3.5 stars
We walked in 20 minutes before the 9pm curtain call for the NXT crew & bought $10 tickets. I like spur-of-the-moment activities, but I should've known easily-scored tickets meant not a 5-star show.
Obviously, improv is effing hard. The scripted parts, the musical bits--those were funny, I'd even call the song about the Orange Line (subway line) genius...but, unfortunately, the improv skits just weren't that funny. Most of the crew were talented & had good comedic timing, a few actresses had to be carried through the scene.
I like the basement setting & the location on busy Hanover Street; I wouldn't hesitate to see another show (with a different round if actors), but I wouldn't label myself a fan.
Definitely Interactive
Audience participation fuels the comedy, fair share of hecklers as mentioned in others reviews, but that's probably because they are really pushy about drinks. I'm from NYC and even the comedy clubs here don't push alcohol on you as much as this place did. Not sure I'd rush to go back, but I had a nice time with my group there.
Improv Asylum is great. It's best to go in groups or a double date. Grab some great Italian food nearby, and when the show is about to start, grab a drink at the bar. Find a seat for the show, and let the fun begin!
It's hilarious, well-done, and interactive. I've seen bachelorette groups here - and the Improv troupe does a great job acknowledging and working in these groups into their skits.
All in all - a great experience, and definitely a stop to take visiting friends or family!
I have a great sense of humor and I can honestly say this show is NOT funny and pretty much lame. Not only was it not fun and we almost left in the middle of it but I was so embarrassed to bring my weekend visitor to this show. What comedy club are you not allowed to talk and laugh out loud?!?! Just plain ridiculous. Will not recommend this place to anyone.
Review Source:I LOVE this place!
Let me say in full disclosure that I know a few people that work there and that are friends of mine, however that does not take influence the fact that the actors are HILARIOUS!
The show that they perform is always great. There are some hits and misses depending on the crowd you get that night but the actors always try and include the audience in a very funny way and the things they put on are great.
I have been here multiple times, with my friends, roommates, and most recently my mother and each time I have had a blast, spent the night cracking up and have all together had a great time.
My only tip would be to get there on time, and definitely try and use the bathroom before the show as it gets hectic at intermission!
AMAZING. These guys are so, so good! I promise it won't be cringe-worthy.
Every time we have friends or family visiting from out of town, we take them to the main stage show. Our guests rave about it for weeks after!
A major bonus: the shows are all ages. A perfect solution for our under-21 siblings. The shows aren't appropriate for kids, but it's a great way to spend Saturday night if your guests are in that frustrating 18-20 year old age group.
I can't emphasize enough how awesome these shows are. Definitely worth checking out!
A friend and I went here on a Friday night while I was in town visiting. Luckily our seats were reserved, because we were running a bit a late, and as a word of advice, SHOW UP ON TIME! Once the show started, the doors were shut, and no one else was allowed in; though for good reason so the show wasn't interrupted. We were quickly served our beers at the bar in front before we did go in and sat down, and the show started very promptly. The show its self was absolutely HILARIOUS! I spent the entire time in stitches laughing. Half of the show is improved, and half of it includes pre-written sketches, and it is amazing just how good they are at pulling little  pieces of improv together  throughout the show together at the end.
Part way through the show there is an intermission to use the bathroom and to get another drink. Also, there was a sign that there was a two drink maximum per person, but that makes sense... one drink during the first half, one during the second.
Overall, the show was amazing, great value for the quality of show you are getting, and the club seemed to be VERY well run. The next time I am in Boston, I will no doubt be visiting this place again. Completely worth the $25 ticket fee.
Great place for some cheap improv comedy. I went on a Sunday night = $10 tickets to watch their "NXT" crew do their improv thing. From what I understand, around half of the crew for the Sunday cheapo show are somewhat new to the improv stage, and the other half are there to ensure the show doesn't flop.
Two of the comedians were top-notch, one hilarious 20-something brunette with a snappy no-bullshit attitude towards life that was the true kicker of the show, and another rounder fella who was usually her assist. Loved both of them. I could tell the remaining 2-3 comedians were a bit uncomfortable and tried to make up for it by over comedy-ing their way through the show, but did a good job nonetheless. My date and I were still rehashing some of the brunette's jokes later on in the night.
