Finest City Improv, San Diego CA

I've been to Finest City a bunch of times to see performances because my friends take classes there. I have a love/hate relationship with this place.

LOVE: Great community there, lots of accepting, down-to-earth people. Nice selection of non-alcoholic drinks for teetotalers like myself - nice sparkling water and tepache options. The shows are hit-and-miss, and when they hit, they are HILARIOUS! The small theatre is intimate and fun. As an audience member, you feel like you are part of the show (and you are!).

HATE: The parking is a huge pain in that neighborhood, so you need to budget extra time to find a spot if you are a cheap-o like myself. My least favorite part of the Finest City experience is the Worst Seats Ever in the theatre. I've tried lots of sofas and chairs in there, and I walk out feeling sore and crochety every time. I often have to balance the desire to support my friends and the dread of being in pain for 45 min, and the latter usually wins out. Sad!

If you are still in your twenties and can get over the parking and the torture contraptions for chairs, and you don't mind a lame show or two every now and then, you'll probably love this place.

Incredible night of improv. Intimate seating inside the venue. We showed up early for a beer and enjoyed chatting with the bartender.

We plan to go back for more classic movies behind the bar and great improv comedy! ️

It's a pretty cool place. Nice little bar in front, nice little theater in back, definitely a unique looking space. They offer improv classes and the shows here are fun and creative. If you come on their jam nights you can participate as an improv performer. Great place to get your feet wet if you're looking to start building a hobby in theater.

Street parking or paid parking only.
Nice clean venue with friendly staff.
Bar available.

My first time going to Finest City Improv.

A friend invited me so I went to support and check it out and was pleasantly surprised at the venue.

It is very easy to find. It even has "COMEDY" in huge letter painted on the building- can't miss it!

You walk in the front and it's a small but roomy bar lounge area.
The bartender is polite and they have a few draft beer options, cans of kombucha and even had Arizona ice tea.
That was awesome.
However the Arizona was not cold.

Once you walk past the door into the stage area it's fun, cozy and plenty of circulating air.
I would recommend a sweater.

But if you want to go see improv comedy or stand up comedy or even a spoken word or slam poetry show, this place in the heart of Hillcrest is a great spot.

I didn't know my friend was so funny.
Check out all the pictures I shared!

We went for a short improve show and a stand up comedian and had a blast. The show area is intimate and the design seems well thought out so I don't think there is a bad place to seat. The comedians were amazing and improv troup was engaging and really fun. The front bar offers beverages and a patio out front if you want a drink for the show or you just want to hang out on site a little longer. This place is fantastic

Great comedy show for a great price! Love the diversity of comedians! This could be one of CA secret gems!

That was heaps of fun, Hilarious and all round good laughs, the variety of comedians we had on the night was just outstanding.highly recommended.

I loved it. It reminds me of the Sacramento Comedy Spot. The 3 main differences were: Finest City doesn't currently sell beer (cans), you pay for each show individually, and when they interviewed their guest, they brought them back to the stage 2 more times throughout the set. This particular guest was part of a local acapella group and her group performed a few songs after the comedy show. Totally recommend this place!

Great place for improv in San Diego! Engaged staff and performers and a vibrant student community! If I lived in SD I'd be here every weekend and next time I visit I'll be sure to come through again