Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre
(Now Closed)Comedy Club, Performing Arts Venue, and Indie Theater
Chelsea, New York
The experts at Time Out New York and Village Voice recommend this place
169 Tips and reviews
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The Corcoran GroupMarch 5, 2013Make reservations, otherwise you'll be demoted to waiting outside. Friday nights see The Stepfathers...or go late night for some Liquid Courage - you can perform at that one, if you dare!
Jisu PJune 5, 2014$10 for a ticket. Totally worth it!! They are all hilarious. If you are going to a weekend show at night, make sure to get there early because the line gets extremely long.
Mary MullerNovember 11, 2013We got there at 7:30 to wait in line for tickets to the 9:30 free show on Sunday (they pass them out at 8:15) and were put on standby, but still got in. If you want to be sure to get in, show up early
Clare StarrsOctober 28, 2017Bought tickets online in the morning. We got in line at 8:30pm to make sure we got a good seat. We saw the stepfathers at 9pm which was great!!!! So funny! Definitely worth more then the $13 it cost.
Richie StarkOctober 8, 2015Asssscat 3000 free show (9:30) was awesome. Get in line around 6:50 with friends (and other things to help kill time), get tix at 8:15, eat/drink, come back at 9:15, sit down, and laugh your ass off.
Maria MarquesFebruary 5, 2013Whiplash. Up-and-comers and established comics trying out new stuff. With recent drop-ins including Chris Rock, Aziz Ansari, and David CrossMonday, 11pm • Free, but reservations recommended
Nicole NazarioAugust 22, 2010Stepfathers at 9 on Fridays. Don't forget to reserve online, then get in line early (by 830 at least) or you'll be sitting on the stage on my feet cause I'll be sitting in the front row (I get there
Alice AndersenDecember 28, 2014Great string of stand-up comedy on the cheap $5 after midnight. Not far from Barcade (Bar X Gaming Arcade) if you need to kill a few hours before the show!
John SwordsAugust 22, 2014Make reservations in advance on their website. Arrive early for your show and bring an umbrella if it's likely to rain because they queue everyone on the street.
Greg MaughanSeptember 7, 2014Mecca for emerging comics in the United States. If you want to be ahead of all your friends and see people before they become household names get here immediately.
Jackson GallagherAugust 12, 2014Whiplash on Mondays at 11 is awesome and free. If you get in line 60-45 minutes before the show you will get great seats.
Lauren AlexaSeptember 29, 2016❤️They have tons of late night free shows to pick from! I would recommend the Sunday night improv.
Renato BesabeJune 26, 2014Always a good time here! Stop by Moda Espresso & Wine bar before the show. Free Italian appetizers with the wine!
Robin JohannsenMarch 16, 2015If you are a lady into improv, you MUST go to the monthly Lady Jam. Such a fun, supportive and creative environment.
Affinia Hotel CollectionAugust 20, 2012Arrive early for the best seats, and be prepared for some major laughs. It’s where some of Saturday Night Live’s most famous alumni got their start!
Jamy DrapezaFebruary 15, 2013IMPORTANT: ARRIVE EARLY, ESPECIALLY IF YOU RESERVED TICKETS. Lol made the mistake assuming 15 minutes early was enough. Not a lot of seats, but me and the 50 others are willing to stand for this.
powDecember 16, 2016check they website for a program. Wait in other line if it's full - you might get a spot on the floor. Or wait for free tickets in another line for night show.
LizzyApril 5, 2013Every show I've seen here is hilarious! Price is great, and you spend the night laughing with your friends. Nothing better!
Jonah EatonMarch 25, 2016Reserve tickets online and get there 30 minutes early to get the best seats. Ridiculously cheap beer.
John DerevjanikJuly 4, 2011Get there early for the free show, or be prepared to stand, but even at standing room only Asssscat is worth it. Plus, you can't beat the price! #toptuesday Read more
Christen ClinkscalesApril 25, 2015Great space and an awesome crowd. The #deaddadsclub was an amazingly funny and touching performance
MetroFocusNovember 9, 2011T.V. Personality Edie Magnus suggests you attend one of the cheap yet hilarious improv shows or even try your hand at it and take one of the UCB classes. Learn more about Edie and UCB on MetroFocus. Read more
Jane BarnesJuly 27, 2013Fun, unpretentious, serious talent. Go see Dion Flynn and his 325 personalities! When I lived nearer I used to go every week.
