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Second City

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1616 N Wells St (at In the Pipers Alley complex at North Ave)
Chicago, IL 60614

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(312) 337-3992
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Second City - Chicago, IL
Second City - Chicago, IL
Second City - Chicago, IL
Reviews
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Best

The Second City...nothing much good times and a lot of LAUGHTER!!! I heard they will be at the All Need Love Festival at Field Museum. I checked into it and its it going to be a a...

Worst

My husband and I went to the "Spoiler's Alert Everyone Dies" show. The crew did not know their lines, there were many silent moments when they were trying to improvise, and it w...

Disappointed 2/22/2011

My husband and I went to the "Spoiler's Alert Everyone Dies" show. The crew did not know their lines, there were many silent moments when they were trying to improvise, and it was very difficult to understand what they were saying. We came away from the show disappointed and that is a first. We have been going to Second City for 15 years.\r I hope they get their "act" together. more
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The Second City @ All Need Love Fesitval 2/6/2011

The Second City...nothing much good times and a lot of LAUGHTER!!! I heard they will be at the All Need Love Festival at Field Museum. I checked into it and its it going to be a amazing night of love, arts, and diversity! \r \r Its on Valentine's Day, but you don't have to be coupled up to go! Grab some girls or guys and head down!! It will be a night of great laughs, music and art! By far the biggest thing going on in Chicago on Valentine's Day! \r \r Check out the website! AllNeedLove.com. The Second City will be a great time!!! more
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The Second City @ All Need Love Festival 2/6/2011

I think that The Second City performances are good laughs and a good time!! I hear they will be at the All Need Love Festival at Field Museum on Valentine's Day! Check out the website! AllNeedLovecom. It will be a night of love, arts and music. The biggest event happening in Chicago on Valentine's Day. You don't need to be a couple! Grab some friends and go!! A great night that shouldn't be missed and the face that The Second City will be performing....TOPS IT OFF!!! more
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Simply Classic 8/16/2010

Classic Chicago spot - you simply gotta go there at least once! more
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Second City 5/12/2009

The Second City is a Chicago classic. Always hilarious, consistently entertaining, and moderately priced, this cabaret style venue is an essential weekend destination. Check it out and get your laugh and drink on! more
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Second City will give you laughs all night long 4/22/2009

Second City is one of the best comedy places in the country! They're witty, current, and extremely quick thinkers. It's amazing when they do the improves, these are truly talented individuals, you will not get disappointed! more
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It's a risk but... 4/3/2008

....when it's a good show, you leave feeling as if it was some sort of therapy for you. more
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great evening out full of laughs!! 12/20/2007

We went to see ""Between Barack and a Hard Place"" on a wednesday night. the show was almost sold out but i totally know why. the show was so funny and i was laughing all night long. I would definitely recommend it to friends, and I have. Catch a bite to eat before the show and then head over to Second City. The show was clever, insightful and extremely funny. The cast is extremely talented especially being able to adapt to the audience's suggestions, which is part of the specialness of this type of comedy. Pros: talented cast, guaranteed laughter Cons: 2 drink min more
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Must see ""Between Barack and a Hard place"" 12/16/2007

I may have small bias since I work for Citysearch. Last night I saw ""Between Barack and a Hard Place"" at Second City. It was an incredible performance. It was very clever and hillarious. Pros: Performers are remarkable more
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Great satiric comedy 8/12/2006

After viewing ""War: Now in Its Fourth Smash Year,"" I understand all the hype surrounding Second City and its wonderful history. The show was amazingly entertaining and at times hilarious. The only drawback is the open seating plan, which requires that you arrive early to get a good seat; and the seats are sometimes very close together. Overall, it was a great experience to which we would like to return. Pros: Comedy and level of professionalism Cons: Seating arrangement more
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one of the best 11/11/2005

There are plenty of places in chicago you can go to to see average stand-up. But Second City is one of the few that offers consistently funny shows by professionals. There's always a couple shows running, and they are very impressive. Well written, well acted, just funny. Some sketches are hit-or-miss, but that's comedy. They usually do some improv after the show, giving you a free second show. Food and drinks are kind of expensive, but no more so than any other bar. The shows are about $17 each, which is quite reasonable considering the quality. Great place to take a friend visiting the city, or just to go with friends. The seating is kind of cramped, because they squeeze a lot of people into a fairly small room, but that also means everyone is pretty close to the stage, which is a nice effect. PROS: inspired comedy CONS: more
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improv comedy 11/3/2005

