Is Boom Chicago fun with friends?

Well, that’s an easy one. It’s almost like we wrote the questions ourselves. YES! You don’t go out enough with your friends anyway, so what a good occasion to get the gang together. For groups of six or more, we offer a dinner and show package that must be ordered in advance. At Boom you get the drinks part, the dinner part, and then you sit back and enjoy a great show with your friends. Unlike a boring theater, the drinking even continues during the show!

Can you accommodate diet requests?

The meal is halal. There are no nuts on the menu. We do accommodate vegetarians. Depending on your package, we can accommodate other dietary restrictions.

OK, what is the difference between the regular and all vegetarian option?

The regular menu has a mix of meat and vegetarian dishes and both types of eaters will be pleased with the options. Buuuuuut, if most or all of your group are vegetarian, then there might not be enough food for hungry (vegetarian) eaters. In that case, we suggest you order the all vegetarian option. There are only those two choices: Regular mix (of meat and plant) or all vegetarian.

Please try and be on time as everything is worse when you are late. This means poorer service, a worse quality of food and (worst of all) less gezelligheid. We recommend you arrive at 18:00 (17:30 on Fri and Sat) for a drink and social time before dinner. Please do not arrive after 18:45 (18:15 Fri and Sat). That is when we serve your first course. If you are later than that, your food could be cold and you might have to wolf it down or finish in the theater with a plate on your lap. There is no reason to call us if you are running late. Until someone invents a time machine, there is unfortunately nothing we can do.

If we are eating in the bar, will all the good seats be taken when we go in?

We will save good seats for you in the theater. Enjoy your meal!

Drinks are separate from your package. We serve great beer including craft and local options. Our wine list is from Grape District and we make delicious cocktails as well. Plus all the non alcoholic drinks and coffees one would expect. Normally, you settle your drink tab from the bar at the end of your meal and then pay per round in the theater. If one person wants to pay for the whole night of drinks, see the manager on the night to make arrangements.

One of us is celebrating something. Can they be in the show?

Yes and no. We don’t arrange anything in advance because we don’t want people to think we plant people in the audience. The best way to be in the show is to shout out suggestions and volunteer if we are looking for someone. On Wednesdays, however, WTF Improv usually has a great option to include someone from your group. We also offer a “Roast and Toast” every night where you feed us information about the guest of honor. We write this in advance and perform the private roast for your table before the show. This costs extra, but is amazing and very special. Email us at hello@boochicago.nl for more about these options.

What if we want to reschedule?

You may reschedule your group four or more days before the show.

We are not a proper kitchen and we start the dinner process (scheduling staff, ordering groceries, reserving supplies) four days before you come. Once that happens, we are committing to the costs of your meal and it cannot be changed.

What if someone is sick or can't come?

Sorry to hear that. Dinner and show tickets are non-refundable. However, if you contact us 4 days before, you can reschedule!

You won't believe what happened to me! Can I have a refund?

I think you might see this coming, but sorry we do not offer refunds. On the plus side, we can usually reschedule if you contact us before show time. (But food cannot be rescheduled due to issues that come up on the day)

Can we invoice the night?

Corporate show packages can be invoiced. Regular tickets cannot be invoiced.

BOOM CHICAGO FAQ

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is Boom Chicago?
Boom Chicago is a creative ensemble that has been making comedy shows in Amsterdam since 1993. Many people also refer to the show and the venue as Boom Chicago.

What time should we arrive?
It is smart to arrive 30-60 minutes before showtime. Then you can have a drink in the bar, and get seated in plenty of time. Arrive at least 15 minutes before showtime. If you arrive late, we will seat you in (probably) worse seats.

How long is the show?
Usually shows are about two hours with an intermission. Shot of Improv and Sunday Night Live is shorter and usually one act (no intermission). Find more info on each show page.

We have two separate reservations and someone is coming late. Can we sit together?
Sure. Tell our host when you go in the theater. We all have that friend who is late.

Do we sit at a table?
Sort of. In the main theater, you don’t reserve a table, but each seat is near a table. Generally, six seats share a table, even though everyone sits in rows. VIB seats are more comfortable and generally are two or four to a table. There is waiter service before and during the show. The Upstairs Theater has small tables, but no waiter service.

Can you eat at Boom Chicago?
There are many options for groups. For couples, friends and small groups, we have food and show packages which can be ordered online in advance. On the night there are only nuts to order at the bar.

