It can be overwhelming trying to decide where to see comedy in Chicago. Once you start looking, there’s a seemingly endless list of showcases every week, and, thanks to an embarrassment of riches when it comes to talented comics in Chicago, most of them are a guaranteed good time. Still, there are standouts. This list features the results of a quick informal poll of some local comics—the people who arguably see more comedy than anyone—combined with some of my personal favorites, shows that have inclusive lineups, creative concepts, or were simply just a blast to attend in 2019. Lucky for you, they’ll still be going strong in 2020.
A recent report from the Comedy Club Database (another great innovation for comedy in 2019) showed that less than 1 percent of comics booked at 55 different clubs across the country were Latina. Las Locas Comedy is working to change that. Every month at Dstrkt Bar and Grill the show features a lineup of primarily Latinx stand-ups—and a few lovingly called “honorary locas.”
Everyone loves a good roast. At Toasted, every Saturday at Comedy Clubhouse, stand-ups perform and turn the spotlight on willing audience members with the delicate and time-honored art of the roast. To take the sting out of it, every show ends with a toast celebrating the roasted. v
