Under St Marks

Really cool spot made even better by great improv and an audience that knows they are there to enjoy themselves. Under St. Marks is the kind of place you go to for a specific reason or because you went once before and got hooked. If it’s your first time going, the descent into a basement with exposed brick walls and a creative use of space might make you feel like you are flash backing to elementary school haunted house parties when your neighbors tried to be clever but you knew it was just your best friend’s dad’s «garage» converted for the night… and that’s cool. I’m down for it. It’s homey.
I for one had a blast with the show (CPT: Comedy People’s Time… you are ridiculous. So dang funny! Check them out next time they roll through.) I was happy to be in the sold out audience. Any time there is a place for this shrinking city’s artists it’s alright by me.

I performed spoken word at this underground spot. The first time I have went up on the mic and without a shadow of a doubt the crowd was very welcoming. Intimacy is the right word for Under St. Marks. So many different and inspiring acts. I enjoyed my night.

Great venue for improv! Small, intimate, full bar, great company. Highly recommended. $ 6 for improv. A lot of fun.

Waiting in the cold to get into the theater, cramming into a theater that only fits 45 people, and getting free beer? Oh, the charm of East Village. The space is nothing spectacular but it was cozy and intimate. The show I attended was over crowded, leaving some people to sit on and around the stage area which made it difficult to see the whole picture. I enjoyed the experience despite the downfalls, it was a great show and I would definitely go back if I find something else interesting to watch.

I agree with Tasia T — not just because she is my fiancé, and love of my life, but because she hit the nail on the head. For $ 3.00, this was a great way to spend a Tuesday night.
It is little things like the random $ 3.00 open mic that makes me love New York. Some of the acts were really cool, some really sucked… that is what you get for $ 3.00
Price and location give it 4 stars, however once they started unfolding chairs until the stage was practically covered, and the performers had 4 feet of space I found it to be claustrophobic. I would rather pay $ 5.00 and not deal with people continuing to crowd the place after the acts have started.

Three bucks gets you in for an Open Mic Night. This space is small, but makes the performances more intimate. The Lightening was great, sound was decent, and the seats were not too uncomfortable *note we got there before they started adding folding chairs to sit in in order to accommodate the packed house.
You have the opportunity to witness amateur artists performing music, stand up comedy, poetry readings, etc. They also offer a raffle for free beer or pop tarts as well as a hootenanny between acts. Behind the stage is a green room for the performers and a small garden that offers more space for schmoozing and smoke breaks. It’s $ 3, check it out if you are looking for something to do!

Very cozy little theater on St Marks place. Came to see a friend of a friend perform in a short play, and I enjoyed every minute of it. Lighting was very good, as well as acoustics in the small space too. Couldnt believe i went to Catholic school with the actress.
On a sidenote, due to my ADD, my butt got a bit uncomfortable towards the end of the performances in my seat and I started shifting around a little but there wasn’t really much leg room either.
Would recommend this place for small performances.

I like this space.
It is small. You can see a show. They will give you beer if you give them monies.

Small space but with no bad seats. They always have interesting shows… I haven’t enjoyed every single thing I’ve seen here but the two selections from Frigid Festival I saw recently were excellent (Saving Tania’s Privates and Paradise Lost).

Went there last night. Think it was Big River and soemthing Robot. They were good. And they were pretty cheap. The place is small as hell but they still have a enough room for a bathroom and a «bar.» The bar was basically a nice women in a stall next to a frige. But It was all that was needed. They also have some interesting UK import beer (forget the name).
IMO UCB was better experience. But you know the troupe either makes or break the experience. So it’s not really anything against the establishments.
I would definitely go again.

I am a huge fan (and friend in the interest of full disclosure) of the improv team thank you robot. They have a show here twice a month. For months I have been lame and have not attended but this past friday night I made it through the east village (good god what has happened to this neighborhood or am I just old?)
The space is small but there is a bathroom (even smaller) they have a bar and it was a fun show. The only thing was it was freezing (better than overheated for me always) but the AC seemed to be blowing the exhaust fan contents from a nearby eatery-​french fries?

To an extent it will depend on what you’re seeing here as to how much you enjoy it. The space is small but nice, with all the seats being good, the stage area visible and looks pretty usable. I don’t think it’s handicapped accessible, because you need to go down some stairs.
They tend to have some interesting shows at this place, maybe not something for everyone, but a big range of theater.
Trivia: This place is run by the same people that run the Red Room and the Kraine Theater.

Nice little theater that puts on interesting shows. There are probably only 25 or 30 seats in the place, so it has a very intimate feel. All of the seats are good seats, though it feels a bit like a dungeon, especially if you get stuck waiting behind people in the stairwell.