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The Second City Mainstage Theatre
Category: Nightlife Comedy Clubs Comedy Clubs [Edit]
51 Mercer StToronto, ON M5V 9G9
Neighbourhoods: Entertainment District, Downtown Core
(416) 343-0011
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 12 pm - 9 pm
Sat 10 am - 12 am
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Music:
- Live
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Sun, Sat
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
34 reviews for The Second City Mainstage Theatre
Review Highlights
"There are also FREE improv shows that are so great."
(in 7 reviews)
"...night and saw Dreams Really Do Come True (and other lies."
(in 3 reviews)
"...best parts of their performances is the after show Improv."
(in 5 reviews)
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34 reviews in English
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Review from Maheen M.
12/17/2011
I have been to Second City in the past on several occasions and the shows they put on have exceeded my expectations. For the this season's show - "Dreams really do come true", I was laughing non-stop for the 2 hour performance. Be sure to get there early if you have tickets. Seating is on first come, first serve basis. The wait staff are quick and attentive. I was expecting ridiculous prices for finger foods and drinks, but prices were affordable not outrageous.
I will definitely be back for future shows. They even have an improv training center! -
Review from Jordan L.
Newmarket, ON
2/8/2012
Forget about the clubs, this is the IT!
This place rocks with humungous hours of non-stop hilarious laughing! You can never go wrong with the best performances of the comedians.
Tickets can be purchased online or at the counter. For students, make sure to present your ID's when buying your ticks at the counter! ;) -
Review from Grainne M.
Toronto, ON
1/4/2012
4.5 stars...
I'd heard a little about Second City-I'd heard of the association with people such as Tina Fey, Dan Ackroyd, Eugene Levy and more. I didn't get around to actually visiting until a couple of friends suggesting going to a show for New Year's Eve. We've tired of clubs, lots of people we know were out of town...and we decided we couldn't sit in drinking tea every single year.
I dawdled when it came to booking my ticket because I was waiting to hear from one other friend. When I checked online a couple of days beforehand it was sold out! I was so disappointed. Luckily a friend suggested that they sometimes have extra tickets if you call the box office. I called in the next day and, sure enough, they were able to release a ticket. Success! The tickets were NYE-expensive ($55 + tax) but everywhere is a rip-off that night.
It's recommended that you turn up 45 minutes before the show to get the best seats. We didn't so we ended up on the balcony. The downside is that you're a bit further from the stage. The upside is that there is no chance of being engaged in audience participation but you still have a great view.
We had one terse server but the others were very pleasant. Wine was reasonable-both quality and price. We were surprised at the great value for the long island iced tea...until we tasted it. It was only good value if it actually contained alcohol. This was so watered down it tasted like diluted Pepsi. Expensive for that! The snacky food they served looked fine but we didn't order.
We really enjoyed the show-Dreams Really Do Come True.... Some kind of funny sketches and some hilarious. The cast are mostly excellent. They're so energetic and enthusiastic! There was some audience participation for the "lucky" people at the front but they were never mean to them. I wanted to go again at the end...and was strongly considering taking an improv class.
The cast came back on stage for the countdown and we'd all been given champagne, hats and bugles. I finished 2011 and entered 2012 with great friends, having laughed for 2 hours and with vague plans to try an new fun hobby. Happy! -
Review from Eva W.
10/3/2011
4.5, rounds up to a 5.
Came on a Sunday night and saw Dreams Really Do Come True (and other lies). And it was hilarious -- in a real-funny and not funny-cause-it's-really-inappropriate kind of way. I laugh pretty loudly, and I fit right in :)
They tell you to show up 45 min prior to the start time. Seating is kind of first come first serve, but there is a guy at the podium that assigns you to seats, and when we were seated we noticed there were people who came before us that were in worse seats.
They do have audience participation and picked out two guys front and center during the show. Probably not a great idea to bring kids, as they did touch upon some mildly inappropriate topics and mime out sex positions (but in a hilarious way!)
They had an hour of free improv afterward that was inspired by answers to trivial pursuit questions. Skits were hit or miss, but on the whole quite enjoyable.
Great night. Great laughs. Definitely recommend.Listed in: Toronto, eh?
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Review from Nicole G.
12/28/2011
Went to see the Holiday Revue with my husband, parents, and brother. We had a great time - so many laughs! Grateful that we were sitting behind the aisle in the corner - none of us were called out from the stage or pulled up there to be part of the show. Loved the snow ball fight, the improv pieces, and references to local universities and companies. Would totally go again next time I'm in town. Highly recommended!
