Upright Citizens Brigade – Franklin

Hell yeah. This place is awesome. Finally a funny place!
I love perks of living in LA and this is 100% one of them. You get such talented people that are always coming in or live town. Sadly, you also get people that are trying but not good. I feel like a lot of comedy clubs in LA are full of the people that are just okay. But this comedy club knows funny. They do a great job at picking some more well-​known comedians, and then comedy crews that interact with the audience.
This location is right in the middle of the strip on franklin. If you know where Birdies the restaurant is, it’s right next to it. GET TICKETS ONLINE IN ADVANCE. Not expensive at all. $ 5-​$ 10 per person. This theatre is super small, and intimate. Tickets sell out quick! Especially the really good shows. Once you have guaranteed tickets make sure you get there early. I even recommend eating, or getting a drink at Birdies while you wait. The line is quick but before every show the line wraps around the corner.
Theres no bad seat in the house since the theatre is small. However, you do have the option to sit literally on the stage which is awesome. You feel like it’s a show just for you. The show I saw was the «Text message crew». Two different crews came out. What they did was read someones text messages from the audience and made scenes out of it. OMG so funny! Laughed so hard.
I highly recommend checking it out for date night or with some friends.

Feeling like laughing your ass off? Well this is the place for you. We came to see the ASSSSCat improv show which was supposed to be a single hour, but wen’t on for 2 hours. For 10 dollars a ticker we certainly got our moneys worth. My face was hurting by the end of the show from laughing so much.
We had the pleasure of witnessing Zach Woods in action that night, as well as 6 other very talented comedians. At $ 10.00 per ticket the value was incredible. I’d suggest seeing the later show, as the comedians can perform longer if they decide to, and often times they go and hang out just outside the theater afterward which gives you the opportunity to chat /​thank them for the wonderful show.

UCB is a solid ⁴⁄₅ improv experience. The actors are not as seasoned but it is an accessible and inexpensive show to see for $ 6 (actual cost considering the service fee). I have seen 10+ shows here and they are just good enough to make you feel like they are worth your time and money.
If I could rank the improv venues that I have been to I would say 1) The Groundlings (10+ shows); 2) UCB (10+ shows); 3) IO West (10+ shows); 4) Second City (10+ shows)

If you’re looking for affordable entertainment, look no further! The UCB has many shows daily. I came here on a Friday night to watch the soundtrack gig and Winslow. Both were entertaining, however the soundtrack gig was funnier. I think the element of music just adds another layer to improv. Also I think the audience did not provide for more interesting and juicy stories for Winslow. The performers are all very nice; we sat in the front row and did not get picked on. The boyfriend was just a tiny bit unsure about sitting in the very front because it’s usually fair game in comedy gigs, but we were safe! This UCB location is great because there are cool shops and restaurants next door which makes for a lovely date night. I’m definitely looking to come back as part of the audience and maybe even considering taking some improv classes. Whoa.

This is a great place to check out improv. There are performances all the time and they are reasonably priced. Don’t need advance tickets.
Very funny stuff, mostly by amateurs. Everything is right on the spot, nothing is scripted. Very different from stand-​up comedy.
Small stage, comfortable atmosphere. Clean restrooms. Go check it out.

Attended my first ever UCB show with a friend visiting from out of town. I’ve heard good things about the theatre for a while now but for $ 5 (+$ 1 handling when buying online), I went in with pretty low expectations. We saw the Grindr musical and some sketches performed by BriTANick. Completely blown away. The performers were on point, the musical number had me crying with laughter, and I was especially impressed with the chemistry and fully thought out sketches from BriTANick. A fantastic night, way more dimensional and entertaining than a recent experience I had with Groundlings.
Looking forward to checking out many more shows!

$ 6 for a super funny 45 minute improv show and BYOB? Sounds great to me! Perfect for those times you just want to do something chill and low key and also when you’re on a budget.
We went Saturday at 7pm. If you can score tickets to the 7 and 8pm, I highly recommend doing so. 45 minutes just didn’t seem long enough!
They ask the audience 2 questions to help guide the show: «what’s your secret guilty pleasure» and «what can you not believe you used to be into». Come prepared with a unique response if you want to be part of the show!
I’m just amazed at how wildly creative these guys are! So well done and so incredibly entertaining. I’m a weirdo that sometimes gets bored at comedy shows, but the improv here is so well done and fast paced, you never get a chance to be bored.
The theater is pretty old and nothing special, seats are not that comfy, but what were you expecting for $ 6?
Can’t wait to come back!

