Name: RISE Comedy | Comedy • Bar • Classes
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RISE Comedy - Bar • Comedy • Improv • Stand Up

4.4

Based on 390 reviews

I had a wonderful experience my entire visit here. The staff and casts were warm. The shows were great. The theater and lobby/bar are roomy and delightful. ... I saw several improv shows, plus illusionist/mentalist Professor Phelyx. All shows were incredibly fun, and had top-notch production, from lighting to music to cast energy.read more

Michael A.

05:25 02 Aug 21

Improv + the most incredible mentalist we have ever seen!Shane met us at the door, ushering us in and making us feel welcome even though we were running a... few minutes late. The opening improv show was fantastic. The actors were warm and friendly. The second act, Professor Phelyx blew my mind! His stage presence shows how much he loves his craft. We couldn’t stop talking about what a fun, inspiring and amazing experience it was to watch Professor Phelyx. He is here at RISE on the fourth Saturday of each month. We would highly recommend going to see him. Mind blown!read more

Dusti Y.

16:18 31 Jul 21

My husband and I hired performers from RISE comedy to provide entertainment for our guests during our wedding reception. Hosting a wedding reception during the... pandemic came with many challenges and we were very worried that our guests would be bored at the reception, since so many restrictions were in place for social distancing. Steve was awesome to work with. He was able to work within the budget that I had, and accommodated several changes along the way. More importantly, the private improv performance allowed our guests to be engaged during the reception while remaining socially distanced. We had a blast, many of our guests were impressed with this entertainment option. The two performers arrived early and were able to incorporate their observations from the guests, our slideshow, and our toasts to provide a highly personalized experience. I would absolutely work with them again in the future. Their performance at our reception made it so fun and memorable. Definitely recommend!read more

Genevieve B.

15:47 12 Oct 20

We had a team building workshop and had a blast. As one of our first events together since March of 2020, Steve went out of his way to ensure we were safe and... had tons of fun!read more

John R.

20:40 24 Sep 20

Omg this was such a great time! We saw the stand up comedy and improv comedy on friday night. Everyone was super cool and the comedians were pretty funny. The... improv comedy was so impressive! Bonnie was the best (i love her voices)! Hours of laughter and awe for $16! I'll definitely be back!read more

Jeremy O.

19:42 01 Mar 20

This place is amazing! The location and ambience are exactly what you're looking for when spending an evening in downtown Denver. I also recently rented out... the venue for a private event, which is a service they offer when their schedule allows. The manager and staff were incredibly accommodating and easy to work with. I'll be back again and again!read more

Kevin M.

17:33 21 Jan 20

Acts were really fun And different from eachother, admission was super cheap for the 3 shows that occurred back to back, drinks were a bit pricy but that's a... fine tradeoff for the value admission. A great memorable night in the city.read more

Jeremy G.

02:06 27 Aug 19

This comedy club is great, it is small and quaint however this allows for lower prices as well as more crowd involvement. They also do charge separately per... show each night so make sure to buy tickets in advance or be ready to possibly wait until the next show of the night.read more

Tyler M.

21:58 23 Jun 19

As an improviser (who has improv-ed in many cities), I love the atmosphere and community at Voodoo. It has great opportunities to join classes, jam, do... drop-ins, audition for teams, or put up your own show. Management, employees, and instructors work their butts off to keep it a supportive and creative space.read more

C F

22:47 06 Mar 19

For the price, I enjoyed it. A local improve troupe, called Smooth came in and ran with it from two different audience topics, marine biology, and riddles. The... ticket taker and emcee were nervous, but hey, it's ok!read more

Jeff H.

14:26 22 Feb 20

If you're into Improv you'll enjoy it here. Not my cup of tea but I ended up having a blast after giving it a chance. Doctor bitslinger was my favorite group... by farread more

Rich D.

01:18 15 Feb 19

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Welcome to RISE Comedy (formerly Voodoo Comedy), Denver’s only full-time improv comedy bar and theater! We offer fun and unpredictable entertainment experiences in the heart of LoDo. RISE Comedy is the place to enjoy a wide variety of intriguing, original improv comedy, sketch comedy, Denver improv classes, karaoke and more; a well-stocked bar; and a unique, affordable night out that you and your friends won’t soon forget.

We have been performing in Denver since 2008, with The Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Dinner Show and Hit and Run: Musical Improv. Over the years, our passion for interactive, unscripted theater grew exponentially, and we realized it was time to expand our dreams and move into our own theater space. After a lot of hard work and planning, founder Steve Wilder opened RISE Comedy as the Voodoo Comedy Playhouse, on Wednesday, October 26th, 2011.