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Review from jerrit t.
Toronto, ON
7/18/2011
My girlfriend and I had a great time there. Tickets are decently priced for a prime entertainment location. The act was well rehearsed. I like going to a show and being impressed with the amount of work and effort put into it by the entertainers. The content was really good. It was definitely more SNL than mad TV, so depending on which show you like more, you can be prepared to laugh or be confused.
The drinks were not expensive for a comedy club, and the wait staff was very good considering they were squeezing in between tons if people basically sitting on top of each other.
Be aware, this is not standup comedy, rather it's a sketch show. -
Review from Grace M.
Scarborough, ON
11/20/2011
I'm a bigger fan of the shows that take place in the training centre [not that I know most of the people who play in the centre or anything...]
I have gone to see Dreams Really do Come True twice now, about 2-3 months apart. It's a great show, wonderful cast, I'm not a huge fan of sketch comedy, that considered it's still really enjoyable and I laughed pretty gosh darn hard at most of it.
I'm pretty cheap so I thought the drink/food prices were a little out of my range, the beer was okay, and the food was pretty good. Please keep in mind, I am very cheap, and the more I pay I expect lots more. Like it's totally unreasonable, but the staff is nice.
Just be weary the second time I went we were seated in the back room on the main floor, in the tall/bar chairs, which was pretty awful. Didn't complain because I didn't pay, but I would have been rather peeved if I had blown any money to be so uncomfortable for the show. -
Review from Madelaine D.
Toronto, ON
4/26/2011 1 photo
The Second City is as good as it gets. These are solid professional comedians that know how to work a crowd.
We made reservations (which I recommend you do too) and arrived 30 minutes before the show. Already at that point the place was really full.
We saw This Party's a Riot who did a lot of modern sketches based on current events and made me laugh until my side's hurt.
The best seats in the house are in the center of the stage, balcony seats are great too (just avoid the far left or right if you can).
The service was fantastic (our drinks were kept full and we got our bill and were able to pay promptly as the show was ending).
I'm going back in a couple weeks to see the Cabaret. I'll keep you posted. I am really excited for it!
***Tip: Get there early...good seats make a BIG difference. You really need to be able to see their faces well.*** -
Review from neesa r.
4/18/2011
Second City does some amazing comedy shows!
I never left disappointed and I almost always end up laughing until I have tears in my eyes=)
their last show This City is a Riot is as amazing as all of the shows, though I think one of the best parts of their performances is the after show Improv. these are hilarious! and they're free! so if you're not sure about paying around $30 for the ticket to one of their regulat shows come to the after show improv and see yourself how much laughter makes you cry to tears=) -
Review from Juan S.
North York, ON
7/26/2011
Second City is no coffee nor Ramen noodles. And by that I mean the humour isn't INSTANT. However if you're looking for quick and easy funny , you must be, and most likely are a virgin to sketch comedy. Fear not, this means you finally have the chance to entertain yourself in a way your right or left hand could never do. Now do yourself a favour and watch a show.
Tickets can be purchased online or at the door. In any date scenario, purchase them online. Your date will be impressed. -
Review from Joe P.
Toronto, ON
5/23/2011
This place will make you laugh.
5 stars for the show. (I saw this party's a riot (twice)).
The 'free' improv after the show is hit and miss. (But when it hits it does hit!! - the "BEEFERMAN"!! night....).
Some minor things:
The calendar on their website sucks.
Beware, once you reserve tickets 'they don't do refunds', so make sure your party knows so u don't get stuck with extra tickets. -
Review from Joel B.
10/27/2011
Second City was 1st on my list of things to do during my recent adventure to Toronto. Went to the Sunday night show and saw Dreams Really Do Come True (and other lies). It was extremely funny, and the cast proved why so many great comedians come from this venue! I was also pulled from my chair to be in a skit that involved pretending to be a soldier, which is now an embarrassing moment & a moment I will never forget!
The staff is friendly, the drink prices are reasonable, and the place was comfortable with a great location. It is a must-go-to experience when visiting Toronto! -
Review from Dishan W.
2/20/2011
The Second City amounts to a great night out!! Their comedy acts are top notch put on by some very talented comedians. Second city alumni from other cities go on to become big names, and while the most I've seen of the comedians from the Toronto cast are on TV commercials, I wouldn't be surprised to see them move on to bigger stuff from here on.
