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The Second City

Comedy Club

Old Town Triangle, Chicago

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The Second City

9.2^/10

962

ratings

Ranked #1 for comedy clubs in Chicago
The experts at CNN and Travel + Leisure recommend this place
"Great place to go to if you want to spend the night laughing."(15 Tips)
"South Side of Heaven is a must see - hilarious!"(10 Tips)
"... the likes of Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Steve Carell and others, this legendary..."(4 Tips)
"I love the main stage shows."(3 Tips)

149 Tips and reviews

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Allison KaminskiOctober 15, 2015
Been here 10+ times
I love the main stage shows. They test out material after the show so you get an extra half hour of laughs!!! So much history!! You won't stop laughing
Upvoted Feb 19
AFAR MediaAugust 4, 2014
Get there early as space is often tight, and peruse the portraits in the lobby of the Second City alumni (and now celebrities) from before they were made famous on the big screen. Read more
Upvoted 2 weeks ago
Chicago Cultural AllianceSeptember 17, 2012
The facade is a 4 terra cotta busts from the original Shiller Theater depicting famous German figures: Giacomo Meyerbeer, Fritz Reuter, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and Gotthold Ephraim Lessing.
Kirk TrotskyNovember 30, 2018
Been here 100+ times
Everything is stellar here! The shows, the training, the professional development and PEOPLE! Where else would you see Tim Meadows on an escalator?
Cameron WAugust 30, 2017
The main stage show was truly hilarious. I thought it would be funny and a good time overall but I didn't expect to be laughing out load almost constantly. Great show!
Fodor's TravelJanuary 28, 2016
An institution since 1959, Second City has served as a launching pad for some of the hottest comedians around. Alumni include Dan Aykroyd, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, and the late John Belushi. Read more
CNNAugust 6, 2014
Name almost any SNL breakout star -- John Belushi, Chris Farley, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler -- and chances are he or she served a stint at Chicago's Second City. Read more
Jim OrganMay 26, 2017
Very talented although very one-sided politically. I like a more balanced approach on political humor. Otherwise outside of the political messages good show.
Tiffany ChungOctober 8, 2013
Get there early for a good seat! They pull audience from the front for impromptu acts! Definitely a good time! Show lasted about 2.5 hours! (The best of second city)
OkCupid Daters' ChoiceJuly 13, 2017
The Second City was voted the Best Intellectual Date Spot by OkCupid users in the first-ever Daters' Choice Awards! Tap Read more for additional date spot categories in Chicago. #daterschoice Read more
ᴡ HildebrandMarch 29, 2015
Game Night is a really fun, participation-heavy game. Get there early to get good seats so you have a better chance of getting on stage. Or pay the $10 extra for premium seats.
Monica DesaiSeptember 2, 2019
Their showcases are like thematic SNL shows, great for a Saturday night
Ryan PaveyMarch 18, 2019
Really good fun. We were near the front and I’m glad we weren’t picked on.
Kirstie CastaneiraApril 28, 2017
Amazing show!! Such a cool venue and the ETC stage was very intimate. Will definitely return!
Emilio COctober 3, 2017
The best place for comedy in the city.
Lawrence MillerMarch 13, 2013
I have been to The Second City about five times over 20 years. This was probably the best performance ever. My sides hurt from laughter!
Kellen TerrettAugust 8, 2014
Classic for a reason. Every show adds something new to the long list of amazing pieces the building has produced.
Katey FagianoJuly 6, 2015
Great atmosphere, great shows, great beer options during the show with servers to get you food & drink
Jennifer StraubMarch 21, 2012
If you purchase the tickets on-site, you won't incur the ridiculous transaction fee from ordering them online. But, you'll need to purchase days ahead of time, as the shows will sell out.
Redeye ChicagoAugust 3, 2014
You can hit the box office for tickets for a future show or just revel in the collective comedic talent that's performed here over the years, from Dan Aykroyd to Tina Fey to Amy Sedaris. Read more
Travel + LeisureFebruary 21, 2014
The 54-year-old sketch comedy club has been turning out A-list stars—Tina Fey; Steve Carell; Stephen Colbert—for more than 50 years, and is still the place to catch fledgling writers and actors.
Jenny PollockJuly 7, 2013