There is an amazing level of comedic talent in our city, and we are most proud to present these shows for your approval. We consider all of our shows to be the cream of the comedy crop, with performers who are or soon will be known on the national stage. We’ve also hosted many nationally known improv and comedy acts, such as Kevin McDonald of Kids In The Hall, Frank Conniff & Trace Beaulieu of Mystery Science Theater 3000, Ithamar Enriquez, Patrick Rowland, Karen Graci, Craig & Carla Cackowski, Brian Babylon of NPR’s Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me, and many many more.

Over its history, RISE Comedy has helped to raise the profile of improvisation and comedy, both in Colorado and beyond. In 2016, RISE hosted the first meetings of the Diversity in Colorado Improvisation group, which promoted positive changes for inclusion & diversity in the Colorado comedy scene which continue to this day.

On January 1st, 2019, RISE was pleased to welcome Nick Armstrong and Josh Nicols as new partners and co-owners. Working with original RISE Comedy founder Steve Wilder, Nick & Josh have brought their decades of comedy and improv experience to the table, and we are excited to usher in the next wave of evolution in Denver improvisation!

RISE Comedy

4.5

Based on 591 reviews

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Rise Comedy

4.0

Based on 101 reviews

See all reviews Write a review

I recently held a Sales Kick Off for my company and invited Steve from Voodoo Comedy to lead a session on improv to help our sales team focus more listening,... communication and, most importantly, being present. After completing session, my only reaction is WOW! The energy Steve was able to bring to the team and the level of engagement from our sales team was incredible! Everyone had an amazing time and even a few days after the session, I have been consistently hearing our sales team use and remind others of techniques Steve taught us. Thank you Steve and the entire Voodoo Comedy team! I highly encourage any company who is trying to identify ways to increase their sales team soft skills to utilize Voodoo Comedy. I promise you won't regret it!read more

Andrew John G.

19:48 17 Jan 20

I tried my hand at standup last night at a “Butter Your Muffin” beginner night. It was wonderful!
I could not have found a better place for my first time... on stage.
The staff and the customers they attract are so nice it’s hard to believe.
Voodoo Comedy gets my highest marks!read more

Andy G.

15:23 12 Jul 19

Love this place! Great venue and the shows are on point. I have been here a few times and I am never disappointed. From the best bartender in town, Jason, to... my favorite comedy clan, Chuckleheads, that are an awesome, friendly and talented group of people just trying to make the world and the people in it laugh. I plan on keeping Voodoo on my list of entertainment to-do for awhile! Cheers!read more

Michelle C.

23:42 30 Apr 18

Had a great time with Third Kind Improv on Thursday night. Tickets are reasonable, drinks are reasonable. "Family Friendly" recommendation was right on (for... this particular show). Was enjoyable for all of us - aged 11 - 52 years.read more

Michelle McNemee R.

23:28 01 Jan 18

My wife and I dropped in to the Monday night drop-in improv class. Our teacher was none other than Steve Wilder, the owner of the club. We are both new to... improv and weren't sure what to expect. Steve created a really comfortable environment to just play and try new things. We'll definitely be back.read more

Brian A.

18:33 10 Oct 17

Visited from Boston and I swear this was one of my favorite times! The improv was hilarious and the bartender was nice and friendly. Very affordable and... awesome because you can hang out the whole night! Loved this place and will miss it!read more

Nina Cherie E.

06:45 26 Jun 17

First time there. We went with a big group for one of our friend's birthday. Soo funny!!!! We stayed for the drinking game afterwards. We were still talking... about it at home and I was telling everyone at work today about it. I would love to bring friends and family there for the same experience! UNIQUE
(My bf was injured and in SOO much pain, but he was cracking up and participating.) �read more

Mary Theresa M.

04:22 11 Jun 17

Improv is incredibly entertaining. A night spent seeing improv is a night well spent. Voodoo is a great place to see it. As a man who doesn't drink, I... appreciate that the Voodoo does not have a drink minimum.read more

Jake H.

19:52 06 Jun 17

Cool place for local comedy! I always have a great time with the staff. As a huge fan of improv the Improv players at the theatre really knew how to give the... audience an amazing show.read more

Tony L.

12:37 15 May 17

I really liked it! Tix were $15 and we were welcomed to stay all night. Good drinks & funny/ awkward comedians had us laughing throughout the night. It's an... intimate setting and we will be back.read more

Quinn P.

