Bars, restaurants, clubs, and venues open after 5. Hours, phone numbers, and vibes included.
Lakeview's Annoyance Theatre has been a legendary force in Chicago comedy and improv, launching careers and hosting original shows that push every boundary. The full bar helps — you'll need a drink after laughing that hard.
The Chicago suburbs favorite stand-up comedy club, located in The Promenade Bolingbrook. CG Comedy Club hosts a rotating lineup of nationally touring comedians every weekend in an intimate club setting. All shows are 21 and up with a two-drink minimum, making it a great date night alternative to the city.
Comedy Bar Chicago (Chicago Comedy Lounge) brings the acclaimed Comedy Bar brand to the Lincoln Park neighborhood. Featuring nightly stand-up, improv, and sketch comedy shows in a full bar setting, it is a top for comedy fans on the North Side. Intimate theater seating ensures every angle is a great view.
Woodfield Mall's comedy anchor pulls serious talent from the national circuit—think festival headliners and touring acts you'd expect in the Loop, but right there in Schaumburg. It's the northwest suburbs' legit nightlife move when you want stand-up without fighting downtown crowds.
Cole's Bar is a comedy & open mic bar in Logan Square, serving Chicago's north side.
Improv and sketch comedy theater in Lincoln Square. BYOB-friendly — bring your own beverages. Hilarious, rowdy, interactive, casual. Intimate black box space.
The intimate upstairs stage at Second City in Old Town, De Maat Theatre showcases emerging talent and experimental comedy in a room where every seat feels front row. A perfect add-on to a mainstage night or a destination on its own for comedy heads.
Wicker Park's Den Theatre packs theater, comedy, and live performances into several intimate stages under one roof. The multi-stage setup means there's always something playing, and the close quarters keep every show electric.
Wicker Park's iO Theater remains the gold standard for improv comedy—this is literally where Tina Fey and Amy Poehler cut their teeth since 1981. Catch sharply crafted longform sets five nights a week, grab a drink at the full bar, and actually understand why Chicago owns the comedy scene. It's sweaty, packed, and exactly where you should be if you want real laughs from people who actually know what they're doing.
Lakeview's Laugh Factory books killer lineups nightly—you'll catch everyone from hungry local talent to legit A-listers, and the full bar keeps the drinks flowing while comedians work the room. Late shows on weekends hit different, packed with the kind of crowd that actually knows how to laugh. If you're after comedy that doesn't feel tourist-trapped, this is where Chicago comics cut their teeth before they blow up.
Logan Square Improv is a independent improv theater in Logan Square, serving Chicago's north side.
South suburban comedy club featuring live stand-up comedy shows, open mic nights, karaoke, and special events. 21+ venue with full bar. Cash only with ATM on premises. Free parking.
Old Town's legendary comedy institution has been launching careers and killing audiences for decades. Second City's mainstage and late-night sets deliver the sharp, improvisational wit that made Chicago the comedy capital of the world.
The Comedy Bar in Chicago is an iconic venue renowned for its electrifying stand-up comedy nights, featuring both established and emerging talent in an intimate, upscale setting. Its lively ambiance and elite crowd make it a worth visiting destination for those seeking the pinnacle of Chicago’s comedy scene.
A comedy club with a bar that stays open late, known for its stand-up shows.
Wicker Park Comedy Club is a stand-up comedy showcase in Wicker Park, serving Chicago's north side.
Zanies has been the gold standard for stand-up in Old Town since 1978, hosting everyone from touring A-listers to Chicago's sharpest local comics in an intimate room that actually lets you hear the punchlines. The full bar keeps the drinks flowing while the stage delivers the laughs—this is where serious comedy happens on the North Side.
Catch A-list touring comics and fresh talent at this intimate Rosemont spot tucked near Parkway Bank Park—it's where Chicago's comedy scene goes when they want serious laughs without the pretension. Wed-Sat shows keep a steady rotation of headliners who actually kill, and the room's small enough that you'll catch every punchline. Book ahead; this place fills up fast.