MAN OH MAN I love UCB. I’ve never seen a show I didn’t love. My current favorite is Sentimental Lady. And the thing I love about UCB is that almost all their shows are $ 5 — I sometimes feel like the shows at the other big comedy houses are unnecessarily more expensive. Also ADDED BONUS: it’s right next to Sushi Stop! Which has super cheap and fast sushi until midnight :)
PARKING TIP: Up or down on Bronson, but more likely up. The neighborhood north of Franklin is usually pretty good, no meters and there’s a 2 hour limit.

Great place to come with a couple people for a laugh if you’re on a budget. The room they perform in isn’t very big but the shows are great.

A wonderful community exists here, beyond the fantastic quality of shows.
Yes, bad improv exists, and it is frightening. However, I’ve never seen a show at UCB where I want my money back. Most shows are exceptional. The weekend shows are stellar. JV is top notch. The Smokes are fantastic.
I love the intimate space of this blackbox theater. It fills up fast, the lines are, long, but it is well organized, and the energy is inviting inside. Laughter swirls about and can bring anyone out of their seriousness pretty quickly after just a few minutes.
The philosophy of living in the moment is fully awakened here.
They offer classes, more shows, and training at the newer Sunset location.

Fun. Lots of fun. It also depends on what show you’re going to see. I know that they have improv classes there and I had a friend who took the improv classes there and whenever I would go and watch them practice we always had a blast. I went there just recently and saw the Apple sisters perform I’m not sure whether or not they’re Upright Citizens Brigade alumni but the show was incredible. Go if you get the chance you have a good laugh.

I came to LA on a Comedy trip but didn’t really have a reason to go to UCB. I came here on a whim to see Soundtrack, an imrpov show where people give up their Iphones, a DJ plays music off these people’s phones, and the actors improvise scenes based on the music. Ift was a great, and I love the space — I sat in the front row, and was shocked how there were seats on stage!
I would love to come back for an ASSCAT or a Doug Loves Movies or anything — this vacation opened my eyes to the greatness that is improv comedy!

First time here last week… saw a live Ronna & Beverly… I’m a huge fan so this was truly a dream for me. Not knowing what to expect and literally having no idea what we were in for, we showed up just 15 mins early. Big mistake. If you’re coming to a show here that is sold out, arrive way way earlier. I would say at least 30 mins, if not more. We will not make that mistake again. The theater itself is tiny, and we were forced to sit on the stage. Not the worst thing because we got to be very up close and personal with R&B, and even had some interaction with them. I had my life dream fulfilled of being yelled at by Ronna. Tickets are cheap, you get what you pay for. Also, do yourself a favor and Über here… parking seems to be a nightmare, as it is everywhere in LA.

Get here early for free shows and to find parking. There’s always a line!
Great venue for comedy nerds and a fun place full of history if you want to experience a little of that too. The place is pretty small and nothing really special to look at, but the shows are really a treat. At $ 0-​$ 15 a ticket you really can’t feel bad. PLUS you can bring in food and alcohol.
If you can’t decide what to watch, start off with Asssscat.

Every time I go to a show here I wonder why I don’t do it more often. They’re always cheap (under $ 15), hilarious (I’ll never forget the chat roulette show…) and it’s BYOB. It’s like the holy trinity!
I’ve never been to a bad show here. So just pick one and go!

Comedy nerds get your fix at UCB Theatre.
Upright Citizen’s Brigade may sound familiar to some. They were a comedy troupe formed in Chicago, co-​created by Amy Poehler of SNL and Parks and Rec fame.
Shows at the theatre range in price from $ 0 to $ 10.
My friends and I used to attend the free Friday midnight improv show. Since my world has changed and I cannot even fathom driving out to Hollywood for a show that begins at midnight, I haven’t been to this theatre in almost a decade. But if you have it in you, check it out. Always a hilarious time.
More recently, the boyfriend and I attended a live taping of the podcast, Doug Loves Movies. It was refreshing to see that the theatre hadn’t changed much since my last visit. The stage is tiny and there are maybe 150 seats. It is an extremely intimate setting, where performers feed off the crowd. Lines form before each show, so if you have a large group, you will want to get there early to make sure your seats are together.
Street parking is possible, just be patient. Stop by Bourgeois Pig for a (coffee) drink.

A bit of a bitch to get to if you don’t live in LA (OC), but otherwise a great experience. Dirt cheap shows, easy parking, a good restaurant next door and a great bookstore as well. You can even pay L. Ron a visit if you want, just don’t piss them off. Definitely a cheap date night idea if you are struggling. Just remember to line up early.

This place is awesome! I’ve been here twice to see improv shows. The first time, it was a free show with «unknown» comedians, but one ended up being Doug Benson from Super High Me. He and the other comedians were hilarious.
I went again last night, my ticket was $ 5 and I purchased in advance. It was their Howard show night, so two teams performed. Both so funny!
This place is awesome with great shows. They also sometimes have well known comedians. I just kissed Tim Meadows when I arrived. This is definitely worth checking out.

