Photograph: Johnny KnightThe best comedy clubs in Chicago to see improv, stand-up and sketches
Looking for a laugh? These are our favorite venues for stand-up, sketch and improv comedy.
One of Chicago’s greatest attractions is undoubtedly the comedy scene. Chicago is known for its second-to-none improv and sketch comedy empire, which has successfully launched the careers of legends like John Belushi and Gilda Radner and modern megastars like Tina Fey, Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Stephen Colbert. But the city’s comedy scene is far more rich, diverse and inventive than just those who make it to Saturday Night Live—on any given night you can see open mics or improv shows that you’ll remember forever. So the next time you’re in need of a hearty laugh or want to make last-minute date night plans, pay a visit to one of these unforgettable venues. Find yourself becoming a fan? Keep the good times going at one of these hilarious recurring comedy shows.
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Located in Old Town, Second City is undoubtedly the crown jewel of comedy in Chicago. This is the place that put both sketch and improvised comedy on the map while launching the careers of many distinguished comics including Bill Murray, Tina Fey, Chris Farley, Keegan-Michael Key, Amy Sedaris, Stephen Colbert and Steve Carell—to name a few. With long-running revues on both the main and e.t.c. stages and a number of smaller spaces for Second City Training Center students to hone their skills, the long-running institution has made the corner of North Avenue and Wells Street a comedy destination.
Chicago gets a lot of international notoriety for its improv scene, but don’t sleep on local standup institutions either. The Lincoln Lodge bills itself as the nation’s longest-running independent comedy showcase, and sports a star-studded list of alumni, including Cameron Esposito, Hannibal Buress, Kyle Kinane and Kumail Nanjiani. Multiple shows six nights a week run the gamut from the gross-out confessional Ladylike to the daytime talk show-spoofing Dr. Fix Me. If you get the itch after attending one of their shows, try one of their popular workshops, like Feminine Comique or Stand Up Seminary.
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