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Enjoy Belly Laughs at Chicago's Foremost Comedy Club: The Second City!
Published by Veronica Litt, Writer
Country: United States 
The Experience
If you've never heard of The Second City Chicago, you're in for a treat as this comedy club is the pinnacle of onstage laughs. The cast performs improvisation, sketches, musical numbers, and more; and if you visit Chicago as a huge fan of the show 30 Rock, you will not be disappointed.
Located just outside the tourist core of downtown Chicago, Second City is best reached by cab for about a ten-dollar fee. You can buy Chicago Second City tickets online or at the door, and as seating is first come first serve, your booking method doesn't really affect your spots in the theatre, but time of arrival will, so get there at least fifteen minutes early. Once inside, you can enjoy some classic bar fare as the show goes on around you. Fries, burgers, cookies, as well as a great selection of drinks, are all reasonably priced.
It's hard to go wrong with any of the skits from Second City Chicago. With sketches changing all the time there's no telling what you'll encounter on your trip. Possibly a funny sketch of a man singing his way through an elaborate pick-up line, or a high school prom skit where a girl from the audience gets brought on stage (avoid the front-centre section if you're skittish), or even possibly a hilarious monologue by an aging cougar to bring down the house down.
If you've never been to the Second City—get to Chicago and check it out. It's a great way to end an exhaustive day of sightseeing and to relax. The Second City Chicago theatre is located at 1616 N Wells Street and has shows virtually every night of the year, most starting at 8 p.m.
The Second City was a 1950s cabaret show run and performed by students at the University of Chicago. In 1961, the Second City sent a cast to Broadway and then expanded into three touring companies and a second resident company. The style of performance comedy has changed over the years, but the format has remained the same with a mix of semi-improvised and scripted scenes with audience participation. There’s now also live, improvised music during the shows.
In 1973, Second City opened a theatre in Toronto, and both theatres began supplying cast members for Saturday Night Live and SCTV, which mirrored a lot of the writing and performing techniques of Second City.
Second City also produces material for other regional theatrical shows that display the Second City hallmark of social and political satire.
When to Go to Second City Chicago
Odds n' Ends
Places to Eat
- The Second City
- Instead of heading out to eat, why not enjoy the in house food? It bucks the reputation most comedy clubs have for less than satisfying fare and is a convenient alternative to rushing dinner to get to the show on time. Snacks, appetizers, drinks, and dinners are all available and delicious.
- Bistro Margot, O'Briens, Dinotto, and more!
- The Second City offers special rates for specific restaurants in a joint deal with the price of your tickets. All the restaurants are located conveniently close to the theater and help you save some cash. The selection is also great: from traditional American, to French, to Italian and more.
Recommended Places to Stay
- The Hyatt
- This is a clean, centrally located hotel that provides convenience to its patrons. The Hyatt features a lobby with free wireless internet and a Starbucks, an in house restaurant, and fine rooms with great views. This particular Hyatt is close to several Chicago landmarks like the Wrigley Building and Millennium Mile.
Additional Places to Stay Nearby
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More Experiences Nearby
- Revel in the Stunning Galleries of the Art Institute of Chicago
- The Art Institute of Chicago is hands down sure to be a highlight of anyone’s trip to the bustling city of blues and deep-dish pizza. The Art Institute of Chicago has a reputation as one of America’s premiere art destinations; a reputation with which art enthusiastic travellers simply must agree with. The famous museum is full of art from as far back as 5,000 years ago. Aside from its interior finery, the building itself exhibits Chicago’s distinctive flair for architectural elegance and beauty; becoming a work of art itself. Although it began as a school-museum combination, today the 1893 building ...2 miles away.
While You're There - Tours and Trips Nearby
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