Tiny venue, where they had excellent organisation from the staff. We queued up in front before our show. We had bought tickets online. On the way in, the door person asked for whose name the tickets were under. Boom, done. In we went. So much quicker than all the faff of will call windows and showing a ticket in your phone. Just give the name, and keep it moving. The stairs into the venue are treacherous. This is not the place to risk heels. Wear a sensible shoe so you don't end up on your face. If stairs are a problem, this is going to be a bad time. Once you get in, it's these chairs that are set up for you to sit in to watch the show. Again, the venue is tiny, so if you choose to sit up front like we did, you're practically atop the stage. Because it's such a small space, the actors are able to really show their emotions and actions without being encumbered by sound equipment. You hear their voices as they speak, see their faces emote, watch their whole body go into the character, and are right there to experience it. We were there for almost an hour exactly, as the show's run time was like 50 minutes and change, and the intro and outro was pretty quick. The seats were comfortable to sit in, but if you're a heavier person, you might want to sit at the end of the row, because these chairs don't give you much breathing room. They're all next to each other, so you're up close and personal with your neighbour. Getting out was also really quick. It was so nice to be able to get to a venue, get in, get seated, have the show start, and get out with so little fuss. read more

I'm an artist who enjoys supporting other artists. Under St. Marks helps me do that. I saw an entertaining play (40th and 5th by Mike Lemme) without being ripped off by Broadway's carpetbaggers. Under St. Marks gives ALL of the proceeds to the ARTISTS! They present a drum for donations to support the venue. I really like that. Obviously, no one is getting richer in dollars, but the entire participating community grows richer in art, voice and humanity. What's more, Under St. Marks is surrounded by restaurants. (Save on show tickets and tip your waiter generously.) read more

Under St Marks - I love supporting quality independent theatre. - Performing Arts Near Me - New York, New York

This place changed my life. Don't miss catching a show here! This is where alt theater legends are made!

Very cozy little theater on St Marks place. Came to see a friend of a friend perform in a short play, and I enjoyed every minute of it. Lighting was very good, as well as acoustics in the small space too. Couldnt believe i went to Catholic school with the actress. On a sidenote, due to my ADD, my butt got a bit uncomfortable towards the end of the performances in my seat and I started shifting around a little but there wasn't really much leg room either. Would recommend this place for small performances. read more

Under St Marks - Performing Arts Near Me - New York, New York

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Three bucks gets you in for an Open Mic Night. This space is small, but makes the performances more intimate. The Lightening was great, sound was decent, and the seats were not too uncomfortable *note we got there before they started adding folding chairs to sit in in order to accommodate the packed house. You have the opportunity to witness amateur artists performing music, stand up comedy, poetry readings, etc. They also offer a raffle for free beer or pop tarts as well as a hootenanny between acts. Behind the stage is a green room for the performers and a small garden that offers more space for schmoozing and smoke breaks. It's $3, check it out if you are looking for something to do! read more

This is a great little nook for really intimate performances. I've seen and performed improv at this venue and it's confided quarters focus the room's energy and make just about every show a great time. Every show is a winner. Drinks usually follow at Grassroots (http://www.yelp.com/biz/MhlVUrdazHLpKij1rPlzVQ) after. TIP: No liquor license means you should definitely bring a 6 pack and make friends, just be sure to take you trash with you when you leave. Nothing makes a group of performers more unhappy than to clean up. read more

I love this venue. It's an intimate black box theater full of funny people and cold beer. I see Ben w says they don't have a liquor license, but every time I've been there, they've been "selling" beer, so they must have some klnd of workaround in place. The shows here are usually edgy and incorrect and right up my alley. Most recently, I saw Comedy Igloo, the Canadian-themed comedy night and it was super awesome. Laughed so hard my cheeks were sore the next day. Love! read more

They were kind enough to let me perform there from March 12 to 18. Five stars for that! Come check it out! andrea-solo-show.blogspot.com read more

I like this space. It is small. You can see a show. They will give you beer if you give them monies. read more

I agree with Tasia T --- not just because she is my fiance, and love of my life, but because she hit the nail on the head. For $3.00, this was a great way to spend a Tuesday night. It is little things like the random $3.00 open mic that makes me love New York. Some of the acts were really cool, some really sucked...that is what you get for $3.00 Price and location give it 4 stars, however once they started unfolding chairs until the stage was practically covered, and the performers had 4 feet of space I found it to be claustrophobic. I would rather pay $5.00 and not deal with people continuing to crowd the place after the acts have started. read more

To an extent it will depend on what you're seeing here as to how much you enjoy it. The space is small but nice, with all the seats being good, the stage area visible and looks pretty usable. I don't think it's handicapped accessible, because you need to go down some stairs. They tend to have some interesting shows at this place, maybe not something for everyone, but a big range of theater. Trivia: This place is run by the same people that run the Red Room and the Kraine Theater. read more

