We returned to Tempe Improv to see Eric Eatons "Magic for Adults" show. We showed up about 30 minutes before show time & got seats that were very close to the stage, but we were off to the far right corner, so the view of the stage was not the greatest. The show was hilarious though & we had a wonderful time. This makes for an awesome date night. One thing I did not enjoy is that I was seated across from my husband, I would have preferred being next to him, so we could talk to one another a bit easier... We did not order food, but I got Sangria. One of the best Sangrias I have had, to be honest! I was very disappointed to hear that a single shot does not qualify for the "2 Drink Minimum". I feel that should be mentioned on the menu for guests, because if I had ordered the shot, assuming it counted, I would have been furious! I also think it's a bit ridiculous that you cannot order food in place of the drinks? As long as people are spending money on something, why should it matter???? We had a good time, and will be back in the future. I just hope that they will consider modifying their business structure in a way that makes a little bit more sense. read more

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Last night, I went to Improv Tempe for the first time to see comedian Jared Fried. Surprisingly, the venue is large yet intimate but what's always questionable about comedy clubs in general are the funky seating arrangements, the table setup--the chairs are so close to each other that it can feel like you're sitting on top of others while at your table. The ambiance is good all around, the staff are friendly, and the menu options are decent. I would suggest more non-alcoholic beverages options but their food options are good. The audience was engaging for the most part with the exception of some people that were VIP and happened to be seated in front of me. Two couples on a double date had such dry personalities and apparently forgot how to laugh. In some cases during the show, their lack of engagement and energy made the comedian sense a level of awkwardness, but he carried on his engagement well while others laughed in appreciation of his humor. At the end of the show, he welcomed fans to take photos with him, which I did. I caught the 7pm show which ended early enough to enjoy the rest of the evening exploring other establishments nearby. Overall, this is a great venue. You get a little of everything to make your visit enjoyable. The club is easy to find, parking is free but can fill up fast as there's other shops and a grocery store that share the same lot. If you're not familiar with Improv Tempe, definitely enjoy a night out seeing any comedian here. I'll be back again. read more

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My server Maddie was such a sweetheart! I ordered the chicken Sammie with fries and raw veggies, came out great! Comedian Pat McGann and the crew were great! I came back again to see Jared Freid. Another great experience this time with server Tyler! Totally went above and beyond! I ordered pretzel appetizer read more

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Let me start by stating this is the first negative review I've ever given. At first everything was fine. I ordered and the food and service was mediocre at best. My total bill was $110 and some change. Not a problem. I used to work in the service industry and I always tip in cash to help the server out. I still tipped $30 even though the server could've done a better job. Then I look at my bank account and I got charged $168.70. At that's absolutely wild to me considering the girl put that tablet thing in my hand and I manually selected no tip and just paid the bill because I was leaving a cash tip. So that means they went back into the system and manually overrode my transaction. And let's not forget that out of the 5 "comedians" they had on stage 4 of them only had "jokes" about politics. If I could give negative stars I would. read more

We had a great time seeing Joe Dombrowski! The service was good, the staff were really friendly, and the food and drinks were awesome. read more

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Tempe Improv Nice intimate venue to see a show and be as close as you want to the stage or performer. Stan Chen was one of the opening acts that is a local, he did a great job and was excellent to listen to. Wonderful local humor and great delivery. Jiaoying Summers was as good as expected, she starts off her show with her comedy side and then ends with her "what species are you?" So funny and if you want to be a part of her show and are Asian, sit toward the front, you will certainly be spoken to as part.of.her show. Ordered endless sodas that came out in a carffe, of course could not drink the entire thing. Pretzels were nice to have, good size warm and soft, go.for it French Fries also a nice appetizer to have with the pretzels Was a great evening of entertainment and laughter. Have fun read more