Based on this show, I would *definitely* pay the full $25 to see their Friday or Saturday lineups.
Pro: IMPROV show is usually fantastic. Â Supremely funny.
Con: Front office, whoa, not so much. Â
If you buy 8 tickets in advance for a bday bash (and say the person of honor gets sick the day of and can't make it), they will not, I repeat, not, let you reschedule. Â For all you planners, just know they require you to get sick "at least 24 hours" before the performance. Â It's the policy. Â This after the first show we were booked for was on a night that the performance was cancelled due to inclement weather. Â
Wow, $200. Â So not funny.
Having been to a decent number of improv and comedy clubs around the country, I can say that the Improv Asylum is hands down, my favorite. Â We went to the Saturday 7:30pm show this past weekend. Â The best part of the night was comedy itself, but the location was also perfect for us to get dinner before in the North End and go out after for a drink. We had to get tickets a few weeks early to get any seating together (a good signal that the show is in high demand).
The show was a mix of improv and sketch comedy, which we loved because the audience stayed engaged throughout the show during the improv scenes, and we could also enjoy the more polished, planned sketches that benefit from a director's touch. The actors are amazing - it's unbelievable how much they can put together on a whim with a few suggestions from the audience.
The setup of the place was also really cool (yes - it's in the basement of a CVS; no - you'd never know there are people getting their prescriptions filled upstairs). There's a bar outside the stage and it was pretty lively. Â The line was long, and they definitely could have used another person as the showtime approached, but it was nice that we had a place to hang out while we waited for the show and during the break. Â The setup of the stage was also really interesting - 360 degree seating around the stage - we loved it. Â
Bottom line - if you're looking for the best comedy club in Boston, this is it.
What? Comedy in Boston that's actually funny? Toto, I don't think we're in Boston anymore...
$25 sounds pricey, but you get what you pay for here. The entertainment is nonstop, the wit is endless, and this incredible show is pretty appropriate for most ages. It's easy to miss a few nuances if you blink, and there are a few too many f-bombs for the younger members of your family, but our bachelorette party was waving our glowstick bracelets in nothing short of genuine enthusiasm. I don't think my laugh-meter ever went below a giggle, and I sure as heck couldn't believe that two whole hours had gone by in this small dark basement beneath  the start of Hanover.
Much of North End feels like a gimmick, but Improv Asylum is the real deal. Fair warning: Just make sure to get there on time - there's a special song just for latecomers, which is just "Sit the F down" on repeat so don't be THAT guy...
I like to consider myself a pretty funny person. I can usually find humor in anything. Here's the thing - these guys are not THAT funny. I even had several drinks at me and I wasn't that impressed. I think they warmed up throughout the night, but I was hoping for more. Sure there were a few funny improv sections here and there, but what's the excuse for the poor sketch comedy? Those things are rehearsed. Also, what's up with the comedian who acts like Jimmy Fallon and laughs at all his own jokes?
I will say that the venue is pretty cool - who would have thought the basement of a CVS could hold so many people? If you are going with a large group, I would recommend purchasing ahead of time so you can sit together. Fortunately, it's located in the North End, so you can at least you can get a good dinner before the show. Just be sure not to bring any leftovers or cannolis because they won't let you bring them in - they'll hold on it for you at the front desk, but that just seems weird.
Takeaways and tips:
- get a bucket of beers or more to help you get through this (before the show starts and at intermission)
- have a nice dinner before hand
- hide cannolis in your bag
My hubby & I got tickets to the Improv Asylum a impulse idea while in Boston that we will always remember as a night of LOL. It literally is down a flight of steps in a basement in the north end. When you first walk in it is a large room with a bar and a large desk area to check in. Once the show gets started we were ushered  through a doorway to a dimly lit area with seating on all sides with a large opening in the middle floor. Loud music was playing until the show started. We had front row seats thanks to the concierge at Omni Parker Hotel. It was packed. The show was extremely entertaining  with tons of audience participation. The show was one of the best! My face hurt from laughing so much! I recommend going next time your in Boston. Also get the bucket of beers it is the way to go!
