Finest City Improv — Restaurant in San Diego

I'll start by saying I'm not a professional improv critic and know that every night can be different with improv. That being said, I have also been to improv more than 20 times across the country and this was by far the worst show I have ever seen.

We went to the ~7pm show on 1/19. Wish I could give more details about the group but there were no introductions so I have no idea who was even performing.

It seems like the venue is new to them. It's honestly not great for a show as it's essentially an old store front and not the more ideal darkish room that you'd expect to see any comedy show in. It was easy to check in and find a seat. Plenty of snacks but no alcohol as they are "working on it". We were hopeful that it meant they had some coming for the show but we ended up leaving too early to find out since the show was so bad.

The show was just flat out not funny. Within the first half, there were maybe a handful or random chuckles at best throughout the crowd. Everyone's sense of humor is different, sure, but the room was dead. If you were watching the crowd you'd think it was a poetry reading more than an improv show.

On top of that, there was no set context for the show at all. The host just jumped into it with no format other than seemingly trying to make up a story about a date/bad date? Literally every improv show I've been to gives a little speach about what improv is and then before each little "act" they set some context as to the format. Not once did this happen and even being stone cold sober, we had no idea what was going on.

Honestly, it might have been out of desperation at but, I started to be offended by where the show was going at one point before we walked out. Before we left, all the comedians we're using southern accents (for no story specific reason) and started throwing F-bombs left and right as that sort of got a few laughs from the audience. We are not from the south and often curse like sailors ourselves but this all just seemed desperate and childish at best.

In short, it seems like most of the reviews are for classes people have taken to learn how to improv and not actually reviews of their shows here. Maybe it was a bad night and they are working out how to have shows in their new location but avoid this place at all costs for now. We had a great time in Old Town at that improv show,...

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...

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...