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Another fun evening here with 2 headliners and a funny host! I like to see comedians whom I've not heard of but I'm sure that they're all famous and well known comedians. I confused the times and we ended up coming too late for the first show, but the nice lady allowed us to attend the later show instead, which I was extremely grateful for. I'm sure that she felt sorry for me after seeing that I'm here often and sometimes, I go alone to get a good laugh! I'm learning to enjoy my own company more often. I am not a fan of sitting upfront and the lady who walked us in, was like speedy Gonzales leaving us behind when taking us to our seats! I wasn't sure if we were supposed to be following her because it felt like we were stalking her since she was speed walking!!! Because we didn't like our seats as they were literally directly in front of the stage, we asked another employee if we could move further back instead of being at the stage. The employee allowed us to move to a seat that was more appealing. The upfront seat was smothering as they seat you extremely close to one another which is disturbing! The lighting was literally above our heads as well, which was definitely not comfortable! There's plenty of space inside and it wasn't a full house therfore, I'm not sure why they seat you so close knit! I'm literally talking, sitting on the next person's lap!!! I've gone here alot and have never had this experience. Thank you to this establishment for always catering to me when I'm here and allowing me to sit where I'm able to breathe . Recommendations: I suggest you add covid restrictions and space seating within arms length space in between, the next human, otherwise, I'll wear a suit that makes me appear obese just so, I can sit further away from human stacking! Respectfully!!! I will have to request counter top seating in the future because sheesh ...the hacklin in my ear by the lady next to me, caused me to be death for 48hrs after the show ended! There's plenty of parking onsite! Of course, I'll return but I'm definitely requesting a eat away from the state on the floor. That's just not my vibe! We ended up having a wonderful time though! Btw our waiter was awesome and deserves 7 months off with pay and benefits!! He understood our pain of not wanting to sit as if we were the steak in between 2 baked potatoes(Respectfully and not in a mean way). Thanks to the entire crew including, speedy Gonzales! Everyone here is so nice! read more

On Friday, March 21st. the show featuring comedian Chad Daniels was a five star evening! The event was well organized, lines moved smoothly, perky staff and a clean venue. Service from the wait staff was outstanding. However I did dock a star for the calamari which was a let down. Barely warm and it had the taste and texture of yesterdays leftovers. The accompanying sauce was a mystery. Was it salsa? Ketchup with chunks? Marinara sauce? Nah, couldn't be. I don't know but whatever it was....... tasteless and the odd texture left me regretting my $17.95 appetizer order. On the other hand, the Caesar salad $15.95 was good and fresh tasting with the parmesan cheese shavings on top. Despite the calamari, the night was a memorable experience and I will probably be returning. read more

Bassem Youssef "Belly of the Beast" - Tempe, AZ (11/1/25) We came to see Bassem Youssef, a man who speaks truth to power and defends human rights -- but the real "Belly of the Beast" wasn't his show, it was the venue itself. From the moment we arrived, the staff made it clear that basic decency wasn't on the menu. We showed up early, spent over $170 on food, and politely followed their strange seating rules. But the second we stood up -- thirty minutes before the show even started, in a half-empty room -- to say hello to friends, the employees descended like hall monitors on a power trip. They barked orders at us to "return to your seats" as if we were misbehaving schoolkids. It was embarrassing, unnecessary, and downright insulting. We weren't drunk, loud, or disruptive -- just existing in their space apparently offended them. And the final punchline? They kicked us out without a refund. After taking our money, serving us food, and treating us like trash. This venue is everything wrong with customer service today -- rude, arrogant, and completely devoid of humanity. It's ironic that we came to support a comedian who stands for freedom, and instead witnessed the kind of small-minded control he warns about. Do yourself a favor: skip this place. You'll leave angrier than when you came -- and not because of the jokes. 11/4/25 Reponse to Matt Updated Response: As seen in some of your other replies, you continue to shift blame onto customers rather than taking accountability for your employees' unprofessional and bullying behavior. We were not in anyone's way, nor did we interfere with their ability to work. Your response feels like a smokescreen to distract from the real issue -- the lack of genuine customer service, the rudeness, and the egregious way your staff used their authority. read more

I've been to Tempe Improv twice, both on weekdays for burlesque performances. Located in a busy shopping center along with Cane's, Trader Joe's, and several other restaurants and bars, parking isn't plentiful but you'll find a spot (at least on weekday evenings when I've gone). Tempe Improv, along with its sister venues, Desert Ridge Improv and Stand Up Live, mostly show stand up comedy. My experience has been both pleasant and frustrating. Let's start with the good stuff. I've sat both in front in the back and close on the side, and the views of the stage have been good. There are booths, table seating, chairs, and high tops. They will sit you where they would like based on how many are in your party and the ticket type you purchase. Now for the not so good. On my second visit, I had two tickets. My companion accidentally went to the wrong venue and ended up being 20 minutes late. I explained to the lady working the box office and she told me that they only seat groups when everyone is there. I explained the situation to her, and that I would be missing part of the show due to this, and she was quite rude, argumentative, and showed a total lack of empathy or understanding. I didn't catch her name but she's an African-American lady. I proceeded to ask for a manager and had to ask four or five times until she accommodated my request. The manager proceeded to make an exception and seated me so I didn't miss any of the show. I understand the intent of this policy at Tempe Improv, but it's one that creates a very bad experience for the customer when mishaps happen. I also didn't appreciate the tone that the lady at the box office had with me. A little better customer service goes a long way. Another policy they have, which is common at comedy clubs in Phoenix, is that you have a two-drink minimum per guest. Which is also a bit annoying because it's forcing people to buy drinks or food, even if they're just there for the show. Overall, nice venue that hosts some cool events and comedians. The policies just leave something to be desired (I will say that i've been to Improv Houston and there was no issue with my guest arriving late at that location). After the show, check out Society next door for a drink. It makes for a convenient spot. read more

