The iO Theater

Nice venue, very clean, spacious, decent food and ...

Nice venue, very clean, spacious, decent food and drinks.

Read full review

Place is amazing, it's like a movie theater but fo...

Place is amazing, it's like a movie theater but for plays.
Love the bar as well!

Read full review

Always hilarious. Improv Shakespeare, especially -...

Always hilarious. Improv Shakespeare, especially - I've seen this show 5 or 6 times and its different every time, but consistently the best improv I've seen in the city.

Read full review

All improv is a bit hit or miss, but they have som...

All improv is a bit hit or miss, but they have some great shows here.

Read full review

needs better food

Read full review

Love it

Read full review

Very funny improv shows and a large bar. Fun time...

Very funny improv shows and a large bar. Fun times.

Read full review

Fun place to be at. I know a lot of people who com...

Fun place to be at. I know a lot of people who come here and they're all fantastic.

Read full review

We went to see Improvised Shakespeare. This my fir...

We went to see Improvised Shakespeare. This my first experience at an improve theater and I was not disappointed. I have not laughed so hard in such a long time!!!

Read full review

Great date night spot. Funny improv shows multiple...

Great date night spot. Funny improv shows multiple times a night plus a large full service bar.

Read full review

Great comedy/improv theaters. Multi levels, foo...

Great comedy/improv theaters. Multi levels, food offered, clean, well staffed, friendly and FUNNY!

Read full review

Great shows, loved the atmosphere and the actors

Read full review

Great shows , with great prices, come see the next...

Great shows , with great prices, come see the next comedy stars!

Read full review

Hilarious. Great comedy in a great casual atmosphe...

Hilarious. Great comedy in a great casual atmosphere with a funky bar. Tonight I laughed so hard I cried. My face hurts.

Read full review

The comedians were not funny at all. Waste of time...

The comedians were not funny at all. Waste of time.

Read full review

Home of great improv classes and performances. Fou...

Home of great improv classes and performances. Four theatres offering varieties or shows from sketch to musical improv. Table service offered in the shows as well as an affordable food menu. The fries are really good and a Chicago dog is only $5! Good drink prices as well.

Read full review

I laughed harder than I have in a while. A group o...

I laughed harder than I have in a while. A group of talented women folks are to blame.

Read full review

Great shows I love my improve friends

Read full review

Improvised Shakespeare is one of the most brillian...

Improvised Shakespeare is one of the most brilliant things I have ever seen. I can't recommend the show enough.

Read full review

iO theater is always a cool place to go and catch ...

iO theater is always a cool place to go and catch a show. It depends on the show if you will have a good time or not. In most cases you will.

I would suggest go with your friends, have a good time, get a drink, laugh a lot.

Read full review

Usually I'm not a huge fan of improv performances,...

Usually I'm not a huge fan of improv performances, but the IO Theater definitely changed my mind. Improv Shakespeare is hilarious and something everyone in Chicago should check out.

Read full review

One of the best homes of improv in the world!

Read full review

Saw Improv Shakespeare here and they were fantasti...

Saw Improv Shakespeare here and they were fantastic! Cute little venue and came to see them for a second time after seeing them in Denver a year ago. Still just as amazing!

Read full review

Great shows and great appetizers.

Read full review

Fun show. Small venue. Needed another waiter. G...

Fun show. Small venue. Needed another waiter. Great price.

Read full review

What a great spot! I expected it to be small and ...

What a great spot! I expected it to be small and cramped like the comedy and improv clubs in LA, and was pleasantly surprised with how much space they had and how nice it was. Had a great show as well. A fun night.

Read full review

Great people, great shows, they are geniuses!

Read full review

Great place to hang out with friends and see aweso...

Great place to hang out with friends and see awesome improv shows.

Read full review

Improv Shakespeare forever!

Read full review

Not too bad, but expected a little more. Good impr...

Not too bad, but expected a little more. Good improve but still experimental. Nice venue, relaxed and laid back. Ok overall on Sunday night

Read full review

Great show at a great price. Good drinks.

Read full review

Talented people working hard to make us laugh.

Read full review

So so so funny. Nice bar too

Read full review

Funny

Read full review

Great shows! "Felt" is a must watch

Read full review

The particular show we saw was just average but iO...

The particular show we saw was just average but iO is a national treasure.

Read full review

Went to The Armando Diaz Experience and didnt thin...

Went to The Armando Diaz Experience and didnt think it was very good for the price I paid. The performers used a lot of ums and didnt carry the skit plots well. Like would awkwardly respond yes or no to outlandish questions instead of going along with the crazy. The price and length just seemed to m...

