The Second City
The Second City Information
Quick Facts
- Since opening in 1959 as a small cabaret theatre, The Second City comedy club has become the most influential comedy theatre in the world.
- The Second City has expanded beyond a single performance stage, and also has Second City Training Centers in Chicago, Toronto and Los Angeles.
- Second City Chicago produced 185 episodes of "SCTV," which won two Emmy Awards.
Info
Location:
1616 N Wells St
Chicago, IL 60614
View Map
Phone:
312.337.3992
Nearest Transit:
Sedgwick (Brown Line, Purple Line)
Hours of Operation:
Vary
The Second City Events
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User Average Review
Overall: Music: Ambience: Crowd: Price:Based on 2 reviews
Rating Distribution
100.0% recommended it
The Second City Reviews
*Some images shown above are not actual photos from the venue, but category representations. Visit the venue's web site for actual photos.
Hotels near The Second City
| Hotel Info | Nightly Rates* | |
|---|---|---|
|
Ambassador East
Located in Gold Coast
Bar/LoungeBusiness ServicesConciergeFitness CenterFree InternetLakesidePet-FriendlyBusiness Center |
Rates Starting At $165* Details  |
|
Park View Hotel
Located in Lincoln Park
Bar/LoungeBusiness ServicesConciergeFitness CenterFree InternetLakesidePet-FriendlyBusiness Center |
Rates Starting At Check Availability Details |
|
Public Chicago
Located in Gold Coast
Bar/LoungeBusiness ServicesConciergeFitness CenterFree InternetLakesidePet-FriendlyBusiness Center |
Rates Starting At $165* Details |
Restaurants near The Second City
| Restaurant Info | Price | |
|---|---|---|
|
Markethouse Located in Gold Coast BrunchBusiness DiningCateringDeliveryHappy HourHealthy OptionsKid FriendlyWaterfront |
Cost Per Meal 
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Sixteen Located in Near North BrunchBusiness DiningCateringDeliveryHappy HourHealthy OptionsKid FriendlyWaterfront |
Cost Per Meal 
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Terrace at Trump Located in Near North BrunchBusiness DiningCateringDeliveryHappy HourHealthy OptionsKid FriendlyWaterfront |
Cost Per Meal
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The Second City
Do you agree?
The Second City in Chicago is the Best Comedy Club in the World
Located in
North Side
Lincoln Park
Price Range:
Pricing Guide
Cost of cover charge
$- Inexpensive
$$- Moderate
$$$- Expensive
$$$$ - Ultra High End
Summary
Features: Come check out what all the laughs are about at The Second City in Lincoln Park - the world's premiere comedy theatre offering the best in Chicago-style sketch and improv comedy every night of the week and launching the careers of Tina Fey, Bill Murray, Stephen Colbert, Steve Carell and many others. Second City Chicago hosts comedy shows 7 nights a week consisting of a variety of short scenes, songs, and improvised comedy sketches.
Why We Go: The Second City is a must when you come to Chicago. Second City Chicago guarantees laughs, and at this world renowned institution where comedy is God, you won't leave disappointed.
- Training Center: The Second City offers amazing improvisation and comedy classes where you will learn the basics of improv and sketch comedy, and practice your skills with fellow classmates.
- Live Comedy Shows: The Second City comedy club has the best comedy shows in the city, and every one is different and unique, so go twice!
- History: Second City Chicago is like the Cambridge of Comedy. For the last 50 years The Second City has been paving the way for the best comedians in the world.
Inside Knowledge: Second City Lincoln Park offers a dinner/show package that features the best food of Old Town.
Do's and Don'ts:
- Do Check the website: The Second City website has updated information about shows, special events, comedy tours and classes, so be sure you check the website frequently.
- Do Purchase tickets early: The Second City sells out shows sometimes up to a month in advance, so if you're planning a trip to Chicago, buy tickets as soon as you can.
- Don't Come alone: Second City Chicago is a great place to come with a group of people, and if you have a group of 16 or more, you qualify for a special group rate.
- Don't Bring your kids: The shows at Second City Chicago contain adult humor and are about the equivalent of an R-rated movie. The Second City will not allow in children under 10 and recommends your kids be 16 or older for the shows.
Venue Amenities
- Coat Check
- Easy Parking
- Facilities for the Disabled
- Full Bar
- Live Entertainment
- Parking Structure
- Stage
- Wheelchair Access
- Bar Food
- Bachelor/Bachelorette Parties
- Private Parties
- Private Room
Comments
Sort Reviews By: | | |
Nightlife Review : The Second City
Jason Bushey
(Site Editor)
Nov 14, 2011
at 9:52 am
Joined: April 2011
xxx.xxx.244.242
Overall:
Music:
Crowd:
Ambience:
Price:
Would recommend to a friend
Date of visit: 11/11
Went with: alone
Went for: night out
Cover Charge: average
Second City - As funny a show that I've EVER seen
As a life-long fan of Saturday Night Live, I've been aware of the legendary Second City Improv troupe for a long time now as the breeding ground for some the funniest sketch comedians of all time. (Tine Fey, Bill Murray, John Candy, John Belushi, etc.) As a wannabe funny guy, I promised myself that if I ever made a trip to Chicago, I would see a show at the Second City Theatre in Lincoln Park.