Okay, you have to understand you WILL be offended and you will laugh so hard you'll about pee your pants. That disclamer noted, this was a fun night out. I went a few years ago and just laughed until I could stand it no more. Pretty easy location to get to in Chicago, expect a lot of smoke and to be tired when leaving (its a late night). But quite funny! more
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Second City: Funnier if you're intoxicated! 11/2/2005

I went to second city a few weeks ago for a nice comedic night out... I was not particularly impressed! While the audience involvment in some skits was decent, overall the quality of the comedy paled in comparison to the stand-up comics I have seen. The good news was, the more the waitress came around, the more drinks I was served, and the funnier that the skits became! more
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So much fun and great drinks! 9/24/2005

So it costs a bit more than a movie but it is worth every penny. I've been going for over 15 years and have watched lots of famous people start here! Lots of Saturday Night Live alum began here so you are bound to see an up and coming stars. The late performance (11 pm) usually has an improv section afterwards. Its a great experience although it can get vulgar. My sister in law found it distasteful while I found it hilarious. It can be raunchy but its hilarious! PROS: unique and fun experience CONS: don't take the prude to this! more
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What a funny show! 9/20/2005

Second City is an improv troupe that a ton of famous actors have started in. A lot of the SNL alumns started at Second City. If you like improv comedy, this is the place for you! I've been here several times and the comediens are always really funny. The best show I've seen by Second City was a holiday show in Arlington Heights. My whole family went and we all had a great time. I highly recommend this! more
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Alright, but over hyped 9/16/2005

This is an alright place to go, but it is quite overpriced and just way overhyped. While there are funny shows, some play off just like the unfunny Saturday Night Live of late. Now most really good comedians go through training from both IO and Second City, so it is becoming a secondary rather than a primary location for comedy in the city. more
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A Chicago Must-See 7/16/2005

Everyone who goes to Chicago and likes to be entertained should try to catch a show at Second City. The comedy club boasts a number of graduates who have gone on to achieve great fame on tv or in the movies. You never know which alum will be stopping back for a special appearance, and you never know which current SC person will go on to the big time. more
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hilarious comedy 7/12/2005

Second City is Chicago's premier comedy club, and it is renowned for good reason. The show we went to was laugh-out-loud funny for it's full 2 hours or so. The performers were wonderful, and the script was original and smart. A show at Second City mainstage or at its smaller stage Chicago etc. is well worth the price and time. more
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Guaranteed Laughter 6/17/2005

Unlike Saturday Night Live, every skit is funny and edgy. Bring your guests from out-of-town and they will definitely have stories to tell. I still recount a skit I saw with Rachel Dratch 10 years ago! more
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good place to watch movies 4/17/2005

the theaters are well maintained and are clean. They play movies that I like to watch. If they can reduce their prices for regular customers I would really go their every weekend... PROS: Clean theaters and excellent movie screens CONS: Costs a bit more more
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Menu for Second City


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50 years of funny!

Owner Message

  • The Second City is a legendary comedy theater in Chicago, Illinois that features nightly entertainment. We specialize in sketch comedy and improvisation. Cocktails and food are available throughout our shows. We?re frequently on tour, and we offer businesses services for training programs, marketing assignments, and live events.

    Our additional services include:

    • Eleven full time touring ensembles
    • Television and film operations
    • Corporate communications
    • Training in comedy

    Our training courses emphasize innovation and creativity. Whatever comedic style you want to hone, our supportive teachers guide you on the path to hilarity. We welcome all levels of comic, from newbies to the seasoned performer.

    Call The Second City today for tickets or for more information.. Theater

Editorial

  • Overview
    The intimate, modest theater seats 300 people around tables of two and four, half on the main floor and half on three gently rising tiers in the back. The low semicircular stage...

  • 10/18/2006 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Hours: Open 7 Days
  • Payments: Visa, Cash, Discover, Master Card, American Express
  • Neighborhoods: Lincoln Park, North Side
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