Helium Comedy Club

Went here for the first time last week to see Philly’s Phunniest competition. The venue is pretty cozy and the appetizers and drinks aren’t too bad. A little over-​priced, but other than that everything was decent!

Visited the location twice. I saw comedians, a free fight between a drunk lady and a bouncer during the show, and ate good chicken fingers. I mean that’s 4 stars and 5 tacos worthy. Parking kinda sucks. Get there early.

I have seen several comedians at Helium, including Todd Glass and Margarate Cho. I like Helium Comedy Club! The sound system is excellent. The service is pretty good, I wouldn’t expect lightning fast service.
I would recommend you get your dinner anywhere else in the city. The sandwich I had at Helium could have come from Panera Bread and there was too much bread and not enough chicken. The pizza is just alright. Just get drinks at Helium.

I was having such an amazing time UNTIL I went to this place. The comedians were hilarious and then I made one comment and got booted. I even got comped admission bc the manager messed up and kicked me out. I legit did nothing. Do not go to place. Not worth your time. B rate artists for too expensive prices.

My first experience at a comedy club was EXCELLENT, and I have Helium Comedy Club to thank for that. My sister scored us free tickets, not sure how, but we had to go early to pick them up. Since it was so early, we ended up walking around the city to kill time before the show.NBD. Also, not sure if it was because we were pretty early, but we managed to get parking on the same block as Helium.
Once we came back for the show, we had to wait in a short line to get into the main room. We pretty much had to order (to fulfill the 2 item minimum) within the first few mins upon being seated in the main room. That was kind of difficult for us as we didn’t have much time to look at the menu. If you’re not really looking for something expensive they have coffee and tea as drinks.
We finally ordered hot chocolate, coffee, fries, and a seasonal spinach salad. The salad was actually really good — it had spinach, strawberries, balsamic, and pecans. Although it was good, I wouldn’t recommend getting this as it’s hard to really eat a salad and watch the comedians simultaneously. The fries were a good option though, and I highly recommend asking for their honey mustard sauce. I definitely recommend sticking with finger foods at an event like this.
The comedians were mostly good. I was so happy Clayton English was the main act. I had never heard of him before, but MAN is he hilarious. There was only one person who opened up that I didn’t enjoy as much as the others. Not too bad, as these acts were a lot shorter.
I was surprised how quickly the time went by, and at the end of the night we didn’t have to wait too long to get a picture with Clayton. Overall, I LMAO all night, and would definitely come back here again!

5 stars for Jon Lovitz, but 0 stars for the staff that must not need tips.
They crammed us into some table because the show was clearly oversold.
2 drink minimum? You will be lucky if they come around in time.
Word of advice — drink before, eat before, and don’t expect much service.

Best comedy club in philly! Hands down! It has a lot of room there is a two item minimum, but if you go on an open mic night the savings work out. Even with the big names the cost is reasonable.
Not sure of the parking situation so call ahead for that or just take the train and walk from city hall.

When you’re at your wits end, head to Helium for witty banter from a host of professional comedians. Check out the schedule online to find an act that could fit your budget and particular sense of humor, and head over.
Arrive early to claim your tickets, and keep in mind that there’s a two-​item order minimum. They serve basic cocktails, wines and beers, like Victory’s Golden Monkey and Allagash White, as well as your typical fried foods.
I’ve been here twice in semi-​recent times. My first visit was back in August… directly after a super-​crappy incident while driving in Jersey. It’s safe to say I needed a laugh, and the ‘Undateable’ guy who was performing that night sure did help!
My second visit was to see Judah Friedlander of 30 Rock fame with a group of friends. We had great seats and Judah hosted a fun, interactive set. I even made a contribution and he blankly stared at me! It was great. One of my life’s greatest moments.
It’s awesome that the comedians are so accessible here, too. After the show, I was able to get my photo taken with Judah and we decided that we should become Facebook buds. While that didn’t actually happen, he did follow my Instagram… and is still following it, which is cool.
So, basically, expect fun times in a small but comfortable comedy club when you step into Helium.

