Frequently Asked Questions

1. Your Night at Boom Chicago
2. Buying Tickets
3. Getting to Boom Chicago
4. Groups at Boom Chicago
5. Boom Chicago's creativity for your work

All information in regards to our Terms & Conditions can be found here.

1) Your Night at Boom Chicago

What is an evening like at Boom Chicago?
Boom Chicago is a fun theater where you can eat, drink and laugh. The English-language comedy show is two hours long including a 15 minute intermission. We do appreciate an enthusiastic audience, but proper theater behavior is required during the show.

Who is playing tonight?
Boom Chicago is a creative organization that makes and performs our own shows. Rather than booking comedians who are traveling from theater to theater, our actors are hired for an average of 2.5 years where they move to Amsterdam to join the ensemble. You can see the current cast on this site under actors. You can see our current show listing here.

Is it stand up comedy?
No, unlike Toomler and the Comedytrain, Boom Chicago is sketch comedy and improvisation. Boom Chicago combines short scripted sketches with improvisation based on suggestions from the audience. This exciting form of theater was born in Chicago over 40 years ago and has spawned famous theaters like The Second City, Improv Olympic, and UCB as well as TV shows like De Lama's and Whose Line is it Anyway?

Can I reserve seats?
Those who come early to eat get better seats, and VIP tickets holders naturally get the best seats. Those who come late are seated in the remaining seats or on the balcony. In order to ensure a better dining and show experience, we strongly recommend arriving early!

Where do we eat dinner?
Dinner and the show both take place in the theater at long tables. The atmosphere is very gezellig. Dinner for the second show on Saturday takes place in the lounge upstairs and you will have first choice of seats in the Theater.

Can I eat during the show?
Last food orders are taken when the show starts, but we prefer that guests come early, get good seats, and eat before the show. It is less disruptive to the actors and other patrons, and also more social.

Can you cater for vegan / vegetarian / gluten free / allergies?
Yes. Please notify us of special dietary requests at least two days in advance. Our a la carte menu has a nice selection of vegetarian options.

How good does my English need to be?
Most of our audience does not speak English as a first language and the show is easy to follow. The show consists of many small parts rather than one long story so it is hard to lose the plot. There is a lot of music, video and spectacle which is good for non-native speakers. If you can follow a sitcom in English, you can follow the show.

Is there a minimum age?
Not officially. We recommend 12 and older, but we'll leave that up to the discretion of the parent. There is likely to be some swearing and sexual references and of course, we can never predict what audience members will yell out for suggestions. If it were a movie it would probably be rated 12 in Holland or the UK, and PG13 in America.

Is there wheelchair access?
Yes, though limited. Our toilets are on the same floor and useable for those in wheelchairs but not officially handicapped accessible. Please notify us when reserving and we will do our best to accommodate.

Do you have air conditioning?
Yes, we have really good air conditioning. And we don't turn it up too high like in America where you sometimes need to put on a sweater.

Can I enter the theatre after doors have closed / show has started?
The doors close 15 minutes before show time and empty seats are given to the waiting list. Please arrive on time as there are no refunds for latecomers.

Can I bring my dog?
No pets are allowed.

2) Buying Tickets

All information in regards to our Terms & Conditions can be found here.

Does my ticket include food and drinks?
No. Food and drinks are extra. By the way, if you went to a place where food, drinks and a show cost only about €20, none of it would be any good.

When I buy tickets online, will the tickets be sent to my home?
No, tickets purchased online will be held for you at our box office. You will receive an email confirmation with your unique reservation number. Please present this to our box office on the night. The tickets will also be held under your name.

I want to buy tickets online. How can I pay?
Boom Chicago's website accepts Master Card, Visa, American Express or payment by bank transfer from a (Dutch) ABN AMRO, Postbank or Rabobank account. At our box office you can also pay with PIN or cash.

Is it safe to buy tickets online?
Absolutely. Our website is secure for online payments and your credit card details are handled (only) by PaySquare, a professional, secure, reputable Dutch payment processing company.

Are tickets refundable?
Tickets are non-refundable and non-exchangable.

3) Getting to Boom Chicago

Can you give me driving directions?
Of course. Print out directions starting any place in Holland here.

Is there free parking?
Wouldn't that be nice? Unfortunately, parking is expensive. Q-park next to the Marriott is convenient and easy. It takes five minutes to walk to Boom Chicago.

Find Q-Park here.

Where should I park my bike?
Next to the Stadsschouwburg is best and convenient. You can also park in guarded underground parking next to Paradiso for 50 cents.

What about public transportation?
The Leidseplein is well served by trams 1, 2, 5, 7, 10 and regional busses. For those taking the train to Amsterdam, there are good tram connections from Centraal Station (tram 1, 2, or 5), Amsterdam Amstel (metro to Wesperplein then tram 7 or 10), and Amsterdam WTC (tram 5).

4) Groups at Boom Chicago

Will my group be seated together?
Yes. Groups are seated together at long tables or on our balcony. Arriving late could result in separate seating for your group, so please arrive at your reserved time.

Do you offer group discounts?
Yes. Our show-dinner-drink packages are discounted. There is no group discount, however, for loose tickets.

What is 'unlimited Dutch Bar'?
This is a drinks package that includes domestic beers, wine, Dutch liquors, juices and soft drinks. This offer starts when the theater doors open and ends at 'last call'. It is not valid in the Boom Bar or out on the terrace.

What if the numbers in my group go down?
If you arrive on the night with fewer people, we will charge you the full amount for tickets and food.

My group is celebrating something special. Can you mention us in the show?
Unfortunately, no. Because much of the show is improvised, we cannot use any information fed to us ahead of time. The best thing would be for your group to shout suggestions when asked and participate in the show on the night. It is from these live interactions that we select people and themes for greater roles in the show.

Can we stay in the theater after the show?
Not really. We do encourage you to continue your evening in the Boom Bar or out on the Leidseplein in warm weather. The actors can usually be found there as well.

Is the theater available for a private event?
Definitely. Our unique and flexible space is perfect for people looking for something professional and different. Please contact our reservations and sales department at (020) 530 0232 or reservations@boomchicago.nl

5) Boom Chicago's creativity for your work

Does Boom Chicago perform at corporate events?
Yes. Boom Chicago is Europe's leading theater group for creating customized, interactive comedy shows. In addition to daily shows at the Leidseplein Theater in Amsterdam, Boom Chicago writes and performs over 200 special programs a year for corporate events and conferences worldwide. Contact our corporate show department at (020) 530 7302 or sales@boomchicago.nl

I watch your videos online. Do you also make them for corporate customers?
Absolutely. Boom Chicago makes comedy videos and topical weekly shorts for distribution channels like AOL, MSN, MTV Holland, ZoomIn, boomchicago.nl, and corporate clients like Microsoft, KPMG, and Greenpeace Contact our corporate show department at (020) 530 7302 or sales@boomchicago.nl

To Latest News

To Homepage