The Hideout Theatre Reviews

Dropped in upon a last minute suggestion from a friend. I was fearful this would be cringe-worthy but all the participants in the improv were hilarious and one woman even did an 8 character skit solo! Suggestions from the audience keep things spontaneous and the hosts did an excellent job of keeping things moving. Step out during intermission for great bites and drinks! Heard the 20th anniversary is coming up! I can see how this gem has been successful for so long :)

I absolutely enjoyed the kindness of strangers. It was really unique and well done given the nature of improvised acting. I will definitely visit again when in Austin.

It's ok, just not superb. Doubt I will ever go to see a movie there again

Chill spot above a really cool, ducked off coffee shop for events, live music, and indie movies.

Owning your own experience gps. will play a big part also augmentation and dule services

If you want feminists and social justice warriors to ruin comedy for you, you will feel right at home at The Hideout. In fact, the entire time you are here, you will feel like you are in a BuzzFeed video.

At The Hideout, accents aren't allowed because they are racist. Hillary Clinton jokes aren't allowed (but Trump jokes are) because they are sexist. And apparently, any scene in which a woman plays a feminine role is also sexist.

At The Hideout, everything is offensive; and upper management (Andy Crouch, the director of the education program) has made it a top priority to make their instructors abruptly intervene in your scenes to tell you that something is offensive. You might not learn much of improvisation here, but you'll definitely get a lesson in Social Justice 101 from woke SJWs.

Many other students and interns I knew during my time here had brought up these things in our conversations which is why I thought this review was long overdue. As embarrassing as this school is, I really feel sorry for the people who run this place. I often wonder how they handle life outside in the real world.

Note to potential students: keep in mind that these other reviews are for their shows, not their classes. Do not let the high ratings fool you about the quality of the classes. There are plenty of other options in Austin. Save your $250.

I've been here for a few improv shows, and it is in a great location.

To top it off, they also have a coffee bar on the way in.

The coffee bar has a wide selection of espresso drinks and snacks (breads, croissants, and anything with +butter and +cream).

Good for a first or second date.

No pressure, right? It's just coffee :)

It was ok. Made my guest laugh but it was ok for me. The atmosphere is definitely Austin. Keep it weird.

The theatre is small and rickety, but these qualities create an odd, dream-like quality. On some Wednesdays, Cinema41 hosts $3 screenings of various movies--some older, some newer. And while not many places will combine espresso and chai, The Hideout totally does.

Being an international Grad student, American improv shows are quite an entertainment for me. I've grown up watching classics like Whose Line Is It Anyway, and have always wanted to experience this at least once. The hosts were amazing, and the team made my day. Highly recommended if you're looking for some fun!

Nice downtown coffee shop with two stages for comedy and improvisation shows so a real community asset.

Upstairs theatre feels like a fire trap however.

Great drinks and coffee, the improv shows that they host are so much fun. They're interactive with the audience and very dynamic. I come here every time im in Austin (3-5 time a year) and its always a great time. 11/10 recommend!

Laughed so hard I almost needed a hospital (or bathroom)

We were spending the weekend in Austin and looking for something to do with our two teen boys (who happen to have advanced senses of humor). I was happy to find this place, because it didn t have a minimum age (although the nighttime shows are supposed to be PG-13 and you should use your discretion...my kids can definitely handle it). Anyway, we saw Maestro, the competitive improv show. It was so much fun and hilarious! The theatre is super small, which made for an amazing night and lots of audience involvement. Highly, highly recommend!!!!

We had so much fun!!! Support the local arts and go see this show!! We left the house at the crack of dawn and drove in from Houston to see this show and it was totally worth it!! I took my kids to see the Mission Kids Possible improv show on Sunday morning and we all loved it! I called ahead because one of my children is visually impaired, and Jessica let us arrive early so he could feel the layout of the stage. Of course, none of my kids participated, but they were glued to the action on stage. It was hilarious and clever allowing the kids to join in on the fun. I can't thank the crew enough for accommodating my family and putting on a great show! Go see the improv at Hideout Theater!!

Laid back coffee spot. Come here for the improv shows on Friday and Saturdays, always good for some laughs and the beers are fair priced at $4 for any kind.

