Great setup for a comedy club but the sound system was so bad, that we couldn't hear the comics very well.
It also has a staff with the worse attitude I have ever seen for working in a comdy club. They were rude (I had to ask them to stop talking during the performances as they stood against the wall behind us) and one waitress welcomed us by telling us they walk thru the area we were seated in a lot so we'd better not move our chairs back because they needed the room, and this wasn't in a joking, playful way. She obviously wasn't too happy to be working here and it really turned us off of our experience with this place.
Again, great setup for a comedy club, but clean up your staff and your sound system and we might come back again.
Things to know about funny bone:
1) The tickets are decently price around $30 bucks, but they REQUIRE you to purchase 2 items once you are in. Having already had dinner we didn't want any food and between the two of us we were told we "HAD" to purchase 4 items. I don't know what would happen if we didn't but we were forced to buy 3 bottled waters at $3 each and a coke. This is absolutely ridiculous. I have never heard of this in my life! Also our server actually stalked me coming out of the bathroom to "remind me" that we hadn't purchased two items yet. This was so creepy and uncalled for. I felt very uncomfortable.
2) Their food is horrible! Most of their food is frozen and WAY overpriced. The chicken fingers are $11. Are you kidding me?? Their mac 'n' cheese was 12.99. I'm sorry folks but that is outrageous. Jeff Ruby's mac 'n' cheese isn't even close to that much and it's in a nice atmosphere and is home made. The food here will leave you unsatisfied with a huge hole in your pocket.
3) This place feels like a big box. Most like other places in Newport it is sterile. There are plain tables and chairs and a stage in the center of a big room. That is it.
4) Don't even waste your time buying tickets. They harass you on the phone on a daily basis trying to give you free tickets. Which seems like a nice thing right? No. Between my boyfriend and I we were getting calls non-stop. Thankfully they finally moved to sending text messages, but I have asked to be removed from their call list several times and it has yet to happen.
Service 1 star, the reason for 2? Because this place books decent comedians because of it's location downtown. If you are dying to see your favorite it's pretty much your only option, which sucks. I wish this place would stop taking the location for granted and actually provide something awesome bc right now it's a waste.
This was my first time visiting a comedy club, so i really wasn't sure what to expect. Â First off, I should say that the comedians were wonderfully funny, and my review doesn't reflect on them in any way. Â The club itself is very awkwardly laid out. Â There are restrooms, but you have to go to the lobby to get to them. Â The lobby also has a bar and is where people queue before the show. Â To keep the customers who have already entered the theater separate from those who haven't, this lobby is divided by a series of rope lines. Â We were a party of 4, and were sat at a table that would only sit 2 people anywhere else. Â The food prices were very ridiculous, and there was a 2 item minimum purchase per person.
I'm not sure where any other Comedy clubs are in the area, but I would try and find somewhere else rather than go here.
I always have a great time whenever I come here. Â I have yet to see a headliner that didn't make me laugh hysterically.
I've never tried the food here and probably never will so I couldn't tell you if any of it is edible or not. Â As far as the drinks, I usually keep it simple and go with beer.
All in all it's a great place to go for some good laughs.
This is a regular spot for me and an acceptable form of entertainment for Cincinnati (or Kentucky). Â As with all comedy clubs, the headliner really makes or breaks the night.
I have seen Loni Love here and Tony Rock, but I've also seen horrible acts where I could not even muster up a fake laugh.
Cost: varies, depending on the show and night. Â There is a 2 drink minimum.
Location: Ok, since Newport on the Levee has parking and other amenities like restaurants, movie theater, and a bar nearby
I would recommend this place to anyone in the Cincinnati area who loves to laugh.  I go at least once a month, and it's a good laid  back thing to do with friends.
While this club might bring in some well known talent, the experience is not as pleasing as others I have visited. The food is overpriced and makes for an expensive night, whether or not one drinks alcohol. I do not think that soda orders includes refills. Seriously? Another problem I had was difficulty in hearing the comedians on stage. I wasn't even that far away and I am not sure if the EQ was bad or the noise made from everyone else created the problem, but I am not likely to return. As far as drink recommendations go, we had the BYOB Bacardi pitcher which lasted the duration of 3 performers and counted as 2 drinks per person (their minimum required order). I did like that smokers needed to go outside. Although the somewhat constant coming and going of people can be distracting.
