Boom Chicago: Comedy club in Jordaan, Amsterdam

★★★★★ 4.7

Boom Chicago is an improv comedy theatre at Rozengracht 117 in the Jordaan in Amsterdam, making shows in Amsterdam since 1993. You go for improvised scenes, characters and songs built on suggestions from the audience, plus sketch shows on life in the city, in a complex of three theatres with a cafe-bar over several levels. Two American graduates, Andrew Moskos and Pep Rosenfeld, came to Amsterdam in 1993 to start a comedy theatre, even though the tourist office wrote back that the idea would not work. They brought improv to a mainstream Dutch audience, and more than a million people have since seen the company. Seth Meyers, Jordan Peele, Jason Sudeikis, Brendan Hunt and Joe Kelly all came through the ensemble, and the Boom Chicago Academy now teaches improv to newcomers. The main theatre, the Big House, has a flat floor and high ceilings, while the Upstairs Theater has red curtains and the Attic seats 30. Together the three theatres have 500 seats. Stained-glass windows from 1913 run along the bar. In the main theatre each seat is near a shared table and waiters serve during the show, so arrive 30 to 60 minutes early for a drink. Payment is by card only, and the food is a small snack menu. Be there at least 15 minutes before the show, because late arrivals get whatever seats are left. Most shows run for about two hours with an interval, while Shot of Improv and Sunday Night Live are shorter and usually one act. Staff operate a lift from the street to the main theatre, so call or email ahead if you need it. The Upstairs and Attic theatres have no wheelchair access. Parking is available nearby at Q-Park Europarking.