Read full review

Excellent venue with a nice bar. Street parking av...

Excellent venue with a nice bar. Street parking available.

Read full review

This place was just great. The bar is surprisingl...

This place was just great. The bar is surprisingly just large and really nice. I watched the Shakespeare improv company here and they were just fantastic.

Read full review

Always a treat, enjoying laughs and friends!

Read full review

Hilarious!

Read full review

Great shows and a nice bar.

Read full review

First time going to iO Theater and seeing Shakespe...

First time going to iO Theater and seeing Shakespeare improv. The group on stage was hilarious and kept the audience laughing the whole time.

Read full review

Great improv!

Read full review

Friendly staff; overall, a very good experience.

Read full review

We had sooooo much fun!! Saw a great show with ve...

We had sooooo much fun!! Saw a great show with very talented actors.

Read full review

We watched Shakespeare and loved it! Highly recomm...

We watched Shakespeare and loved it! Highly recommend it!

Read full review

I had an amazing time

Read full review

Improvised Shakespeare Co was one of the best Impr...

Improvised Shakespeare Co was one of the best Improv acts I've ever seen, and they're at this theater 3x per week. Must see.

Read full review

Fun place Great prices

Read full review

First time and it was good I enjoyed myself.

Read full review

Great night out with family or friends

Read full review

definitely saw some future comedy stars on stage. ...

definitely saw some future comedy stars on stage. they do serve liquor and food here, too.

Read full review

I thoroughly enjoyed myself at the karaoke storyte...

I thoroughly enjoyed myself at the karaoke storyteller venue. It was an awesome experience that I'll never forget. The acts were great. I'll definitely be back!

Read full review

Th show was a lot of fun with the show I went to c...

Th show was a lot of fun with the show I went to covering current events and questions form the audience. I'll be checking out some of the other shows soon.

Read full review

Always such a fun time at IO, I honestly prefer it...

Always such a fun time at IO, I honestly prefer it to Second City. The Improv Shakespeare Company is a hilarious show and everyone should see it at least once in their lifetime.

Read full review

The Improv Shakespeare Company put on a great show...

The Improv Shakespeare Company put on a great show called "Fingerling Potatoes" :]
We had a few tasty drinks and thoroughly enjoyed the performance.

Read full review

A great place to check out when in the area. Inexp...

A great place to check out when in the area. Inexpensive and hilarious. Very unique and funny, with a great atmosphere and friendly people. Kind of far from other Chicago activities but still worth checking out. The improv is phenomenal.

Read full review

Laughed my ass off

Read full review

Fun time, excellent prices. I've seen Shakespeare ...

Fun time, excellent prices. I've seen Shakespeare Improv several times and love it

Read full review

It was fine, was expecting much more..

Read full review

My favorite place to go. All about Improvised Shak...

My favorite place to go. All about Improvised Shakespeare.

Read full review

Must go place for all things improv.

Read full review

The Improvised Shakespeare company is the best liv...

The Improvised Shakespeare company is the best live entertainment value in Chicago.

Read full review

Saw one of the most clever improv routines done he...

Saw one of the most clever improv routines done here. You pick a theme and they do a Shakesperean improvised play around the theme and they do an EXCELLENT job. They incorporate multiple Shakesperean ploys and weave the theme in throughout, creating both suspense and closure by the end of the play. ...

Read full review

Neat-o

Read full review

New space is great. Went to see Felt! Improv puppe...

New space is great. Went to see Felt! Improv puppet show. Too much fun.

Read full review

Great space, great shows, great bar, surprisingly ...

Great space, great shows, great bar, surprisingly good food.

Read full review

Great time. Just dropped in during a business trip...

Great time. Just dropped in during a business trip and felt right at home

Read full review

We had an awesome time at our Saturday 8pm show. W...

We had an awesome time at our Saturday 8pm show. Way better players and more reasonable ticket prices than you can get at Second City, imo.

Read full review

iO is always a great time. Improvised Shakespeare ...

iO is always a great time. Improvised Shakespeare is hilarious every single time we've seen it, and the other shows we've seen have been fun as well. I'd definitely recommend a stop here for anybody who enjoys improv!

Read full review

Great spot for comedy in lipcoln park!

Read full review

some of the best improv in town.

Read full review

I came for a show during my vacation in Chicago. I...