Review Source:Seating is odd and you need to show up early. I think the ticket prices are too high but mine was free so I'm not complaining there.
The food is average at best. Sometimes a bit below. The drinks are AWFUL. Flavored water. Funny Bone serves the most watered down drinks of any mainstream or corporate owned bar I've ever visited. I highly recommend NOT ordering any cocktails....
The service was ok. The space is intimate which is nice and the comics are going to be hit and miss although Funny Bone does tend to get fairly well known acts. The space was dirty and the restrooms needed to be cleaned and updated. For the ticket prices they charge I expected more modern digs.
The bar area is extremely poor.
I'm a stick-in-the-mud, grouch of a person who would rather be watching a dramatic play or musical than getting my jollies with a comedian. Nonetheless, I have patronized Funny Bone on a few occasions.
Of the three times I've been, each time my admission was free (either from a contest or friend acquiring an extra ticket.) Prices are normally $15 - $30 depending on the performer.
The seating procedure is confusing. Like many others, we were told to show up at 9:00pm for the 10:00 show. We arrived on time and had to stand outside the venue until 9:50. The front of the line was seated on the far right, while people who showed up later were seated directly center stage. Avoid sitting in the back area, most of the tables are obstructed by poles. Â Everyone is seated four to a table, and if your group has less than four, you'll be sitting with strangers. And no, they do not allow you to switch tables.
Then there's the part I detest: Â the two item minimum.
Granted, this is how the venue makes money, as the admission price goes to the comedian. There's just something displeasing about being forced to order two things from an overpriced, mediocre menu.
The food items are typical, greasy bar fare:
- Mac & Cheese, $12.00
- Nachos, $9.00
- Chicken Fingers, $10.00
- Cheese Fries, $7.00
- Burgers, $12.00
I about died when I saw the price tag for a hamburger... then I noticed the $12.00 mac & cheese! Â
Drinks are just as outrageous:
- Soda, $4.00 Â (FOUR DOLLAR SODA!?!!)
- Mixed Drink, 4 oz., $9.00
- Budweiser, $4.00
- No free tap water
- If you buy something at the bar, it doesn't count towards your minimum. The waitress has to bring it to you.
I was beginning to think the menu was the comedy for the evening!
With this two item minimum, a couple can expect a $50.00 bill. Even with free tickets, it's not worth it. I can't imagine spending $25.00 per ticket, then shelling out more for the subpar food. Â (Did I mention they're charging $12.00 for MAC & CHEESE?!?)
If you're going to implement a minimum purchase, the food must be realistically priced. Otherwise, folks like me will continue to avoid this place like the plague.
I wouldn't bother going to Funny Bone again, unless, say, Jerry Seinfeld came to town. Any other time... well then, the joke's on you!
So they have moved into the old Pacfic moon space. Â It is larger then before. Â the sound system seems clear. Â The big problem is you have to get there at least an hour before the show if you want a table. Â Especial if there is more than two people. Â Expect to sit with strangers if you have less then 4. Â Shows seem to start late. Â Drinks are overpriced. Food is meh. In a market with only two clubs I guess they can get away with it.
Review Source:Last night was my first time going to the funny bone. Â I ordered my ticket over the phone. My friends and I were going for our friends birthday so when i ordered my ticket I asked to be seated with my group. They told me they couldn't do that but that maybe we would be seated together when we got there. Well, I got there. I arrived at around 9 :40 for the 10 :00 show. They made most of us stand outside in the freezing cold until about 10:15 before they let us in. Everyone was grumbling that this better be the best show they had ever seen. We finally get in and big surprise, I was not permitted to sit with my friends. I guess we would have been able to if we all bought our tickets under the same transaction but who wants to put multiple tickets on their credit card? So, for my friends birthday, I didn't even really get to see her. To me, that really ruined the night. The comedians were funny. The stage was nice. The setting was nice. But I really was there to see my friend. They also have a requirement that you buy a min of two items. Well, I got overlooked in my little side table in the corner and no one approached me until 3/4 of the show was over. They did apologize and comp the food so that was good. I would come back here if there was a comedian I was really interested in seeing but I wouldn't ever go out of my way to come here besides that.
