1) The Dinner Detective
Ok, ok we are biased, but hear us out! (or, check out some reviews!) The Dinner Detective offers an experience unlike any other when it comes to murder mystery shows. No hokey costumes, no pressure on the audience to play a pre-written characters, and our actors are hidden in the audience so the killer could be sitting right next to you…. Fans of improv and true crime will love this interactive comedy show as they compete to win the title (and prize bag) for top sleuth. The Dinner Detective holds public shows on weekends year-round, and offers private shows for groups of 30+. This is THE place to go in town to get a mystery, prizes, drinks, comedy, AND a four-course meal all in one!
2) The Drop
At “The Drop” guests can expect to see a wide variety of local stand-up talent and enjoy touring comedians from around the country. The Drop is a good choice for fans of traditional stand up comedy, if you don’t want to make the trek to Chicago. Regular shows happen on Fridays and Saturdays, with open mic nights every Tuesday as a free show. Run with a DIY feel, its a fun place to grab a drink, or a low pressure spot to try a few jokes yourself.
3) DIY Comedy Club
DIY Comedy Club is a good pick again for lovers of stand-up comedy. While other clubs in South Bend have recurring scheduled shows with regulars you’re used to seeing, DIY offers less frequent shows with a variety of local featured comics and headliners. You’ll have to keep an eye out for when they schedule a show (sometimes only once a month), otherwise you can check out their open mic nights for some up-and-coming talent every other Wednesday.
4) The Lark Comedy Institute
The Lark Comedy Institute bills itself as an organization bringing improv comedy education and experience to South Bend. You can occasionally catch their improv team “Shower Buddies” performing around town, or take one of their comedy classes. They even offer improv for teens with their season troupe “After School Specials”.
5) Morris Performing Art Center
The Morris is a huge venue, and hosts many big name comics as they tour through the Midwest. While it isn’t a regular ‘club’ and doesn’t hold it’s own shows, it houses plenty of forms of entertainment including comedy shows. Tickets aren’t always the cheapest, and you will want to plan ahead to see a show here. Recent and upcoming acts include Gabriel Iglesias, Kevin Hart, and ‘Who’s Line Is It Anyway?’
