Asylum NYC

What Asylum NYC does

Asylum NYC is a privately held, 150-seat live comedy and theatrical venue located at 123 E 24th Street in Manhattan's Flatiron/Gramercy district, founded in 2017 as part of the Improv Asylum family of comedy venues (which also operates Improv Asylum Boston, Laugh Boston, and Lil' Chuck). The venue's physical plant comprises an 82-seat fixed / 68-seat flexible theater with professional A/V equipment, a 15x9 LED screen, backstage facilities, a VIP lounge (the Lenny Bruce Room), rehearsal space, and an on-site full-service bar (The Monkey Room). Programming runs seven nights per week and spans stand-up (Marcus Monroe), fully improvised Broadway-star musicals (Shitzprobe), weekly ensemble theater (the New York Neo-Futurists' The Infinite Wrench, which has logged 1,050+ consecutive weeks and 7,750+ world premieres), scripted comedies (Tiffany in Spandex the Musical, Gross Prophets), and solo showcases (Epic by Tess Tregellas).

The business operates four distinct revenue streams. Ticket sales flow through the venue's own calendar, Tixr (a third-party ticketing platform), and an in-person box office that accepts cash without service fees. Bar sales at The Monkey Room generate per-show and standalone traffic with a 5–6:30 PM Happy Hour Tuesday through Sunday. Corporate revenue is captured through Asylum Team Building (AsylumTeamBuilding.com) — improv-based B2B workshops and private shows — plus dedicated private-event sales. Finally, the theater is rented to independent off-Broadway producers, theater companies, and film/TV productions seeking a 150-seat house with full production capabilities. Pricing is transactional pay-as-you-go with no drink minimum; service fees apply only to online purchases. Headcount is small (stated as 2–50), and the company has not disclosed any external funding rounds, suggesting a lean, owner-operated structure under the Improv Asylum umbrella.

Name

Asylum NYC

Legal name

Asylum NYC

Website

https://asylumnyc.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Asylum NYC operates a 150-seat live comedy and off-Broadway theater in Manhattan's Flatiron district, running stand-up, improv, and theatrical shows seven nights a week. It serves individual comedy audiences, corporate groups, and off-Broadway producers via ticket sales, an on-site bar, team-building events, and venue rentals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Live Comedy and Entertainment Venue

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Retail-Eating & Drinking Places (5810)

akta.pro primary industry

Comedy Clubs (Nightlife Venues) (MPAGAIAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Performing Arts Centers & Presenters (Programming/Booking) (MPAGABAM), Live Music Bars & Venues (CRANACAH)

Keywords

• Live comedy venue
• Off-broadway theater
• Improv performance shows
• Corporate team building
• Comedy club entertainment

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Revenue from comedy shows, improv performances, and theatrical productions through box office and online ticketing platforms including Tixr
2. Bar Sales: Full-service bar (The Monkey Room) with cocktails, craft beers, and bar snacks generating revenue during shows and as standalone destination
3. Private Events & Corporate Entertainment: Custom comedy shows, improv-based team-building workshops, and event space rentals for corporate groups and celebrations
4. Theater Rentals: Off-Broadway theater rental to independent producers and theater companies, including 150-seat venue with full production capabilities

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Asylum NYC operates a 150-seat intimate off-Broadway comedy theater in Manhattan's Flatiron/Gramercy Park district, presenting live stand-up, improv, sketch, and variety shows seven nights a week featuring local and touring talent. The venue operates alongside a full-service cocktail bar (The Monkey Room), and complements show ticketing with corporate team-building workshops, off-Broadway theater rentals to independent producers, and customizable private comedy events.

Product overview

Asylum NYC is a live comedy and entertainment venue operating a 150-seat off-Broadway theater in Manhattan's Flatiron/Gramercy District. The venue serves as a platform for multiple comedy formats including stand-up, improv, sketch, and variety shows, featuring both rising talent and established performers. Core show products include stand-up performances (Marcus Monroe), improvised musicals (Shitzprobe), ensemble theater (New York Neo-Futurists: The Infinite Wrench), and comedy music shows (Tiffany in Spandex the Musical, Gross Prophets: A Comedy Musical). Supporting services include The Monkey Room bar, venue rentals, private events, and Asylum Team Building workshops. The venue is part of the Improv Asylum family with sister locations in Boston.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• The Monkey Room: A playful cocktail hideaway located in the lobby of Asylum NYC, serving drinks before shows and as a standalone bar experience.
• Asylum Team Building