Review Source:I love this place. I have been here several times and only once was I disappointed by the comedians. Of course, you always have some that are better than others, but I usually always have a good time here.
There is a two item minimum, so have a few drinks. The food is good too. I highly recommend the sweet potato fries and the funnel cake fries. If you're hungry, you can't go wrong with the Funny Bone Burger and the meal is actually worth the money. I've seen deals on food on <a href="/redir?url=http%3A%2F%2Frestaurant.com&s=c5fe485af4df376130bee54f875814d79c4d7913e1258123b1206d2bdbf4873b" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://restaurant.com</a> too!
Make sure if your thirsty to order your drink ahead of time... the service isn't the greatest if you want another drink during the show.
Make sure to sign up for the mailing and promos. I get e-mails, snail mails and texts with free tickets to shows. Generally the only shows I pay for are the special events.... more well known comedians (Pauly Shore, Kevin Nealon, etc.)
Definitely a good place for a date!
I cannot recall the last time I've paid to go see a comedian. It seems that I am always getting an email, mailer, or phone caller informing me that I can get free tickets to an upcoming show (if I'm not getting the free tickets a friend is). I like free, well its really not free as they require you to purchase two items (as does every comedy club on the the good green Earth). And as most comedy clubs, the drinks/food is over priced and the food is just "ok" which is "ok" because I come to "get my laugh on"!
Review Source:Two Words! - Â Facetalk TV
Facetalk Tv is a cable talk show taped at the Funnybone the second Tuesday of every month.
It has Comedians, Commentary, Live Audience Talkshow participation - its a blast!!!
It cost $10.00 at the door to get in and then a two item minimum. But, is WELL WORTH IT!!!
For more info call the club at 859-957-2000.
I'd love to go here more but they got to start booking better acts! "Go Bananas" is way better just because of the talent they bring in. Newport Funny Bone, listen, why not start booking edgy acts or unusual acts? Break out of the cycle of the BET Comic View/Bob & Tom show routine you are in. Get some dirty comics, some alternative comics, just be a little different. I love comedy and I just wish more people I find funny played this area
Review Source:I might have given the Funny Bone 3 stars if I had paid to get in. Friends had free tix for a Thursday night show so we went. Its been a while since we were last there so we went to the old location on the 3rd flr of the Levee. They have moved.
We like the layout of the new location. The Comedians we saw were funny remember that we had free tickets. At first the service was slow. But when our server finally showed just a few minutes late. She did a great job from then on. We ordered the obligatory 2 items Ultimate cheese nachos (none to ultimate) and some tasty potato skins. Both good but both over priced. I guess they have to make a profit somehow. I get that.
It was an enjoyable 2 hrs that cost a total with parking tip food and drinks $20. for two. We'll go back next time we have free admission.
I think my previous review was based on the fact that I was saw one of my favorite comedians rather than the service or facilities at the Funny Bone. Let's just say my last visit left me less than impressed.
The drinks were way over-priced. I know it's a comedy club and they don't make money off of the ticket price, but $5 for a Corona in Kentucky is insane. Food prices were a little more reasonable. For a group of three, we ordered potato skins and buffalo blue cheese stix. Our food was brought out with no plates, utensils, or extra napkins so we had to use our beverage napkins to wipe our hands off. The buffalo cheese sticks were yummy but the potato skins were bland and dry.
Later in the evening, we ordered some sort of girly shot for my friend's birthday. The liquor hadn't been chilled so it was hard to choke down. At a regular bar, I could have forgiven such an offense but not somewhere that shooters cost nearly the same as an entrée.
So I'll go back to Funny Bone for a big name show, but I'll arrive with a full stomach and get Cokes for my two drink minimum.
