Crackers Comedy Club

The manager. Oh the manager. How in the world is she the manager! My friend and I bought tickets to see Chris Rocks younger brother and was a little late due to the snow. I parked the car and my friend went up to hold our already paid for seats. When she walked in a gentleman brought out the manager and the manager "Ruth Anne" red hair was so extremely rude to her. She said have you looked at the clock? The show had started slightly and she said she couldn't seat us. My friend asked a couple more questions and she threatened to the call the police. The police? Wow! Sounds like a Karen comment? We never have been treated so poorly. She messed with the wrong one. Yikes! Please treat people better because that was unacceptable.

Crackers Comedy Club is a location with 40+ years of history in Indianapolis, and been on my bucket list since I first discovered comedy. They finally got back to me after a few months to perform an open mic night. I was stoked, and hadn't done a venue this big since pre-COVID. As an Indy native, my parents first date was at Crackers, so it was important to me for the sentimental value to be sharing a stage that had previously contained so many greats.That said, saying management has lost track of their priorities would be an understatement. Specifically Brad Rigler, the manager/self-proclaimed headliner for the night. He kicked me off stage 2 minutes into my set for the "F word" at an Open Mic night. Fair enough, I showed up a few minutes late and didn't read the rules, as I'd done open mics before. And Brad didn't tell me the rules when I asked prior to my set, just where to sit and where my friends can buy tickets. I would have gladly cleaned up my set, but Brad didn't give me or any of the other 4 comics he personally kicked off a chance to adapt. At this point, it was fair. Rules are rules, I understand places have reputations to maintain and cursing is unfortunately used often as a crutch in comedy. Then Brad, again, the manager, made his intentions clear as the closer with 8 minutes of the most uncomfortable set I've ever seen. Making rape/racist jokes to my friends in the audience. He then proceeds to use the F word himself on an audience member's girlfriend after some deserved heckling. The mental gymnastics Brad had to do to justify his behavior is the only noteworthy talent he has, and I applaud him for that. Let me be clear: I don't think there is a "line" in comedy. You're either funny or you're not and the audience will let you know it! That's how we improve our sets. Brad was not funny, and took his weak, sensitive ego out on his prisoners for the night. The silence after his "punch lines" was the loudest silence I've heard in my 7 years of comedy, his transitions were sloppy, and his jokes hacky/recycled. I guess you could say a perverted racist pedophile was not our "cup of tea". We were all uncomfortable and wanted to leave, but couldn't because Brad/management only had one server in an audience of 100+ people. Which would make sense as I think Brad knows people wouldn't stay for his set otherwise. Well done Brad, you clever minx. We were trapped. About 10+ people left during his set because they were lucky enough to be checked out early. We didn't get to order our drinks until halfway through the show. The server, Emma, did the best she could, and she deserves better than this disgrace of an establishment. Brad made sure to make a joke about how he wants to bang his own employee Emma's mom. No wonder no one wants to work here. Me, my friends, and audience members felt robbed. My friends paid for tickets to your club, bought the 2 drink minimum, and came all the way out just to witness an immediate slap in the face to its own comics, employees, and customers. Please reevaluate your priorities Crackers Comedy Club. Give the audience what they want, and not what you want. The disappearing act of all professionalism will very unfortunately keep a lot of Indianapolis from returning. Brad Rigler, I hope you eventually learn your lesson. I hope you realize the hypocrisy and counter-intuitive nature to censoring comedy at a 21+ club. (There were a lot of college kids that weren't getting ID'd, so that's a plus for all you underage comics and comedy fans.)If you are going to hold your "open mic" comics to a higher standard, show character to do the same for yourself. Enjoy this picture of Brad so you know who to avoid. Thank you for nothing and can't wait to take my set somewhere it's appreciated. Hope you change and learn from your mistakes, but not holding my breath, as you are no longer worth my time. Love,Chris Merz

Nice intimate setting. Can feel the energy from those on stage. Loved that our waitress was a budding comedian and did a set on stage.

Sadly, this place has really gone downhill. We wanted to go to Helium, but the show was sold out, so we thought we'd give it a shot as we hadn't been here in years. The tickets at the door were CASH only and expensive for mediocre comedy. $60 for two people plus a two-drink minimum. Luckily, I had exactly $60 in cash. Who carries cash these days? We remembered they had decent food when we went before, so we waited until the show to eat dinner. Much to our surprise, we were handed a menu with only drinks. I flagged the waitress down to get the food menu and she informed us they no longer serve food. At that point, having paid $60, we were already committed and ordered a soda and beer. $2.75 for a tiny glass of Coke that was mostly ice and pretty much flat. I would say it was maybe 2-3 ounces of soda. I drank a couple sips and left the rest. It wasn't worth the calories. The show started with the headliner as the host for the show, which I have never seen done before. The jokes were painful as it seemed like he was not prepared to take on the role of host. The first comedian was okay but nothing to write home about. He made some very controversial jokes towards the end, and you could tell the crowd was very offended by these jokes. I know people can get offended by jokes at a comedy club, but by looking around the room, you could tell no one thought it was funny and the people up front looked like they wanted to get up and leave. I was hopeful that the headliner would be much better and he was okay but not worth the $60 we paid. He seemed like a super cool guy and I'd give him a solid 6 out of 10, but I definitely wouldn't pay to see him again. Anyways, if you're thinking of going to Crackers, be aware there's no food, the chairs are super uncomfortable, the table was unsteady and almost flipped up when we put our elbows on it, and the comedians are so-so. There was one little booth on the main floor that a lucky couple got to sit at at. It's too bad the rest of us had 15-minute chairs. So sad to see this place go downhill like this. I hope they bring the food back and are able to book some comedians worth the $30/ticket price tag.