Trash Customer Service. Do not expect these to help people at all. Simple time change requested 60secs after purchase and they treat it like an ordeal. To top it off the receptionist has the nerve to get attitude with me for even asking. That doesn’t take away from the comedy but I typically don’t like to give my money to assholes even if they have good stuff.

Only downside was that parking was difficult as its all street parking and everywhere close was taken.
$ 5 tickets for a supposedly 30 min show that ended up lasting an hour! Pretty damn great deal.
I forgot the name of the show I went to, but I doubt that really matters all that much because I’m sure anything you see will be absolutely hilarious. Not only was the show itself great, but the show host was as well. Even though I often find advertising for other shows a little obnoxious, the show host did it so funnily… he also got out a 6 pack of colt 45’s to audience members.
If I was in LA longer, I’d be going all the time.

I love Amy Poehler and she talks about Upright Citizens Brigade all the time in her book. I was pleasantly surprised to find this location right around the corner from my boyfriend’s place in hollywood. I got us tickets to watch Asssscat on a Saturday night.
The line starts quite a bit before the show. We got there late and got the last pair of seats next to each other. It’s a super intimate setting with maybe 40 seats? The show was about an hour long and super entertaining.
It’s the perfect date night with the restaurants and café nearby!

Alright, we actually went to the Sunset location. But there’s no Unilocal location for it. But we are big fans of UCB! Definitely a highlight for our LAX trip. We were able to catch the Baby wants Candy musical improv. Was a delight to watch and be a part of. Glad to hear that they will be doing shows regularly.
Would recommend showing up 10 – 15 minutes early, so you can get in line to get decent seats. All seats are good, but if you have any hearing decencies whatsoever, i would suggest sitting in the very front, as the performers do not use mics.
$ 6 is a steal for a night of hilarity and also supporting local learning actors :)

Lots of great improv from past and present students. Some stand-​up comedy, some sketch show. Most shows are only $ 5. You do have to arrive early and stand in line for a good seat, but the show is really well worth it.

You always see lines outside for the improv, so I tried it late one night. Pretty full house, and non stop laughs. You see the occasional celeb going in there, and some make a drop-​in appearance.
It was a really good crowd, and fun time. My face hurt after from smiling.
Personally just wish the PA was a tad quieter, for me sensitive ears
Looking forwards to another visit

I love this theater. It’s definitely «old» but can you blame it? This stage has seen so much love! I’ve had the pleasure of seeing Bangarang!, ASSSSCAT, Dead Authors, Your F’ed Up Family, and a few other shows here and I have loved every single one.
The shows are so affordable and almost always start on time and the rotating casts provide ample fresh faces and variety to each one.
Of course who doesn’t wish that this place had a bar or something but, with all the options next door and surrounding this theater it really doesn’t matter.
Can’t wait to go back again for another show!

This is a great place to come check out if you want to watch some quality improv on a budget! I came for a show on a weekday evening at 9:30 pm, and the show was $ 6.
Just a word of advice — if you want to get a good seat facing the stage instead of on the side, come early because the line gets long about 20 minutes before the show! Also, buy your tickets in advance online at least a few days before because it does sell out!

Brought my bf here as a surprise and thank goodness it was fun!
First thing I checked was if there was a bar. no. Sad face.
But let’s bring turn that frown upside down… byob! I snuck in some snacks and beers in my big purse (and guys complain we carry around huge purses for nothing… psh) no one saw. No one said anything. And made the night even better!
Not only was the show good it was only $ 10 dollars for tickets and $ 10 for all my goodies… that beats any professional comedy clubs that force you to buy their high marked drinks.
I’m def coming here again :)
Ooh and don’t let the café fool you. the entrance is on the opposite side of the building~ inside a gated area

Sure, this theatre may seem a little rundown, but it’s the performances that take place inside that make it great.
As a soon-​to-​be «citizen» of the Upright Citizens Brigade, or ‘UCB’ as it is more commonly called, I came to see what was in store for me once I graduated from Improv 101, by coming to see one of my buddy’s performances that all students must go through if they wish to advance to the next level in their Long Form Improvisational training. For a $ 5 entrance fee, and a hell of a time finding parking, you can be treated to 40 minutes of laughs by the graduating class, as they work together using suggestions from the audience to put their newly-​learned skills to the test by thinking on their feet and working with their teammates to find the unusual in everyday situations.
The theatre isn’t just used for friends and family coming to support their graduating buddies, though. There is a new show going on almost every night, with very reasonable entrance fees starting at $ 5, and always something interesting in the works. Not to be confused with the UCB school itself, this little theatre is the perfect place to hang out with friends and get some laughs out of your otherwise uneventful day.