The tickets are not very cheap though if you buy them just like that, keep an eye out for discounts and if you get a group together (or student pricing I believe) the costs do come down and it's worth every penny.
The times I've visited, I've sat in the very last row as I came with a group for my birthday after dinner at Gretzky's and while we were the furthest away, the view and experience did not suffer. We hung around for their audience interactive improv after the show at which point we were able to grab seats all the way at the front.
Food and drinks are not cheap, not very overpriced at the same time and from what I remember the food was actually good, and their menu has a nice variety of finger foods to "proper" meals.
All in all, a great experience and it's a lot more family friendly than stand up comedy around the city.Listed in: Not Your Typical Evening…
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Review from Lindsey S.
Toronto, ON
8/17/2011
Super fun place but REALLY - #1 thing that comes up under Nightlife???
Toronto - we can do better than that!! -
Review from C S.
Scarborough, ON
4/14/2010
I have been going to Second City for about 4 years now, pretty much every time they change up the main show. I have to say, I LOVE it. I have no issues with the shows. They indeed make me laugh hard. Now you are looking at spending just under 30 dollars for your tickets, however when you consider you are watching a show the price isn't too bad. Also the whole atmosphere is pretty cozy and intimate with the performers. These are generally skit com's which are well thought out and draw you into the different performers acting.
They have a pretty good menu which includes all sorts of alcohol and pub foods which are pretty tasty. The servers are very friendly and really work hard at keeping you happy.
While you are watching the show you can't help but feel the legacy which the place is. So many great Canadian comedians started here and they have there's cast member pics posted all the way though the theatre.
The one draw back I can think of is the seating. It's pretty tight as well as the tables generally being shared by your nabour making your side pretty small. I would say this makes for a great second or third date, but not a good first date.
I will keep going whenever new shows are brought out. -
Review from Dieter M.
Scarborough, ON
4/2/2011
You got nothing to do on the weekend Then you got to check out second city. You be sure to come out of there with a sore jaw after all the laughing. And what's great is that they even get involved in with the crowd. But be sure to get your tickets ahead of time as they have almost always been sold out.
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Review from Raynarth L.
North York, ON
6/25/2011 1 Check-in Here
Amazing entertainment and great atmosphere. Went during improv and enjoyed it throughly, however the second act was not so great. Comedy is very similar to the style of 'whos line is it anyways.' Food was average and slightly overpriced. But main reason for going here is for the great laughs with loved ones!
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Review from Will L.
Toronto, ON
3/31/2010
I L.O.V.E. this place! The servers, host/hostesses are absolutely fantastic. I always make a tradition to check out each new revue they pump out.
By the end of the night, with booze and plenty of laughs throughout the night, this is where I always go to to as a date night venue.
I can't speak of this place highly enough. -
Review from Kat T.
9/7/2009
The shows stay up to date by changing often. However, this can also lead to a lot of new, less finessed material being shown. In the two times I have been, one was constant clapping and cheering funny, the other was the occasional chuckle kind of funny.
Improv shows run at 10pm every night of the week except Saturday for FREE! Saturdays it is Free, but starts closer to 11pm.
Support Canadian comedy and bring all your friends.Listed in: A tourist guide to the T-dot
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Review from Josefa M.
Toronto, ON
12/29/2010
I have seen a few shows this year and every one of them has had me leaving wishing the show had been longer. An excellent way to spend a night. If you are shy or don't want to be incorporated into the show, don't sit too close to the front!
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Review from Melissa F.
Toronto, ON
6/7/2009
paid the student rate for 15$ a ticket (not including tax) and it was well worth it.
But I can't say it was amazing or that I would have preferred it to standup.
went to see 0 down 100% screwed. the show was long (2 hours) and so i felt it was alright in terms of the time/price ratio. but I wasn't laughing my ass off at every single point.
I had out of towner friends with me and I'm no Ontario/Toronto veteran so some of the jokes went right past me as they referenced local things a lot.
Even when I did understand the reference it wasn't taht great.
I feel like I need to drink more before the show. Which is easy to do because the drink prices are fairly reasonable and comparable to any bar.
I think part of my three-starred review was the specific show I went to see as well. I think I'd give 2nd city another try.
Oh, and then was also delighted to get more bang for my buck when I foudn out they were gonna do an improv show right after the show. But the improv was more awkward than funny and well.. yeah... I was pretty disappointed. Again, I'd give 2nd city another try since it gets rave reviews but for now I'm just 3 starring it. -
Review from Laura C.
