Best Comedy Club in River Forest Area

"The Second City is a comedy improv troupe and is one of the oldest places to go for some good old fashioned Chi-Town comedy. They have all kinds of shows, from stand-up to sketch comedy, and it’s well known for having hilarious improv shows year-round. From its humble beginnings in 1959, the Second City became extremely popular and expanded to other cities."

"For over fifty-years, The Second City has been taking the Chicago Comedy Clubs scene to new heights. They are responsible for launching many of today’s biggest comedy stars’ careers. Their shows are based on Improv-Sketch comedy routines to add a little more character than just stand-up alone."

"Who doesn't need a few laughs during the cultural chaos that is life in the USA?. The world's premier comedy theatre and school of improvisation, Second City, pokes fun at boomers, millennials, media, and the *&%#@!"

"If you’re a big fan of stand-up, this just might be the club for you. Celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, Zanies was Chicago’s first establishment dedicated to stand-up, making it a mainstay on the city’s comedy scene. It features touring headline acts every night of the week, so no matter when you’re in town, you should be able to squeeze a show into your travel plans."

"Zanies has been a premiere location in Chicago for standup comedy since 1978. Local favorites, big stars, and newcomers all share the same stage for the purpose of making at least one of your two-drink minimum come shooting out of your nose. They have three locations to serve the Chicago area, and they provide standup shows on a nightly basis."

"A post shared by Mandy & Morgan (@bacon_wrappeddates) on Oct 16, 2018 at 7:44pm PDT. Zanies Comedy Night Club might be small (patrons literally sit beside each other), but what it lacks in size it more than makes up for in humor. Do note that there’s a minimum two-drink and food policy here."

"Located on North LaSalle Drive in downtown, The Comedy Bar is a popular Chicago comedy club that brings the laughs to you on a nightly basis. Featuring an upper-level stage and a main-level stage, this popular Chicago attraction overlooks Gino’s Brewing company and each stage seats more than 100 people. Enjoy a cocktail, a few laughs and a casual night out in downtown with a trip to this venue, known as one of the best comedy clubs in Chicago."

"This club has a lot going for it: no drink minimum; no age requirements; pizzas, snacks, and drinks for purchase; and tons of stand-up comedians. Open-mic nights are free, but with relatively inexpensive tickets available for other shows, you might want to consider going to a headlining act — either on the main or B stage. The shows run every night of the week, attracting some of the funniest talent in the city."

"Jim Belushi has teamed up with The Comedy Bar to make it one of Chicago’s premiere venues for laughs. With its location in the heart of downtown, it makes it a convenient stop for people seeking out a night of entertainment. The venue is modern with no drink minimum so your tipsiness can be determined at your own pace."

"A post shared by K.Cal (@therealkatiecal) on Nov 4, 2016 at 11:10pm PDT. The name of this establishment is quite apt, as it seems to take pains in bringing its brand of service and humor to another level. A buffet is served here and features a variety of food options."

"The Annoyance Theatre is (proudly) edgier than the other comedy bars in the Windy City — think buckets of fake blood, actors stripping down to their underwear, and wacky premises for improv shows. The theater’s first big hit was its original musical, “Coed Prison Sluts,” which ran for 11 straight years, and then came back to the stage in the late 2000s. Although the musical isn’t currently being performed, you don’t need to fret — the theater has replaced it with plenty of other bawdy shows."

"The Annoyance Theatre & Bar is in the process of moving their venue, but it is well worth following their updates to see when they reopen. They focus strictly on improv shows, from all out themed shows to witty comedians doing their best one-offs. They usually enter the night with the mentality of ‘there are no rules’, but the rule of ‘no comedian can refuse a drink’ comes into play on occasion to transform an already hilarious comedian into a hot-mess that entertains like no other."

"The Comedy Club House is a unique and popular comedy club when you want to step outside of the best suburbs of Chicago and enjoy the downtown comedy scene. They have hilarious stand-up and improv group performances, but they also offer improv training courses and comedy workshops for those looking to get into the comedy world. There’s also the Kids Comedy Company, where children from five up to eleven can have fun and learn some life long creative skills – this being one of many things to do in Chicago with kids."

"A post shared by BJ Party (@bjpartyimprov) on Jul 25, 2019 at 6:04am PDT. This comedy club is a good option for those who want to enjoy a show in an intimate setting, as the space and the seating here are limited. If you want to watch the show while munching on or drinking something, The Comedy Clubhouse follows a BYOB (bring your own beverage) and snacks policy."

