Zanies opened on Wells Street in Old Town in 1978, making it Chicago's oldest stand-up club. In a city famous for improv — Second City is just up the street — Zanies has been the room where pure stand-up lives, hosting every generation of touring headliner in a classic low-ceilinged club space lined with decades of headshots.
The club's size keeps it intimate, and its booking mixes national names with the strongest comics from Chicago's deep local scene. Suburban Zanies locations in Rosemont and St. Charles extend the brand, but the Old Town original is the historic room.
For visitors doing a Chicago comedy crawl, Zanies is the stand-up half of the itinerary — pair it with an improv show and you have covered the two traditions this city gave American comedy.
Upcoming Shows at Zanies Comedy Club
Zanies Comedy Club sells tickets through its own box office, so its shows are not listed on Ticketmaster.
Check the club's official calendar for the current lineup — popular shows sell out fast.