country for Old White Men, a bevy of sketches which run the gamut from the upcoming presidential elections and ethnic bias's to pop culture, office hi-jinks and sperm jumping through a hula hoop...that's right. sperm. hula hoop. Crazy, but it worked.
At about $20 a show, one of the better (and more economical) nights out you'll find in Chicago.
Second city was a beacon highlight of my last trip to Chicago a week or so ago. So much in fact I'm still laughing at some of the acts.
I saw the touring group on the mainstage which looked and felt like any other comedy club. What struck me before the show was the choreography of the house staff - complete pros at seating people, getting drinks, and letting you focus on a beer and conversation until the show gets started.
And what a show it was! The hilarity was endless and the skill of the troupe shows just how worthy they are to be part of such an established hot bed of comedic force for so many decades with many more sure to come!
Can't wait to see more shows next time I'm in Chi-town!
Two weeks ago I saw, Campaign Supernova, and it's freaking HILARIOUS!!! I totally recommend it, the skits are fun and interactive. I went with an alums kid and we got the house treatment! How fun! No matter where you sit though, the show is a promising good time, not doubt!
A MUST SEE!
The history here alone is reason enough to go - Belushi, Farley, Tina... they all graced the Second City stage. But on top of that, the current crew is FUNNY. They have some yummy drinks, adult humor, decent food. It's an intimate theater, much smaller than I expected. It's a great place for a group or just for a date. The main stage can sell out quickly, so get tickets in advance, but the second stage is also funny and cheaper. The theater is also in a great location, surrounded by numerous good restaurants (Adobo Grill and Nookies are both within walking distance). Top dinner and a show off with a walk on the lake, you've got yourself a great date night.
Neighborhood: Roscoe Village
Category: Comedy Clubs
Neighborhood: Lakeview
Category: Comedy Clubs
Neighborhood: Lakeview
Category: Comedy Clubs
Neighborhood: Lincoln Park
Category: Arts & Entertainment
Neighborhood: Near North Side
Category: Comedy Clubs
I don't make it out socially much, but here is…
If you're visiting my city, you need to know where…
My local dry cleaner, watering hole, deli, cafe,…
It's been hit and miss experiences with my Yelp…
Here's my list of theatrical productions I have…
I got family in Chicago and so i visit about once…
My incomplete travel list... from hotels with ants…
Some ideas that go well together...either as a…