Tickets are cheap, beer is cheap, you will laugh. Harold Night is the epitome of New York comedy, so make sure you go on a Tuesday.- David MilbergAugust 8, 2016You never really know who you're going to see here but they are always funny! Definitely worth a few visits!
- Maria MarquesFebruary 5, 2013The Stepfathers – One of the biggest headlining improv shows at UCB, described as a "supergroup of improv veterans," including Chris Gethard, Zach Woods, and Will Hines. Friday, 9pm $10
Laurent MagloireJanuary 9, 2012Asscat on Sunday nights is the best. DC Marathon in summer is a pretty funny experience too - with 24/3 running performances.
If you want a fun, cheap place with awesome improvisers, come here! You will not be disappointed! I am here every day and I love it!
Hey Ryan, I hope you were able to get a seat when you came to UCBT. Our shows are like popular movies: you can get a ticket in advance, but the earlier you arrive the better your seats will be.
StageBuddyAugust 2, 2013Don't take it personally when they herd you out and away from the theater after the show. The Molly Wee Pub on 8th ave is a great place to have drinks after. Read more- StageBuddyAugust 8, 2013Show up early especially for free shows, otherwise you may not get in! Read more
Check out Grandma's Ashes (improv team) on Saturday night and ASSCAT 3000 on Sunday. Your best bet at a celebrity appearance is ASSCAT.
Amy CummingsApril 30, 2017Great comedy and you can't beat the price! Grandma's Ashes was really funny.
If you like funny things, you should come here. If you like grocery store basements, you should definitely come here. See everything you can!
Time Out New YorkOctober 31, 2011UCBT is the best place to laugh at funny people before they end up on TV. Nearly every sitcom on NBC’s Thursday-night lineup features performers who honed their craft at the Chelsea venue. Read more
Caitlin StrandbergNovember 21, 2011Go on Sunday for ASSCAT3000. You'll likely see some former SNL cast members and a rotating cast of recognizable writers/actors performing. Get tickets online the week before.
The best shows here are Rejection Show, Variety Shack, Stripped Stories, The Nights Of Our Lives,7 Second Delay, Totally J/K, and of course Assssssscat 3000. Awesome shows, awesome theatre.
Jimmy KastnerAugust 7, 2017This is a neat little underground theater. They like to rush you in and out. Sorry, no pictures.
Multiple comedy shows a night, seven nights a week. Cheap drinks. Cash only.- StageBuddyAugust 2, 2013Harlod Night and Maude Night are musts. And reservations for them are a must. Read more
MistercavesJuly 21, 2013Make reservations and get your ass in line early, at least 30 min. if you want to be well seated.
- Maria MarquesFebruary 5, 2013ASSSSCAT 3000. This improv show remains unchallenged for best improv show in the city. Also includes an interesting guest monologist. Sunday, 7:30pm -$10 • 9:30pm – Free, tickets distributed at 8:15pm
Shows are typically $5 during the week and $10 on Friday/Saturday. It's one of the best comedy deals in the city.
CompassJuly 23, 2013The improv comedy group that produced Amy Poehler, Fred Armisen, and countless other comic geniuses has its New York roots in Chelsea.
Hannah SerenaApril 5, 2014Best improv in New York, period. Come on a weekday to avoid crowds and a weekend to say hi to Amy and Seth.
Get there earlier then you think. The lines get long real quick.
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Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre
307 W 26th St (at 8th Ave)
New York, NY 10001
United States
New York, NY 10001
United States
The Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre, originally brought to New York in 1996, has earned itself the reputation as New York City's best comedy club, bringing world-renowned comedy acts, classes, and open mics to New Yorkers for over a decade...
Permanently closed (Show more)
- Mon–Sat
- 5:00 PM–Midnight
- Sun
- 2:00 PM–Midnight
(212) 366-9176
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"Classic establishment in Chelsea - walk in and feel like a local. They have reasonably priced drinks and bar food. What's not to like?"
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Nicole Martin - 5.6
"I love this place. Very nice environment. Good food and drinks. I recommend this place. Will be returning there sometime springtime or summer."
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