Amazingly, the Second City exceeded my expectations and was one of the funniest live performances I’ve ever seen - if not THE funniest. I saw "South Side of Heaven" on a Wednesday night and the theatre was PACKED. Seriously, there isn’t much empty space at the Second City Theatre; I was practically sitting on the lap of the guy next to me. Be prepared to make new friends, share the tables and buy a drink or two. Also, don’t be surprised if you become a part of the show, especially if you sit up front. (Which I did – I won’t give anything away, but just know that you’ve been warned.)
The performers were PHENOMENAL and the material was racy, dark and fun all at once. I definitely feel like I saw some future stars on the Second City stage that night. The show was incredibly smart, fast-paced and surprising, and I laughed about as hard and as often as I can ever remember. Supposedly it's an all ages show, but if it were a movie it would probably be slapped with an R rating, in case you're thinking about bringing your teenage son or daughter.
I’d highly recommend getting there about a half-hour early, and you can skip the bar on the way in as servers will take care of you before and throughout the show. Also, Second City seems like a great idea for a date-night - who doesn't like to laugh on a good date? (It's pretty cheap for performance art; tickets were just $22 – you should buy them in person to skip the $7.50 online fee.)
Also, make sure to stick around for the encore act if you can – I did and 30 Rock star Scott Adsit showed up for some inspired Improv.
Overall, the Second City was probably the most memorable thing I did in Chicago and I can't recommend it enough. Do NOT skip the Second City if you’re visiting Chicago.
This review was made by the www.chicagotraveler.com site editor based on personal experience. Chicago Traveler was not paid for this review, but we may receive compensation for placement of this travel provider advertisements on our site.
Nightlife Review : The Second City
cmarco
Mar 06, 2012
at 2:06 pm
Joined: March 2012
xxx.xxx.51.16
Overall:
Music:
Crowd:
Ambience:
Price:
Would recommend to a friend
Date of visit: 9/10
Went with: spouse/partner
Went for: night out
Cover Charge: average
Highly Recommended
Had a blast with my wife. We both laughed our butts off, going back again this year! Highly recommended for any visitor when visiting Chicago. Great history, and funny skits.
Sort Reviews By: | | |
Nightlife Review : The Second City
cmarco
Mar 06, 2012
at 2:06 pm
Joined: March 2012
xxx.xxx.51.16
Would recommend to a friend
Date of visit: 9/10
Went with: spouse/partner
Went for: night out
Cover Charge: average
Highly Recommended
Had a blast with my wife. We both laughed our butts off, going back again this year! Highly recommended for any visitor when visiting Chicago. Great history, and funny skits.
Nightlife Review : The Second City
Jason Bushey
(Site Editor)
Nov 14, 2011
at 9:52 am
Joined: April 2011
xxx.xxx.244.242
Would recommend to a friend
Date of visit: 11/11
Went with: alone
Went for: night out
Cover Charge: average
Second City - As funny a show that I've EVER seen
As a life-long fan of Saturday Night Live, I've been aware of the legendary Second City Improv troupe for a long time now as the breeding ground for some the funniest sketch comedians of all time. (Tine Fey, Bill Murray, John Candy, John Belushi, etc.) As a wannabe funny guy, I promised myself that if I ever made a trip to Chicago, I would see a show at the Second City Theatre in Lincoln Park.
Amazingly, the Second City exceeded my expectations and was one of the funniest live performances I’ve ever seen - if not THE funniest. I saw "South Side of Heaven" on a Wednesday night and the theatre was PACKED. Seriously, there isn’t much empty space at the Second City Theatre; I was practically sitting on the lap of the guy next to me. Be prepared to make new friends, share the tables and buy a drink or two. Also, don’t be surprised if you become a part of the show, especially if you sit up front. (Which I did – I won’t give anything away, but just know that you’ve been warned.)
The performers were PHENOMENAL and the material was racy, dark and fun all at once. I definitely feel like I saw some future stars on the Second City stage that night. The show was incredibly smart, fast-paced and surprising, and I laughed about as hard and as often as I can ever remember. Supposedly it's an all ages show, but if it were a movie it would probably be slapped with an R rating, in case you're thinking about bringing your teenage son or daughter.
I’d highly recommend getting there about a half-hour early, and you can skip the bar on the way in as servers will take care of you before and throughout the show. Also, Second City seems like a great idea for a date-night - who doesn't like to laugh on a good date? (It's pretty cheap for performance art; tickets were just $22 – you should buy them in person to skip the $7.50 online fee.)
Also, make sure to stick around for the encore act if you can – I did and 30 Rock star Scott Adsit showed up for some inspired Improv.
Overall, the Second City was probably the most memorable thing I did in Chicago and I can't recommend it enough. Do NOT skip the Second City if you’re visiting Chicago.
This review was made by the www.chicagotraveler.com site editor based on personal experience. Chicago Traveler was not paid for this review, but we may receive compensation for placement of this travel provider advertisements on our site.