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iO Chicago
Comedy Club and Bar
Chicago
The folks at Explore Chicago and Time Out Chicago like this place. Would you agree?
"Improv Shakespeare looks as hard as it sounds, but somehow it works."(7 Tips)
"It's all great, but TJ & Dave and a great Harold get us everytime."(6 Tips)
"... night shows rock! Cook County Social Club @ 8pm then The Reckoning @ 10:30pm a must..."(4 Tips)
"wrong with The Improvised Shakespeare Company"(2 Tips)
88 Tips and reviewsFilter:
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Ashley Marie LewisJanuary 31, 2016The talent is phenomenal (You'll laugh so hard, you'll cry!), and the staff is very friendly, patient, & helpful. It was my first time at iO- Went to see LaRoyce Hawkins perform. Can't wait to return!
Time Out ChicagoMay 25, 2012Not only has iO churned out legendary folk like Mike Meyers and Amy Poehler, but it consistently puts the art of improv first. The shows are cheap and the classes a must for budding improvisers. -JJ Read more- Time Out ChicagoJune 4, 2012Not only has iO churned out legendary folk like Mike Meyers and Amy Poehler, but it consistently puts the art of improv first. The shows are cheap and the classes a must for budding improvisers.Upvoted 4 days ago
Explore ChicagoSeptember 20, 2011Famous for training some of the sharpest minds in comedy today, iO Theater is a leader in improv comedy and hosts shows 7 nights a week. Plan on a fun–and surprising!–night out in Wrigleyville.
All shows and classes here are fantastic! Top performances include TJ and Dave, The Reckoning, and Chaos Theory. Great place to bring a date or hang out with a group of friends any night of the week!
Abigail EvansJune 21, 2013One of Chicago's best kept comedy secrets. They act everyday next week. Each of the three different improv teams will keep you laughing all night
Meg FarmerOctober 11, 2014Friday night: saw improve Shakespeare show. These guys are not only hilarious but brilliant- super clever and witty, had me laughing the whole time. You won't regret it.- Neil CDecember 4, 2012One of the best spots in Chicago. A must see. Check out Whirled News Tonight; Armando Diaz Experience and TJ & Dave, to name but a few!
Abhishek KarJuly 4, 2015Saw the improvised Shakespeare company. My first improv and according to my experienced friends one of the best they have seen!
Amy RobertsonMay 15, 2016Shakespeare was funny and impressively in character. (Not just for theater geeks)
Crystal G.June 6, 2011Shakespeare Improvised is SO FUNNY. The actors are immensely talented. I've been to this show 3 times and it is consistently well worth the ticket price.
The mid-week shows are cheap (free, $5, or $10) and still a great time!
Kellen TerrettAugust 8, 2014See the team American Standard. They're stacked with talent. Especially the tall handsome guy with glasses.
Lucille FisherJanuary 7, 2018Maybe we came on an off night, but the show (The Quitting Contest, Cherry Street) was not funny at all. It was painful to watch & we paid good money for it too. 😏
See Hitchcocktails. These guys are the best thing since sliced bacon. Seriously. I'd eat them. Alive. Thursday's at 8PM!!!
Veronica ChaidezSeptember 28, 2014Awesome church services with EmpowerChicago.org Sundays. Grand opening October 5, 2014. Check it out. Good messages to carry you through your week.
LilchelpzAugust 6, 2012Go on a night where you can see Stacey Smith. The girl is too funny! She's going to be the next big thing! You can say you saw her first!
Alma RhodenOctober 6, 2012Awesome! I highly recommend the Fancy Lady shows at midnight on the first Friday of each month.
Bill ChisholmSeptember 10, 2011Shakespeare is the funniest thing I've ever seen. So much better than any movie or other improv group. Can't lose with Shakespeare
Chaos Theory, Deltones (the improvised musical harold), Dummy, TJ&Dave, defrancisCo, Improvised Shakespeare... see 'em all, and more!- Philly Improv TheaterSeptember 23, 2014You can never go wrong with The Improvised Shakespeare Company, or TJ & Dave.
Sit front row. Give a suggestion when they ask. Tip the waitresses well (Sarah is awesome!).
The History PressApril 15, 2011iO was originally called ImprovOlympic, but the founders had to change the name because of complaints from the International Olympic Committee. Read more in CHICAGO COMEDY: A FAIRLY SERIOUS HISTORY. Read more
Adam HickeyNovember 5, 2011Free improv every Monday and Wednesday at 8 p.m. Get there early so that you have a good seat.
Tuesday night's 8pm show is awesome, I highly suggest it. Big fan of Cook County Social Club.- Time Out ChicagoOctober 31, 2011There's no doubt about it, the house that improv legend Del Close and founding partner Charna Halpern built rules.
Melissa SustaitaJuly 21, 2010we enjoyed this week's monday night show - armando diaz experience. purchase tickets early to ensure entry - no cost to purchase by phone!
Ross GuthrieDecember 13, 2010Both times I have been amazed At the great comedy for the $10! See Felt & be amazed at the Naughty Puppet Behavior.
Tuesday nights: Welcome to Your 30s Boys, Stubbs 2: Electric Boogaloo, and Ginger Snaps. Best $5 you ever spent.
Katie HardimanMarch 22, 2010Go see Felt on Wednesdays at 8 or Improvised Shakespeare on Fridays at 8. Naughty puppets and Elizabethan sex jokes for under 20 bucks? SCORE!
JesFebruary 27, 2011Cupid with a Heart On was amazing! Great cast that commits to each and every character!
kirsten GerbatschAugust 13, 2011so much fun! go to improv Shakespeare this weekend! good bar service too but the glasses of wine are overpriced for the pour.
Time Out ChicagoOctober 20, 2011There's no doubt about it, the house that improv legend Del Close and founding partner Charna Halpern built rules.- Tuesday night shows rock! Cook County Social Club @ 8pm then The Reckoning @ 10:30pm a must see!
TJ & Dave and Improvised Shakespeare are the only shows that don't disappoint.
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The Premier Venue for Longform Improvisation
Closed until 6:00 PM (Show more)
- Mon–Fri, Sun
- 6:00 PM–2:00 AM
- Sat
- 6:00 PM–3:00 AM
(312) 929-2401
Features
Credit Cards
Yes (incl. Visa & MasterCard)
Wi-Fi
Free
Outdoor Seating
Yes
Wheelchair Accessible
Yes
Dining Options
Bar Service
Parking
Street
Restroom
Yes
Food & Drink
Menus
Bar Snacks
Drinks
Beer, Wine, Full Bar
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- 9.2
"Amazing show!! Such a cool venue and the ETC stage was very intimate. Will definitely return!"
Kirstie Castaneira - 6.9
"catch the faculty improv jam after 7 day shorts, Tuesdays 1030. always fun, usually weird."
phink asaurus - 8.5
"Moved from NYC. My husband and I love comedy, we hadn't found a spot that was as good as the ones we used to go to in NYC. Zanies is awesome! TIP: free on Tuesdays if you live in the neighborhood!"
Ana Parrott
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