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iO West (Formerly Improv Olympic West)
IO West Comedy in LA
Overview: Not quite as illustrious as the original Improv Olympic in Chicago, the iO West in Hollywood has a good reputation for its improvisation and sketch comedy acts. The iO West is located on Hollywood Blvd just a block and a half away from Vine St.
Opened in 1997 by Paul Vaillancourt, the iO West has three rooms: the 99-seat Main Stage in the front of the venue on the Hollywood Blvd side, the Andy Dick Black Box Theater in the back and a studio classroom upstairs. It has two entrances: one on the side on Cahuenga (this entrance has a flight a stairs) and the front entrance on Hollywood Blvd. From the front, the iO West looks like a non-descript storefront or liquor store and the bar area is right at the entrance.
The Andy Dick Black Box Theater (used to be just the Black Box), the only one I’ve been to a few times, is a small room about 20 chairs and a stage. There is no cover for this room but the talent leaves a little something to be desired. The programming and performances are not always improv. They can be truly eclectic sketches.
As quaint a theater as the iO West is, the Main Stage has drawn and continues to draw big names like Drew Carey who, whether prompted or not, appear as a welcome sight. The iO West also hosts the annual Los Angeles Improv Comedy Festival during the summers.
Location: 6366 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028
Site: http://west.ioimprov.com
Ph: (323) 962-7560
Hours: Shows are scheduled in the evenings.
Cost: The Black Box theater is free of charge
Parking: There are lots of parking lots around this area from $5 – $15. There is also street parking but this area, Hollywood and Vine, is popular so street parking might take you away a couple of blocks.
Accessibility: There are two entrances to the Improv Olympic West: one on Cosmo St and one from the Hollywood Blvd side. The Cosmo St entrance has a flight of stairs that lead into the Black Box section of the improv venue. The Hollywood Blvd entrance is wheelchair accessible and takes you directly into the bar area.
The main room is up a flight of stairs so it is not wheelchair accessible. The small, Black Box room is wheelchair accessible.
Getting There: www.metro.net, www.ladottransit.com