"If you’re looking for fresh comedy or considering doing a 5-minute set yourself, the Gallery Cabaret is perfect for you. Located in Bucktown, just north of downtown, the Gallery Cabaret is a fun dive bar with comedy open-mic nights. They offer decent food, great cocktails, beer, and everything you need for making the nightlife in Chicago fun for you and your friends."

"The Laugh Factory is a small yet cozy establishment that has an intimate ambiance. The biggest highlight of this comedy bar would probably be its occasional open mic nights, which give guests the opportunity to realize their dream of being stand-up comics, even for just one night. Be aware that there’s a two drinks minimum policy here, but even non-drinkers can go around this, as non-alcoholic beverages are sold here as well."

"According to stories, The Revival was the birthplace of improv comedy. In fact, it got its name to indicate the intent of bringing it back to its glory days. As a comedy club, The Revival features a mix of acts and performances, ranging from stand-up and improv comedies to skits and musical acts with a humorous twist."

"Most people haven't tasted Filipino food unless they have friends or family but if you find yourself craving for an authentic Filipino breakfast in Chicago, head to Uncle Mike's Place. The Longaniza (sweet anise-wine chorizo sausage) and Tocino (annat and anise cured pork shoulder) can be ordered separately but also together as a combo that arrives with garlic fried rice and two eggs any style. It also serves bangus (boneless grilled milkfish) which is popular among Filipinos."

"A photo posted by Infatuation Chicago (@infatuation_chi) on Oct 28, 2016 at 9:17am PDT. Uncle Mike's Place may look like a fancy breakfast spot, but it's actually a Filipino-inspired diner. Save yourself the time of reading through their extensive menu and just order one of their Filipino breakfast plates, which come with your choice of meat, two eggs, garlic fried rice, and lugao (Filipino porridge), all for under $10."

"Instead of the usual bacon and sausage, opt for Spam and longaniza in the morning. This Filipino diner mixes things up with Southeast Asian favorites such as bangus (milkfish), marinated skirt steak, and bone-in pork chop. Don’t fret if those sound a little too hearty though, patrons can still order an omelet or short stack."

"Part of renowned Chef Stephanie Izard’s Goat concept, the Little Goat Diner is a retro diner that serves all-day breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a casual and cozy setting. Drawing inspiration from global influences, the menu features classic dishes with creative twists such as Spanish omelets stuffed with cheese, pickled peppers, and masa chips, okonomiyaki (Osaka street food with pork belly), and parathas burritos with Indian flatbread, sunny side up eggs, and avocado bean salad. There are also the regular favorites such as bagels, biscuits, pancakes, and waffles along with heartier dishes such as bowls of goat chili heaped with sour cream, cheddar, and tortilla strips."

"The fried egg salad on an everything bagel–seasoned crumpet is reason enough to visit Little Goat Diner. Owned by Stephanie Izard, who also runs Girl and the Goat and Duck Duck Goat, Little Goat is one of the best places in town for an unfussy yet deeply thoughtful meal. With elevated diner classics (a kimchi-slathered Reuben, a goat burger, a sundae dripping with apple cider vinegar caramel), and mainstays like corned beef hash and cinnamon buns, it’s an ideal spot to bring families made up of both picky and adventurous eaters."

"The Loop isn’t quite rife with French cuisine so this casual steakhouse, attached to the Hyatt Centric and run by WellDone Hospitality Group, has been a welcome addition to the area since opening two years ago. Whether guests stop in during lunch for a beef dip sandwich or treat themselves to a nice hunk of dry-aged beef at dinner, there are plenty of delicious choices that’ll evoke visions of Paris."

"Kick off the last day of your Chicago itinerary with brunch at Cochan Volant, a French bistro in the Loop that is basically a brunch-lovers paradise."

"Bua Hana is a contemporary and casual Forest Park eatery serving Japanese and Thai creations, including some top-notch sushi. Diners can mix and match from what's essentially three..."

"Jeff Wang had a simple idea for his food truck: cook like mom. Jeff’s mother must be quite the culinary whiz, because customers love his food and have rewarded them with their hunger loyalty. Chef Wang grew up in his family’s restaurant, but even so, starting your own operation is a bit of a gamble."

"After his family’s restaurants closed in the late nineties, Modern Asian Kitchen’s founder Tommy Wang knew he had a responsibility to provide people with delicious authentic Chinese food once more. Wang resurrected his family’s traditional recipes and refined the menu to suit modern times. Modern Asian Kitchen is the perfect place for a quick, healthy meal."