After new management or something the way they operate is awful. As a tight-knit master program at ASU we obviously have a running fantasy league in which the loser does standup. Last year was perfect but this year was horrible in our eyes. We had a very large group in which we were very understanding of their operational constraints but they were beyond resistant to help us in any capacity to the point we were scattered all over the venue with one person sitting all alone. There was more than enough room and seats all around (and last year had even more people at the show). Last year was very accommodating to our large group but this was just shameful how they operated. The future standup punishment looks to seek another location unfortunately as we saw the lack of accommodation and kindness from staff at this location. read more

If you're looking for a quick review - entertainment was amazing! Go for that but don't plan on going for the food and drinks. Overpriced, cold, and "meh". Oh you saucy devil...you want more! Ok ok...read in... Let's start with the obvious ...I searched far and wide to get an actual breakdown of what the "2 drink minimum" means. Because if you're going to make a 2 drink minimum policy, for gods sake, just be transparent about what fulfills that. I didn't find it anyplace (even asked that lil' AI fellow on their website). Let me share what I didn't know until I sat down at my table... *1 bottle of wine - fulfills the 2 drink minimum for 2 people *1 bucket of beers- fulfills the 2 drink minimum for 3 people *Everything else, ya gotta order 2. *No, a glass of water doesn't count but a bottle of water will (but come on, you knew that ) Personally, I think the drinks are pretty overpriced, especially if you're requiring me to get two. And before you come for me, the red wine I got is $11 a bottle in the store and they're charging $50. A soda is $8. A margarita is $18 (ugh. Ok it's $17.95 but let's be real, that's $18). It's clear....ya'll are serving some SERIOUSLY overpriced drinks. Food wise- eh. The fries were also overpriced and cold, BOTH sets that we ordered. The wings were decent. Again, not worth the price. Need a visual? Check out the menu prices for the restaurant right next door....compare them to this place's prices.... And I can say, the quality far exceeds at the restaurant next door. (Don't @ me with "oh but this is a comedy club"...I can tell man, the food and drinks are a joke.) If the prices could just drop the price a few bucks, it would be awesome. Like $11 for a margarita, maybe $8 for fries? I can promise you, my drunk a$$ would order more than 2 drinks and a round of fries for everyone. Oh! There's also a 20% gratuity for parties of 6 or more. Overall, yea, you should go, it's a fun thing to do! But realize the food and beverage are pretending to be five star steakhouse when they're really a fast food joint owned by your weird uncle Sal. read more

Tempe Improv - Wings. Take a close look friends, this plate will cost you $18....ugh fine, $17.95 (basically the same thing as $18) - Comedy Clubs Near Me - Tempe, Arizona

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I do not recommend this venue. I was eagerly anticipating my show, unfortunately the operations of this business soured my experience (despite the talent of Noel Miller). Not only did I feel like a cash cow, but I was also unable to enjoy my show. First, I believe that the tickets were oversold. We were seated directly in front of people...such that we were blocking their ENTIRE view. My party had to move our chairs awkwardly apart so that we would not block the people behind us. The people behind us had a table, but we did not. We were given menus that we were expected to hold in our hands the entire time. We felt extremely uncomfortable the entire time. Commonly mentioned is the two drink requirement which will run you around $16 minimum (TIP: order water bottles or a bottomless soda.) It is listed on the website and although overpriced, I would not have minded paying, had I had a table to put my drink on. Food does not count towards your two drink minimum. The servers were constantly blocking the view and speaking too loudly. It was very distracting and we missed many parts of the show. When I am paying $35 tickets + $16 in drinks for tickets, I expect to enjoy the show in its entirety. What truly offended me was the fact that the servers were instructed to keep pestering you until you get your full two drinks. Which is the part that made me feel that this is daylight robbery. The quality of the actual show itself was good. No technical issues, I was seated quickly, and did not wait too long in line. That was the only good part. I hope the business can understand the customer's perspective and consider updating some policies or operating procedures, because currently I feel like a cash cow. I will not be back. read more

It has been a few years since I have been to the Tempe Improv and everyone in my group had a great time at the Nicki Glazer show. We got there early and had a reserved table for cocktails, appetizers, and dinners before the show. Service was excellent and it was a great night. read more

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Wow, $24 for 3 sodas. I'm so shocked, I feel like the price of a $30 ticket plus 2 mandatory drinks is really ridiculous and a crazy money grab. Maybe if a soda was only $4-5 dollars but $8? read more