I came for a show during my vacation in Chicago. It was pretty cool to know a few celebs came from here. The show was HILARIOUS and entertaining. You won't be disappointment. I don't remember the title of what I saw but I believe it was Baby something? tickets was around $16 for a Friday night. One ...

Read full review

Amazing. Every time I'm visiting Chicago I go here...

Amazing. Every time I'm visiting Chicago I go here for a show. It always different and always funny

Read full review

Giggles Galore.

Read full review

Good shows, good beer

Read full review

Very good. Very funny! worth it

Read full review

Night of Improvised Shakespeare. As always, what a...

Night of Improvised Shakespeare. As always, what a great show with a hilarious cast of bards. The theater itself has been such a major upgrade since the Wrigley location days. The staff is cheerful, very attentive, polite, and inviting. The drink menu has a decent beer/wine selection. The two staple...

Read full review

A little out of the way to get there but the show ...

A little out of the way to get there but the show was enjoyable. The wait staff was very friendly and attentive during the show. Would definitely go back to explore one of the other shows offered. We went to the Shakespeare improv which was quite good.

Read full review

The show is hilarious, the actors are so quick on ...

The show is hilarious, the actors are so quick on their feet, sarcastic, and witty. Went here for a Bachelorette party and everyone loved it!

Read full review

This is by far my favorite place to go and watch C...

This is by far my favorite place to go and watch Comedy. All of the staff is amazing and funny. The wait staff is amazing and fast. I always laugh out loud while I'm there and have an amazing time. I go maybe once a week definitely recommend it

Read full review

Very funny place. Lots of couples on dates. Not ...

Very funny place. Lots of couples on dates. Not really a good place to take kids. Topical humor. We saw Felt, an adult pupper show. It was a riot

Read full review

There's some really great improv groups here. The...

There's some really great improv groups here. The theater itself is quite nice. It consists of several theater rooms, a bar, and a kitchen, so you can order food/drinks at any time.

I saw Hello From the Magic Tavern here (amazing show). I also suggest checking out Whirled News Tonight.

Read full review

Had so much fun at iO! The bar area is great with ...

Had so much fun at iO! The bar area is great with good beer selection and actually really good food. Went there to hang on Sunday night since I have Mondays off and to see Karaoke Storytellers. I've seen the show three times now and it's a blast. Each time is super different from the next as each pe...

Read full review

Better sound

Read full review

Whirled news was great

Read full review

5 star review for the improvised Shakespeare compa...

5 star review for the improvised Shakespeare company- one of the funniest improv shows ive ever been to. First show I saw here was a bit underwhelming, so i took a point off, but so glad I gave it a second shot.

Read full review

IO is a great improv comedy club. Multiple stages ...

IO is a great improv comedy club. Multiple stages and shows per night, along with a decent / relatively cheap beer selection. Highly recommend.

Read full review

Good times are afoot.

Read full review

Way better than Second City. Come here for authent...

Way better than Second City. Come here for authentic and unscripted true improv shows. Some of the funniest moments ever come from not having a script.

Read full review

iO is my favorite place to see improv in Chicago. ...

iO is my favorite place to see improv in Chicago. If you're going to see one show here, make it Improvised Shakespeare. You will be blown away by the quick wit of the performers. I also like the Deltones musical improv on Saturday nights. Honestly, you can't go wrong...I haven't seen a bad show here...

Read full review

Good clean comedy with food and drink. And if that...

Good clean comedy with food and drink. And if thats not good enough for you there is a strip club next door.

Read full review

Saw my first improv show here for free on a Wed ni...

Saw my first improv show here for free on a Wed night and it was hilarious!!

Read full review

Every night I go I laugh my ass off. And they have...

Every night I go I laugh my ass off. And they have free nights, so there's no excuse not to go!

Update 2018: I've been coming here for years and finally started to take classes. They've been incredible, and the student ID pass allows you to get into shows for free! Plus drink discounts.

Read full review

A great intimate club to hang out with friends and...

A great intimate club to hang out with friends and have a few laughs

Read full review

Improvised Shakespear is hilarious and worth check...

Improvised Shakespear is hilarious and worth checking out. I have been several times and I have never been disappointed. Consistently funny improv.

Read full review

The Shakespeare Improv group was hilarious! Would ...

The Shakespeare Improv group was hilarious! Would definitely go again if I'm in the area.

Read full review

Shakespeare was outstanding. I'll be back for mor...

Shakespeare was outstanding. I'll be back for more fast witted fun

Read full review

Fun show. Super friendly staff. Great night out.

Read full review