Need to laugh? You don’t have to wait! Chicago comedy is every night of the week every night of the year. Here you’ll find venues and nightly shows. I promise to do my best to keep this always-evolving list updated, but please confirm all details anyway! If you’re a comedian with a show to add, please email me at temewring@gmail.com. Thank you as always to the Chicago comedy community for making this blog possible and to you for dropping by.
Comedy every night of the week:
Comedy many nights of the week:
The Comedy Shrine (Aurora)
LOL Theater (Chicago and Schaumburg)
Zanies in Rosemont and St. Charles
Recurring shows and showcases:
Click for SUNDAY events
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Click for WEDNESDAY events
Click for THURSDAY events
Click for FRIDAY events
Click for SATURDAY events
Blanket Fort at The Storefront in the Flat Iron Building, 1579 N. Milwaukee Ave., 7:00 p.m. Second Sunday of the month. A new comedy and music variety show in an actual blanket fort.
She the People at Second City, 1616 N. Wells, 7:00 p.m. Thursdays-Sundays. “Girlfriends’ guide to sisters doing it for themselves.”
So What Sundays at The Rockin Horse, 5200 159th St., Oak Forest, 9:00 p.m. Featuring Correy Bell.
Matt Damon Improv at The Annoyance Theatre, 851 W. Belmont, 9:30 p.m. Matt Damon Improv is women of color with an original take on using comedy to connect and listen.
Camp: A Comedy Show at Village Tap, 2055 W. Roscoe, 8:30 p.m. Free comedy showcase created and produced by Tessa Orzech and Samantha Berkman with rising Chicago comedy stars and surprise drop-ins.
Manic Music Mondays at Frances’, 307 E. 75th St., 8:00 p.m. Live music and comedy hosted by Just Nesh (Kevin Hart’s Hart of the City and The Next Level and HBO’s All Def Comedy).
Best Night Ever at Gman Tavern, 3740 N. Clark, 9:00 p.m. Free stand-up showcase. Producers are committed to living up to the name.
Comedy Cocktail at House of Blues’ Foundation Room, 329 N. Dearborn, 6:00 p.m. Produced by James Allen Kamp, creator of the most excellent comedyofchicago.com. DJ Tone-Knee kicks off the evening at 6:00 p.m. Stand-up showcases at 7:30 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. RSVP for free admission. Early arrival recommended. Seats go fast! Always a great, diverse line-up of Chicago’s top comedians and surprise drop-ins.
The Comedy Bowl at Diversey River Bowl, 2211 W. Diversey Parkway, 8:00 p.m. Stand-up showcase and trivia hosted by Mona Aburmishan.
Dream Freaks Fall From Space at Second City, 1616 N. Wells, 8:00 p.m. The 106th Mainstage revue. Written and performed by Ryan Asher, Tyler Davis, Kelsey Kinney, Jeffrey Murdoch, Tien Tran and Nate Varrone. Four stars from the Chicago Tribune. Show times throughout the week. Follow link for all details.
Chicago Underground Comedy at Beat Kitchen, 2100 W. Belmont, 9:00 p.m. One of comedy’s most groundbreaking showcases. Cameron Esposito, Beth Stelling, TJ Miller, Dan Telfer, Kumail Nanjiani started here. Last show of the month is “Comedy Secrets” where comedians share secrets and the audience swears that what happens at ChUC stays at ChUC. Produced by Meredith Kachel.
The Paper Machete at The Green Mill, 4802 N. Broadway, 6:30 p.m. Every show is a sparkling revue of Chicago comedy, music, theater, journalism and storytelling. Who’s up? Could be Chicago’s top talent or out-of-town stars passing through. Arrive early for seats! An hour early is not too early.
Group Improvised Comedy at Comedy Clubhouse, 1462 N. Ashland, 8:00 p.m. Long form improv (20-25 minutes) by three teams of up to 10 improvisers, each based on an audience suggestion. Wednesdays through Saturdays. Follow link for details, show times and a great explanation of what makes improv an art form like no other.
The Sean Flannery Show at The Comedy Bar, 500 N. LaSalle, 8:00 p.m. Sean Flannery was named “Best Comic in Chicago” by the Chicago Reader. One of comedy’s best storytellers of all time.
The Pilsen Stand-Up Comedy Showcase at Simone’s Bar, 960 W. 18th St., 8:00 p.m. Third Wednesday of the month.
Comedians You Should Know at Timothy O’Toole’s, 622 N. Fairbanks Ct., 9:30 p.m. Comedians travel from around the country to record their albums here. Always a memorable night.
