I'm taking my wife to Chicago in August as a sruprise birthday present. I have 6 of her friends flying in also to surprise her and spend the weekend together - we're all in our late 30's, early 40's. I would definitely like to get tickets to go see a show at Second City. We have never been but have heard good things. Couple questions - 1) How far in advance do you need to order tickets?; 2) Has anyone seen the current show and is it worth making the feature for one of the two nights we are in town? 3) If unable to get into Second City, is Second City, etc. a good option?

We are going to be staying at the Marriott Courtyard Downtown. I was thinking we could grab an early dinner (arrive between 530 - 6) at Topolabampo, then catch the 8 pm show at Second City, then head out to a club/bar to wrap up the evening. Any logistical problems with that plan?

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide!

I would go ahead and order as soon as you decide for sure to go. I ordered about a month before our Chicago trip in March and got the last two tickets for the early Saturday night show. It might be easier on a weeknight or for the late show (not sure), but I'd imagine the touristy summer is higher demand than still-frigid early March!

As far as the show, they were just starting "Between Barack and a Hard Place" when we saw it. They were still working out some kinks (and admitted as much), but most of it was quite funny. (There is some language, etc. - you don't mention if that's an issue, but just wanted to make sure you're aware in case it is.) Whether it's worth "spending" one of your two nights just depends on what you like to do. I would think so, but if you think your wife is just dying to see Wicked (or whatever else), then I'd shoot for that instead.

Hope that helps!

Thank you - yes, we really do enjoy comedy and think it would be a good way to spend a couple hours with the group (the language will not be a problem). I've been to stand up comedy, but have never seen an improv group perform before.

How often do they change their shows - or is it likely that the same show that is currently running going to still be the featured show in August?

The shows run for about a year. Both the mainstage and etc. shows have been getting good reviews. I'll let you know how accurate the reviews are in about a month!

To save the online service fee, you can call the box office directly and pay for your tickets. Also, the seating is first-come, first-served, so your dinner may run late. Try for the 5:30 seating and skip dessert. You need to be in line in Second City's lobby 30-45 minutes before the show for the better seats.

Thanks again for the advice! I assume with calling the box office directly, we will pick up the tickets at will call - would love to hear you opinion of the show once you have seen it!

Just returned and saw Between Barack and a Hard Place at Second City Mainstage. Loved it, loved it. We chose a Thursday night because they have some improv at the end of the show that I'm told they don't do on the week ends. Also...I, too, was under the impression that you chose your own seating depending on your arrival time. Not so. We were second in line @ 7:15 and were seated on the side up front, which wasn't great. We were a middle aged party of three. Everyone was seated in the same manner and they filled the house from the perimeter to the inside so I don't know what to tell you. I was surprised and not too happy about it. But the show was great.

We are going to see the show this weekend...we booked it 3-4 weeks ago and Saturday at 8:00 and Sunday night were already sold out...

To those have seen it, to you think it's better to actually get there a little later to get better seats. There are four of us and we do want to sit together...

We got there relatively close to the start of the show (maybe 10-15 minutes to spare) and got what I thought were decent seats - first row of the ledge, but on the far left side. I don't know - if it were me, and sitting all four together was very important, I'd get there earlier rather than later. But I'm not sure what rationale they use in seating.

Thanks for the feedback folks. I tried to call two days ago to order our tickets for August and they said they won't begin selling August tickets until mid to late June.

Just saw a recommendation in a different post for the Adobo Grill for good Mexican and it is supposed to be right down the street from 2nd City - is this a better option then Topolabampo?

Adobo Grill is very nice, and it is in fact right around the corner from Second City. The food is good--try the made-at-tableside guacamole--and the atmosphere lively. I think it just depends how you want to allocate your time. You could probably have a more leisurely dinner knowing you just have a short walk to the theater venue.

Topolobampo is fancier and more expensive than Adobo Grill. Frontera Grill, the chef's more casual restaurant adjoining Topolobampo, does not take reservations, though.

Thanks Marilyn - Adobo sounds like a good option - LOVE fresh made guacamole! I agree with your thought that we won't feel as rushed if the theater is right by the restaraunt.

Personally, I like Frontera better than Topolobampo, and it's atmosphere is more fun. Everybody I have taken has raved about it, espcially about the margaritas (shaken and served without ice like martinis).

Frontera does take advanced reservations for groups of 5-10 and a small number of same-day reservations for smaller groups. Their number is 312-661-1434.

I'd go to the later show (11:00) because the crowd is better. That way, you can still have dinner at Frontera Grill without worrying about time.

My boyfriend and I just saw the Second City show this past Friday and it was fantastic! We laughed almost the entire time. You won't be disappointed! We had dinner at Adobo Grill (right next door) and the quac is delish as others have said. Have a great time!!

Excellent! I was able to purchase our tickets in early June so we are all set! Looking forward to the show AND the trip to Chicago!

The first day we arrive in Chicago (Friday afternoon Aug 10) - we will be flying in with another couple. Then, 3 other individuals will be flying in seperately to join us as a surprise. I wanted to go to a restaraunt where we could casually drink, and possibly eat appetizers, and then have these three other people join us spaced out about 15 - 30 minutes each so my wife can continue to be surprised each time a new guest arrives (they are all coming from different locations around the country)

I saw one recommendation in a different string for the Pegasus restaraunt which has a roof top area with a great view. I thought this might be a great rendezvous spot. Opinions?

It may have been me that recommended Pegasus. If you are going before Second City, go early because it can get a bit busy, and you'll have a 10-15 minute cab ride to Second City. But it's a great spot (very Chicago), good food, and lots of fun.

Thanks "Hills" - actually, we are going to do Second City on Saturday night, and I was looking to go to Pegasus on Friday night. I see where the roof top of Pegasus only serves appetizers and drinks. Is it a place you can just hang out for a few hours without any pressure to move on? Sounds like the perfect place for our rendezvous.

I just saw Between Barack and A Hard Place (Thursday night) and it was wonderful. During the week, there's also improv after the show, and the cast (and some guests) are very talented! We were lucky to be able to get tickets at the last minute. Dinner was at Adobo and it was great.

I'm posting another thumbs-up for the new Second City show. Wickedly funny. We were there for the 11 pm performance on Saturday June 30th, which ended around 1 am, and the cast were going to do improv after that. We didn't stay, but the option was there.

Have fun!

Sorry Russ, missed your question. Yes, you can hang out for hours. And don't let the term appetizers fool you. You won't need to go elsewhere to get a meal afterwards.

What time does the 8pm show get over? Would it be too late for dinner at Adobo Grill after the show? I am not seeing a 11 pm show on 7/16 which is the night we want to go. One last question, how far s the Second City theatre from downtown, say from the Hyatt or Embassy Suites Lakefront?