Review Source:I never write reviews but I just had to for the Improv Asylum. All my brothers and sisters went (10 of us) as our Christmas present to each other and we had the best time. Those actors were so cleaver and funny and we all loved it. The whole production was run beautifully. We were a little late because we were still at dinner and they called to check on us! They even put my leftovers in the fridge with my name on it so I could grab it on my way out - they rock!
Review Source:AWESOME show. So funny. This place is great. The venue is intimate and allows for a great view of the show. I had an "obstructed" seat and got a discount but I could still see basically everything. Good beers on tap. And they served bottles of Bud Light in buckets, which is kind of fun. Get tickets ahead of time if you have a large group...and GO TO THE BATHROOM BEFORE THE SHOW...otherwise you'll pee your pants laughing. Not that that happened to me.......
Review Source:Went here last night to the midnight Raunch show and it was hilarious, raunchy, and a hell of a good time. Â I was drinking, the comics were drinking, there were offensive and dirty jokes galore. Â We had a blast and it seemed the whole place was as well. Â Plus, they sell bucket of beers, 4 beers for $18, hard to beat that in Boston.
Review Source:Our favorite place in Boston to go for comedy. We love it here and have gone 3 times now. It's a blend of improv with interaction from the audience and skits. Will keep going! The main stage crew is excellent. Their midnight shows are not always as amazing, but you can get into those for $5, so you're getting what you pay for.
Review Source:I really enjoyed this show and the spontaneity of it all! The cast was extremely talented and the laughs were non-stop. The audience participation was well executed but still improvisational and the players really had great chemistry and versatility. Seating is squishy/tight and tix sell out fast, so act if the spirit moves you or you'll be banished to the midnight show...which I actually heard was great because the cast drinks and takes it up a notch, I went to the 10ish show which also entitles you to attend the midnight show for free, but I didn't stay. I would definitely see it again!
Review Source:I went for the first time a few years ago and have been dying to go back - so with a good friend in town visiting from TX, I had the perfect excuse. It was just as funny as I remember, totally hilarious and creative actors. We even got to stay later for the Raunch show for free - which was great, but not as funny as the 10pm Saturday show.
One recommendation - I had a party of 3 and it was hard to get 3 seats together because I waited until the last minute to call in and order. If you can, try to buy your tickets in advance - don't wing it online because this place definitely gets PACKED. Though we managed 3 seats in the first row, we managed to get stuck behind a pillar with an obstructed view. We still greatly enjoyed the show, but try to get center-stage view whenever possible. They did fully disclose this before I purchased the tickets over the phone, and when I thanked them they took off a few dollars off the seat prices, which was great :)
So, completely hilarious, can't wait until I have my next excuse to go! Definitely a great alternative if you want to take a break from the bar scene.
ABSOLUTELY HYSTERICAL!!!  This was a perfect event for a large group (or even if you are  flying solo).  We got tickets for the 10pm show,  which then go us into the midnight show, "Raunch", free.  We had a mix up with tickets, and didn't purchase enough.  We had to buy 2, seated separately, earlier in the day.  Once we got there, we asked if there was any way to get the 2 put together.  Luckily the manager switch out the tickets for 2 front row seats, that they were holding!!  Great service!!
The show itself was amazing.  Lots of laughs, and we all loved it.  They are all very talented and there is a ton of audience participation.  If  you stick around for
"Raunch", the spectators are just as funny. Â Most of them are drunk and add to the comedy.
The seats are crammed in there, so be prepared to love your neighbor!
Would recommend to anyone visiting Boston!
Full disclosure: my wife worked at the the Improv Asylum for years (as an usher, then in the box office, then as a manager) and I worked in the box office part-time for a few months. Many of the employees and actors, past and present, are close friends.
But that doesn't take away from the fact that this place is an absolute blast, a great place to see hilarious sketch and improv comedy while enjoying a drink or two or three.