How do we order drinks?
Before the show, order drinks by the pitcher, bucket, bottle, or glass. Buckets of ice keep things cool. Bring your drinks in the theater. There is additional drink service from waiters during the show (in the main theater). We do not accept cash at Boom Chicago.

Is there a coat check?
There is an unguarded coat check in the bar where you may hang your jackets (at your risk). You may also bring your coats and bags into the theater. Nothing has ever happened, but we will not buy you a new coat if it goes missing.

Will you make fun of me in the show?
Dutch people, relax. Our intention is not to make anyone look bad. The show is improvised so we need you to shout out smart suggestions and feel safe to do that. Occasionally we will interview someone at random. This is good news. That means we will make a scene, character or song about you. Get out your phones to record it. This is like sitting in an exit row on the plane without paying extra!
Our main theater is wheelchair accessible and we have a lift to bring people from the street to the theater level. This lift is operated by a staff member, so please call or email us in advance (hello@boomchicago.nl) so we can be ready to receive your party. We also have a wheelchair accessible toilet.

Our Upstairs Theater and Attic Theater are unfortunately not wheelchair accessible.
‘Dinner’ would be a strong word. ‘Snacks’ would be more accurate. We serve a small snack menu including nachos, hot dogs, and bitterballen.

However, there are many options for groups that can be arranged in advance.
We have new seating setups that allow you to sit close to your partner, family and flatmates, but away from other groups. Couples can choose a comfy couch, a VIB table in the front or a side table. In the balcony, seats are side by side.
Is Boom Chicago stand up comedy?
By Dutch standards, yes. Internationally, it’s a bit blurrier.

Traditionally, stand-up involves telling jokes and stories into a mic, with many stand-ups improvising during their sets. We host stand-up shows, and several of our improvisers also perform stand-up. In fact, we now have The Comedy Embassy, a dedicated stand-up show at Boom Chicago!

However, a typical Boom Chicago show blends sketch and improv. Our comedians create scenes, characters, and music based on audience stories and suggestions. Since every show is different, our fans keep coming back for more!

What is the difference between Boom Chicago shows, visiting performers, and community shows?
Boom Chicago shows are created by our creative ensemble. They are sketch and improv shows. Visiting performers do whatever they do, usually stand-up comedy. Community shows are professional comedians doing something unusual, or (sometimes up and coming) comedians from the Amsterdam comedy community. Many community shows feature students and graduates from the Boom Chicago Academy.
Is there an age limit?
Not officially. There is some language in the show, but it is not dirty on purpose. Cool 10 year olds can see the show. 13 is probably a good age to start bringing your children. If you don’t understand anything in the show, your children can explain it to you. There are no children’s tickets although you can buy them student tickets.

Is Boom Chicago a show for Dutch people?
Although the shows are in English, most of our audience lives in greater Amsterdam. We do make fun of Dutch people and life in the Netherlands, but that is just our ‘Dutch honesty’.

Is Boom Chicago for tourists?
Boom Chicago is a show for locals that tourists love. All our shows are in English.

My English isn’t so good. Will I understand the show?
Come on. Your English is fine. This isn’t Shakespeare. But, if you miss something, the show moves quickly to something else. Also it has music too, which is fun for people with less English skills. (Yes we know it’s supposed to be ‘fewer’ English skills. Our high school English teacher is spinning in his grave)

Is Boom Chicago for Belgians?
If you are from Belgium, please tell a theater employee and we will speak slower.
How do we pay at the venue?
Bank cards and credit cards only. We do not accept cash at the venue. We do accept Dutch pin cards, foreign (Maestro) bank cards, MasterCard, Visa and American Express.

Can I pay with my Podium Cadeaukaart or Kunst en Cultuurkaart?
Yes! Please email hello@boomchicago.nl with your card number (typed out) and the date and time of the show you’d like to attend. Our team will assist you with your booking!

Can I visit Boom Chicago with my IAmsterdam City Card?
Yes! We are an IAmsterdam City Card location. Just arrive at Boom Chicago at least 30 minutes before showtime, and our Front of House staff will assist you.

Can I visit Boom Chicago with my StadPas?
Once a month, yes! To use your StadPas, you must email us at hello@boomchicago.nl with your card number, the show you wish to attend, and the date and time.

