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Zanies Comedy Club
Rating Details »
Category: Comedy Clubs [Edit]
Neighborhood: 12 South2025 8th Ave S
Nashville, TN 37204
(615) 269-0221
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Sat, Sun
- Happy Hour:
- No
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- No
11 reviews for Zanies Comedy Club
Zanies is the only comedic venue in town so there's nothing really to compare it to and because of that I'm rating it a step higher than I would on its own. They've been around for a long time and because of this are pretty seasoned to the ins and outs of operation. This is evident in the fluidity they demonstrate in seating everyone, a task that to me seems chaotic. They fit a surprising amount of people in their medium to small size venue, almost too many for my taste. It generally takes you about 15 minutes to navigate around all the tables and hidden appendages just to get to the bathroom. Double that time if you need to go after they've turned the lights down.
One thing I didn't realize when I first went that seems to upset unknowing patrons is that they seat you at tables with other people. If you happen to come with a larger group, you're OK, but it can be a little disconcerting having to crowd around a small table with a bunch of strangers you don't really care to talk to. Fortunately most people feel the same level of uncomfortable-ness and tend to stick to talking with their own group so there's very little tense small talk.
The stage is pretty small, and it's surprisingly easy to have an intimate comedic experience here. You get to choose where you want to sit, depending on when you get there and how many people are in your party. I've noticed a lot of people prefer to sit farther away from the stage (I'm assuming this is due to a fear of heckling), along the bar or up in the balcony so it's pretty easy to get a primo spot if you get there at a decent time. Every time I've been I've ended up at a table right next to the stage which is great.
The website recommends arriving about an hour before the show starts, and I'd confirm that because the lines can get pretty long. Be aware though that you'll end up standing in line for most of that hour, but once they open the doors they seat people pretty efficiently. Their two parking lots are also laughably tiny compared to the amount of people that turn out, so it can take a minute to find a place to park. There are a lot of businesses around Zanies location off 8th Avenue, but the majority of them will tow you if you park in any of their lots. Don't say I didn't warn you. A wide range of people and acts perform here, too wide a range for my tastes, but enough variety that allows a little something for everyone. They generally have at least one performance every weekend with some during the week, but I typically only find somebody of interest performing here once every couple of months or so.
Their prices vary widely depending on the act in question. Tickets for local and lesser known performers can be as cheap as $5, but more popular acts are going to run you more like $30. The main thing I don't like about Zanies is that they're a 'two drink minimum' kind of place although I know this is probably the only way they turn a profit. They offer plenty of expensive cocktails to choose from, but their beer selection is limited and contained to bottles. They also serve food which is nice, but don't expect to find anything outside of the greasy bar food category.
Best (and virtually the only) place in Nashville to see a comedy show. While rock venues like the 5 Spot, The End and Exit/In occasionally host comics, Zanie's is our only true venue on the national map of comedy hot spots.
The club itself is alright, and, as Robin stated, there's hardly a bad seat in the place. The food tasted to me like perfectly mundane bar food that will run you around $8, and the drink selection is decent. They have a long list of insane sounding mixed drinks on their menu, but I stick to beer when seeing a comedy show. Last thing you want to do is get all liquored up, start laughing a bit too loudly and suddenly be fodder for the comedian's in-house riffing.
Comedy clubs in other cities go above and beyond Zanie's (no offense to the place). Unfortunately, we just don't have much of a comedy scene here. Regardless, I like this place just fine, and if one of your favorite comics is coming to town, this is probably the place they'll play (unless they're a Municipal Auditorium type of big shot).
I enjoy Zanie's. It's something different to do in Nashville; a nice change from the same old bars and restaurants we hit up on a weekly basis. The shows can be very economical--if you subscribe to their email list, you receive notifications of half-price shows and may other specials.
Food isn't great, but I don't know who would expect 5-star fare at a comedy club. Basic bar food and drink. Think fried stuff in baskets. It's a small enough venue so every seat is a good seat. There is a small balcony as well, though I've never had to sit up there. Get there early if you want to be up front and personal with the comedian--those tables fill up fast.
Top-notch acts from across the US visit Zanie's--it's not only local, though some of the "no-name" opening acts I've seen have been better than the headliners. As Emily stated, it could be a good date night--depending on the act, and how well you know your date! Do your research beforehand. I've been with groups of friends, and they are very accommodating. Again, get there early if you have a larger group.
Zanie's is a nice change from the ho hum of every day. I do suggest it!
