Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Drunk Shakespeare - Chicago

    4.7 (205 reviews)
    Closed 7:30 pm - 10:00 PM

    Drunk Shakespeare - Chicago Photos

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - Drunk Shakespeare - Chicago

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Ana G.

    If you're curious be a cat got for it. Even if you aren't much of a fan of the arts this is for everyone. Every talented, it's takes a lot of skills to do a mixture of script and improv. I enjoyed every bit of it. I personally chose the front row great interactions with the cast. You're there for a good time so the. That frown upside down lol they can see you. It is one person who gets drunk and she did phenomenal.

    WaNesha J.

    This was a fun experience! The cast acted out Macbeth. It could get a little raunchy hence the flow of libations. lol This is an interactive experience. The crowd is encouraged to participate. The drinks were really on point.Loved the venue. I give it a 9 out of 10 only because I am not as familiar with the story of Macbeth as I am some of Shakespeare's other work. I do suggest padding on the benches since we are sitting there for an extended period of time.

    Chelsea F.

    My husband and I had a blast here. We ordered our tickets ahead of time and received emails that were clear about when to arrive and that we both needed our IDs. We got a shot when we arrived and they have QR codes by your bench/seat area. Our Verizon service was TERRIBLE in there--so I had to move my phone around to get it to work but eventually figured it out. We got there about 20/25 minutes early. There is crude humor but we both enjoy that so we were giggling/laughing a bunch. It is very interactive and a cozier place. Would definitely recommend eating before since they only have really light bites at the bar you can order (using the QR code). We would definitely go again!

    Matthew B.

    So much fun. It's hilarious, interactive, cultural, and there are snacks and drinks. It's also an extremely intimate performance because you're inches away from the players. Lots and lots of fun

    He was the selected "drunk" for the evening
    Stacie J.

    I'll be honest, I had no idea what to expect! We came here for our company holiday get together and it really was a fun event! A few things to know: -Purchase tickets online beforehand to ensure you can get into the show -Arrive 30 minutes prior to show time to grab a drink, snacks, and use the bathroom -Only 2 bathrooms stalls to share -One complimentary shot of tequila is recommended but not required upon entrance into the studio (take the shot) -Plan to eat dinner before or after the show; available snacks are hummus, chips, mixed nuts, etc -Group of 9 that purchase online receive a discount -IDs are required before tickets are given out -Full bar available -Each seat has a QR code to scan and order food/drinks that are delivered to your seat -You receive a bill at the end of the show to pay for your purchases -The show is very interactive; audience participation is welcomed when initiated by the cast -If you don't like sarcasm or inappropriate humor then this is not the show for you! A good time was had by all! -

    Johannes P.

    Hands down one of the funniest performances I've been to in a really long time! What an amazing cast, location and atmosphere. Forget Harry Potter or any of the other shows in Chicago, get her now you can thank me later. Cheers!!!

    Intimate setting where the actors greet you when entering the stage.
    Nina H.

    My husband and I love to drink and he especially loves his English literature. Combine the two and it makes for the perfect surprise birthday outing in the city. I found Drunk Shakespeare off a recommended review from Yelp friend (Joe C.). After reading his review and seeing the pics, I knew this was going to be an excellent spot to enjoy a show. Funny and entertaining it was. My husband and I doubled over in laughter the entire set. I especially like how they incorporate the storyline with modern day references to make things relevant. They have an onsite bar for convenience with QR coded drink/snack menu found near your seat. Because it's a small stage, the interactions between performers and audience can get intimate. It's all good if you're open to verbal jest just know that if sitting up front, there is a 70-100% chance you'll get picked on by the cast. And I say picked in bold caps. You've been warned. We actually sat in the back because we're not the type to engage. Personally, I like sitting up in the balcony because there is surface area to set your drinks/snacks down. Plus, you can rest your back on the wall of books versus remain slouched over on their benches. Regardless of choice, there is no bad seat in the house. For a boozy night of fun and frivolity, get your booty over to Drunk Shakespeare for a good time. Pro tip: They have light snacks but if you want to eat a meal prior to a late evening show, there is Elephant and Castle, Panda Express and Popeyes nearby. If driving in, I recommend the Spot Hero app for discount parking.

    a group of people in a theatre
    Jada C.