This place really is a treasure. I'm so glad our area has multiple big clubs that bring in touring comics. I've seen some of my hero's here. They serve good food too. No complaints there. read more

I had one of the worst customer service experiences I've ever had at Tempe Improv. If I could give zero stars I would. Within the first few minutes of being seated, a server accidentally spilled a beer on me, my brother, and another guest. We brushed it off as an accident. However, an hour or so later, the same server spilled another round of drinks directly on me again. At that point, I was completely soaked--my shirt, shorts, hair, and even my purse were covered in beer. I had to leave the show, go to the bathroom, and ask someone for a shirt. Staff provided a few napkins and eventually gave me a shirt, but the situation was already extremely uncomfortable and disruptive. Despite this, I was still charged my full bill. I ordered two drinks and a meal, and simply asked if one drink could be removed given what happened. The manager refused, stating the shirt was given "out of the kindness of his heart." When I tried to calmly explain that I had been soaked twice due to staff error, he became confrontational, claimed a beer had already been taken off the bill (I never ordered a beer), and then threatened to charge me for the shirt and call the police if I didn't pay. To make things worse, I was followed out by security. Accidents happen--but how a business handles them matters. Being drenched in drinks twice is bad enough, but being treated this way afterward was completely unacceptable. I would strongly caution others before visiting. read more

The food is good The comedians are a hit or a miss The comedy club doesn't take your credit card in the beginning so when you pay for your food and drinks. Have the server PRINT your receipt to prove you paid when you leave, especially if you are a person of color. Yes it is the 21st century, but racism still exists! A tragic way to end our comedic night. You're laughing or you're crying! SMH Tempe Improv needs to reexamine their policy of how their patrons pay! Always get a receipt! read more

We love going to the Tempe Improv. We always have a good time. On this visit, we did not purchase tickets because we only plan to go to dinner at the restaurant that is next-door. By the way, that restaurant is fantastic! We purchased tickets online while we were eating. It was very easy. The line outside can get pretty long. But once the doors open, the it moved quickly, and we waited less than five minutes to enter. Our server was very kind and helpful. We did not feel like drinking alcohol so he helped us navigate the menu so we could fulfill our two drink minimum. My husband ordered soda and I ordered still bottled water. My husband and I did not like that we could not sit next to each other. We had to sit across from one another and the tables are very very close together. Overall, we had a great time and will definitely be back. read more

Tempe Improv - Inside - Comedy Clubs Near Me - Tempe, Arizona

Tempe improv has super cool comedians. However, the staff is one of the worst I have ever seen in my entire life. Let's start with the curly hair guy in the front. He has no respect for people He acts like he's super cool and doesn't understand what humans are about overall we had a three out of five experience. I wouldn't go back unless they changed their staff! read more

Well my YELPies.. not many pictures because they frown upon it and we get it.. so let's get into it. We had so many laughs and enjoyed ourselves. However, the theatre has good ambiance but, you sit way too close to the people next to you. The tables are in fours and they are attached.. they pack you in like sardines. There are a few very small individual tables meant for one person or for two, only if you don't plan on ordering food. Not a fan of the set up! Now my YELPies, you know I love a good Pina Colada but, it came in a small plastic cup and my water and lemonade came in a tall glass.. please make it make sense. The drink was good but, expensive. I would have purchased another regardless of the price had it been in a glass and a bit larger. We decided on a basket of fries.. HOT, FRESH and ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS but, they gave us one ketchup, you know those little cups they give you at baseball games for your condiments? Well.. that was it for an overloaded basket of fries. We had to ask for two more little ketchups.. I don't think the fry proportion to ketchup ratio was thought out. Anywho my YELPies, the comedians were GREAT and the customer service coming in was good. We will DEFINITELY be back because who doesn't enjoy really good comedians? We just will eat and drink before we come and our two drink minimums will be soda or lemonade. YELPies, go get your laugh on and support the talented comedians and definitely tip your servers when you set foot in the Tempe Improv.. they all work hard. read more

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You can get some free tickets on event brite but it's a 2 drink minimum. The drinks are pretty pricey about $20 each. Even the food is around that price. I got the nachos and was expecting them to be bigger but it was kinda small. It's first come first serve seating. read more