I had a blast when I went here for the first time a few weekends ago. I am very glad they had a security guy out back telling us where to park so I didn't get towed. We were greated by a very friendly hostess who gave us a few seating options to pick from.
There is a two drink/food minimum per person. I thought that was pretty fair, since I planned on having something to drink anyway. The food was pretty much all fried. Fried chicken, fried cheese, fried mushrooms....
But you aren't there for the food so what does it matter. The COMEDY is great. The atmosphere is super, and it is easy for the comic to interact with the people in the room.
I'll definately be going back again.
Zanies is probably the only comedy club in Nashville, which is the reason it gets three stars and not two. Nothing too special to see here, except the comedians!
Not too nice inside, aesthetically speaking. It was really dark. I believe I sat on some sort of uncomfortable bench.
I have seen nicer bathrooms in truck stop gas stations on I-95!
The bar has some premium liquor selections, but don't expect too much. You can smoke inside.
On a more positive note, EVERY seat in the house has a great view of the stage and all seats are close to the stage, which is a big PLUS! (I have been to comedy clubs where not every seat has a view/ good location!)
They have a menu, but I didn't try anything
I had a great time seeing Daniel Tosh at Zanies! Hilarious!
I disagree with the previous reviewer. Zanie' s is not the greatest. They're just okay. The food is mostly fried and there's a two drink/food minimum on top of the already pricey tickets. Every time I've been here I've had a nice time - but not a great time. Still, Zanie's provides another venue for entertainment outside of nightclubs, dance clubs, etc.
Zanie's is a good place to bring a date depending on who the act is. Check their website for upcoming acts and ticket prices. Lots of the featured comics can be seen on a variety of tv shows and tour nationally.
HAPPY 25th Birthday Zanies Nashville! Zanies is the greatest. I have been to two shows here. They feature a wide variety of comics to appeal to almost any taste you just have to check the listings on their website, but they have some of the best funniest national comics come through. The only thing I can say though is it is very small, and cramped. Grab your tickets early for popular comedians, and get there at least 30 minutes or more early because there is limited seating. They have shows throughout the week, and when comedians come to town they often have several shows for several days. The biggest comedians usually have weekend showings, but you have about five showings to pick from.Parking is difficult which is another reason to get there early.
Just follow these few little tips, get ready to laugh, and you should have a GREAT time.
Wipe the seat before you squat to relieve yourself at Zanies. Especially after the second show with all the beer. Kathy Griffith coming back or Carrot-Top would be awesome. The more you drink the funnier it gets, except for the hecklers. Frat rats
Zanies is one of the top comedy clubs in the nation and for good reason! Top notch acts, including the occasional visit from Nashville's own Chad Riden. Glorious and wonderful.
Get there early for good seats & to get your drink / food order in before the show starts; Park in Zanies' adjacent lot (or the overflow lot in the grass across Douglas) but NOT anywhere else; for the love of all that is Holy, turn your stupid cell phone off & take the ridiculous BlueTooth thing off of your face.
Last night was the first time I have been to Zanies in almost 10 years! Yikes! We went to see the comedian John Pinette and we laughed so hard our stomachs hurt! He was great! The venue itself is a nice little cozy place. It could definitely use some updating. We sat in a booth which was actually really uncomfortable. There was something lumpy in the seat. We did eat there and the food was ok....just like someone else said mostly all fried food. I'm sure it's all frozen and not fresh, but it still had a good taste and not to expensive. They had a pretty fair selection of beer and domestic was $3.75. There is the 2 item minimum. Our server we had was really good and came by frequently to see if we needed refills on our coke or coffee. She was slammed since it was a full house...they do add on gratuity automatically, but I think it was only 15 or 18%. I ended up giving our server more because she was really on top of her game. We had a great night and definitely look forward to going back!
Went there to see Maria Bamford and she was excellent. A little disappointed in the two warm up acts before her but since I was there to see her I didn't sweat it. Which was a disappointment was the atmosphere of the club. Okay, it's a comedy club but the place could really use a good sprucing up as it did not appear to be very clean. The menu is best described as fried. Really feel as they're missing the boat by not have a better fare as they would probably pull in a dinner audience prior to the show as not many people ordered food while we were there for the show. As far as the intimacy of the club, it worked well. Oh, almost forgot, the table we sat at needed to be screwed down to it's pedestal as each time we leaned on it, it would begin to swivel. You'd think that a server or manager would have noticed that at some point and taken the 2 minutes to put in one screw which would have alleviated the problem. If you've not experienced Maria Bamford, google her and get a laugh.