    We had so much fun! We came here to celebrate our wedding anniversary. Drunk Shakespeare did not disappoint! Drunk Shakespeare used the library as a performance venue. It parlayed into the Bard being surrounded by classic and nonfiction works. This helped to set the Shakespearean vibe. When we entered the theater, the actors handed out alcoholic and nonalcoholic shots. One of the actors showed us where to sit. The audience sat on benches on the stage level. This allowed the actors to interact with the audience members who drank. We watched "Macbeth". The Drunk Shakespeare presented the Bard in a different yet fun and clever light. The actors opened with the all too famous witch scene and quickly developed into them taking drink shots. The actors sang while performing "Macbeth". They even introduced "Lennox" in the middle. Lennox spoke sense to the actors. Fun! I highly recommend Drunk Shakespeare. A good way to surround oneself with the Bard's written work. With the constant laughter, fun vibes, lightheartedness, and good acting.

    Puppets and a Dolly wig, all part of the fun.
    Rick S.

    One of the great qualities of Chicago's entertainment scene is the variety of live entertainment options. I had a free evening during a work trip and decided to check out Drunk Shakespeare. Currently running at the Lion Theater in the Loop, the audience surrounds the performance space in a room decorated as an old English library. The premise is that one of the troupe of actors is chosen to consume four or five shots of liquor at the start of the show and then perform for the next ninety minutes a Shakespearean work. The performance I saw featured "Drunk Macbeth" and included the general storyline of the famous play with considerable latitude for references to the current times and plenty of sexual innuendos. The theater serves food and drink directly to your seat location so you can enjoy the performance while enjoying some decent chow and libations. The craft cocktails have a heavy pour - I chose the Benedick, a pleasing concoction including barrel-aged rum, Luxardo (cherry liqueur), coffee liqueur, and chocolate bitters, along with a candied cherry. It was very smooth and I ended up drinking two. The performance was silly as you might expect but it was entertaining. I think downing a few drinks before or during the show will enhance the entertainment value for most people to put you in the right frame of mind. Overall, a pleasant experience. Recommended.

    The stage
    Tom A.

    After going to Second City the night before, Drunk Shakespeare blew them away. Kicked their ass! It's a very funny show and the cast has enormous talent, especially Diego, the drunk for the night. I told him I expected to see him as a famous star. He's got the chops! The whole cast was very good and talented. How they do it is a Magic mystery

    Matt R.

    It's good to be the King and Queen! Sitting atop the royal throne was such an amazing experience: cocktails, Moet & Chandon and the power to decide whether or not the drunk actor took more shots (...of course he did!). Each and every member of the cast is a master of both Shakespeare and improv, which results in a deliciously delirious decent into theatrical chaos. And a special shoutout to our drunk actor, Skylar: from your first shot to your last, you brought it all and you gave it all; thanks for making our evening one we will never forget (and one we definitely want to experience again).

    The actors with the Queen and her advisor.

    See all

    Photo of J E.
    127
    3686
    13208

    1 month ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 1
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 2
    Love this 6
    Oh no 1

    6 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Matthew B.
    1
    119
    344

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Nina H.
    120
    639
    7045

    2 years ago

    Helpful 11
    Thanks 2
    Love this 12
    Oh no 1

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Drunk Shakespeare was fantastic. Cast members were highly engaging and we laughed for a full 90 minutes.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jada C.
    291
    674
    5245

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 1

    10 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    This was fantastic! A night of absolute hilarity and fun! Don't walk - run to see this show! You won't regret it.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Joe C.
    355
    1039
    14229

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Very fine time I definitely recommend. I want to see it again. Good drinks and good service.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Such a fun time! Very fast paced and entertaining. The actors have as much the audience!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    11 months ago

    Had a great time. It was clean and cozy. Service was quick. Comedy was funny. Good time was had.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Kathy V.
    585
    2312
    10933

    3 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Emily R.
    139
    10
    18

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 6

    Drunk Shakespeare - Chicago Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Drunk Shakespeare - Chicago

    I want to go to the venue in Chicago but I have a friend who is lukewarm on Shakespeare and I can't find what play they do at all. Which play do they perform?

