The Second City neon sign, Old Town Chicago

The Second City: a first-timer's guide

Thirteen and up, about two hours with an intermission, no food or drink minimum, seats by arrival time, and no refunds.

By the Chicago Show Guide editors · Facts checked Sep 25, 2026 against the venues' own pages · Event listings refresh daily

On this page

The Second City Mainstage assigns seats by arrival time, and seating opens 45 minutes before the show. The theater is in Old Town at 1616 N. Wells St., in the same complex as 230 W. North Ave.

The show

The current Mainstage revue runs about 120 minutes with a 15-minute intermission. Second City rates it R for language and innuendo.

120 Mainstage dates are on sale; see every date and its cheapest seat.

Age, food and refunds

Children under 13 are not admitted unless a show says otherwise, and 13- to 17-year-olds need an adult. There is no food or drink minimum; you can order once seated. All sales are final, though Second City says it can sometimes move a ticket to a future show, depending on availability.

Parking

Second City points drivers to the Piper's Alley Self Park at 230 W. North Ave. It does not validate parking, and metered street parking is limited.

Which night lists cheapest

NightDates on saleTypical cheapest seatLowest seen
Tuesday20$167$129
Wednesday20$167$129
Thursday19$167$129
Friday20$180$129
Saturday21$193$129
Sunday20$167$123

On current listings, Sunday is the cheapest night (typical cheapest seat $167) and Saturday the dearest ($193).

Next dates

EventDateLowest listingBuy
The Second City Mainstage 114th RevueComedySat Oct 36:30 PMfrom $151Tickets
The Second City Mainstage 114th RevueComedySun Oct 117:00 PMfrom $123Tickets
The Second City Mainstage 114th RevueComedyTue Oct 138:00 PMfrom $129Tickets
The Second City Mainstage 114th RevueComedyWed Oct 148:00 PMfrom $129Tickets
The Second City Mainstage 114th RevueComedyThu Oct 158:00 PMfrom $129Tickets
The Second City Mainstage 114th RevueComedyFri Oct 166:30 PM · 9:30 PMfrom $129Tickets
The Second City Mainstage 114th RevueComedySat Oct 176:30 PM · 9:30 PMfrom $129Tickets
The Second City Mainstage 114th RevueComedySun Oct 187:00 PMfrom $129Tickets
The Second City Mainstage 114th RevueComedyTue Oct 208:00 PMfrom $167Tickets
The Second City Mainstage 114th RevueComedyWed Oct 218:00 PMfrom $167Tickets

Also on Wells Street: Zanies Chicago at 1548 N. Wells (21+).

Questions people ask

Official sources

Ticket links go to TicketNetwork, a resale marketplace, through an affiliate link: we may earn a commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you. Resale prices can be above or below face value. Prices shown are the lowest listings in the feed on Sep 25, 2026 and change constantly; the seller's checkout shows the final total. How we make money.