I love comedy. Who doesn't, right? Whether it be comedy on television, CD's, Stand-Up, or even heading down to the local Brew-Ha-Ha event (which combines comedy with my second love, craft beer). Comedy is a way to disconnect from your problems relax and make fun of other people.
The Funny Bone is a pretty decent comedy club. It is one of only a few in the area but this one is one of the bigger ones. It is also a little bit more well known than say, some of the "underground" ones I've been to in the Dayton area. It seats a lot of people but most nights the shows only cover about half the potential seating area. This is good and bad in that it isn't that crowded but it may seem that way because they stuff you in the smaller front area like sardines.
You are up close and personal with the comic which is how it should be quite honestly. You need to be able to see the spit coming out of his mouth as he/she performs. Adds that extra little something to a performance. The performers that do come here are actually pretty good. People like Eddie Griffin, Dave Chapelle, Pauly Shore, Bill Bellamy, John Lovitz, and Rob Scheinder have all performed here, and that's just last year. Not bad for a Newport Comedy Club. Or is it Cincinnati? That's one thing every comedian opens with. "Is this Kentucky or Cincinnati?" Funny the first couple times but get's old fast. Anyway, I'm rambling.
The pricing is a little bit of a problem for me. $25 range for tickets depending on the performer. This is all fine and dandy because there are big time performers some weeks. The drinks are over priced but what do you expect. About $9 for a cranberry and vodka...a very petite cranberry and vodka I might add. The part that gets to me a lot though is the "2-item rule" they implement. I am still not entirely sure if this is actually a written rule or just  something  the waiters are told to say to get more business. Whatever the case, you'll be told by a waiter that you must order two items from the menu whether it be food, drinks, or a bottled water. I've never actually not ordered 2 items but have had an experience where the waiter actually waited outside the bathroom for my girlfriend to come out and tell her that the show was almost over and she needed to order another item. A little creepy. I am guessing that you can't actually do this and that it is just an unwritten rule to order two items, but whatever the case it provides some very awkward moments if you haven't met your item quota.
The food is average. Just your typical run of the mill fried finger foods and some other sandwiches and stuff. Chicken fingers, fries, burger, potato skins, and a few salads. Nothing special. Just good enough to charge you way too much for, and also just barely good enough to be satisfied and full after you eat.
The building is a nice building and is located in a good spot. You could have a dinner at Brio, ice cream at Cold Stone, or watch a movie at AMC and then walk up to the Funny Bone in time for the show. It makes for an amusing end to a night and like I said earlier twenty some odd dollars for a good comedian is a deal I'll go for. It is just when you get inside and pay another 40-50 dollars when I get frustrated.
There are times when your able to get free tickets if you are signed up for their e-mail newsletter or text alerts. They often send out offer for "4 free for 4" where you get 4 free tickets. Just be aware that doesn't mean your going to get to see a free show because of their 2 item rule. It is worth it though if the tickets are free, so I recommended signing up online and waiting for one of these offers.
All in all I guess I am really just giving the comedians the 3-star rating because I enjoy Stand-Up so much. The venue in which they are performing unfortunately just comes with the package. I don't hate everything about Funny Bone. I do enjoy the lineup of comedians they get and the show is relatively long, a little over an hour or so with 3 comedians performing per show time. I just, can't find it in my heart to pay $40 dollars for a chicken finger meal and two drinks...Hey!!! that's 3 items. Well I guess I fulfilled my 2-item rule for the evening, now onto the show!!!
I really enjoyed my first-time experience here. Â It had been on my to-do list for awhile, since I've loved other comedy clubs I've been to around the country, and I finally got a chance to go almost a year after moving here. Â Some friends had found a deal on <a href="/redir?url=http%3A%2F%2Fhalfpricecincy.com&s=41fac7c52c05c2713bfa0e29d80fdb7cef4388aa184c428c95513453d1a17918" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://halfpricecincy.com</a> where you buy a $25 certificate and get $50 to be used on admission, food, and/or drinks. Â
We arrived a few minutes after the doors opened and got seated in the middle tier. Â Not bad seats, but it would've been better to be on the lower level. Â The show started right on time. Â I felt like we definitely got our money's worth, since the emcee, warm-up, feature performer, and headliner were all EXTREMELY funny. Â
The best bet for drinks is probably the bucket of 5 beers for $18. Â The food was standard bar-type fare, with the exception of... funnel cake fries! Â Those were a hit at our table. Â
I recommend this as a place to go to about once or twice a year. Â It's fun to go with a group of friends so you get to see what their gut-busting laughs really sound and look like!