A must do for anyone visiting Chicago. The main stage shows are always good! Be ready for pricy drinks, but they are strong!
Fodor's TravelAugust 21, 2015
Known for sending numerous comedic actors along to successful careers at Saturday Night Live and beyond, you can get all the laughs you want without paying for a ticket.
Philly Improv TheaterSeptember 23, 2014
This is a comedy mecca! Make sure you take the time to look at photos of old cast members - you will see A LOT of famous faces.
AshleyJanuary 21, 2013
So funny! Go see a improv show, order a drink for 19.95 so you can keep the glass. And be prepared to possibly get on stage or yell out suggestions.
Jinna WJanuary 27, 2015
Great show! Whatever you do, don‘t check your coat it takes so long since there's only one guy working at coat check
Ashley StarkNovember 2, 2015
Great time out. Probably more fun with a large group of friends because seating in the floor area is very tight.
Travel + LeisureMay 29, 2012
Shows are general admission, so arrive early and grab a seat at one of the tables in front of the stage or by the railing on the second level. Read more
Venu ThangalapallyDecember 15, 2018
Been here 5+ times
Here for Improv classes - best and more like meditation time - living in the moment
Noah WeissFebruary 27, 2015
$12 tickets for great Sketch comedy with no minimum drink orders, at the comedy spot that half of SNL came from.
Simon KFebruary 24, 2015
Great sketch based evening, some hit, some miss. As a Brit it surprised me how much casual racism there was in the show.
Chase JJuly 31, 2013
Try the Drink: Chicago River its like a Long Island Ice Tea on steroids. Then sit back and enjoy the show!
Josh SciannaNovember 20, 2017
Saw the 11PM show on Saturday, didn’t disappoint. Cast was hilarious and the the drinks were very well made.
Julia StylesOctober 11, 2011
Everyone should see Second City at least once. It is one of the best sketch comedy venues in the country. Go to Adobo for margaritas and dinner beforehand.
Thompson HotelsJune 20, 2011
Our concierge Samantha at Sax Chicago says, "You *will* laugh at Second City. It's twisted, in a good way. Don’t miss 'South Side of Heaven.'"
Greg MacekDecember 13, 2019
The etc stage was amazing. The best comedy in America is here in Chicago.
Bob KApril 27, 2014
When in Chicago don't miss it.. Order a pitcher and stay for the improv at the end.
American AirlinesJune 27, 2013
Open since 1959, Second City has offered the best in improv comedy for years. Be ready: you might get the chance to participate!
Carol PhillipsMarch 12, 2010
"The Taming of the Flu" is sidesplitter funny. The current cast of six lives up to the high SC standards. I'd go ahead. Tickets just $27 but drinks and t-shirts can get pricey. Love Bicycle cops skit.
Chicago TribuneFebruary 7, 2012
Thursdays at 6 p.m.: Chicago Live!, a weekly stage and radio show produced by Chicago Tribune with The Second City. Hosted by Chicago Tribune's Rick Kogan. Tickets, podcasts: http://trib.in/cR4ZBm
Showtime NetworkJune 4, 2010
If you’re up for laughs, you must stop into Second City. It’s one of the best comedy clubs in the country and always a fun night. - Nikki
Renaissance HotelsMay 22, 2012
Few know that seat are first-come first-serve here — show up 30 minutes early for great seats at the main stage. For more local tips, follow us on 4sq or check out www.renhotels.com.
Howard BergDecember 27, 2010
been coming here for 25 years and the shows are always side splitting. for best seats get here early and sit on the "rail"
Matthew PiresMarch 2, 2014
The show at Up Comedy was fantastic. Make sure you show early.
Alan CordovaNovember 11, 2010
If you're with friends on a popular night, get there early; while it's one of the bigger comedy clubs, good seats go quickly.
Tori MouleMarch 23, 2013
So funny! I would highly recommend for something to do for a girls night or a date!
VegNews MagazineOctober 30, 2012
Why not finish the night bent over laughing at this famous comedy club where Tina Fey, Chris Farley, and Bill Murray all got started? The renowned house of comedy provides first-class entertainment.
Ben GaspariniOctober 7, 2016
Very funny and creative. Heavy on the political agenda though and most of those jokes were not creative.
DJ RuffRyd / Hardy BoiiJanuary 15, 2013
Unless you really want the souvenir glass, save your money. The free refills are hard to come by if you never see your server again until the end of the show.
Jeff RinggenbergAugust 28, 2010
Reality is funnier than fiction and unintentional comedy is the best kind of comedy. These performers demonstrate just those things with their brilliant comedic skills!

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