Can I visit Boom Chicago with my Go City Amsterdam Card?
Yes! Just arrive at Boom Chicago at least 30 minutes before showtime, and our Front of House staff will assist you.

What if I can’t make it on the night I bought tickets?
We can reschedule your tickets at least 24 hours in advance.

What happens if Boom Chicago cancels a show?
On the rare occasion where that is necessary, of course we will refund your money or reschedule your tickets.

Whoo-hoo. I’m with all my buddies and we’ve been drinking all day!
That’s not a question. Drunk, disorderly, and disruptive people (or just plain jerks) will be removed from the show with no refunds. Trust us, if we remove you, you deserved it.
Is Boom Chicago still on the Leidseplein?
No. The city has changed, Grandpa. Prices have gone up since they introduced the euro, some waiters don’t speak Dutch and we moved to Rozengracht 117 in 2013. The Chicago Social Club, the nightclub we co-founded in 2011, remains at the old location.

How do we get to Boom Chicago?
Duh, Google it.

Where do we park?
At Q-Park Europarking on Marnixstraat. It is a five-minute walk to the theater. Read more here for a special discount.

What about public transportation?
Tram 5, 13, 17 all stop at Rozengracht/Marnixstraat. Tram 7 (and many buses) stop at Elandsgracht (then 5 min walk). The 19 is rerouted until February, 2025. Now we are a 6-minute walk from the De Clerqstraat stop.

FRIENDS NIGHT OUT PACKAGE

Well, that’s an easy one. It’s almost like we wrote the questions ourselves. YES! You don’t go out enough with your friends anyway, so what a good occasion to get the gang together. For groups of six or more, we offer a dinner and show package that must be ordered in advance.

At Boom you get the drinks part, the dinner part, and then you sit back and enjoy a great show with your friends. Unlike a boring theater, the drinking even continues during the show!
The meal is halal. There are no nuts on the menu. We do accommodate vegetarians. Depending on your package, we can accommodate other dietary restrictions.
That’s not a question.
The regular menu has a mix of meat and vegetarian dishes and both types of eaters will be pleased with the options. Buuuuuut, if most or all of your group are vegetarian, then there might not be enough food for hungry (vegetarian) eaters. In that case, we suggest you order the all vegetarian option. There are only those two choices: Regular mix (of meat and plant) or all vegetarian.
Please try and be on time as everything is worse when you are late. This means poorer service, a worse quality of food and (worst of all) less gezelligheid. We recommend you arrive at 18:00 (17:30 on Fri and Sat) for a drink and social time before dinner.

Please do not arrive after 18:45 (18:15 Fri and Sat). That is when we serve your first course. If you are later than that, your food could be cold and you might have to wolf it down or finish in the theater with a plate on your lap.

There is no reason to call us if you are running late. Until someone invents a time machine, there is unfortunately nothing we can do.
We will save good seats for you in the theater. Enjoy your meal!
Drinks are separate from your package. We serve great beer including craft and local options. Our wine list is from Grape District and we make delicious cocktails as well. Plus all the non alcoholic drinks and coffees one would expect.

Normally, you settle your drink tab from the bar at the end of your meal and then pay per round in the theater. If one person wants to pay for the whole night of drinks, see the manager on the night to make arrangements.
Yes and no. We don’t arrange anything in advance because we don’t want people to think we plant people in the audience. The best way to be in the show is to shout out suggestions and volunteer if we are looking for someone.

On Wednesdays, however, WTF Improv usually has a great option to include someone from your group.

We also offer a “Roast and Toast” every night where you feed us information about the guest of honor. We write this in advance and perform the private roast for your table before the show. This costs extra, but is amazing and very special.

Email us at hello@boochicago.nl for more about these options.
You may reschedule your group four or more days before the show.
We are not a proper kitchen and we start the dinner process (scheduling staff, ordering groceries, reserving supplies) four days before you come. Once that happens, we are committing to the costs of your meal and it cannot be changed.
Sorry to hear that. Dinner and show tickets are non-refundable. However, if you contact us 4 days before, you can reschedule!
I think you might see this coming, but sorry we do not offer refunds. On the plus side, we can usually reschedule if you contact us before show time. (But food cannot be rescheduled due to issues that come up on the day)
Corporate show packages can be invoiced. Regular tickets cannot be invoiced.