It takes a lot for me to write a negative review. Normally, I'd just move on and never return. But this one feels necessary, almost a public service. What happened at Tempe Improv wasn't just bad service; it was bullying disguised as "policy." And no one deserves to experience that kind of dehumanization. I actually feel bad for the performers who play here, because the management's lack of empathy creates an atmosphere that stifles connection, the very thing live comedy is supposed to bring out. We've been to Tempe Improv before, so we knew about the rigid seating "system," the two-drink minimum (for overpriced drinks), and the tight, shared tables. None of that was new. But this last visit to support a comedian known for advocating human rights was so painfully ironic that we left before the show even started, after being threatened by management. We arrived early, an hour and a half before showtime, to enjoy food and drinks and support the venue. Our waiter and his trainee were kind and attentive. Then, we had a couple of friends arrive about an hour before the show. The staff at the host stand refused to seat them near us, even though the entire theatre was still empty. When we asked why, we were met with sharp, dismissive attitudes instead of simple communication. We accepted the policy and decided to stand and chat near our friends' section still well before showtime. A staff member came by, asked if we planned to return to our seats, and when we said yes, she walked away without another word. Minutes later, a short, aggressive manager came up and interrupted our conversation -- not to clarify, but to threaten. His words: "You need to go back to your seat or leave." Leave? For standing in an empty theatre 30 minutes before a show? When I asked why he was being so hostile, he doubled down, saying that once you're seated, you're not allowed to move. News to us. Nowhere in their pre-show announcements or policies does it say you must remain seated for 90 minutes before a show or risk being kicked out. We had already paid for tickets, food, and drinks. Yet instead of treating us like guests (or even humans) we were treated like a problem to be controlled. And that's really the heart of it: Businesses built on rigid systems instead of basic human respect will fail. This isn't just about one bad manager. It's about a culture that prioritizes control over care, and policies over people. A place meant for laughter and connection shouldn't be run with hostility and fear. Tempe Improv has lost something valuable: the trust and goodwill of the people who come to celebrate art, community, and joy. We came to support an artist who stands for human dignity -- and left because we weren't shown any ourselves. read more

The comedians local and national are always a good show. It is inexpensive entertainment that's joy for the soul. I highly recommend. I always take friends here when they come in town. read more

We enjoyed the show but these hostesses here were bullies and I felt that they purposely tried to humiliate / punish us. It's a shameful practice and from what I read here, this is their mode of operation with seating. To eliminate this I suggest that you can book vip tickets that they let you reserve your specific seats online as you do for a concert. My husband and I attended the Kelsey Cook show last night. Show was great, we enjoyed the food and the show, wait staff was great too . Bought VIP tickets. Our show was cancelled and so the venue changed the date of our tickets. No problem. Arrive over an hour early to eat. Host wanted to put us in the furthest row of tables crammed into the corner which was empty when there were plenty of seats in the middle with a great view. I politely said this won't work as I have a broken arm & this would be very uncomfortable. We went back to the hostess stand and they said that there is no guarantee but you can get back in the back of the line and try again as they seat people to rotate servers. We do this and now they want to place us in the same exact seats but the other side of the stage against the wall. I said that this is the same exact thing as last time. She said you can't change seats once you have been seated and if you don't like it you can talk to the manager. I said ok, we did not actually sit down abc I would like to talk to them. As we are walking back to the lobby I said what are all these other seats behind the vip? She said open seating for general admission. I said no problem let us take one of these and you can keep the extra money we paid for VIP and I sat down. As I mentioned I have a broken arm and was not feeling the greatest. She said you can't do this. I said it should not be a problem as you just said it's not reserved, plus I'm not looking for any money back. She Comes back a few mins later and says you can't sit here & have to talk with the manager. I said fine but left my spouse at the table so someone else doesn't take it.. a few mins later a bouncer comes over and said you both have to move as they usher in another couple with them and want them to sit in our place. (I asked the man being seated if he had bought advanced tickets and he said no that they had just bought tickets at the door. ) We wait some more in the lobby as the manager is understandably busy. When he is finally free I speak with the manager (Mica) who is very nice. After politely talking with he said I'll find you seats which he did closer to the middle in the VIP section. Rest of the night was great but I observed that the no switching seat rule is also not always consistent. A couple sitting in the one row towards the middle row of tables got up from their seats and complained that with the additional people being seated that her large husband could not fit comfortable sit in his seat. Hostess moved then to our table next to us. They do but then our table fills up & they complain again. By now the show is almost ready to start and this row's waitresses recommends that they go to the next row of table where they have some open seats. I rarely complain but this should be brought to the owners attention. read more