02:11 15 May 17

As a local performer and producer I have always appreciated any opportunity to perform at The Voodoo Comedy Playhouse. A LOCALLY owned business that cares... about the community and gives back whenever they can, Steve and his crew should be proud of the performing venue they have built. The patrons that make up the audience at The Voodoo are always well behaved and courteous, which is a big deal if you've ever played a club that needs security to control a darker type of element in their club. The club is well maintained, clean, well lit and very accommodating and I've always found the front of house crew to be very friendly. The Voodoo opens it's stage to a wide variety of shows from crazy variety like mine to improv stand-up and burlesque and all of these shows go through a selection process that promises to bring only the best to the club. I have friends and family who are disabled and this club is extremely accommodating. The ticket prices are incredibly affordable especially for an entertainment venue right in the heart of Denver's bustling downtown. So do yourself a favor and plan an evening in the city patronizing a locally owned business and gifting yourself with some much needed laughs!read more

Mona L.

06:07 13 Feb 17

I was the event planner for a preschool fundraiser, with a night of improv and silent auction. We decided to book the VooDoo, and Steve and his team could not... have been better - responsive and helpful from time of booking through the show, they helped make our event a great success!! We loved the intimate venue and the VooDoo team was so welcoming and friendly to our group. Thanks, VooDoo, for an awesome event!read more

Kristi Kue G.

16:49 01 Feb 17

Looking forward to my shows this weekend
Steve who runs the room is good people
You saw me in my awkward teen years as skippy on family ties
Now... see me perform live in my awkward adult years !!!read more

Marc P.

17:39 15 Dec 16

Steve Wilder and Nick Trotter set up an unforgettable evening for my team, and we had a blast! We had a group of roughly 30 workmates who are coordinating... changes across policies, processes, tools, and culture, and we were looking for a group activity that would enable us to have fun while also reinforcing how best to work with multi-functional, large-scale groups. After spending time talking with Steve, we knew he understood how to take these concepts and translate learning into fun activities. We certainly did not know what to expect, and our team was a mixture of folks who were “very nervous” and “can’t wait to get started.” Everyone learned something and were still talking about it the next day. Thanks VooDoo for a great event!read more

Leann D.

18:30 16 Nov 16

Voodoo facilitated a workshop and put on a show for my son's middle school improv class. They were talented, professional and very hilarious. The students... learned a lot of technical skills. The facility is nice and they kept it at middle school level for this group, which was probably hard to do. Can't wait to come back here for the adult shows and drinks. Nice job.read more

Marjii Guichon M.

20:59 21 Oct 16

This place is awesome. I was able to create a virtual tour for Steve, the owner, and they truly provide a space that everyone can enjoy. I recommend anyone... to stop by to see the space and grab a drink. Steve and the people that run the space are down to earth and welcoming. 10 Stars if I could. 🙂read more

Say H.

18:03 23 Aug 16

One of my most very favorite places in Denver to hit up for an enjoyable evening. HIGHLY recommend Hit & Run Musical improv or The Duel if you are looking for... particular shows. Improv theater is something near and dear to my heart, and I believe in supporting the local improv scene by attending shows. I would very much recommend Voodoo Comedy Playhouse to others!read more

Aaron N.

05:55 11 Apr 16

Just went here for the first time. I got to see 3 improv shows for the price of one. Can't beat that–especially when they all KILLED! Whether you like... Shakespeare, musicals, Doctor Who, or anything else, the Voodoo will knock your socks off with hilarity!read more

Ian D M.

06:05 27 Feb 16

We had our Company Christmas Party at Voodoo Comedy playhouse. We had an absolute blast!. We were able to have our food catered and we were able to use the... facility for the whole event. The show was amazing and geared toward our group they even kept it rated G and still kept the show hilarious. Charlie was our bartender and went above and beyond even providing us with some entertainment. This is a top notch Improve group. I would highly recommend having your group activity at Voodoo Comedy Playhouse. Thank you All for a tremendous time. We will be back.read more

Emily O.

22:55 22 Dec 15

Its a small place but the entertainment is good. We got a few laughs from it and there is small bar there and a good restaurant behind it. You will have fun... laughingread more

James A E.

17:02 20 Nov 15

Voodoo Comedy Playhouse is a fun and inexpensive way to mix up your evening and enjoy some great laughs while supporting local acts. It's a great value for... your money, so get there. Like now. Go.read more

Gail M.

03:11 30 Mar 15

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We offer a fully-stocked bar for your enjoyment, as well as a technologically advanced theater setup to provide the ultimate in amusement. We are open five nights a week for shows. The bar opens at 7:30 PM Tue – Thu, and 6:15 PM Fri & Sat. Shows are 18+ before 10:00 PM, and 21+ after 10:00 PM.