Good time, good laughs. Looooots of people. Tight space with people slightly cramped on, but still fun.
Make sure to pick up your ticket at the box office first then get in line to get into the showroom. They don’t accept confirmation emails at the doors, only tickets. You can reserve a seat if you book in advance.
Line may be long so arrive early!

Went to the Rory Albaese show this weekend and had a blast. The performers were very funny and really gave us a good time.
Helium was a very nice club to catch a show. From the moment we entered till our departure the staff was really friendly. We were ushered to our seats quickly upon a friendly greeting at the door. Our server was quick with the drinks and never intruded I to the show!
There are a couple bars for you to grab a preshow drink or afterwards and it was a very clean place to be. Wasn’t divey not pretentious, just a cool place to hang out.
We will definitely be back!

I recently attended a comedy show at Helium Comedy Club and loved it. The comedians, openers to headliner, were all great. I can’t wait to go back. Here’s a breakdown of what you need to know:
— The Venue– The entrance is small and you might miss it if you aren’t looking for it. When you enter you’ll be greeted by someone checking IDs, after that there is a customer service desk where you can buy tickets. Towards the back there is a bar and seating area to hang out in before the doors open. The actual comedy club section is small and dark. They really pack the place, but for an hour to 2 hours it’s not that bad.
— Food/​Drinks– There is a two item minimum once you are seated for the show. So drinks you bought at the first bar won’t count towards this. There is a variety of food and drink to pick from. It is a little on the expensive side, but that is to be expected. I’ve tried some of the salads– all delicious– and the app sampler– huge and delicious.
–Tickets– You can purchase tickets at Helium or online. Helium suggests getting there 45 minutes early, otherwise they might sell your seats. General Admission is first come first serve, while reserved seating is typically the first few rows.

My first time at this place. A friend of mine was celebrating her birthday by going to see a comet show. I will say I am most definitely coming back here. The tickets were pretty good for what we «got». Three stand-​up comics who made our entire night! We got a seat in the back which was amazing because it wasn’t far back or up front. Just Perfect! One can order food or drinks from each Individual tables which was great personalized service. The prices were fair for it to be in Center City. Overall positive experience
Tip: you are seated according to how many people are in your group by the hostess and by where you are In line, so the earlier you’re their the better seating you may get.

Summary:
Helium Comedy Club is overly-​packed, understaffed, serving overpriced drinks and greasy tasteless bar-​type food. They are also fraudulent/​entitled. Recommend you eat before going. The comedians range from «Just OK» to «Good».
Full Review:
My first time at this joint, on a double-​date with my wife. We intentionally skipped dinner so we could eat at this place. The place was really packed, which I guess is good for business??? At first they tried to seat us in a corner, right next to the stage, which was unacceptable, and we told them as much. The usher was nice enough to transfer us to the back, which is slightly raised and better overall. We thanked him profusely and ordered our drinks.
The drinks came, and we tried to order food (to meet the 2-​item minimum per person). He said the waiter would come by shortly to take our food order. We waited, and waited… and waited. Eventually the show was starting. And yet no one came. Mind you, waiters and other staff members were walking around, bringing food to other people, and taking orders from OTHER PEOPLE.
We got someone’s attention, told them we wanted to order food. They said they’ll send the waiter right over. And we kept waiting. Our stomachs were starting to hurt, and yet no one came to take our order.
We got someone’s attention again, he said he’ll send the waiter over, yet no one came.
This happened at least 4 times. Our stomachs were truly hurting at this point, and kind of interfering with our enjoyment of the comedians (who were funny). I think at some point «hunger delirium» took over and we were laughing to distract ourselves from the hunger pains.
Eventually someone came (some time after the Headliner had started his set), took our order. After another 15 – 20 minute wait, the overpriced, tasteless, greasy «bar”-type food arrived, which we ate with much sadness (even as we laughed with the comedians).
We finished our meal just as the entire show was ending. We paid our tab with credit card. They had the nerve to write «20% gratuity recommended». I paid the exact amount, and pointedly wrote $ 0.00 gratuity. The next day I checked my bank statements (as I do every few days especially after going out to dinner), and you wouldn’t believe it: they OVERCHARGED me by $ 10. I called my bank and opened a dispute, which was resolved IN MY FAVOR within 48 hours.
This experience led us to believe that Helium Comedy Club is understaffed, overpriced, and FRAUDULENT. We don’t plan on going back here for a VERY long time, probably not ever again. If YOU do, be sure to eat before going.

