Improvisation Cafe

(323) 651-2583

8162 Melrose Ave
Hollywood, CA 90046 34.0836 -118.3672

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Neighborhoods: Melrose, Central LA

IMPROV.COM

Last updated 2.05.10

Category:

Nightclubs, Restaurants, Comedy Clubs

Payment Methods:

American Express, Visa, MasterCard

Cuisine:

Cajun & Creole

What People Are Saying About Improvisation Cafe

Featured Review

Contributor

Contributor

In Short – At the Improv, it's big-time acts without the big-time attitude of those Sunset Strip clubs. There's no lining up outside. Enter and have a drink at the warm and inviting bar. Sup at the two-level "Hell's Kitchen" restaurant, which offers surprisingly good chow for a comedy club, and get priority seating to the show. The showroom is classic, with the brick wall made famous by years of "Live at the Improv" tapings. After the show, hobnob with the comics who usually hang out at the bar looking for free drinks. –

Editor's Tips

The Extras:
Got a traffic ticket? Laugh off some of those license points at the Improv's Comedy Traffic School. If you gotta spend eight hours learning auto safety, you might as well enjoy yourself.
Save Money:
RSVP with Scott (LINK: "guestlist@gleib.com) before Wednesday to kick all or half of the cover charge.
Fun Fact:
Legend has it, Jim Carrey actually bombed here on his first appearance.
ambiance
100.0% positive
  1. The bartender poured heavy drinks in big glasses and we hung out with some of the comedians, who were gracious and tons of fun.
drinks
100.0% positive
  1. This is a great place to grab a quick meal, have a few drinks and hang out with easy going people.
  2. Great bar!
  3. The bar is great and the prices are reasonable for a Hollywood establishment.
  4. The bartender poured heavy drinks in big glasses and we hung out with some of the comedians, who were gracious and tons of fun.
  5. So, expect the "bar food" to be the best of the menu selection, the chicken wings and chicken strips are great!
food quality
62.5% positive
  1. This is a great place to grab a quick meal, have a few drinks and hang out with easy going people.
  2. We just came home from New Year's Eve at The Improv--the food was awful and the humor was vulgar and rarely funny.
  3. So, expect the "bar food" to be the best of the menu selection, the chicken wings and chicken strips are great!
  4. The food is mediocre, but not bad.
menu variety
100.0% positive
  1. So, expect the "bar food" to be the best of the menu selection, the chicken wings and chicken strips are great!
overall
100.0% positive
  1. This is a great place to grab a quick meal, have a few drinks and hang out with easy going people.
service
100.0% positive
  1. The bartender poured heavy drinks in big glasses and we hung out with some of the comedians, who were gracious and tons of fun.
  2. This is a great place to grab a quick meal, have a few drinks and hang out with easy going people.
  3. Food real good, service excellent, friendly, resonable.
  4. The comedians were fantastic and the wait staff was attentive while practically unseen.
value
100.0% positive
  1. The bar is great and the prices are reasonable for a Hollywood establishment.
wait time
100.0% positive
  1. This is a great place to grab a quick meal, have a few drinks and hang out with easy going people.
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

04/17/11

GREAT TIME AND GOT FREE ADMISSION

Contributor

Went to the Improv with some free tickets and had a blast! To get free comedy show tickets to the Improv, Ice House and more email vinesentertainment@rocketmaildotcom.

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

02/17/10

FRIDAY NIGHT SHOW WAS THE BEST

Contributor

THE LATIN NIGHT SHOWS ON FRIDAYS WAS THE BEST THE LINE UP WAS GOOD AND WAS WELL WORTH IT

  • Pros: EAT DINNER AND GET RESERVED SEATS
  • Cons: IF U DONT HAVE TO WAITE IN LINE
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

01/30/09

Great Comedy Club...Not for the narrow-minded or uptight

by ThatGurrlFromLA

This is a great place to grab a quick meal, have a few drinks and hang out with easy going people. I have been to this location many differrent times and have had fun EVERY time! This IS NOT a 5 star restaurant...it's a comedy club. So, expect the "bar food" to be the best of the menu selection, the chicken wings and chicken strips are great! The bar is great and the prices are reasonable for a Hollywood establishment. As far as the comedy, anything goes...but its always good! If you can't keep an open-mind about contraversial topics and crude humor, not to mention the vulgar language...stay home and watch the comedy sitcoms on Nick at Night-this place is NOT for you! I would recommend this place to anyone that wants to have a good laugh and a great time. Leave the uptight, narrow-minded, conservative types at home where they belong!! ~A Good Laugh IS Good For the Soul~

  • Pros: You can meet most of the comedians after the show. Love the bar!
  • Cons: Limited street parking. You're better off parking valet.
1 Star Rating: Poor

01/01/09

Low quality humor. Not a fun time. Really offensive.

by n8ivenyer

We just came home from New Year's Eve at The Improv--the food was awful and the humor was vulgar and rarely funny. One comic on stage could not cope with a little heckling from an audience member and had him removed by security, although the audience member had quieted down and was just trying to be funny. Afterall, isn't that the point of going to a comedy club? The comedians were not even smart enough to turn the audience's behavior into comedy as one finds in good improv clubs. My recommendation for the New Year--skip this club, unless you wanted to be roughed up by the comedy-club police.

  • Cons: food, quality of the comedians, security guards
4 Star Rating: Recommended

07/26/06

Great bar!

by lorathomas

I grew up in LA yet have little experience with the Improv. Went the other night with my fiance and found it well staffed and very pleasing. The comedians were fantastic and the wait staff was attentive while practically unseen. The food is mediocre, but not bad. The small bar after the show was the place to be. The bartender poured heavy drinks in big glasses and we hung out with some of the comedians, who were gracious and tons of fun. All drinks priced reasonably, including a double Bailey's on the rocks for less than $10! It's not refined or spectacular, but I had a great time tying one on at the Improv.

  • Pros: Mellow atmosphere, great bartender, kind staff
  • Cons: small bar, average foood

The Details on Improvisation Cafe

Place Categories:

  • mediocre food
  • great bar
  • greater shows
  • recommend place
  • big glasses
  • good improv clubs
  • great chicken strips
  • attentive wait staff
  • great chicken wings
  • excellent service
  • reasonable prices
  • fantastic comedians
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