FAQs

Where are you located? Do you have more than one location?

Improv Asylum Boston is located in the heart of the North End, within short walking distance from Faneuil Hall and is easily accessible via public transportation. Improv Asylum Boston’s address is 216 Hanover Street (the main street in the North End). You can use the interactive map at the bottom of our site for directions.

What time are your shows? What is the schedule?
Check out the Show Schedule under the “Shows” tab at the top page for show start times. Please be aware that on some nights there are multiple show times.
How long do your shows run?
Shows are typically 90-minutes long, including a brief intermission unless otherwise noted. Our midnight shows and Thursday 10pm shows are approximately 60-minutes long.
How early do I need to get there?
This is very important! Please arrive 30 minutes prior to show time. This will allow you time to get through the lines at the box office, restrooms, bar, and theater. Shows start promptly at the scheduled time. If you are not in your seat when the performance starts, you may be asked to wait in the lobby until the next seating opportunity (5-7 minutes).
Any Trigger Warnings I Should Be Aware Of?

Yes!

Our shows feature flashing lights and sudden, loud music that some people may find unsettling.

Our shows are mostly improvised – suggestions yelled by audience members and scenes within the show may be upsetting. Using movie rating terminology, our Main Stage and NXT shows are considered between PG-13 and R-rated. For families with teenagers that are looking for more of an all-ages show, we recommend our Main Stage: Unscripted show. For families with children under 13, we recommend The Made-Up Matinee.

What is your show rated? May children see the show? Is your show 21+? Is there an age limit?
Our venue does not have an age limit, but we generally say our shows are rated PG-13.

While our actors by default don’t tend to play gross or gratuitously, we’re never in charge of who’s in the audience. And, because it’s improv, we ask for suggestions throughout the show. Most people are pretty well behaved, but every now and then someone in the audience yells out something inappropriate when they think they’re being funny.

If you’re concerned your child may be exposed to something untoward as the night wears on, your best bet would be our Saturday 5 PM matinee!

Who's playing tonight?
Improv Asylum is not a stand-up club. Improv Asylum shows feature resident casts who perform a blend of improv and sketch comedy. Each show has five to six actors, a musician, and a technician.
What is your Main Stage show?

Improv Asylum’s show features a cast of actors who bring together improvisation and sketch material in front of a live audience. The show has been described as a “hilarious mix of Whose Line is it Anyway? meets Saturday Night Live!” The cast takes suggestions from the audience and creates comedic scenes on the spot – nothing is predictable, anything can happen, and it’s never the same show twice!

How is your Main Stage show different than your other shows?

Improv Asylum produces additional shows that feature different casts and different show formats. Some shows may be completely improvised and others may be a combination of improv & sketch comedy. Please check individual Show Descriptions for clarification on the show format and cast.

How is your theater set up? Can we all sit together?
Improv Asylum is a “theater in the round” meaning the theater is arranged with seating on all four sides of the stage with the actors performing in the center. All shows at Improv Asylum are general admission seating.

Can we all sit together?

Seating is General Admission, so yes! Please just arrive and enter the theater together to the ushers can place you in seats together. We ask parties of 6 people or more to fill out the Large Party Request Form so we can accommodate you. Otherwise sitting together is not guaranteed. We also encourage you to purchase as a group and not individually.

Please note that reserved seats can only be guaranteed if your group arrives in time for seating at least half an hour before showtime.

Is the venue wheelchair accessible?

Unfortunately, it’s not. We are currently in an older North End building without elevator access. We are aggressively working with our landlord to get an elevator installed hopefully in Summer 2023.

Can I buy tickets at the door?

Many of our shows sell out in advance (especially on the weekends). So if you are definitely coming, purchase them ahead of time. You can also purchase tickets at our box office (at the door), night of, subject to availability.

Do I have to purchase them when I call or can I just reserve them?
Unfortunately, Improv Asylum cannot hold or reserve tickets. The only way to secure your seats is to purchase tickets in full.
What if I want to pay cash? Can I reserve it and pay cash at the door?

Unfortunately, no. Improv Asylum does not take reservations or holds. You can come down in person to our box office and purchase tickets with cash when our Box Office is open.

What credit cards do you accept?

Improv Asylum accepts Visa, MasterCard, and American Express.

How much are tickets?

Ticket cost depends on the day of the week and the show you are planning on attending. Please refer to the purchase page for the event you want to attend for exact pricing.

Do you offer group discounts?

If you are a party of 20 or more please email boxoffice@improvasylum.com for information on group sales!

Do you take volunteers? How do I get someone on stage?
Many of Improv Asylum’s shows feature a volunteer spot. There is one spot per show. The spot is available on a first-come, first-served basis. You can book the volunteer slot online here.
What is your refund/exchange policy?

Once you purchase your tickets they are non-refundable and non-exchangeable.

What happens to my tickets if there is inclement weather?
Improv Asylum rarely cancels shows due to weather. However, if Improv Asylum does decide to cancel due to weather, the box office will contact you and ask if you would like to move your tickets to another date or offer you a full refund.
Do you serve food?
No. Improv Asylum’s facilities do not include a kitchen. Both our theaters in Boston and New York are surrounded by excellent restaurants we recommend.
Do you do anything special for bachelorettes or birthdays?
Call our box office and ask about our Volunteer Spot! You might be able to get someone on stage…
I'm bringing a large group, what else can we get?

Drinks, of course! If you’d like to open a bar tab for your large group, please keep in mind that we will charge an automatic 20% gratuity.

For something a little more special, you can book a private, customized improv show for your group or rent out our bar room to host a cocktail party. Or, BOTH. For more information, please contact our Events Team, at events@improvasylum.com.

Is there a dress code?
Nope. As long as you are wearing something, we don’t care what it is! Oh, but you have to wear shoes.
How do I get there?
Click here for the link to our Directions Page.
Where can I park? Do you validate?
Boston – Parking in the North End is pretty difficult. We recommend that you leave plenty of time for parking, especially if you are not familiar with the area. Click here for our Parking, Directions & Validated Parking page.

We do, however, validate at the Haymarket Center Garage (formerly Parcel 7). The entrance is at 136 Blackstone Street. Or here. It’s $3 for up to three hours*. Just remember to bring down your parking ticket to be scanned at our box office or the deal is off!

*If you park for longer than 3 hours, you will be charged the garage’s full rate from the time you entered to the time you leave.

I want to give tickets as a gift card to someone as a gift. How do I do that?

Everyone loves a good laugh. So no matter who is on your list, you can’t go wrong. Purchase a gift card for them. (This is better than buying “tickets” for them since tickets are for an actual date and time and a gift card can be redeemed for any show).

BOSTON:

You can buy online or by calling our box office at 617-263-6887.  Click here to purchase an e-Gift Card.

What else do I need to know?

You can buy online or by calling our box office at 617-263-6887.  Click here to purchase an e-Gift Card.

Still Have Questions?

We’re happy to help, please use the form below and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

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