I went to the Funny Bone on Friday 12/10/10, for a birthday party. Â It was my first visit and I have to say, Â I was disappointed I just now found this place. It was AWESOME! Â
I loved every aspect, (except the rather pricey menu and the seating) the comedians were amazing and left all of us feeling like we were hit in our funny bones! Â Would definately recommend this place for someone looking for a good time!
If you've read any of my past reviews (and I hope you have), you might have heard of my legendary dislike of Newport on the Levee. Perhaps this is why I've never been to The Funny Bone before. I actually like going to comedy, but just have never been this way ... my loss, for sure, because this comedy club was great.
A group of yelpers and myself were going to see Pauly Shore here (yes, that Pauly Shore ... I know, I thought he was dead too.) We hit a snag almost at once trying to find the damn place. I knew it was once upstairs on the Levee but apparently it's now outside the main building. Who knew!
Anyway, we bought our tickets from the outside window (a nice touch, so when the line is forming inside to get into the theatre, you can still walk right up and buy a ticket) and we got into line. They have this thing down to a system. You make your way up to the door, they ask how many people are in your party and then seat you in the club in the first available seats. No struggling to put tables together or find a place that works for everyone - they have this thing down.
Like all comedy clubs, there is a minimum amount of items you have to buy while sitting at your table (which always annoys me a little bit. Yes, I understand that they make almost no money off the ticket since it goes to the Comedian, but still...egh.) However, unlike other places where you have to buy two drinks, here you just have to buy two items. So if you're hungry and want to buy some chicken wings and a soda, that's all you need to do. I liked that ... I didn't really like that fact that everything is way overpriced ($4 for a soda! Are you kidding me?) but the idea was nice all the same.
Then the comedians came out, which was awesome. The sound in the room was great, there's a stage that's big enough for them to walk around but not so big that you don't feel like you're in an intimate comedy setting, and if the comedian feels like it, he can really work the room. Pauly Shore kept toasting with the people in the front row, toasting and of course, roasting them, because that's how close he was to the audience.
This is a great spot to see comedy, actually and no matter how you feel about Newport (or, should I say, how much you hate it), this is a spot worth checking out.
Thanks to Yelp, I scored two tickets to see a show here on Friday. I don't really have a ton to say about the place, because it is essentially a dimly lit room with tables and booths where as many people as possible are crammed into to listen to other people be funny.
As a comedy club, it is pretty much typical with what you will find anywhere else. Expansive seating, lots of bar grub, overpriced drinks, and lackluster service. When I go to a comedy club, I know what I'm getting and I'm not there for the venue anyways, but the performers in it.
The two drink minimum is irritating, especially since they don't really have very good drinks. I've never really found drink minimums as acceptable, except in the case of free shows. I'm not sure how much tickets typically cost here, but it's at the Levee, so I assume they're not cheap.
As usual, a point is docked for being located at the Levee. The parking sucks, the people here are obnoxious, and everything is too expensive.
Overall, I would say come on by if you get complimentary tickets or if someone is performing who you just can't miss. Otherwise, there's not much of a reason to come by.
I would almost give this place 4 stars.
I enjoyed that it felt elegant and intimate compared to other comedy clubs I'd been to, where even in the back you were still close enough to see the comedians face. Kudos on the design...
I ordered food since Bar Louie decided for me that I wasn't hungry, and I was actually pleasantly surprised. The burger was large and had a fire grilled taste, and the fries were crispy and seasoned well.
My only complaint would be the difficulty in flagging down our waiter. I think the issue may have been that a table he had to pass to get to mine seemed to always need something, and he rarely made it beyond them. I guess I could have shouted, waved my arms maniacally, or thrown something at him, but I didn't want to distract the audience from Pauly Shore.