I’ve been to Helium a handful of times over the years, the most recent being for Judah Friedlander last night.
They were having power issues based on something that happened outside so it wasn’t business as usual. They had a print out for will-​call tickets where you showed them your ID, they found your name, then you signed off that you picked up your tickets. The process was so easy, it’s a shame that places don’t do it old school like that more often.
I don’t think I’ve ever been to Helium during a weeknight, which totally upped my experience. The doors opened around 7:30pm but there was no long lining forming ahead of time. My group of 5 was easily able to get good seats in the front section perhaps 4 rows back from the stage. It was a Thursday night so it wasn’t super packed, which just made it breathable considering how close together all the tables are.
Like most comedy clubs, there a food/​drink requirement. You just need to order two items however there is no price minimum. Having just eaten at happy hour, I was happy to just have a few beers, which kept my two item minimum on the relatively inexpensive side.
The table service was okay. The server’s tried not to be intrusive but based on the cramped quarters, which was really impossible. It was a little annoying that we received our check while the main act was still onstage, but I guess it kept the whole flow of the evening moving. It would have been a hot mess if they waited until the end. I think the server to guest ratio was also a little off because it took a while to place and receive a drink order.
Every show I’ve ever been to had a meet and greet component. I think it’s pretty cool that you could briefly chat with the comics and snag a quick picture.
This goes without saying, but they get some pretty good acts. The openers are typically pretty funny too. For a quality experience that is several hours long, the price is right too. I don’t ever recall paying too much for a ticket.
It’s a good comedy club for when a comedian you want to see comes into town. If you are just a fan of comedy clubs, it’s also can be worth it if you are in the mood to laugh.

I’ve been to Helium many times of the past years. I’ve been for big headliners as well as local night. I’ve never been disappointed. On my most recent trip my husband and I went on a whim. It was our 2^nd wedding anniversary and the night before I received a text about free tickets. We hadn’t made any big plans, it being a Wednesday. We figured we enjoy laughing and free is always good.
There’s a valet parking garage right next door. Do yourself a favor and just park there instead of trying to find off street parking. I’ve parked there many times without issue.
We arrived about 30 minutes before show time. The bartender located at the bar closest to the restrooms seemed to be a little irritated. I didn’t take it personally, ordered my drinks and the we went inside a few moments later. We were seated in the front row.
There is a two item minimum per person. They have a variety of items on the menu. Nothing is super tasty. We ordered the boneless wings and hummus platter. The hummus was plain, no flavor. The wings were wings.
But the comedy was great. And my champagne cocktail was delicious. We were there on dirty dozen night. 12 comics. I believe they were all local since they were on for such a short amount of time. Some were better than others, only one was really awkward to watch, but again for free it was great.
While this show wasn’t my favorite, I’ve never left disappointed and I’m looking forward to going back in a couple weeks to see Jon Heffron.

I went to Helium for a double date to see Iliza Schlesinger last night. I had a hilarious evening with the boyfriend and two friends. The openers got us well-​warmed up for the main act (she had all of us in hysterics), and we got there early enough to get a good seat.
We grabbed some drinks before the show and the bartender was very generous with her pours – which ensured that we were very willing to laugh later. Jared and I both got coffee with liquor before moving onto the specialty cocktails ($ 10). We also had the chicken fingers and fries, which were A-​OK. The fries were thick-​cut and the chicken came with three sauces (bleu cheese, hot, and ketchup). A good snack to munch on when you want to keep your eyes on the show.
Make sure you get there about an hour before the show so you have time to get a drink and wait for the doors to open. The closer you are to the front of the line, the better your seats will be. There is also a two-​item minimum in the showroom, but that was easy to meet because we came a little hungry and *very* thirsty.