Toronto, ON
3/26/2010
I'm so pleased. I didn't know what to expect here, but I had a really good time and the stuff was really funny.
We went to the Friday night show. The tickets were sold out, but good thing I bought tickets before hand. (tip: if you're in a hotel, check the wall with all the minicard discounts. I got 20% off my ticket)
Get there earlier to grab a good table, they assign them as you get in. I wish I knew this earlier, but parties of 7 and over, can pre arrange tables, and get there max 10mins before the show starts.
We got there about 15 mins before the show started and got a nice table at the back of the bottom section. Although in the back row, kudos foe giving us stools rather than normal chairs. Great seats.
They have full bar service at the tables, and you can get finger foods too. i didn't expect. glasses of beer at $5.95 and pitchers are $19.95 = 7 glasses.
Had sweet potatoe fries with mayo. Good, but got cold and soggy quickly.
The show was AWESOME. After the scripted show (which was really just a bunch of random skits that got melded together nicely), they had FREE IMPROV (which they had everynight at 9:45 - Fridays) I expect this to be theatresports style, but it was just the players doing skits that were purely improv. Still good.
Tip: if you go for the later show, you'll have seats for the improve afterwards (on Sat) otherwise there's this break in between for the 2nd show.
Also another tip. Found free parking on Blue Jay Way in front of soho met, and the cora's. You can park there after 6pm. No standing from Apr-Nov until after 12pm. Does no standing inherently mean no parking? Not sure.
Would come again! -
Review from Melinda M.
Toronto, ON
10/29/2009
The Second City is a nice cozy theater. It's hard to find a bad seat, and the ticket prices are reasonable. I can't tell you that every show is going to be laugh out loud pee-your-pants hilarious, but I have enjoyed the shows I've seen there.
Service is good and drinks are strong and fairly priced.
Tip! Look on the website for the student shows on weekend afternoons. Those shows are free and really fun. FREE IMPROV. -
Review from Rebecca W.
3/28/2010
Did you know that even Canadians make fun of Canadians?
I think this is what struck me most about this show. I've seen Second City before, and was prepared, as usual, for an evening of delightful sketch comedy. I didn't expect quite so many jokes playing on, basically, all the jokes that Americans make about Canadians. Hm.
But, as usual, the Second City troupe was fantastically entertaining!
You'll want to arrive at least half an hour ahead of the show to stake out a good place to wait for the doors to open. It's tricky, because there's no clear line. You could grab a drink at the bar (or at the adjoining Wayne Gretzky's restaurant), but everyone pressing up to the theater doors is going to get in there ahead of you. Not that it matters too much in such a small place--you'll surely feel a part of the show (or maybe even really BE a part of the show).
We watched the more scripted part of the show but didn't stick around for the brand new improv bits after--it was getting late and we were tired.
You're seated at small tables and there's service so you can order drinks (including ice cream drinks like mudslides....so tempting!) and snacks....could get confusing, though: the menu says they'll split checks by table, not by person. What if you've got two couples who aren't there together and don't know each other seated at one table (as we did?). We didn't order anything, so really it didn't matter. But these are the kinds of things I fret about.
We used a little card we picked up at our hotel to get 20% off the tickets--discounts make me happy!
This was a fun, entertaining, and lively way to spend an evening in the city. -
Review from Todd V.
Toronto, ON
10/24/2008
I'm not really sure, but I think that Second City may well have found their home. But by God, it seemed to take them forever. Having used to be housed in the Old Firehall on Lombard Street, they moved to what is now the Diesel Playhouse (http://www.yelp.ca/biz...). After more than exorbitant rent and fees that bordered on extortion, the Second City found a place right behind Toronto mainstay Wayne Gretzky's (http://www.yelp.ca/biz...).
The problem with Second City is that any new location that was found would have a lot to live up to in the memory of the Lombard venue. If you've been to the Second City in Chicago (http://www.yelp.com/bi...) or were fortunate to see a show on Lombard, you know that the crowd is packed in night after night to the point that you almost can't move to laugh. This is in fact by design. By having the crowd so tightly packed, you create an environment where it is almost impossible not to laugh. The move from there to what is now the Diesel took that away. A nice amphitheatre with ample room for servers to bring drinks and food, it does not carry the necessary environ for improv let alone sketch comedy. Bring forth the Behind-Gretzky's location.