There are a variety of different shows, every day except Monday, and feature pre-written sketch comedy in addition to their bread and butter: improv.
I've taken improv classes (here), and I have to tell you: it's not easy. But these actors make it seem painfully simple, because they're very, very funny, and really, REALLY good at what they do.
The front room where the box office is located has a bar that serves beer and wine (get to the show early, especially on weekends, because the bar line tends to get a little crazy). Bring your drinks into the theater (a 198-seat venue, in the round), relax, and be prepared to laugh until your sides hurt.
As I mentioned before, if you like what you see and want to try it out for yourself, the Improv Asylum also teaches improv classes. Even if you don't want to seriously pursue improv, the classes are a lot of fun and it's a great opportunity to make friends.
Improv Asylum has been a staple of Boston's North End for the past 14 years, and there's a reason for that: these people are very, very funny.
I randomly stumbled upon this venue when I was looking for something to do one night during my trip to Boston. I purchased tickets from a discounted ticket website, Bostix, to see the NXT Cast in "Lost in Boston", a pretty loosely-scripted improv show. The show was about 2 hours with a 10ish minute intermission.
The stage is in the center of a basement with a 5-6 tiers of chairs on each side. While choosing seats was not an option when ordering the tickets from that particular website, we were seated right up front. They really interact with people and many are involved in some of their improv skits in some way. My boyfriend was even asked to dance at some point.
The show itself was great, very funny. I thought the venue was nice as well. They had an area for purchasing drinks when you first enter. It seems to be where people were hanging out before the show. There were people celebrating various special occasions, including a birthday, a bachelor party, and apparently a group of freshman were celebrating their first semester at MIT.
I would highly recommend this venue for comedy shows whether you're a tourist or a local. I think they also offer improv classes here.
HIL-AR-EEEE-OUS. Seriously I dont understand how people can be this funny.
Best show I think I may have ever seen, I was laughing out loud for the full time. I could have sat and listened to these guys all night
They get people from the audience to call out some topics and they perform skits based on them. They also have some skits that they planend out by the improv ones they do are definitely better
My girlfriend and I were in Boston for Labor Day weekend and were looking for a little more to do than just go to bars and drink. Â She found a comedy show at the Improv Asylum. Â We went in on Sunday night. Â The place was packed with people of all ages including a 30th birthday party, a large group of MIT freshman, and a bachelor party. Â Maybe it was just the show we saw (Lost in Boston), but we had a great time.
The venue is in a little basement space. Â You go downstairs and there is a kind of welcome room where you can pick up your tickets, get drinks and use the bathroom. Â It is the hangout area before the show and during the intermission. Â The performance area is a small wooden stage in the middle of 4 pillars. Â Four or five tiered rows of fold out chairs completely surround the stage. Â We were lucky enough to get tickets in the front row. Â I had no idea that we were getting these seats until we picked up the tickets. Â Maybe there is a way to select your seats but I wasn't given the option when I bought the tickets.
Bottled beer was $5 and draft beer was $6. Â They actually had a few nice beers for such a small venue. They also had wine. Â I can't remember if they had mixed drinks or not.
I would definitely recommend this place to anyone who is looking for a good time in Boston.
I would leave off two stars for the treatment I received from the bartender, but the act was incredibly funny. We reserved tickets in advance, for a low price we were happy with. However, the senior female bartender (I can tell since she assisted the other bartender in checking out IDs) greeted me with rude, uncalled for comment about a blemish on my face. Totally uncalled for, that ax-wound really put a damper on my night. I hope she gets fired and learns a little more respect before getting into customer service.
The show, however, was absolutely hilarious. The actors used the audience extensively, but not in an obnoxious way. I loved their reenactment of a bachelorette and her fiance's life together. Good cast, great show, I was sad when it ended.
Awesome way to spend an evening with a date, family (not kids), or friends. Â Most of the actors are absolutely hilarious so even if you're not a theater-type person, you'll definitely have a good time. Â I've gone twice the the Mainstage show and had a blast both times. Â They change up the material so it's never the same twice.
