Lakeshore Theater

Crowned "The Best Place to see Comedy in Chicago" by Chicago Magazine, The Lakeshore Theater continues to bring the best and most ecclectic list of comedy shows, music acts and stand-up stars to the stage. With a full bar, great acts and a prime Lakeview location, Lakeshore Theater is a must-hit for Chicagoans and tourists alike.

The Lakeshore Theater’s mission is simplicity itself: To be an artist-driven theater dedicated to comedy as an uncompromising form of expression rather than a simple means to force herds of hapless customers to buy watered-down drinks and scarf down undercooked chicken wings.

A comedic “Art House” if you will, the Lakeshore Theater is, in the world of comedy, what Kurusawa is to Michael Bay, what Daniel Johnston is to Britney Spears and yes, what Doug Stanhope is to Dane Cook. Every other comedy room in the country plays “top 40” – we play jazz.

The Lakeshore Theater’s artistic director Chris Ritter works year-round with Paul Provenza (director of The Aristocrats) to bring Chicago the very best and most original practitioners of the Art of Comedy from all over the world.

We believe the Comedic Arts encompass many forms. While the Art of Comedy includes stand-up artists, it also includes theater, improv, sketch, music and forms too original and inventive to even be described. Apart from comedy and music shows, Lakeshore Theater also does occasional film screenings, dance battles, industry nights and other specialty shows.