So, "two drink minimum" doesn't really mean two drink minimum. please explain to me how it makes sense that 6 beers only counts as 2 peoples minimum when ordering a bucket. then you're gonna tell me it's because you cut the prices of buckets. price of bucket is $60 and the price of 2 beers is $22. so you're going to tell me that a $6 price cut is the equivalent to me havin to now order a bucket plus 2 bears for $82. if i would has ordered just 6 beers would that not have covered it either? clearly against the policy you set in place and you're going to be scummy over $16. sorry but you're policy clearly states 2 drinks. that's 6 drinks, 3 people are covered, but no sorry to the server for my annoyance but your management is pathetic. you guys are a joke. and it really sucks that comics have to preform at these venues that just look to price gouge. will not be back to tempe improv. i'll stick to down town where they follow the policy that is stated on their tickets when purchased. tried to call and speak to a manager but was never connected to one. scummy establishment read more

Thursday evening was my first visit to the Tempe Improv, and we had a great time! We saw Kevin James Thornton - he's hilarious! He had the crowd roaring with laughter. The opener, Tony Tripoli, was also hilarious!! I think he opens there often. They did have a strict no phone policy once the show started, so be aware of that if that's an issue for you. The space was a lot more organized than I was anticipating based on other comedy clubs we have been to. The website says first come, first serve, but they seat you when you come in, you don't get to choose. I liked the layout, and how there were tiers with different heights - I usually can't see if someone is in front of me because I'm short, but I was able to see the stage with an unobstructed view. There is a two-drink minimum, BUT they have some great mocktails and you can even get a soda to count towards your minimum. We both had to get up really early for work the next day, so we enjoyed some mocktails. My favorite was the cucumber highball. It was so refreshing!! We also ordered a couple of snacks - and order of the fries and soft pretzels. The fries were deliciously crispy and we enjoyed the sriracha ranch served with them. The pretzels were pretty bland - no flavoring and hardly any salt on them. They were supposed to be served with cheese and mustard - we only were served cheese. The taste was mid and the texture was like it was old and reheated - I probably wouldn't get those again. Service was great throughout the night. We definitely look forward to returning to this venue for more shows! read more

Tempe Improv - View from our seats - Comedy Clubs Near Me - Tempe, Arizona

My daughter and I recently stopped by for Joe Gatto's set and had such a memorable time despite reading a lot of questionable reviews on here beforehand but our experience overall was nothing but pleasant. The staff were all friendly, prompt with service, no issues at all and we enjoyed our time there so much that we'll definitely be back sooner than later! read more

Awful experience!! I was so excited for the comedy show tonight. We bought 3 VIP tickets weeks ago. We got there 10 MINUTES BEFORE SHOW TIME . But when we arrived they told us, since everyone else was extra early we couldn't sit together. They tried to sit 2 of us together and the 3rd across the room... what! So we sat together in general seating and asked if we could get the 35 dollar difference we paid for VIP refunded back... or even just a drink on the house. Anything. The hostess left to talk to a manager and The answer was just flat out nope. Oh and the drinks tasted like soap . Please wash your cups properly read more

For years I've said I needed to check out a show at Tempe Improv and when I saw Ben Brainard was coming, I immediately made plans to go with a friend. Heck, I prepared to go solo if I had to as most friends don't go out on weekdays. But "I still got it" and looked into booking the show. When looking into tickets, I noticed they do a general admission and then do a two drink minimum, which can deter many patrons. I personally enjoy a drink or two when seeing a show so this didn't deter me at all. Additionally, most shows are first come, first serve unless that show is offering a VIP option. Very glad this show didn't require a VIP Meet and Greet, and it was part of the show. Always a plus to see comedians do this for fans free of charge as I know this isn't dictated by the venue. We arrived just before 6pm as we wanted to ensure we had great seats, and happy to be the first ones in line! The staff let us in around 6:15pm for the 7:30pm show which allowed us to be seated and get settled in. Our first round of drinks was a margarita with tajin on the rim, which was delicious! Great recommendation from our server who was extremely pleasant with great conversation all evening! For my second drink, I went with the Zero Proof Faux-Groni which was delicious! I love the concept of mocktails and I can see myself trying others if I come to another show. The opening act for Ben Brainard was a comedian by the name of Zach Bennett who I was not familiar with prior to the evening's show. He came out with such hype and energy to get the crowd pumped for the show and delivered some solid jokes that had the audience laughing. Additionally, he had some amazing merchandise that I had to purchase after the show! Loved how the venue set up the meet and greet with the merchandise. Very easy to purchase, snap a quick photo, and meet the comedians. Ben Brainard had a very thoughtful set weaving in laughs, thought provoking pieces, and just all around relatable content. I know many in the audience were familiar with The Table reoccurring sketch, and all seemed pleased at his content for the evening as it would be impossible to do that many costume changes to perform live. I've seen both his table talks and stand-up material, and really enjoyed seeing live as I've only seen pieces of the material he did in this set online. Hoping Tempe Improv can bring him back soon as I would love to see this duo perform again! read more