Great coffee and great theater. Highly recommend this place!

do not miss the big bash on fridays!! had an amazing time

The Hideout Theatre, like its name insinuates, is hidden above the Hideout Coffeehouse on Congress. Before they open the doors to the theater (which is very small and intimate, no more then four rows deep) guests can gather downstairs and enjoy a cup of jo or danish. The Hideout is well know for their 'themed' nights. I went for a Woody Allen inspired evening, which was hilarious! Post show the actors join the crowd downstairs, which makes the experience much more personal.

Fantastic place - they offer coffee, shows and classes, and it's run by a great group of local performers, AND it's right downtown to boot. Absolutely give it try - they have classes starting every month and show Thurs - Sunday at all hours. Great date night idea and a fun gift. Love it!

This is actually for The Hideout coffee shop which is downstairs with the comedy club above. The coffee shops got a good selection of sandwiches and great coffee

Cool coffee shop/comedy combo. The coffee shop has a nice, cozy atmosphere, and there are regular comedy shows at night which are usually pretty cheap - $5 ish. The shows are usually pretty funny, but there are some eh ones and some GREAT ones. They also do free improv classes sometimes which are always fun!

It's an amazing experience you need to see it for yourself.

Small, cozy, groovy vibes...You can feel the creative energy in the air at this place. And the coffee...Let me tell you about the coffee! It was fantastic! The coffee is even inspiring.

This is coffee done right, interesting house options, and the improv is a super cool offering. I would truly be sad if Austin lost this place, to me they're a part of the community and the real Austin.

The Hideout has changed my life. If it were not for the Hideout community and staff, I don't think I'd have a single friend in Austin, TX! I began taking classes at the Hideout Theatre in 2015 and loved every single minute of it. The Hideout has a variety of shows throughout the week for all ages and various tastes. The coffee is great, free wifi, and the employees are precious! Great place to do work or study or try something new like an improv class!

This was my first time ever to go to a comedy show and I loved it! I liked the fact I could get a coffee and snack and take it to the theatre upstairs. The only recommendation is to get there a little early to have good seats. My friends and I were split because we were right on time.

Service has really gone downhill over the years. While the coffee and food are good, and the atmosphere is nice, baristas are usually less than friendly and the coffee shop portion is almost always out of food items or essentials to make them.

Come for the improv. Improvisors are pretty much always friendly. Maybe they should teach behind the counter staff how to not be such sour pusses.

Great shows and tasty chai and bread! Never disappoints

One of my favorite spots downtown. It has great drinks and snacks and a wonderful atmosphere that I enjoy for working or relaxing. Definitely worth stopping in!

I have been taking classes and seeing shows at this theater for close to 3 years, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking to watch or try out improv!

Comfy place for local coffee. Didn t have the food but it looked good

This place offers great people watching opportunities, and good coffee. The food looks goos as well though I haven't tried any yet. I was told by a friend that she saw an improv show here that was so bad it was good and had her laughing the entire time. I haven't been myself yet, but have a free ticket... and intend to use it now more than ever. (She mentioned that there's audience participation- so be warned.)

We went to see the Improv show on a Sunday night. Easily the best $5 we spent while in Austin. Hilarious performers, just wish I lived here so I could get involved with the group!

So much fun to see a show here ! Will be going back frequently.

Fun time New Year's Eve -- Great Place! And the coffee bar is equally good!

Very good s little expensive...good service ,good coffee and tea...

Great cast, great show. Seats fill fast though, so purchase tickets ahead of time. Well worth the price of admission.

The Hideout has been a tale of two opposite experiences. First, the bad...the improv performances that I have seen at the Hideout weren't very funny at all. It made me feel bad for the performers as at times they were the only ones laughing at their jokes. It was so bad...I just stopped going. I'll probably give them another shot soon...but it was still pretty horrible. On the other side of the coin, The Hideout was probably the best venue for screenings during the Austin Film Festival. I really enjoyed their cafe staff and their ability to handle the crowds and get orders our quickly. So you have a mixed bag...great cafe...poor improv...and great Festival venue...it's a toss up really...

We went to watch the Maestro improv, it was great. The coffee shop is outstanding.

Very funny. Went to the big bash show and it was one of the funniest shows I've ever seen. 5 stars for sure.

Enjoyed this improv theatre. I wish the audience was not as noisy and the performers were a little louder.

I went into The Hideout Theatre hoping to get deeper insight and instruction on the proper use of the Queen's English. Or, wait, is that propre? As you can see, I came away empty-handed in that regard. NEVERTHELESS! The coffee recommended to me by the svelte barista was excellent.