Great comedy in a terrible setting. I love comedy, and I like the performers we have heard at Helium. That gets 5 stars.
However, the venue is terrible. 0 stars if there was such a selection. Last Saturday, the usher sat us at a table so far in the back, my back was against the wall. I should have known it was going to be trouble when she apologized to us as she sat us. By the way, the house was not packed, we were not late, and there was plenty of good real estate left. Anyway, we were seated at a small table with two other couples. That’s right, six people, one table 18 inches or less in diameter, a burning candle, the two drink minimum (what’s that about honestly?), in the dark. As you can imagine, during the show, the guy next to me bumped his drink, knocked the candle down to the floor and nearly started a fire in that fire trap. I have candle wax all over my pants. Another thing, If you are going to have a requirement that your guests purchase two items, please vary the menu and get the food/​drinks to us before the end of the show. The food and drink selection for me is intolerable. I give my two drinks to someone else at the table.
There’s a market in this city for a good comedy club. Let’s get one that has great performers and treats its guests like they matter.

If I’m not going somewhere strictly for food and drinks, I generally find it hard to write a review about it. I’ll make the exception here because I’ve frequented this place a few times over the past month due to all sorts of events I get lured into by marketing emails.
Don’t fret about the 2 drink minimum– it’s really a 2 item minimum, so last night I got coffee and apple cobbler. The apple cobbler was actually super delicious but I’ve heard mixed reviews about the other food (overpriced and bland). Drinks are reasonably priced, nothing out of the ordinary– just don’t expect any types of happy hour specials or deals cause they don’t have any.
The waitresses are really, really on point. I feel the need to stress that because at venues like this, they can easily get lost in the crowd and avoid you for most of the night. But here, especially during large events (last night’s was a live taping), they made sure to staff enough people so as to accommodate everyone. And they didn’t miss a beat. I hardly ever had to flag our girl down and she was very quick and quiet so we didn’t miss the performances.
For the acts themselves, the stage is tiny and the seating is too close for comfort, but I’ve never had a bad time here. The quality they churn out of this place is unexpected and fresh. You might get a few bad seeds from time to time, but the emcees (who are usually funnier than the real acts) know how to loosen up the crowd and lighten the mood.
The venue itself is dark and outdated, but there’s a nice lounge outside the viewing area to grab a drink or two before and after the performances (plus strike up a conversation with the comics!) The swanky lighting and layout fools you into potentially turning your weeknight dinner and a show into a drunken all-​nighter, so be forewarned.

Came for a comedy event thrown by the Comedy Club at Wharton. It was nice to see my friends perform and all the but the service was just horrid and it really affected my experience at this establishment.
I had a seat at the front row but was the only person not asked or served drinks! Then when I get up to ask a waitress, she tells me she can’t help me because I’m not sitting in her «area». Unacceptable.

This was my first time at the club. I went to see Adam Ferrara last Friday night.
I was going to park in the garage next door but they only had valet parking. So I pulled out of it and found one the opposite direction a few blocks down.
We got to the club 20 minutes early and there was already a line. I bought reserved tickets so they already had my name. I signed next to my name and I was given my tickets. We only waited in line for like 10 minutes. When we got into the area where the show was, a woman walked us to our table. The place was very dimly lit; only little votive candles lit the room. It was a nice room though. We were taken to a table where they had little booths to sit and watch the show.
There were a couple opening acts, the female wasn’t really funny, sort of gross. The next guy (Mac Blake) was pretty funny. I went to the bathroom before Adam came on. The bathroom was clean but pretty small for a ladies room. I think there were only like 5 stalls.
The wait staff were pretty on the ball making the rounds throughout the tables. I ordered a water, my friend ordered a couple hurricanes and we got some chicken fingers with fries. They weren’t anything special but they were good. Adam of course was great. I’ve watched him since 2000 when he had a special on Comedy Central.
Met him after the show really nice guy. All-​in-​all I would come up to this place again.