Chicago has produced some of our greatest comedians, and only New York rivals the breadth of Chicago’s comedy scene. Whether you’re looking for stand-up, sketch comedy, or improvisation, you can find it here, and most of it’s reasonably inexpensive.
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Megapopular stand-ups like Margaret Cho and Dane Cook tend to play large venues such as the Chicago Theatre (175 N. State, 312-902-1500) and the Allstate Arena (6920 N. Mannheim, Rosemont, 847-635-6601 or 312-559-1212), but some established comics appear at comedy clubs along with up-and-comers. Old Town’s intimate Zanies (1548 N. Wells) is the city’s oldest and best-known club, with shows every night, and it regularly attracts national headliners. See Richard Lewis there October 4 or Chelsea Handler October 18 and 19. The Improv, of New York and Hollywood fame, opened in Schaumburg (Woodfield Mall, Golf Road at Rte. 53, 847-240-2001) in June. It’s worth the trek to see the likes of Jamie Kennedy and Darrell Hammond; Tommy Davidson plays there November 16 through 19. For a schedule comparable in range and quality to BET’s excellent Comic View, check out Jokes and Notes (4641 S. King Dr., 773-373-3390), and for the most diverse lineups and crowds in the city, stop by a Mikey O show at Joe’s (940 W. Weed, 312-337-3486).
If you’re itching to throw some punch lines yourself, here’s a list of places with open mikes, all free unless otherwise noted: Sundays at Bad Dog Tavern (4535 N. Lincoln, 773-334-4040), Cosmicafe (1944 W. Montrose, 773-728-2233), and Lilly’s (2513 N. Lincoln, 773-525-2422); Mondays at Gunther Murphy’s and Mix (2843 N. Halsted, 773-528-7569); Tuesdays at Cork Lounge (1822 W. Addison, 773-728-2233); Wednesdays at Jokes and Notes ($10), McDunna’s (1505 W. Fullerton, 773-929-0944), and Cigars and Stripes (6715 W. Ogden, Berwyn, 708-484-1043, $3); Thursdays at Pressure Billiards and Cafe (6318 N. Clark, 773-743-7665). There’s also Mikey O’s monthly “Local Locos” open mike at Joe’s ($5).
go to T.J. and Dave at I.O. It’s been running late on Wednesdays for over four years now, for $5. Dave Pasquesi, half of the duo, can also be seen on stages such as the Goodman and Steppenwolf and recently appeared in the movie Strangers With Candy.
Art accompanying story in printed newspaper (not available in this archive): photo/Joeff Davis.