It was so good that my gear-shifting cable broke and my tire tube popped upon consumption. And though my physical therapist says I have months of grueling sessions, I have no regrets. The oat milk mocha will sustain me.

I went to the comedy show, and it was great. I got a raspberry latte and my husband got a beer. The latte was amazing and the improv show was really fun. I will be back!

The Hideout is a fabulous theater/ coffee house complex. Both theaters are cozy and the quality of the work is excellent. The coffee is great and the ambience in the coffee house is relaxed and casual. Would definitely visit again on my next trip to Austin.

Great first date spot. Have a small bite to eat, coffee, dessert or grab a drink before a show. The Thursday threefer is a great deal!

The coffee here is amazing and there is usually some sort of live something or other happening. The art work on the walls is usually pretty entertaining also.

Perfect place for a downtown coffee date - meeting. Love their coffee.

Very pricey pricey drinks and coffee. Not sure if the improv show was worth it.

Went for the Game of Thrones improv night and had a blast. I've never seen the show but it made me want to go start watching. Great place to get a few beers.

Small theatre with great performance troops! Highly recommend for a nice night out.

This is our #1 favorite spot for entertainment (and coffee!) in all of Austin. They have 11 completely different improv shows every week, and their lengthier shows are professional top-notch productions that rival the very best scripted stage shows that you have ever seen... yet The Hideout s shows are entirely made up on the spot!! They also offer comprehensive improv classes, so you can get up onstage and perform this amazing art form yourself!!

Great coffee. Great service. Great improv. Lots of history here. Used to love going for the poetry nights. Something that's really important for coffee lovers: they don't have over-roasted coffee beans or burned coffee, which Starbucks struggles with as well as some other Austin coffee ships.

Saw a great PGraph show here! Great bar & coffee shop in the front.

The owner is kind and been there a long time! I tried one of their signature lattes, and it was delicious! You might have to ask for an extra shot, though!

Enjoyed a great show by PGraph at the Hideout Theatre. The price for the improv show was super reasonable and I had a great laugh. Will definitely return next time I'm in Austin.

What a wonderful coffee house. Love the atmosphere and loved the improv even more. Have been to several shows here and have enjoyed all of them. Of course some shows are better than others, but that s the nature of improv. All in all, would definitely recommend

Great little black back venue, especially as an alternate screen for a film festival. Also has live theatre/improv.

Great coffee and a really laid back environment. The saturday night improv is a great way to start an evening out.

Such a cool venue, fun improv events, I'll be back soon.

Amazing venue, really fun and entertaining. The coffee area is nice with great staff. A really fun night!

We had a lot of fun at the Harry Potter show, the cast was great and I will definately reccomend to friends. The only downside was it was packed and the seats were very uncomfortable.

Love, love, love this place! I really enjoy improv comedy and have not been disappointed with the Hideout. It's fairly inexpensive and always hilarious. The coffee at the cafe is also great. It's on the smaller side and the comedians are able to truly connect with the audience. I highly recommend coming if you like improv at all. So worth it!

Lovely place. Good shows, inexpensive, lots of laughs.

Do you like laughing? I do too! A great place for live entertainment that is something different from the norm. It is made up on the spot. Keep up the good work Hideout!

Went for improv upstairs. I can't wait to go back for some coffee. It reminds me of the coffee shops I used to go to 10 years ago. In a GREAT way.

We went to an improv show - and I enjoyed the show -- not exactly second city, but for $10 it was a good bang for the buck!

Great coffee, staff is very friendly. Screening and stage is a cool venue.

This was my second year going to Wafflefest at the Hideout, and needless to say, I had an amazing time. First, unlimited waffles, Nutella, chocolate chips, whipped cream.... Amazing. Secondly, I was impressed with the comedy and saw two stellar troups with two very different vibes.

On a regular basis, the Hideout has a great, cozy vibe for comedy and a wide variety of shows, from improv experts to those who are just getting their feet under them. The coffee house on the bottom floor is an awesome touch.

Overall, the Hideout Theatre is a great place to hang out with friends, take visitors, and get your weekly giggle in while fulfilling your caffeine fix.

Going to these improv shows has become a date night ritual.

The Big Bash is hilarious and very high energy.

The coffee shop is quaint and is a niche oasis from the constant festivals and happenings of downtown.

Also, it must be noted that the Pumpkin Pie Latte come fall is the best thing on the planet.

I had an awesome time at the Big Bash show. Very funny throughout. I can't wait to come back.