pittsburgh improv

Seen Jon lajioe here and it was awesome very nice place good seats...all around good time...except when the bill came for drinks and I paid over $120 for 6 drinks....I was expecting to over pay but wow...still a great time and would recommend this place

We were here to see Carlos Mencia and he was great, very much cutting edge humor. The club itself is located in the Waterfront area of Pittsburgh, this is were the Homestead Steel Works factory once stood. This area is rich in history, and has been turned into a somewhat upscale shopping and entertainment area. There is a 2 drink or food purchase minimum at the club, which is standard for almost any high quality comedy club. There is VIP seating if you want to pay extra, seating is first in, first seated, there is an usher that seats you. We were about 20 people back in line, and were seated 3rd row center at a table. Needless to say, I was very happy about that. After looking around, I realized that there might not be any bad seats anyway. The Improv clubs have been around a long time, and are pretty much the standard when it comes to this type of entertainment. Overall, I gave this place the highest rating I could because I don't know how they could improve upon anything. Top notch establishment, period.

The Improv at the Waterfront is a great place to go. If you sign up for their text messages you will get offers for $5 tickets, which is when we go. We've been there several times. There is a 2 item minimum (which is why we go when we get the $5 tickets). The drinks and food on average is $10 ea and up which I think is a lot for a drink but since you aren't there that long you don't need more than 2. They usually have 3 comedians and it lasts about an hour and a half.

I've been here twice in the last two months and have enjoyed the entertainment each time (Frank Calliendo & Brad Williams). At the first show my husband and I went to, we were given the chance to donate to the humane society at the end of the show, and they gave us a coupon code to get up to four free tickets for two upcoming shows. The only thing about seating is that it is very tight, so be prepared to get friendly with the people sitting next to you (or with you) if you don't know them. Luckily both times we went with our friends so we didn't have to sit with anyone we didn't know. Since there is a 2 item minimum per person, be prepared to pay $30-$40 for drinks/food. Their mixed drinks are very pricy & food appears to be very small portions (we've only ever ordered the cookies, which btw are terrible). Fountain drinks are $4 and beers are $6 so we tend to stick with those. Other than the pricy food and drink items, this place is a lot of fun!

If you go as a couple, be prepared to have another couple sit at your table. This can make it hard to see as the seating is a little awkward and you may have to turn your chairs around. There is a 2 drink minimum per person, and prices are not listed on the menu. My husband and I paid $40 for our 4 drinks. Definitely something fun to do for a good night out. We plan on going again next month.

This was our first time at the Improv. The comedians were very funny. While we did not eat there, the food looked really tasty.My wine was ok, but my husband's rum & coke left a lot to be desired. Seems they were skimpy on the rum. We will probably go again, if they booked other comedians we would like to see.

The rating I gave based on this experience was because of the comedians. They were hilarious and we always try to come see Bill Crawford. We have been here many times but this time the wait and service were horrible not to mention we were packed in there like sardines cause it was a sold out show. The show was supposed to start at 915pm, doors open at 845. We got in line about 815 to 820, about an hour later they finally let us in. We were froze not to mention standing in heels for an hour, I could barely walk. The actual show didnt start til like 940 or 945 and no apologies or anything for the time we had to wait. There is a 2 item minimum per person, but its hard for us because neither of us really drink alcohol or pop. So we ordered 2 glasses of water and then nachoes and cheese. Brought it out and then later on waitress walked through, tried getting more water but she never even acknowledged us. So had to wait awhile longer and she came back through finally and said i want more water. Now this time the show had started and she then asked if i wanted bottle. Well you didnt ask me that before, you just gave me a glass so why would i want a bottle now? I told her know a glass of water so she moved on and then was going back and forth with my boyfriend while we were trying to listen to the show. She finally said you don't have to get anything else. She never brought out water for me, absolutely the worst service there ever. And i know there is a minimum, if that is the case then charge us for the cheapest thing you can on the menu 3 times. Actually makes me not want to come back especially when I wrote to the improv to tell them our experience and we were out for my boyfriends birthday as well and they didnt even have respond to me.

Went down to see Mitch Fatel. He was very funny & so was his opener. Went to the 9pm show & had dinner & drinks before hand at Rock Bottom. Didn't drink as much at the Improv since we already had a few at dinner & had a 45 minute drive home. When the night was over & we were ready for our check the waitress informed us that we didn't order enough per person & had to get more drinks otherwise she'd get in trouble... WHAT?! That is ridiculous, you already pay for a ticket to get in! How can a place force you drink more, especially right before you drive home? If it was posted somewhere or we were informed we would have set a different drinking pace or something, bought a drink for a neighbor maybe! What the hell, not to mention that drinks are outrageously priced. Oh, & look at your receipt because gratuity is already added to your bill of over priced drinks - probably so the waitress "doesn't get in trouble".

Pick your poison cause the comedians wouldn't be here if they weren't funny. We seen Steve Trevino. Never heard of him so we were taking a chance. This guy was top notch gut busting funny. Not really a bad seat in the house but very close to others. The service is really slow so I don't recommend more than an appetizer to eat. Even slow on drinks but at the clubs prices, you want that to be slow. Only required to have 2 drinks which can be sodas or food. We had 3 Coronas, 3 small but delicious margaritas & a shot of Patron was $71 including 18% automatic gratuity.

Really good place that is able to fit a lot of people and there isn't really a bad view in the place. There was a very long line up and the show started probably 45 minutes or so behind schedule. I had reviews about the food being not that great so we skipped out on that and just ordered a couple drinks instead. Also I didn't really feel comfortable enough to eat there as our table was behind us, so it would have been pretty awkward if I did order food, but from most seat in the place you should be able to eat comfortably. Rob Schneider was great, he had me laughing most of the time. He was also a really great guy to meet after the show, and we got to have out picture taken with him.

I've visited twice now and both times were great! I was able to see Chris Kattan and now Rob Schneider. I really like the seating here. We've always had a good view. Service has been quick both times I've been. It's nice not waiting around for a server. The only complaint I'd have would be pricey drinks but all the comedy clubs I've been to have had expensive drinks. It's a fun atmosphere and I'd go back again if given the opportunity.

We are so glad to hear you enjoyed your time here at the Pittsburgh Improv. We appreciate all of your comments and hope to see you again soon!

Thanks so much for your thoughtful review. We are very glad to hear that you enjoyed your visit and hope to see you again soon!

This seems to be one of the only places in the 'burgh to catch a good comedy show. We were there to see Jon Reep and it was a sold out show. The venue is intimate so there is not a bad seat in the house and the prices were reasonable for tickets. The downsides are having to line up outside (in the cold) to get in (general admission) and the 2 item minimum requirement. Based on the other reviews we didn't order any food but the wine I ordered was good however, the Snapple and Fiji water my husband ordered was overpriced ($5+ each). Overall, we would definitely return to catch a show.