In the new place, Second City gets a new lease on life, with a design similar to that in Chicago. You're packed in tight for what is consistently one of the best shows in any given week in Toronto. I could go through the menu and beer list for you, but that's not why you go there. It's all about going out, seeing live performances, and feeling like you're part of the crowd. That's what this place provides. -
Review from Rachel L.
8/25/2011
Overall: Good fun for a Tuesday out in Toronto! Large drink list selection and cozy environment. Comedians were really good but the only think I think it lacked was a true "improv" style.
Details: Seating is mostly a first come, first serve basis (at least for the improv show we went to). Showed up early to be safe and had no problem getting a good seat in the middle section. Seats are 4 chairs to a table and set rather closely so I imagine if you had to pee in the middle of the show but surrounded by others - well good luck! Thankfully I didn't. The comedians had a good level of raunch to them, which I like, and in general the skits were pretty funny. I think the big bummer for my husband and I are we are use to more audience interaction and more what I might call more "true" improv. It seems they have sort of skits that they do and they aren't completely scripted but I think they probably do it enough that it almost is. The improv we are use to they will ask the audience for all sorts of "seed" topics, people, situations, etc. which is half the fun and then they base the skit off of it. I found that this improve group may be slightly more "finished" but I really like the true nature of improv that I felt was lacking in this show. I guess we may just be really snooty when it comes to this sort of thing because we had a $5/person improv place that also did amazing plays and was on better than many larger venues but a much cozier feel. It was a great show, I would definitely check it out if you get a chance. -
Review from PC W.
8/7/2008
Just like a trip to Chicago isn't complete without catching a revue at The Second City, a trip to Toronto isn't complete without a show at The Second City. I love improv and the revues I have seen in both cities are witty, hysterical and well-written and executed by a troupe of talented performers. Alumni of The Second City Toronto include Dan Aykroyd, Gilda Radner, John Candy, Eugene Levy, Martin Short, Mike Myers, Ryan Stiles and Colin Mochrie. I can't think of a better way of spending an evening than laughing one's ass off at The Second City.
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Review from Kate M.
Toronto, ON
4/13/2009
I'm a big fan of laughing. I think it is listed in my profile as one of my top fav things! As soon as I'm done writing this review I'm going to check that laughing is listed cus it really is the best.
I had heard so so so much about how great Second City is and when their new show got a good rating a had to check it out.
I showed up 15 minutes before their show "0% down, 100% screwed" was said to start. It was sold out. I knew the show was good and all but I thought I'd be able to still grab tickets! GET TICKETS BEFORE HAND! CALL! I have now learnt my lesson.
Anyways! The staff at the ticket box where helpful and kind, and got me on a stand by waiting list. Lucky some people didn't show up (a horrible mistake on their part, but awesome luck for me), and I was able to get in and only miss the first couple minutes of the show.
DO NOT THINK THAT YOU CAN BE AS LUCKY AS ME. GET TICKETS OR RESERVE THEM.
Trust me.
Other things you should trust?
- The wait staff is great!
- The pictures all over the hallway walls of past actors are great!
- The washrooms are pretty clean and thus great!
- There are also FREE improv shows that are so great!
It is all great. Just go. Now. -
Review from thomas g.
Toronto, ON
1/11/2009
Great venue. Needless to say that the mainstage revue is a must see in Toronto but what few people know is that the mainstage actors are offering just after the revue one hour of amazing free improv. And when I say free, it is not only for those who saw the show but for everyone!
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Review from Julianna B.
Toronto, ON
6/10/2009
This is usually a fun, low-key evening out. The humour does tend to be fairly local, which I like. The performance itself is normally funny - not hilarious all the way through, but definitely amusing. The improv after the show is often even better. Improv starts around 11 pm.
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Review from Hassan A.
Toronto, ON
2/14/2009
Its an awesome place. They are hilarious. I haven't laughed so much like that in years.
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Review from Alexandra K.
12/4/2008
Great entertainment, helpful staff, delicious cocktails, and inexpensive. Second City is a must when in Toronto.
Listed in: Toronto: Beyond the Maple Leaf
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Review from Boonie W.
Toronto, ON
1/4/2011
Excellent experience. Take your friends and family. I've been to the last 4 shows (one twice) and have not been let down. The service is great and the drinks are reasonably priced.
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Review from Roy A.
Toronto, ON
7/17/2009
Free Improv most nights. Now that's a great deal!
