Review: Improv

(Credit: Josh Thomas)

I've learned throughout my bar hopping days that hilarity is in no short supply in most bars. Whether it's witnessing a watercooler-worthy incident, or maybe talking with a regular who thinks it's amateur hour, I've found that laughter and pubs usually go hand-in-hand.

But on a recent Wednesday night, a few friends and I decided to check out the Improv, a new comedy club in downtown's Fourth Street Live complex.

First, a little history: In the world of stand-up comedy, the Improv is synonymous with big names and big laughs. The very first Improv opened in New York in the early 1960s, but within the span of a couple decades, founder Bud Friedman began opening them around the country. The Improv name has helped give rise to dozens of stars in the game, like Jeff Foxworthy, Jerry Seinfeld and Robin Williams. To acquire a comedy club of such high caliber is a big deal for those who enjoy stand-up in the River City.

The layout of the club, which was originally called Stand Up Live before being christened the Improv, is pretty similar to every comedy club I've ever visited. The showroom is a large, open area with four long rows of polished wooden tables stretching the length of the dimly lit room. In the rear is a raised space for the folks who are afraid to sit too close (getting picked on by a comic is not for the weak) with a smattering of tables and a few booths.

Of course, the stage has the requisite brick wall backdrop with a lighted Improv sign hanging above it. Technically, there's no bar per se; no place to belly up and talk to a bartender. Patrons must order drinks and food from their server, and there's a two-item minimum.

Despite the capacity crowd on our visit, our server was always near and our drinks came fast and often. You can find about any cocktail you want at the Improv, and the beer selection is sufficient for an evening of mirth. The usual domestics were supplemented with a few standard import choices, like my obligatory Newcastle.

The only drawback to the Improv is the cost of the drinks. My girlfriend's Coors Light was $4.50 (yikes!) and my Newcastle was $4.75.

The Improv also has a full menu of appetizers, salads, desserts and entrees — everything from cheeseburgers ($9) to snow crab legs ($17) to a Kentucky Bourbon Filet Mignon ($22).

All in all, the Improv is a wonderful place to relax and belt out a few belly laughs. But keep in mind that it is an entertainment venue where the cheapest ticket is around $10 (some shows cost upward of $30), not a bar for hanging out. But, then again, you're paying for the laughter when you drop by the Improv, not simply drinks and grub.

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