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This place has stupid policies designed to take your money. A 2 drink minimum, food doesn't count towards any minimum cost, and they DON'T state the prices on their non-alcoholic drinks. Here's a smart move... ORDER TWO BOTTLES OF WATER. That counts towards the 2 drink minimum and it's the cheapest drink available. They will try to make you feel you can't do it, by bringing free tap water, but you can still order water bottles. The layout of the room is bizarre and the comedians aren't that funny. Just watch comedy on TV, it's way better and won't cost so much. The business claims the 2 drink minimum allows bringing better comedians. No, it pads your profits in a sneaky way. If you need X$ to bring top comedians, CHARGE MORE FOR THE TICKETS and so the real cost of the evening is transparent. There's no reason other than sleaziness to have artificially low ticket prices and force people to by overpriced, unappealing drinks. $18 for a margarita??? NO. Increase your ticket price by $15 and lower the drink prices. We aren't stupid. Look at your overall review rating! 3.3 stars shows that many people agree with me! That's one of the lowest ratings I've ever seen on a popular Yelp business. read more

Tempe Improv brings in some great comedians. Their seating is set up very well too. The thing about this place is they have 2 drink minimum and that's not all that bad, but the prices are absolutely ridiculous. You're not gonna get a sparkling water for under ten bucks. And if you're hungry the menu has some good looking options. Then you see the price and it turns your stomach. I ordered what they said was a large basket of fries. That turns out to be a small bowl. Literally about a handful of fires. 16 bucks before tip! I saw they had slices of cheesecake too and that looked good. Not at 16 bucks a slice though. My buddy got the copper burger and that came with fries for 18 bucks. The amount of fries that came with the burger was equal to if not greater than the amount of fries in their so called large basket of fries. I will return here to see different comedians, but I'm definitely gonna eat before I go and just remember to bring 25 bucks so that I can afford to have 2 waters during the show. Oh and if you go, definitely get there early because parking is a nightmare if you don't. All in all the quality of the entertainment will keep us coming back. read more

Let's call this 3.5 stars. I've been here twice and it's got the usual 2 drink minimum you see in comedy clubs. On the plus side, they have a lot of options, including mocktails. Drinks can be hit or miss. My friend enjoyed the cucumber mocktail but the bourbon mocktail was awful. I asked for a Captain & coke, and got bacardi instead, which isn't close, and the coke was pretty flat. The first time we came here, it was really chilly. This last time, it was uncomfortably hot. There's plenty of space, though you may end up with a seat facing away from your table, which I don't love. I like sitting at the high tops along the back. Before the show, they play previews of upcoming shows which is fun. As the show starts, they play these really bright flashing lights multiple times, which I found annoying. It's so bright it makes you see stars for a bit. They ask everyone to keep chat to a minimum during the shows, but don't enforce it. The table behind us was talking so much I couldn't hear the comedian. As for food, it's bar food. I'm picky so I don't come hungry. I've had the pretzel, which was meh, and the fries, which are really really good! Both times service has been excellent. This location also has pretty decent parking, though you may need to park a ways back for a Friday or Saturday night show. One thing to call out -- currently the women's restroom is closed for remodeling and you have to go next door to Society to use their restroom. This of course takes a bit longer and just feels weird. The old bathrooms weren't very nice so I hope the remodel is a big positive change! read more

I can't tell you the last time I saw a comedian here, but my has it changed. 2 of my great friends and I got tickets to see Sommore, which we were very excited about. The service was great from the moment we walked in. We bought VIP, so we were seated right up front next to the stage. Shout out to Romeo, our waiter. He was very nice, easy to talk to, and easy on the eyes, too. The food was really good, especially the Chicken Alfredo, and the overall ambiance was wonderful. Everyone was having a great time, and we laughed so hard that our faces were hurting by the end of the show. We will be back for sure! read more

Back again - what a fun time! Great seating options Sold out crowd for Whitney Cummings She was fantastic Fantastic opening act - Tony Tripoli Our server Fathan was very good. We will be back! read more

