CHI: Laughing It Up

Claire Zulkey is a freelance writer by day, but she's also well-connected in Chicago's indy comedy scene, both as an occasional performer and host. We asked her a bit about what she does for fun and laughs.

As the organizer of the occasional lit-comedy series Funny Ha-Ha, you must be pretty tapped into the comedy scene. Are there any standouts you recommend, or upcoming shows not to miss?

I am completely biased, so I hope that is OK. The sketch group Schadenfreude is one of my favorites, obviously — they open many shows for us. They're just really smart people who can actually do Chicago humor well, and they're fun to hang out with after shows, too. Also, I had never heard of the Lincoln Lodge until my boyfriend Steve Delahoyde started showing films there occasionally. You don't always know what you'll get at the Lincoln Lodge but I've been introduced to a few really funny standups there (Robert Buscemi, Andy Ross and Kumail Nanjiani to name a few) and the cozy atmosphere (plus parking! and pie!) is much preferable to me than some other comedy clubs I've been to where the audience is kind of held captive and also charged an arm in a leg in covers and drink minimums.

Covering the other half of Funny Ha-Ha, what's your favorite bookstore?

The Book Cellar. And I'm not just saying that because they sometimes sell books for us. It's just a great browsing bookstore, plus the Chicago-centric selection is very good. Wandering around Lincoln Square, popping into the Book Cellar and picking up a new book and maybe a latte and biscotti--it's such a nice Chicago neighborhood kind of experience. Plus I went to a really fun book release party there and they had a lot of manchego cheese which I loved. I don't know if that was them or a caterer but I'll always associate that cheese with the bookstore. Yum.

Where do you like to go for a night out on the town?

Lately I've been going to Fulton Lounge when I went to go out — it's got the kind of interior that makes you feel cooler just by being there, plus they have great martinis and the service is nice. I like that they also are relatively empty, post-work, too. In my neighborhood (Lakeview), I like minibar when it's not too crowded and Joe's on Broadway for when you just want a beer but don't want to be in the midst of a bunch of crazy Cubs fans. I'm also a restaurant freak. I can't afford to go out as much as I'd like to but I'm always checking out the places that are new and cool and literally keep a list of places that I want to go (or return to). I've had good dinners of late at May Street Market, Sola and MK.

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