14 Places to See Improv Comedy in Minnesota
Minnesota is known for its robust theater scene and burgers that ooze cheese. When you’re done scalding your mouth, you can find improv comedy almost every night of the week in the state!
Whether you’re looking for short-form games, experimental long-form, family-friendly comedy, or a late-night show, you’ll find plenty of places to see live improv in the Twin Cities and beyond. There are dozens of venues that host a variety of different live theater or comedy shows, but here are 14 places where you can consistently see improv in Minnesota.
For a broader calendar of upcoming improv shows in the Twin Cities, check out these listings maintained by long-time Twin Cities improviser, Jill Bernard.
14 Places to See Improv Comedy in Minnesota
1) Brave New Workshop
Location: Dudley Riggs Theatre, 824 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, MN
Brave New Workshop is one of the best-known comedy institutions in Minnesota. While it is especially known for scripted sketch comedy and satire, it has deep roots in the local improv scene and continues to be an important part of the Twin Cities comedy ecosystem. Their sketch revue typically takes the summer off while they do regular improv programming called “Battle of the Improv All Stars.”
2) Stevie Ray’s Comedy Cabaret
Location: Chanhassen Dinner Theater, 501 W 78th St, Chanhassen, MN
Stevie Ray’s Comedy Cabaret offers interactive comedy and improv performances in Chanhassen. Their shows often lean into audience participation, making them a good fit for groups looking for a lively night out. Every Friday and Saturday night you can see great short-form improv with or without dinner. They also offer alternative styles, such as musical improv or shows intentionally created for the blind or visually impaired.
3) Jesters Comedy
Location: Torg Brewery, 8421 University Ave NE, Spring Lake Park, MN
Jesters Comedy brings improv and live comedy to the north metro, including performances at Torg Brewery in Spring Lake Park. It’s a great example of how improv continues to show up in informal, community-centered spaces.
4) Zeitgeist Theater Comedy
Location: Zeitgeist Theater, 222 E Superior St, Duluth, MN 55802
Just outside of Canal Park in Duluth, Zeitgeist is a multidisciplinary arts space where you can catch a film, grab dinner, and see a live performance. Plus, every Friday night at 10pm you can see live improv from the Renegade Improv players.
5) Andria Theatre
Location: Andria Theatre, 618 Broadway St. Alexandria, MN
Family-friendly improv in Alexandria, Minnesota can be found at the Andria Theatre. Their house improv team, the Quad Squad, regularly performs at the venue with shows typically starting at 7pm. The theater also offers educational programming, a showcase for traveling productions, and a haunted theater experience in October.
6) Bryant Lake Bowl
Location: Bryant Lake Bowl, 810 W Lake St, Minneapolis, MN
Bryant Lake Bowl has long been a home for alternative theater, comedy, storytelling, and experimental performance in Minneapolis. While not exclusively an improv venue, it regularly hosts comedy and performance work (including our own The Theater of Public Policy shows!) in an intimate theater setting. The sound of crashing bowling pins during quiet moments just adds to the ambiance.
7) The Hive Collaborative
Location: The Hive Collaborative, 677 Hamline Ave N, St. Paul, MN
The Hive Collaborative is located in the former Dreamland Arts Space (Did you know an underground tunnel connects the theater to a house next door?). The Hive’s long-time improv residency, The Honey Jar, features original work and gives established groups a place to try new ideas, stretch creatively, and connect with audiences.
8) The Phoenix Theater
Location: Phoenix Theater, 2605 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, MN
Housed in the bones of the long-time home of the Brave New Workshop, the Phoenix Theater is the home of Arts Nest. In addition to offering affordable theater rentals and rehearsal space, they also showcase experimental improv and comedy shows outside the typical long-form and short-form categories.
9) Black Dirt Improv
Location: American Legion Post 47, 50 Sibley St., Hastings, MN
What originally started as a winter project for Black Dirt Theater has turned into a full troupe that performs regularly in the East Metro. They don’t have one home location, but can often be found at The Confluence Hotel, Hastings Public House, American Legion Post 47, and 2nd Street Depot.
10) Comedy Sportz Twin Cities
Location: Strike Theater, 824 NE 18th Ave, Minneapolis, MN
After giving up their long-held space in Uptown Minneapolis during the pandemic, Comedy Sportz Twin Cities currently calls Strike Theater home. You can see some of the region’s best short-form performers take you through their roster of fast-paced and high-energy games. They also frequently perform genre-based shows, such as their Law & Order parody.
11) Strike Theater
Location: Strike Theater, 824 NE 18th Ave, Minneapolis, MN
Strike Theater is a northeast Minneapolis venue focused on sketch comedy, storytelling, spoken word, and improv. It is home to a wide range of local comedy groups and is one of the key spaces supporting new and experimental comedy in the twin cities. They’re the current hosts of showcases Improv A-go-go, Balls Cabaret, and Friday Night Improv Club.
12) Laugh Camp Comedy Club
Location: Camp Bar, 490 N Robert Street, St. Paul, MN
Laugh Camp Comedy Club at Camp Bar hosts stand-up and improv in downtown St. Paul. On Friday nights after 10 p.m., audiences can catch After Dark Improv.
13) MNprov Live!
Location: Varies
Minnesota’s first all-neurodivergent improv troupe performs monthly shows at The Hive Collaborative and at community events. They also offer workshops and corporate trainings.
14) Theatre in the Round
Location: 245 Cedar Ave, Minneapolis, MN
One of few local venues with an “arena style” seating configuration, they’re more known for their scripted work. However, the Bearded Company has taken up residency at Theatre in the Round and performs a season of improv shows typically in the spring and fall.
Final Thoughts
Minnesota is a big theater region, and improv can be found in more places than a single list can capture. In addition to the venues above, you’ll find improv at small and mid-sized venues, comedy clubs, coffee shops, breweries, community centers, and one-night pop-up events.
While there may be fewer spaces dedicated exclusively to improv than there once were, there is still no shortage of live improv comedy to see in Minnesota. The scene is creative, collaborative and always changing — which, honestly, feels pretty on-brand for improv.
Danger Boat recently announced a re-launch of our own civic improv comedy show: The Theater of Public Policy (T2P2). Head to our events page to catch one of our upcoming shows!