Helium Comedy Club — Restaurant in Richmond Heights

My mom and I attended the show together. We had called the day of because I am a wheelchair user and have a service dog. We wanted to confirm that there would be space for me to have a seat and be comfortable. We were told that they could accommodate that and that we had "reserved seating" due to my accessibility needs. We arrived at the show about 40 minutes before the start time as we were instructed on the phone and were pointed to the elevator. As we reached the floor and the doors opened, the crowd was literally pushed against the elevator. Had people not been extremely kind and made space, we could not have gotten out of the elevator. They then asked if anyone had reserved seats. Because I had been told we did, we made our way through the crowd. We were then told we didn't have reserved seats but upon seeing me in a wheelchair, told us to follow him. When making our way through the hallway to the actual seating, he stood in a corner and pointed us towards the main room saying, "don't roll over my feet." Of course I didn't, but the hallway was not wide enough for me to get through even without him there. I ended up rolling up onto the pole holding up the makeshift hallway divider that I was unable to get off of. My mom also could not move it and the staff made no attempt to help. Again an attendee on the other side of the divider stepped in and pulled it towards himself, saving me from being stranded. Staff did move the second pole and I avoided getting stuck again. We then had to sit at the first table because I would not have been able to navigate any further into the venue. The entire show and before and after, I was stared at by staff and patrons and bumped into constantly. A waiter tripped and spilled a drink because the wheelchair was in the path. As a wheelchair user, it was humiliating and uncomfortable the entire time. We weren't really able to see because of where we were seated but had no other options available because of the wheelchair and I wasn't able to enjoy the show because of feeling in the way and embarrassed by everything that had happened up to that point. At the end of the show, we had to wait until every other person had left because I couldn't turn around and navigate out. This led to more staring at ms and being bumped into. I am an adult and was treated completely unacceptably by patrons and staff alike. I chose not to bring my service dog that particular day for other reasons and stated to my mom after that had I brought him "i would have just left before the show because it wouldn't have worked." Other people in attendance also echoed the lack of accessibility and one said she chose not to bring her service dog due to knowing the venue's size. This was all bad enough but made all the worse by your venue stating multiple times on the website that it is "fully accessible" and having called and been told you could accommodate us. The doors to get into the venue didn't even have buttons so if my mom had not been there, I would have been trapped inside after other people left while was waiting to get out. We will never attend a show here again or recommend...

This was my first time to Helium so I went to the website and read up on all policies prior to going to the club. I was going to buy my ticket online but the fees took the ticket from 15$ to just under 20$. I thought these were online fees associated with tickets prices so I decided to purchase tickets at the club. Turns out those fees are at the box office too.

The website states that the restaurant is open 2 hours prior to the show and that tickets become available at that time. My show was at 8 pm and I was at the box office at 6:10 to buy general admission tickets. I went straight from the box office to stand right at the showroom doors so I was the first GA ticketed person they admitted. According to the website it says "General Admission seats are available on a first-come, first-sat basis. The earlier you arrive, the better your seating will be". I believed I would get the best seat available behind the reserved seats near the center. This could not be farther from the truth.

I was seated as far to the right, next to the wall, almost at the back of the room facing the stage. I didn't understand this. I was the first GA admitted why didn't I get a better seat. I had waited for 1 1/2 hours.

It turns out that they assign you seats at the box office. Getting there early had nothing to do with where I was seated. Also, given that I was a single person table, I believe that led to why I was given a seat to the side near the back. I believe people who had two guests, and would obviously spend more, were given preference over myself. If you have assigned seating your website should say that.

I was really upset and someone from the club came over and told me I wasn't seated on the side because of my single status and that if I would be happier they could move me to the middle all the way at the back of the room again. I just wanted to be treated fairly and I don't believe I was.

I had not eaten dinner because I was going to treat myself at the club, but after not being treated well I only ordered 2 sodas, which did not taste good.

Also, prior to the show they said that they were giving away prizes to some of the attendees there who texted in. I got a text back saying I had won and that I should come to the box office to claim my prize. I went to the box office right after the show to claim my prize and the box office was closed. When I asked the staff about claiming the prize, I was told I was going to have to come back another day. They failed to mention in the giveaway announcement or in the text to claim it right away or the box office would be closed.

Except for the comedian Drew Lynch was was so amazing, I was really disappointed with the...

This review is primarily for the venue. The 2 local comedians and headliner were a fun time, but the exceedingly poor service distracted so much from that I've decided to only rate my experience with helium. We were a party of 3 and paid extra for the reserved seating. There was a party of 5 in front of us, very large individuals who we struggled to see around but that's not really on the venue I guess just unfortunate placement. The tables are quite close, which makes it difficult for the waitresses to move about. Still, the tables around us were already receiving their second orders before we had even spoken with a waitress. We ordered food and drinks, as there's a 2 item minimum. Our first and only round of drinks arrived at the end of the second act. The food never showed up and our glasses remained empty for the rest of the show. A waitress was frequently returning to the table of 5 in front of us to check on them (they received several orders throughout the night) and, despite our waving at her, we were unable to get anyone to our table until they were running payments. I told her we never received our food and thus wouldn't pay for food. She said she'd go check on it. As the show was in its final minutes, she returns rushing 3 orders of cold overpriced items. I had a burger that was charred black, cold, and so dry that it crumbled apart into the food basket. It was accompanied by kettle chips, which was just a little chip bag. I honestly think the kitchen was punishing our table for a late food order. The waitress rushed us through payment without apology and we similarly rushed through eating as the room started to clear out. The food was simply too expensive to not eat and we had a 1.5 drive ahead of us. So much of our attention was given to seeking service that was not there, that we really struggled with enjoying the show. I'd say it would be worth attending for the comedians and to eat and drink beforehand but the venue has a 2 item minimum. They also seem to be aware of the bad service because they include a service charge to make...