My experience here is only attending open mic nights. I love that they support local comics, giving them the opportunity to try their hand at this adventurous career/hobby. There is a two item minimum. They are club priced items, so don't expect to leave here for a few bucks. Gratuity is included in your check. While located on the 2nd floor, there is an elevator.

Ahhh the old bait and switch... and then get mad if it doesn't work on my group. I love stand up comedy and unfortunately the choices in this town are limited. So when I saw on the website that there is a ladies night on Thursdays, all you have to do is call and make reservations, I was on it and reserved a table for 10-12, the lady insisted on an accurate count and so we agreed on 12 people. The day comes and my friends trickle in and of course she tells us there are no reservations. Looks it up a few ways, nope, no reservations, too bad, but for $11 each, we can see the show. I said, no deal, not happening. So then she gets upset with me, comes up with 10 different reasons as to why there are no reservations and somehow it's all my fault and so on. I say, no problem, we'll go somewhere else. For one, the comedian has changed and I'm not going to be belittled and treated as rudely as this lady was speaking to me. Then she was going to do us a favor and let us in for $5 each, which she has never done before, at least she said so. Still no deal, because frankly I see what's going on here, you got us here with a free offer and now we get to be your cash cows... not in the mood for that.Finally she offered to let us in for free, even so she was going to do so at a huge loss and she can't make a living this way and so on and so forth (excuse me, the tickets were free to start out with if you called and made reservations, which I did, so what are you sacrificing?) ... meanwhile I am discussing with my folks where to go for s dinner instead. I am over it by now, 2 of my group wanted to stay for the "free" show, which you still need to purchase 2 items. The lady was upset that I most of us wouldn't take the offer of 'free' tickets now, even so she was going to make this financial sacrifice for us... For one, I will not be guilted into anything... for two, after you try to scam me, I am surely not going to purchase anything from you because I would have still had to spend money on the two item minimum... and after you were rude to me and my guests, no, I am not doing business with you. It's a shame that they pretty much have the monopoly in Indy right now as far as comedy clubs go, but I think I'm still going to pass. Reading other Yelp reviews, I am led to believe that I have encountered the owner according to their descriptions. Well I guess I will find some stand up comedy on my travels from now on.

Great venue with responsive and friendly staff. I have been to this location twice within the past 45 days and have had a wonderful experience each time.The check in was seamless and I purchased preferred seating for each event. The first time we were sat at the ledge off of the stage and the second just a bit off to the side at a table. Both locations were great and I highly recommend the additional charge for preferred!We came to the 7pm show on Friday both times and opted to have dinner here. The food isn't anything spectacular, but they have something for everyone and it's quick and tasty. Between the two of us, we have ordered the nachos, garlic cheese bread, chicken tenders, and chicken wrap with fries. The garlic cheese bread is my favorite of the selection.For drinks, we keep it simple and just order bottled beer, so nothing to report on their shots or other drinks.Overall, a great experience!

Been here twice and each time it's pretty cool. Atmosphere is nice , the drinks aren't too expensive and it's honestly no frills in many ways. Two itemMinimum isn't difficult to manage and that doesn't mean just alcohol. I loved it, even if I got stood up each time, it's ok, the comedy is grand here, visit often. Chairs are a little uncomfortable, but other than that this is a funny spot

I went to support one of my friends who was performing for open mic night. Other comedians on stage were solid, but a minute into his set, the guy running the timer (the headliner) interrupted and essentially yanked him off stage for saying the F word. Mind you, this guy then proceeds to be the "Main Event" and gets up there and receives 0 laughs, while saying the same "bad" word. Once the audience caught on to how terrible he was, they began to heckle him back, to which he proceeded to make insults and rude comments. If I could give this place 0 stars I would. Spend your time and money at another comedy club. I've attached a picture of the headliner.

negative -1000 Never ever ever come here. Owner was racist as hell called me and my boyfriend n - words under her breath and proceeded to say that we were getting aggressive with her when we simply asked a question which was are we able to sit anywhere? She told us no . proceeded to sit in the back of the comedy a white couple came and asked her the same question directly after is , she told them they could sit anywhere in the club if they would like, she proceeded to argue with us . Drinks were trash. No food was served. Club was dirty bathrooms were disgusting shot glasses had lip prints on them Worst experience ever! Dont say I didnt warn you before you spend your money !