Included in San Diego Magazine's "Best Of San Diego," Finest City Improv is San Diego's premier club for professional improv comedy. Located in the historic Hillcrest neighborhood, just minutes north of Downtown, you'll find laughter comes easily and by the plenty here. Comedians make up scenes right on the spot, weaving together hilarious stories that will leave you asking, "how do they DO that?!"
Finest City Improv boasts a newly constructed outdoor patio and stage, as well as an intimate indoor stage that seats just forty. With our drink menu full of local brews, it's a perfect place to unwind and celebrate with laughter after a long day. The theatre runs shows every weekend, featuring comics trained in the art of laughter. Curious? You'll just have to come to see for yourself!
What is improv?
Improv (or improvisation, if you want to be formal about it) is a performance art form where “players” or improvisers go out on stage without a script and create something surprising, hilarious, and fun, right in front of your eyes! Many times it involves participation from the audience, usually just a simple one-word suggestion.
Oh, so like “Whose Line is it Anyway?”
Mmmm, yes and no. “Whose Line” employs short-form improv, which is a series of games designed to spark quick, funny responses. Some of our shows employ short form games, but we focus primarily on long-form improv.
Okay, if it's not “short form” then what is it?
It's about creating theater… with characters, relationships, and situations… on the fly… based on an audience suggestion. No two shows are ever alike! Most “sets” (shows) last about 25 minutes and can be comprised of many interrelated scenes (and sometimes songs and dances!). Patterns will naturally begin to emerge and the end result is...magic!
What's the best show to see?
There are as many answers to that as there are shows and comedy teams! Your best bets overall are the Friday and Saturday shows at 8pm. We have Finest City Improv "house teams" (aka "pro" teams) that typically play at those times. Look for the shows Deep Dish, Found Family, Willis, Fjordache, House Boat, One Tree Hillcrest, and Bankers Kill.
Can I get involved? I'm pretty funny.
If you have improv experience you can join us on Thursdays for our OPEN JAM! Or, if you want to learn, we have an entire series of improv classes plus one-time workshops for more experienced performers. We also host some stand-up shows and have open mics every other week.
