The legendary comedy institution that launched John Candy, Mike Myers, Martin Short, Dan Aykroyd, Gilda Radner, and dozens more. The mainstage show and bar menu are both excellent — and the improv sets after the show are free.
Neighbourhood: Entertainment District · Address: 1 York St, Toronto, ON · Hours: Shows Tue–Sun (check secondcity.com) · Price Range: $$ · Phone: (416) 343-0011 · Editorial status: Not yet verified
See top Toronto comedians perform sharp, original sketch comedy where the crowd gets to help shape the show—plus, the improv sets after the main act are free and often funnier than the ticketed part.
Second City Toronto is the only place in town with a direct link to an SNL-level comedy legacy and a steady pipeline of future stars. Unlike typical standup clubs, shows here mix witty scripted sketches with wild, unscripted improv—all performed on a pro-calibre stage with an in-the-round feel.
Before there was Saturday Night Live, there was Second City. The Toronto outpost of the legendary improv comedy institution opened in 1973 and has since launched more famous comedians than any other institution in Canada — a list that includes John Candy, Mike Myers, Martin Short, Dan Aykroyd, Gilda Radner, Catherine O'Hara, Jim Carrey (trained here), Eugene Levy, Andrea Martin, and dozens more who shaped global comedy for the last 50 years.
The Mainstage revue is the cornerstone experience: a 90-minute scripted sketch show performed by the current resident company, always sharp, always relevant, always packed with the kind of high-concept premises and snappy dialogue that characterise Second City's approach. The company rehearses for months and refines constantly — the material is polished without losing the energy of live performance.
After the Mainstage show, the same stage becomes an improv set — completely free, completely different, built from scratch out of audience suggestions and the performers' instincts. This is where Second City lives up to its reputation. On a great night, the free improv is better than the ticketed show; on a mediocre night, it's still the most interesting 30 minutes of comedy you'll see in Toronto. Stay for it.
The venue is intimate — 300 seats — and the sightlines are perfect from anywhere in the room. Order food and drinks before the show; the kitchen is legitimately good and the bar menu is creative. Book ahead for weekend shows; Tuesday through Thursday is easier to walk in.
Mainstage revue tickets are approximately $35–50 depending on the show and night. Weekend (Friday/Saturday) shows are priced higher. The post-show improv set is free — you can stay after the mainstage show or arrive for the improv portion without buying a ticket. Some special events and alumni shows have different pricing. Book at secondcity.com.
Second City Toronto's alumni list is extraordinary: John Candy, Mike Myers, Martin Short, Dan Aykroyd, Gilda Radner, Catherine O'Hara, Eugene Levy, Andrea Martin, Dave Thomas, Joe Flaherty, and many more. Jim Carrey took classes here in the early days of his career. The Toronto company has historically been the most comedy-productive of Second City's North American locations.
After each Mainstage revue performance, Second City Toronto's resident company performs a free improv set for the audience. This is completely spontaneous, built from audience suggestions, and does not require a separate ticket. It typically runs 30–45 minutes. You can stay after the show you've paid for, or arrive for the improv portion without buying a mainstage ticket.
Second City Toronto is at 1 York Street in the Entertainment District, near Union Station and the Rogers Centre. The closest subway is Union Station (any line), a 5-minute walk north. St. Andrew Station (Line 1) is also close. The venue is at the southeast corner of York and Front Street.
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