The venue itself is awesome. Â It's a dark basement right in the middle of one of Boston's busiest streets. Â It's fairly small and intimate, which makes you feel special even though you only paid $15. Â Spoiler alert they like to poke fun at the fact that they work underneath a CVS.
The fact that Improv is conveniently located right on Hanover Street makes it possible for a whole evening out. Â Dinner and drinks at a nice Italian restaurant beforehand, laugh your ass off at the show, and stop by Mike's Pastry on the way out.
***QUICK TIP***
Purchase your tickets the day of the show at one of the two BosTix booths and get your tickets for half price. Â You're welcome.
Advance tickets to the Improv Asylum were a must for a bachelor party that took us all over Boston - and in general, I would say advance tickets are generally a good idea no matter what the occasion.
Our group was mediumly-drunk by the time we made our way to the North End, so we were a fairly optimal combination of neither insanely rowdy nor insanely quiet.
Our seats ended up being in row D, which is only 4 rows up from the front -- but for a show that, for the most part, doesn't use mics, the closer you can get the better. Â We also had a fan blowing on us the whole time, which was nice (basement, cramped, breathing, people, hot) but was a second deterrent from optimal volume.
I've been to a show before with my girlfriend and we both had a great time, so I had high expectations for hilarity once again.
The people were just about all the same, and they are an excellent cast. Â The pre-written material was different and relevant (Apple jokes galore), and they did a great job with the improv part - they rolled with everything the audience suggested, even the really random things that were blurted out by the guy in the front row whose girlfriend/wife obviously dragged him there against his will that was determined to show her that improv isn't as fun as she thinks it is. Â Comedy perception fail.
We all drank buckets of fairly priced Sam Light, and were invited to the midnight Raunch show for free as a thank you for attending the 10:00 show. Â We would have stayed, but we had other plans -- very much bar related.
Since a lot of the show is improvised it can be either hit or miss. Â The first time I went it was their Saturday "Raunch" show at midnight and tickets were only $10. Â The actors were drinking which I think allowed them to get a little goofier and say crazier things. Â The comedy was really funny and it felt like a bunch of drunk people having fun.
The second time I went was for the Saturday show at 10 pm which cost $25. Â The comedy wasn't nearly as funny, especially the improv. Â Improv is not easy and the actors were struggling. Â I saw one of the actresses yawning in between acts. Â Both times I went it was very hot in the underground theater. Â
The best way to do the Improv Asylum is to go on a Saturday night to the Raunch show. Â The actors are drinking, can say whatever they want and usually do. Â Plus it is cheaper (although the Raunch show recently increased in price to $15). Â I would also recommend getting tickets a few days or a week in advance so that you can get a front row seat and not have people's heads blocking your view. Â If you do get tickets the day of the show, go to one of the BosTix booths in Faneuil Hall or Copley for a discount.
This was the first time I've ever been to an improv show. Â My only experience before this was watching Who's line is it anyway? on TV.
I have to say that it was a great show and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. Â
There was good balance of sketches and improv. Â There was good audience participation and the improv artists never froze up. Â They had pretty relevant material and their jokes didn't get old. Â The audience participation was pretty funny. There were a fair amount of old, drunk people, which made the experience pretty fun as well.
Final Remarks: Hilarious! Great place for entertainment! We got tickets at the door just fine and you can get dinner before or after right nearby. Â Definitely check it out if you have never been to an improv show!
This place was great. The atmosphere is simple and yet so fun. I love the way the stage is surrounded by seats, and no matter where you sit you are right up on the action. I had been to this place a few years ago and was not overly impressed, but I took my fiance for her birthday and was blown away this time around (I guess that's the chance you take with improv). Â
The cast is just so good, and great at getting people involved. I'm generally hard to please when it comes to comedy, yet found myself laughing consistently throughout the show.
One last tip: I was told my seat was $5 off because it was "obstructed view," so I was a bit skeptical upon arrival....Now I think I will REQUEST obstructed view each time and save myself the $5 (or at least spend it on beer). I could see everything and was completely satisfied with my seat.
Hit up Mike's afterwards for a truly fun night.
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