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| - Some below have said some of the things I will here, but this is my individual review of the newly reopened Tempe Improv.
We frequented the Tempe Improv before it closed, and we go to Stand Up Live in downtown Phoenix many times a year. The remodeled Tempe Improv has the same awesome host/hostess and wait staff (yes, I seriously think they are wonderful), much improved restrooms from before (with more stalls and just much nicer), a new menu that really does reflect similarities to StandUpLive's (but is not an exact replica), and a new, horribly uncomfortable, cramped seating arrangement.
I'm not sure why people complain about the two drink minimum. The requirement is there in black and white when you buy your tickets; both clubs are very up front about that. I remember the service at the old Tempe Improv being - always - very impressive, and it is still that way. Darlene waited on us this past weekend, and she didn't miss a beat. She was every bit proactive, helpful and sharp. Kudos to Darlene. Every time we hit both the Improv and StandUp, we are truly impressed with the service. That's not a joke.
Here is why we will probably keep going to StandUpLive downtown and not to Tempe again - important for others to know, I think. StandUpLive has tables that are basically attached "two tops" that are close together. Yes, you are sitting very close to the people next to you, and you have to sit across from whomever you came with. No problem. This type of seating really works at StandUpLive, but it definitely does not work at the Tempe Improv. At StandUpLive, the seating is all angled to/from the stage (each line of tables is like a long ray from the sun, which would be the stage, if that makes sense). Every seat in the house is literally a good seat. The seating at the Tempe Improv, however - although consisting of similarly styled tables - is cramped, totally thrown in there at different angles, and doesn't work in that space. We were among the first ten people to arrive at the early show (this is the way to do it so you aren't stuck in a line outside at 10pm, FYI), and yet we were seated more than half way back and at a far side of the room. (This has never happened at StandUpLive, ever). There were a few tables near the front that said "reserved", but most of the others said, "VIP! Ask how you can upgrade to this seat". Really? We've already paid $80.00 for two tickets, and will be purchasing dinner and drinks. The price is not a problem, but, sitting so far back with the gimmicky signs in your face is just plain cheesy. We saw people time and time again shaking their heads about the additional $90.00 price tag for those seats. Pretty silly. Once the show started - a Saturday night show with a famous comedian - we saw how many of the "VIP" seats were empty. The late comers with regular tickets were placed in those seats, adding insult to injury. No one wants to come to a show two hours early thinking that they will get decent seats only to get so-so seats with an advertisement in their face. Don't we get bombarded by enough ads all day long? We came to the Improv to relax and have fun; not to have more items for sale slung at us.
Like others have mentioned, the new Tempe Improv food is literally like buying a $16.00 t.v. dinner. It's edible, but not good like the old food was there. Bummer. I must say that, each glass of wine I ordered was a good (sized) pour. Awesome. The mixed drinks around us did arrive in tiny winy glasses, though. Poor souls. Do note that the Tempe Improv no longer has draft beer: bottles only, and no Four Peaks anymore.
With tickets, dinner (just meals - no appetizers or desserts), and two drinks each (beer for him and wine for me), our entire night came to $160.00. With an amount like that, the public is going to evaluate their other options. There are fantastic, relaxing restaurants out there with comfortable seats; there are movies and theatre performances where the best seats - and you know in advance where you are sitting - cost about what this does. Many of the seats at the new Improv are stuck in the line of traffic and get rammed whenever the staff goes by. We saw people get accidentally spilled on because a waiter couldn't get through, e.g. Not good. Best of luck to you, new and improved Tempe Improv. We love to laugh, and thus will not be rushing back.
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