    They don't like this being revealed, and different performers in different roles (+ different drunk performers) lend credence to the "different show every night" claim, but DS Chicago currently (6/24/25) only performs Macbeth. Auditions WERE posted… Read more

    We love this show - have taken friends who visit from out of town and seen the show at least 7-8x already. New visitors in beg July and wanting to know what the show will be?We've seen MacBeth here 5 times so really would like something new....

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Review Highlights - Drunk Shakespeare - Chicago

    It's exactly what the name says, one of the 5 actors gets drunk and they perform Shakespeare's Macbeth.

    Mentioned in 31 reviews

    Read more highlights

    You might also consider

    The Second City - UP theater

    The Second City

    4.1(1.4k reviews)
    1.8 miLincoln Park
    $$

    This was my first visit to The Second City and I can't wait to go back!…read more WHAT IS IT: This Chi town staple is a creative and fun theater that offers a rotation of improv and sketch comedy shows. The roster of well known Second City alumni includes greats like Tina Fey, Chris Farley, Amy Poehler, Chris Farley, Bill Murray and more. We saw Improv Supernova and what's great about this show is that no two performances are ever the same. WHERE IS IT: The Chicago location is in the historic Old Town neighborhood which has cute shops, cafes, and restaurants in the surrounding blocks. They also have locations in Toronto and NYC. PARKING and ACCESSIBILITY: There is a garage attached to Piper's Alley. They do not validate. There is also metered street parking which can be limited depending on the day and time. The building has elevators and escalators and the theater has wheelchair accessible seating. FOOD, DRINK, and MERCH: They offer fun cocktails, mocktails, wine, food items, and a selection of candy and snacks. You can also pick up cute merch such as mugs, glasses, shirts, sweaters, and hats.

    First time at an improv show, Second City was a recommendation from a friend…read more The place is really big & well decorated. We got reasonably priced tickets and headed up to the 3rd floor. The space was small and intimate but it was great being so close to the stage. Very cute little spot and fun activity with friends or a date.

    Photos
    The Second City - E.t.c. Theater

    E.t.c. Theater

    The Second City
    The Second City

    See all

    Redhead Piano Bar - Live music

    Redhead Piano Bar

    3.4(876 reviews)
    0.6 miNear North Side
    $$

    If you're looking for a great night out in River North, Redhead Piano Bar is always a solid choice…read more Kaleen Dolan and Michelle have this place moving like a well oiled machine between the music and keeping drinks moving! It has that classic Chicago piano bar feel -- lively but comfortable, energetic without being overwhelming. From the moment you walk in, you can feel the fun atmosphere. The lighting, the music, and the mix of people all come together to create a really welcoming vibe. The staff truly adds to the experience. Everyone is friendly and attentive, and you never feel overlooked. A special shoutout to Michelle, who goes above and beyond to make sure guests are taken care of. She's warm, professional, and genuinely makes you feel welcome, which makes a big difference on a busy night. Of course, the highlight is the live music. The performers are incredibly talented and know how to read the room, keeping the energy up while still creating moments where you can sit back and enjoy the music. Kaleen Dolan is especially impressive -- an amazing musician with a great voice and presence. She connects with the crowd effortlessly and makes every set feel personal and engaging. Whether you're out with friends, on a date, or just stopping in for a drink and some live music, Redhead Piano Bar consistently delivers a fun, memorable experience. Take it from the #1 Steve - this place is TOP SHELF fun!!

    Awesome experience, even if a little spendy. I'd recommend reserving a table - but that hits you…read morewith a $150 minimum spend and an auto 20% gratuity. They do not serve food - so your group (if smaller like ours of three) is in for several cocktails/beers. Overall - worth it and an absolute blast. Wish the seating provided direct views of the piano but the TV on the wall was sufficient. All our requests were played and the singer was fantastic!