Tempe Improv - Whitney Cummings - Comedy Clubs Near Me - Tempe, Arizona

We went to the 9:30 show last night, stood in line for about 30 minutes before going inside. That was not an issue because we met some really nice people on the line. They sat us up in the front, but you are shoved in like sardines. My husband's shoulder was touching shoulders with another man. You could barely get comfortable. The waitress came over right away, asking what we wanted to order for drinks. I was FORCED to get the bottomless soda as I do not drink alcohol. My husband ordered a Bud Light. I asked if I could order food, and she said she would be back. Well, she finally came back to take my food order. We were sitting with another couple, but made friends with the couple sitting next to us. She was like oh, is there 6 in this party? I said no, she wanted to add the extra 20% for a larger party. Red flag #1. After we all got our food and drinks, my friends ordered their second drink but my husband was still working on his first beer. He is really not a big drinker either. Long story short, we were coming close to the end of the show, never did she come back to check and see if our food came out alright or anything, and gave everyone their bill except my husband and me. I said where is my bill she said Oh he hasn't ordered his second drink. I was like, really lady, are we doing this? The show is almost over. Red flag #2: She proceeds with I am going to have to get my manager. Well, here he comes, Mr. 4ft nothing, stating there is a 2 drink minimum, so I will add a water. Sir, I am trying to watch the show, and you will not be adding anything to my bill. He says well, I'm going to have to ask you to leave. I get up and walk out; my husband gets up behind me. Now, 3-4 people are having a long, drawn-out conversation in the lobby about a $6 water. This place is making money hand over fist with their elevated drink prices and VIP tickets. If you are going to act like you are losing for 6 dollars, you need to go over your books a little better. What really makes me mad is you have this young lady hawking paying customers who are trying to enjoy the show and disturbing other people and the same time. Not the mention she misses out on her tip. I have been there plenty of times, but after last night, you can best believe me and my family WILL NOT BE BACK. Y'all should really do better, and the way the staff speaks to their customers is beyond me. They were so rude and disrespectful, all for a lousy 6 dollars. I could not believe this. I am telling everyone I know about my experience. Please do not tell me it is stated when you buy the ticket about the 2-drink minimum. I know it is stated, but it is a very stupid policy. How are you forcing people to drink? Maybe they have a drinking problem. Maybe they can't afford to pay an extra $ 5 for a $ 1 bottle of water. Make it make sense, people. Hope you enjoy ruining everyone's night out! read more

While visiting the area, I bought 2 VIP tickets for a comedy show. The pricing was fair and I think it was a good deal overall. It's located in a really busy shopping center and we struggled to find a park after driving around multiple times. We were seated right at the stage and I barely had enough leg room (I'm 5 feet, 10 inches). The show started on time and I actually enjoyed the opening acts way more than the headliner. If you're in the area then I highly recommend as a decent priced way to spend an evening. read more

Tempe Improv - Comedy Clubs Near Me - Tempe, Arizona

A response from the manager which is incorrect. For one I'm not complaining that I had to pay out of pocket for my food. You just came on here and said anything lol smh I'm complaining I had to pay out of pocket for my drinks when there was a 2 drink minimum per person that was included in my VIP package that's why reading is fundamental you just wrong lol next thing I'll address is you did give away me and my homegirls seats so the only thing misleading is your lies yall for sure moved us when we came back from the bathroom we seen yall sit ppl in our seats where we had been seated originally before going to the bathroom ppl will come to your establishment and see for themselves your customer service is shitty and you had no resolution for me when my friend came to get you other than you'll bring our food out which should've been brought out a hour prior to even having to get you. You said everything was sorted out and it wasn't bc again I got charged for drinks I shouldn't have had to pay for bc it came with my VIP package which u should know bc you work there?? Please don't act slow... and your 4th point of me having my first round of drinks out before the show started is the MOST misleading thing you said on here.. the reason I had a drink before the show started other than bc the fuck I can (and there was no point in you mentioning that) is bc while I was waiting on my friend to get out the bathroom I went to the bar that was near the bathrooms/entrance and PAID to have that drink and that one I was advised by 2 staff members was NOT covered in the VIP package bc they had waiters in there that would have came to us but I advised them I know and that's fine I still want to get me and my friend drinks before we sit down officially which I'm glad we did bc AGAIN we got ignored for a hour into the show NO WAITERS came to me and my homegirl so just stop lying it's ridiculous and here again you showing shitty poor customer service. Instead of being triggered by the review maybe just have better customer service? Also I want your boss information too Matt thanks for the reply :) read more

Bought tickets mind you (not free) to see Matt Friend. Staff was friendly but thought the drinks (soda pop and mocktale) were outrageously expensive but Matt the manager at the Tempe Improv responded to my issue and clarified it was a mischarge on my bill. He was very polite and fixed everything. Mistakes will happen but in my opinion what mostly counts is how they are addressed. Appreciate the help and with that kind of service I will be back for more visits to the Tempe Improv. Thanks Matt! - Jon Baker read more

Great venue. Nicely laid out for standup comedy. The staff tries, but are youthful and like most of this era, are undeveloped socially. Employers do not train anymore so as long as you know that going in, you'll at least experience a good show in a nice venue. The VIP package gets you your choice of seats without the long wait in a line, plus you're going to eat out anyway so why not kill two birds with one stone? Food is decent and what you should expect from a comedy club first, restaurant second. I'd come back. read more