Hit and Run: Musical Improv and our other improv comedy shows are available for private events, and the theater itself is available for private functions and rentals.

With RISE Comedy, we have made our dreams real, and we’d love to have you in for a show and a drink. See you soon!

About The RISE Comedy Co-Owners & Partners

Nick Armstrong is managing director and co-owner of RISE Comedy. Nick is an Actor, Improvisor and Writer living in Los Angeles, CA. On TV Nick has been on the Emmy-Award winning shows The Office and Grey’s Anatomy. He has also made appearances on Jimmy Kimmel Live, New Girl, Stan Against Evil, Brooklyn Nine Nine and Parks and Recreation. He has also sold and written TV shows to numerous networks including TruTv, A&E and more. Nick has trained at The Groundlings and iO West. He is an alum of The Sunday Company at the Groundlings and currently performs at the M.I.’s Westside Comedy Theater with LA’s Critically Acclaimed Harold team King Ten and County Line. He has also taught improv at iO West, The Groundlings, The Pack Theater and has done workshops all over the world. Nick is also the Camp Director and Founder of Camp Improv Utopia a a 501(c) (3) Non Profit improv retreat for grown ups. He is also one of the founding members of the The Improv Network.

Josh Nicols is artistic director and co-owner of RISE Comedy. An LA Native, Josh has been a professional improv teacher, producer and performer for over 20 years. He has studied under instructors from iO West & Chicago, The Annoyance Theater, Groundlings, UCB, Second City & The Pack Theater. Josh is the creator of Spectacles Improv Engine’s unique focus based curriculum. He has performed and taught around the country and abroad. He is the Artistic Director/ Co-owner of RISE Comedy in Denver as well as the head counselor for Camp ImprovUtopia. Josh was the improv teacher at Mater Dei High School, He also served as the Training Center Director at the Westside Comedy Theater, prior to that he was the Artistic Director/ Co-Owner of Spectacles Improv Engine in Fullerton Ca. He created and directed 7 years of The Orange County Improv Festival and founder and former director of The Improv Cup.

About The Founder Of RISE Comedy

Steve Wilder (Stephen Wilder) is the original founder of RISE Comedy in Denver, Colorado (formerly Voodoo Comedy), operating since October 26th, 2011. He has been teaching, improvising and performing for 28 years. An alumnus of iO West and Second City Hollywood, Steve has performed with and studied under improv luminaries such as Michael Pollock, musical director of Second City Hollywood and the premier improv accompanist in the country; Shulie Cowen, the founder and director of Opening Night: The Improvised Musical in Hollywood; David Razowsky; Armando Diaz; Kevin McDonald; Craig Cackowski; Dave Hill; Eric Hunicutt; Karen Graci; and many many more.

Steve now operates as CTO and corporate/private workshops & events manager for RISE Comedy. He has personally deployed corporate workshops and events for companies such as Apple, Adobe, Comcast Xfinity, Chipotle, DaVita, Dell, Ernst & Young, Google, Microsoft, Vail Resorts, and many others. Steve is honored to have been chosen as the keynote speaker for the 2021 RMHA conference in Black Hawk, CO.

In addition to RISE Comedy, Steve is co-executive producer for The Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Dinner Show, where he manages 5 cities across the country, as well as coordinating the websites for all 75+ locations. Steve is also founder and director of Hit and Run: Musical Improv™, Colorado’s longest-running improv comedy show, which has created hundreds of fully improvised Broadway-style musicals over the past 16 years, at theaters and festivals across the country. In 2016, Steve co-founded the Diversity in Colorado Improvisation group; this group kickstarted a change in inclusivity and diversity in the Colorado improv scene, which continues to this day.

In the virtual arena, Steve produces online shows for HNR and RISE Comedy, as well as operating as Lead Digital Architect for The Virtual Detective. Through The Virtual Detective, Steve has so far produced 7 full-scale digital productions, and has performed hundreds of shows for dozens of colleges and organizations across the country and internationally, including shows in Canada, Bahrain, Hawaii, Morocco, Italy, the UK, Switzerland, Germany, Scotland, and many other countries.

Steve’s comedy festival and improv festival performing & teaching credits include: Los Angeles Improv Festival, New York Musical Improv Festival, New York Improv Festival, Out Of Bounds Comedy Festival, Montreal Improv Festival, Duke City Improv Festival, Denver Improv Festival, Colorado Improv Festival.