The Cupcake Comedy Cabaret Showcase and Open Mic at Gallery Cabaret, 2020 N. Oakley, 6:30 p.m. Open mic at 6:30 p.m. Showcase at 8:30 p.m.
Stand Up Stand Up at The Laugh Factory, 3175 N. Broadway, 8:00 p.m. Weekly stand-up showcase.
Laugh Therapy Thursdays at The Atrium, 4151 183rd St., Country Club Hills, 9:00 p.m. A new stand-up showcase hosted by Taneshia “Just Nesh” Rice. Just Nesh opened for Dick Gregory nationwide and appeared on Kevin Hart’s Hart of the City and The Next Level, both on Comedy Central. She is a nationally touring headliner.
Congrats on Your Success at Uncharted Books, 2620 N. Milwaukee, 7:00 p.m. First Thursday of the month. Free stand-up showcase.
She the People at Second City, 1616 N. Wells, 8:00 p.m. Thursdays-Sundays. “Girlfriends’ guide to sisters doing it for themselves.”
Tuxedo Cat Comedy at Beauty Bar, 1444 W. Chicago, 8:00 p.m. Free stand-up showcase. Alternate Thursdays.
Rat Pack Comedy at The Holiday Club, 4000 N. Sheridan Rd., 8:00 p.m. Stand-up showcase with a classic comedy vibe. Alternate Thursdays.
The Kates at The Book Cellar, 4736 N. Lincoln Ave., 7:00 p.m. Second Friday of the month. Chicago’s all-women comedy showcase produced and founded by Kelsie Huff. Excellent, diverse and memorable every time! Arrive early for seats!
Sarcastic Fridays at Hay Street Bar & Grill, 4129 Lincoln Highway, Matteson, 8:00 p.m. Fourth Friday of the month. Hosted by Lyssa Laird. Featuring Just Nesh, Fab Monroe and Correy B. Free before 8:00 p.m.
She the People at Second City, 1616 N. Wells, 8:00 p.m. Thursdays-Sundays. “Girlfriends’ guide to sisters doing it for themselves.”
VHS Comedy at @North Bar, 1637 W. North Ave., 8:00 p.m. First Friday of the month. Top comic commentary and stand-up based on the most absurd videotapes in existence. Everything from action-adventure to infomercials to scary kids’ shows. Here’s a chance to see these treasure as you never have before.
The Lincoln Lodge at Under the Gun Theatre, 956 W. Newport, 8:00 p.m. This famous stand-up showcase launched a lot of stand-up stars. Now headquartered at Under the Gun with shows on Friday and Saturday nights.
Killing Your Darlings at The Den Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave., 10:00 p.m. A new stand-up showcase with a twist. Five comedians (three of the show’s producers and two guests) do fifteen minutes of stand-up. Once they perform a joke on the Den Theatre stage, they can never perform that joke there again. Any month you go, you’re guaranteed a new show. Every third Friday.
The Paper Machete at The Green Mill, 4802 N. Broadway, 3:00 p.m. Every show is a sparkling revue of Chicago comedy, music, theater, journalism and storytelling. Who’s up? Could be Chicago’s top talent or out-of-town stars passing through. Arrive early for seats! Even an hour early is not too early.
The Kates at The Book Cellar, 4736 N. Lincoln Ave., 7:00 p.m. Last Saturday of the month. Chicago’s all-women comedy showcase produced and founded by Kelsie Huff. Excellent, diverse and memorable every time! Arrive early for seats!
Wishin’ Control at The Comedy Clubhouse, 1462 N. Ashland, 7:00 p.m. The Main Stage theatrical. This 90-minute comedy uses long form improv to move from scene to scene and includes one hundred different characters and beautiful, surprising transitions.
Two Hour Comedy Hour at Gallery Cabaret, 2020 N. Oakley, 7:00 p.m. Free stand-up showcase.
She the People at Second City, 1616 N. Wells, 8:00 p.m. Thursdays-Sundays. “Girlfriends’ guide to sisters doing it for themselves.”
Fallen Angels Comedy at DMen Tap, 2849 W. Belmont, 8:00 p.m. Third Saturday of the month.
The Lincoln Lodge at Under the Gun Theatre, 956 W. Newport, 8:00 p.m. This famous stand-up showcase launched a lot of stand-up stars. Now headquartered at Under the Gun with shows on Friday and Saturday nights.
Blackout Diaries at Under the Gun Theater, 956 W. Newport, 10:00 p.m. Comedians and civilians tell their craziest true drinking stories. Then the audience gets to ask questions. Never the same show twice. Created by Sean Flannery. This show has been recommended by just about every media outlet in the city.
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