    Photos
    Redhead Piano Bar - Back here in the back of the venue. A few tables up front with not posts. But can't sit there

    Back here in the back of the venue. A few tables up front with not posts. But can't sit there

    Redhead Piano Bar - Women's bathroom

    Women's bathroom

    Redhead Piano Bar - Piano bar

    See all

    Piano bar

    Broadway Playhouse

    Broadway Playhouse

    4.3(89 reviews)
    0.9 miStreeterville, Near North Side

    This theatre is a welcome alternative to its larger-scale counterparts in the Loop. It is smaller…read moreand newer, so it has modern amenities, for whatever it lacks in old-school grandeur. Location is excellent, right next to/under Water Tower Place. Please be aware that parking underneath this building is feasible, but only a few doors are open at Water Tower Place after hours, and there are no signs or pieces of helpful info to alert you to this. It gets a bit crowded, nothing serious, but I think I went to a show on a night when few people had any spatial awareness...you say "excuse me" and nobody sees fit to move...weird! The bar lines seemed pretty long, but the bathroom lines were quick. There are multiple entrances to the women's bathroom, so it was a bit of an awkward "zipper merge" that we all laughed about, but this could've been planned better. None of that is enough to take stars away, because the overall experience is amazing. While watching Titanique (a hilarious, unhinged, brilliant parody-style musical), my friend and I found our seats comfortable and with easy sight lines. We are both very short, but our view was not blocked one bit! The stadium seating here is very intentionally done, so it's hard have a bad view. When you're short, it is rare to have this, so I really appreciated it. Also, the theatre is small enough, so even from "far away," you still feel close to the action!

    Fabulous theatre we discovered quite by accident. We had a few hours to spare and discovered this…read moretheatre had a few seats for its showing of Titanique. This is not a huge theatre, but we found it the perfect size with all seats accessible and modern. The full bar up front and the welcoming staff here were also much appreciated. Highly recommend this theater for all.

    Photos
    Broadway Playhouse
    Broadway Playhouse
    Broadway Playhouse - View from C

    See all

    View from C

    UP Comedy Club - We're all in this together

    UP Comedy Club

    4.0(188 reviews)
    1.8 miLincoln Park
    $$

    Great comedy show!…read more Went to She the People (an all-women comedy show by Second City), and it was fantastic. Wait service was attentive as well. Upon arrival, IDs and vaccination cards were checked. At the entrance to the theater, the host checks your tickets and determines where you will be sitting. She asked for my party's preferences on how close we wanted to sit (the closer to the front, the greater chance you'll be asked to interact). Menu isn't super big (one page, drinks on one side and food on the other). I didn't eat a full meal here; just had some curly fries ($5) that came with ketchup and was just the right size for a snack. Fries were tasty and salty, although I ALWAYS wish I had more fries. Seating is pretty close together; multiple parties end up sharing tables since seats are positioned in rows with the occasional table in the middle of some rows. That being said, although I was sharing my table with two other parties (one on the other side of the table to my right and another behind diagonally from me), I didn't feel overly crowded at this venue. As per their website, I brought a jacket to the venue and was the most comfortable wearing it based on the temperature. The show itself was fantastic; as expected, it incorporated feminist themes into the comedy. Pretty funny show! Bathrooms were also open, clean, and had plenty of stalls.

    This review is based on a recent Sunday Brunch at the UP Comedy Club…read more The building complex which includes this club, Second City Club, a fitness center and has an attached parking garage. The building is located on the corner of North Avenue & Wells Street so this place is very convenient for it's patrons. Take the escalator to the second floor and then we had to present our brunch ticket. From there, we were taken into our seating area. The table is basically the railing and the chairs are very close together. Which has it's pluses and minuses. The buffet area is well planned out and has a wide variety of options. This buffet is pretty descent for the venue. The staff was very pleasant and would check in with us for any drinks / clearing of the plates. After, the brunch, there was about an improv show. The show was about 60 minutes. I give the comedians two thumbs up. Let's face it... it's hard to stand up there and give a great show. I would recommend this brunch and show option.

    Photos
    UP Comedy Club
    UP Comedy Club - Before show started.

    Before show started.

    UP Comedy Club

    See all

    Drunk Shakespeare - Chicago - theater - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...