Best Comedy Club in Lyons Area

"Probably the best-known of Chicago’s comedy clubs, the Second City has a long history of tickling its audience’s funny bones. The original club opened in December 1959, and its members have redefined improv and sketch comedy over the past six decades. Just about everyone knows the names of its most famous alumni: Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Steve Carell, Stephen Colbert, and Bill Murray, among other."

"An absurd amount of comic talent has come out of Chicago over the last 60 years, and one of the reasons for that is Second City. This fabled comedy club and improv company on Wells Street counts Steve Carell, Billy Murray, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Stephen Colbert, Dan Aykroyd, John Belushi and John Candy among its alumni. There are three stages at Second City, “Mainstage” and “e.t.c."

"If you’re a big fan of stand-up, this just might be the club for you. Celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, Zanies was Chicago’s first establishment dedicated to stand-up, making it a mainstay on the city’s comedy scene. It features touring headline acts every night of the week, so no matter when you’re in town, you should be able to squeeze a show into your travel plans."

"If you’re looking for a comedy club in Chicago with rich, long-standing history, Zanie’s Comedy Night Club is the place to go. Located on North Wells, this comedy club is for the 21 and over crowd and hosts nationally-known headliners on a weekly basis. Listen and laugh with the likes of Jeff Garlin, Doug Benson, Josh Blue and more when stopping in at Zanie’s Comedy Night Club."

"A post shared by Mandy & Morgan (@bacon_wrappeddates) on Oct 16, 2018 at 7:44pm PDT. Zanies Comedy Night Club might be small (patrons literally sit beside each other), but what it lacks in size it more than makes up for in humor. Do note that there’s a minimum two-drink and food policy here."

"Located on North LaSalle Drive in downtown, The Comedy Bar is a popular Chicago comedy club that brings the laughs to you on a nightly basis. Featuring an upper-level stage and a main-level stage, this popular Chicago attraction overlooks Gino’s Brewing company and each stage seats more than 100 people. Enjoy a cocktail, a few laughs and a casual night out in downtown with a trip to this venue, known as one of the best comedy clubs in Chicago."

"This club has a lot going for it: no drink minimum; no age requirements; pizzas, snacks, and drinks for purchase; and tons of stand-up comedians. Open-mic nights are free, but with relatively inexpensive tickets available for other shows, you might want to consider going to a headlining act — either on the main or B stage. The shows run every night of the week, attracting some of the funniest talent in the city."

"Jim Belushi has teamed up with The Comedy Bar to make it one of Chicago’s premiere venues for laughs. With its location in the heart of downtown, it makes it a convenient stop for people seeking out a night of entertainment. The venue is modern with no drink minimum so your tipsiness can be determined at your own pace."

"A post shared by K.Cal (@therealkatiecal) on Nov 4, 2016 at 11:10pm PDT. The name of this establishment is quite apt, as it seems to take pains in bringing its brand of service and humor to another level. A buffet is served here and features a variety of food options."

"The Annoyance Theatre is (proudly) edgier than the other comedy bars in the Windy City — think buckets of fake blood, actors stripping down to their underwear, and wacky premises for improv shows. The theater’s first big hit was its original musical, “Coed Prison Sluts,” which ran for 11 straight years, and then came back to the stage in the late 2000s. Although the musical isn’t currently being performed, you don’t need to fret — the theater has replaced it with plenty of other bawdy shows."

"The Annoyance Theatre & Bar is in the process of moving their venue, but it is well worth following their updates to see when they reopen. They focus strictly on improv shows, from all out themed shows to witty comedians doing their best one-offs. They usually enter the night with the mentality of ‘there are no rules’, but the rule of ‘no comedian can refuse a drink’ comes into play on occasion to transform an already hilarious comedian into a hot-mess that entertains like no other."

"If you’re looking for fresh comedy or considering doing a 5-minute set yourself, the Gallery Cabaret is perfect for you. Located in Bucktown, just north of downtown, the Gallery Cabaret is a fun dive bar with comedy open-mic nights. They offer decent food, great cocktails, beer, and everything you need for making the nightlife in Chicago fun for you and your friends."

"The Comedy Club House is a unique and popular comedy club when you want to step outside of the best suburbs of Chicago and enjoy the downtown comedy scene. They have hilarious stand-up and improv group performances, but they also offer improv training courses and comedy workshops for those looking to get into the comedy world. There’s also the Kids Comedy Company, where children from five up to eleven can have fun and learn some life long creative skills – this being one of many things to do in Chicago with kids."

"A post shared by BJ Party (@bjpartyimprov) on Jul 25, 2019 at 6:04am PDT. This comedy club is a good option for those who want to enjoy a show in an intimate setting, as the space and the seating here are limited. If you want to watch the show while munching on or drinking something, The Comedy Clubhouse follows a BYOB (bring your own beverage) and snacks policy."

"The Laugh Factory is a small yet cozy establishment that has an intimate ambiance. The biggest highlight of this comedy bar would probably be its occasional open mic nights, which give guests the opportunity to realize their dream of being stand-up comics, even for just one night. Be aware that there’s a two drinks minimum policy here, but even non-drinkers can go around this, as non-alcoholic beverages are sold here as well."

"According to stories, The Revival was the birthplace of improv comedy. In fact, it got its name to indicate the intent of bringing it back to its glory days. As a comedy club, The Revival features a mix of acts and performances, ranging from stand-up and improv comedies to skits and musical acts with a humorous twist."

"Stella Barra is an artisanal pizzeria with an eclectic menu inspired by keeping recipes simple and clean. They used fresh-milled 100% California flour for the dough and sustainably..."

"A focus on mid-career artists sets this gallery apart from the pack. It features contemporary American and European works that range from abstracts to landscapes. Open afternoons Wednesday through Sunday and by appointment."

"If you like to support local Chicago artists, then you need to go to the Prospectus Art Gallery. The gallery features famous Chicago artists and up-and-coming artists as well."

"Established back in 2000, RNG offers diverse arts, including paintings and sculptures based on different artistic movements like impressionism, post-impressionism, cubism, expressionism, surrealism, realism and abstraction. The gallery's artwork selection also includes scenes of urban and rural landscapes, industry, mural studies, architectural and design renderings, still-life compositions, figure studies, portraiture and Modern abstractions. Artists like Albert Krehbiel, Pauline Palmer, Karl Buehr, Medard Klein, Robert Erickson, Walter Burt Adams, R. Leroy Turner, Edgar Miller and Georges Maurice Cloud have played instrumental roles in establishing the artworks of this museum."

"The trendsetting Zolla/Lieberman Gallery was the first occupant of the River North Gallery District before the area became one of Chicago’s most saturated arts and culture destinations. The art space doesn’t restrict itself to a single period or style; instead, it searches for new artists and embraces multiple genres to curate collections based on impeccable taste."

"First opening its doors in 1976, Zolla/Lieberman Gallery founded the area that is now known as the River North Gallery District, a lively neighborhood in the Near North Side. Now located at 325 W. Huron Street, the gallery embraces a wide range of genres and artists, offering a variety of work."