My friend had heard good things about this place so decided to check it out on a recent visit to Cincinnati. The place itself is pretty nice - decent size, clean...kinda cold though. That night, two comedians were performing...both funny, but nothing amazingly hilarious that I still remember.
Overall, a fun night! The drinks are pretty good & decently priced as well.
The Funny Bone is like an airport - expect delays. Â It's probably not fair to rate them on the hilarity of the performances, but overall this place is a Logistics/Operations nightmare.
The tickets advise to be around 45 minutes early for each show. Â Which I guess would work if they were actually running the place properly. Â Instead, they have you wait in the tiny waiting area, or worse - outside in the cold - for that 45 minutes. Â When they finally get around to seating, the shows are already delayed. Â The most recent time we went, we had to wait outside for close to an hour - and they wouldn't even let us inside to use the restroom because they were over-capacity.
The drinks are ridiculously priced and watered down. Â The food sounds like the frozen-aisle at Sam's Club. Â
My suggestion is to go only when you are excited about seeing a certain comic. Â They do get a lot of big names coming through. Â Otherwise, I wouldn't waste my time.
don't get me wrong...i laughed until i nearly peed my pants last night when i saw kevin nealon at the funny bone, but the venue was the absolute pits.
1. the website and tickets say to arrive at 9pm for the 10pm show. Â my boyfriend, his sister and i arrived at 8:55pm and waited. and waited. Â and waited. as the small and over-heated lobby filled up (with WAY too many people not to be in violation of fire codes and safety standards), we got antsier and antsier to get in. Â there were no announcements about when the doors would open, and nothing to do while we waited.
2. at 9:50pm they opened the doors and let us in. Â although the 3 of us were some of the first people to be seated (i think there were 20-30 people in front of us in line), the official seater lady seated us at a table so far right of the stage we would have barely been able to see the show. Â we asked to be moved since we had waited in line for nearly an hour, but we were told if we wanted a different table we would have to go to the end of the line. Â WTF? Â i have never been to a comedy club with that asinine of a seating strategy. Â if i wait in line for 55 minutes i expect to have good seats. Â we took it upon ourselves to move to a better table.
3. as you might expect, the staff was not happy that we moved, even though we explained that we thought we deserved better seats having waited all that time. Â while our original seater went to talk to management about it, another seater sat someone at our initial table. Â alas, there was now no table for us to return to even if we wanted to. Â my boyfriend went to talk to one of the staff and explain the situation and got verbally assaulted. Â NOT cool.
4. the show didn't start until 10:30pm, and it started with an awful video that had indistinguishable audio. Â
the only positives were: our waiter was nice, the drinks were cheaper than i thought they would be ($5 coronas and $8 martinis), and kevin nealon was a riot.
next time i would drive to a comedy club that cares about customer service, even if that means hauling myself to columbus.
I find it hysterical that my first trip to Funny Bone was actually to see the very same show that the prior reviewer, Karina M., saw...the one, the only, Dave Chappelle. Â
I was a senior in high-school at the time and my friend and I felt pretty bad ass because Chappelle insisted the show be 18+ up, not the usual 21+ up crowd Funny Bone insists upon. Â We bought our tickets ($20 each if I remember correctly, not at all bad) and proudly handed over our 18 year old ID's to the bouncer.
Funny Bone has a two drink per person minimum but as we weren't quite legal enough our waitress told us we would just have to spend $10 each on food and non-alcoholic beverages. Â Fine by us. Â We ordered appetizers to share and were served a few minutes before Chappelle took the stage. Â The food was nothing special, sliders and quesadillas, but it wasn't bad, either. Â
Chappelle was definitely on something that night (God knows what) but his show was still crazy funny and, as we were seated right by the stage, I even got a high-five as he was leaving. Â
Funny Bone is probably the nicest comedy club I've ever been to, everything is modern and clean and slightly upscale...not cheesy and run-down as so many stand up clubs are. Â It's obviously not a place for kids but I would recommend it as a first date place, nothing better than laughing together to start bonding!
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