Ode to Under St. Mark's (sung to the tune of "Under the Boardwalk" by The Drifters): "Oh when you have an itch to see good shows when you're broooke And all you want is to do something chill with cool folk* Under St. Mark's, down from Avenue B In a seat watching cheap shows Is where you can find me. Under St. Mark's... Out of the suuun! Under St. Mark's... We'll be having some fun. Under St. Mark's... People walkin' above. Under St. Mark's... -- you'll be thanking me because not everyone and their dog knows about it and you can drink cheap beers and see people actually perform something original and awesome... (syllables, schmylables) ( sing it with me! ) Under St. Mark's-- St. Mark's!" (Yeah, I rhymed "broke" and "folk." Better than Steve Miller rhyming "Texas" and "facts is"? Maybe.) read more

Really cool spot made even better by great improv and an audience that knows they are there to enjoy themselves. Under St. Marks is the kind of place you go to for a specific reason or because you went once before and got hooked. If it's your first time going, the descent into a basement with exposed brick walls and a creative use of space might make you feel like you are flash backing to elementary school haunted house parties when your neighbors tried to be clever but you knew it was just your best friend's dad's "garage" converted for the night...and that's cool. I'm down for it. It's homey. I for one had a blast with the show (CPT: Comedy People's Time...you are ridiculous. So dang funny! Check them out next time they roll through.) I was happy to be in the sold out audience. Any time there is a place for this shrinking city's artists it's alright by me. read more

Went there last night. Think it was Big River and soemthing Robot. They were good. And they were pretty cheap. The place is small as hell but they still have a enough room for a bathroom and a "bar." The bar was basically a nice women in a stall next to a frige. But It was all that was needed. They also have some interesting UK import beer (forget the name). IMO UCB was better experience. But you know the troupe either makes or break the experience. So it's not really anything against the establishments. I would definitely go again. read more

We went for the monthly Cabaret and it was very entertaining! It was odd, unforgettable, unique and left us asking ourselves "what just happened", and I can't wait to do it all over again. read more

I am a huge fan (and friend in the interest of full disclosure) of the improv team thank you robot. They have a show here twice a month. For months I have been lame and have not attended but this past friday night I made it through the east village (good god what has happened to this neighborhood or am I just old?) The space is small but there is a bathroom (even smaller) they have a bar and it was a fun show. The only thing was it was freezing (better than overheated for me always) but the AC seemed to be blowing the exhaust fan contents from a nearby eatery-french fries? read more

Everybody touts this as a great space for improv and comedy (which it is) but as a playwright, director, and Resident Artist of this theater (I eschew the tacky "re" spelling) I can tell you it's also a great space for intimate productions of "legitimate" theater. Downtown companies such as The Management, The Beggars Group, Counting Squares and many more regularly stage fully mounted productions here to great success. This space is tiny, yes, but with plenty of character and charm. Not to mention there's booze if the play sucks. read more

I purchased the ticket for the show "Daddy Issue". When I went to the theater tonight, there was two other audiences waiting outside. The theater door was closed and no one was at the theater. I assumed the show was cancelled without any prior notice. It was freezing cold and I waited for 30min outside. I could have used my valuable Sunday evening on something else. I have been going to the theater for 36 years and I have never experienced anything situation like that. I found the "Under St. Mark Theater" unprofessional and selfish. I will never go to that theater for any show again. read more

I performed spoken word at this underground spot. The first time I have went up on the mic and without a shadow of a doubt the crowd was very welcoming. Intimacy is the right word for Under St. Marks. So many different and inspiring acts. I enjoyed my night. read more

Waiting in the cold to get into the theater, cramming into a theater that only fits 45 people, and getting free beer? Oh, the charm of East Village. The space is nothing spectacular but it was cozy and intimate. The show I attended was over crowded, leaving some people to sit on and around the stage area which made it difficult to see the whole picture. I enjoyed the experience despite the downfalls, it was a great show and I would definitely go back if I find something else interesting to watch. read more

Went here last night for a wonderful Frankenstein variety show. It's a basement full of rows of chairs and a small performance space. The potential as a screening venue is interesting. True that they sell beer around the corner back by the bathrooms. In colder weather, it might get chilly, so take a sweater. read more

This theater is literally under St. Mark's. It's pretty tiny but I think for the kinds of shows that they have here, it serves its purpose. I've been here three times now and I come only for the monthly "Told" show which I love! It's hosted by Seth Lind who is the production mgr of "This American Life" (also a great podcast). When I come I always feel like I'm in the know about something cause the place is so small and it seems like a pretty eclectic crowd every time. If you're coming for Told, my rec is not to sit all the way to the right cause then you can't see Seth as he's doing his intro or interludes between each performer. read more

Small space but with no bad seats. They always have interesting shows...I haven't enjoyed every single thing I've seen here but the two selections from Frigid Festival I saw recently were excellent (Saving Tania's Privates and Paradise Lost). read more

Great venue for improv! Small, intimate, full bar, great company. Highly recommended. $6 for improv. A lot of fun.

a great, fun, underground place to watch a show - i went here to watch an improv group for Frigidfest (http://frigidfest.com). the place was tiny, and had a max of around 20-25 seats, which was great in creating a more intimate crowd. which was excellent. but when the show got really good and i couldn't stop laughing, there was no way to drown out my laughter. which was not so excellent. read more

very cool little spot where you can see amateur artists, convivial atmosphere, $3 cover