Products and services

• New York Neo-Futurists: The Infinite Wrench Weekly show featuring 30 short plays performed within one hour, with new content written and performed each week by the New York Neo-Futurists ensemble. Targeted at general adult audiences and comedy/improv enthusiasts.
• Shitzprobe Fully improvised musical show featuring Broadway stars creating brand-new musicals on the spot with audience-suggested titles, accompanied by a live band. Targeted at fans of musical improv and Broadway.
• Marcus Monroe Stand-Up Show High-energy stand-up comedy show by NYC comedian Marcus Monroe featuring comedic banter, viral subway performances, and audience interaction. Targeted at adult stand-up comedy fans.
• Epic by Tess Tregellas Solo comedy show by Tess Tregellas about a hopeless romantic navigating casual dating, featuring comedy, music, and romance. Targeted at adult comedy audiences seeking storytelling-style stand-up.
• Tiffany in Spandex the Musical Aerobic-based musical featuring 80s pop queen Tiffany in her NYC theater debut, performing at the 1988 Crystal Light Aerobic Championship. Targeted at nostalgic pop-culture and musical comedy fans.
• Gross Prophets: A Comedy Musical Interactive comedy musical by Tin Can Bros about three delusional self-help gurus at a corporate recruitment event. Targeted at adult musical comedy audiences.
• The Monkey Room (Bar) A playful cocktail bar located in the lobby of Asylum NYC, featuring inventive cocktails with theatrical twists, craft beers, and wine. Open for pre-show drinks, post-show wind-downs, and as a standalone destination. Targeted at show attendees and bar patrons.
• Asylum Team Building Corporate team-building workshops using improvisation principles to boost collaboration, creativity, and confidence. Customized programs for organizations, using Asylum NYC's theater and bar space. Targeted at corporate HR/L&D teams and event planners.
• Venue Rentals (Off-Broadway Theater Rental) Private rental of Asylum NYC's 150-seat off-Broadway venue for corporate events, private parties, film shoots, readings, and staged productions. Includes A/V equipment, backstage space, VIP lounge, and full-service bar. Targeted at independent theatrical producers, film/TV production companies, and corporate/private event hosts.
• Private Shows and Events Customizable private comedy shows featuring stand-up or fully improvised performances tailored to groups, corporations, and celebrations, with the option for performers to travel to client locations. Targeted at corporations, private celebration hosts, and groups seeking custom entertainment.

Quantifiable outcome

• 7,750+ world premiere plays produced
• +2 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and flagship.

• Tin Can BrosminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 2 October 2026Creators of Gross Prophets comedy musical. Tin Can Bros also created Spies Are Forever and Solve It Squad. Directed by Corey Lubowich with music and lyrics by Angela Parrish and Ali Gordon.
• Crunch FitnessminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 17 September 2026Partner for Tiffany in Spandex the Musical production. Crunch Fitness previously partnered for NYC productions with the show and continues as partner for the Asylum NYC run featuring Tiffany.
• Tess TregellasminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 22 July 2026Stand-up comedian and content creator performing Epic solo show. Recognized as Content Creator to Watch at NY Comedy Festival. Known for viral NYC content including running through city in wedding dress. International touring performer.
• Improv AsylumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent comedy institution with 20+ years of history. Asylum NYC is part of the Improv Asylum family with sister venues in Boston including Improv Asylum Boston, Laugh Boston, and Lil' Chuck. Shares mission to create bold, original comedy that connects people through laughter.
• New York Neo-FuturistscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResident ensemble at Asylum NYC since their founding in 2004. The Infinite Wrench show has run 1,050+ consecutive weeks with 7,750+ world premiere plays produced. The company has won multiple Innovative Theatre Awards and Drama Desk Nominations.
• ShitzprobecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFully improvised musical show featuring Broadway stars. Regular resident show at Asylum NYC featuring the best musical improvisers in NYC. Past guests include Tony Award winners and Broadway stars from Wicked, Aladdin, Spamalot, and more.
• Marcus MonroeflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerNYC-based comedian with viral Stand Up on the Subway series (100M+ views). Recipient of Andy Kaufman Award, NYT Critics' Pick 4 times. Regular performer at Comedy Cellar and tours comedy clubs worldwide. Co-host of Boy Friends Podcast.
• TixrcoreTechnology or IntegrationPrimary ticketing platform for Asylum NYC shows including Shitzprobe, Marcus Monroe, Gross Prophets, and Epic. Provides online ticket sales infrastructure for the venue.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• The Improv (Improv Comedy Club): Long-running national comedy club chain under the parent Improv Asylum competitor family. Comparable as a broader-incumbent live comedy operator with multiple U.S. locations and standardized club format; sister-venue relationship makes it a direct structural analog.

Direct peers

• Caroline's on Broadway: Midtown Manhattan comedy club and dinner theater offering stand-up, live entertainment, and private events. Comparable as a single-location NYC venue combining ticketed comedy with bar/dining revenue and private event rentals.
• Comedy Cellar: Iconic NYC comedy club in Greenwich Village operating multiple rooms nightly. Directly comparable as a Manhattan-based stand-up and improv venue with a food-and-beverage program, similar ticketing model, and overlap in performer rosters.
• New York Comedy Club: Multi-room NYC comedy venue with nightly shows, a bar, and private event hosting. Comparable in scale, format, and audience mix; competes for the same nightly comedy-enthusiast segment.
• Upright Citizens Brigade (UCB) Theatre: Improv and sketch comedy theater with NYC locations producing nightly shows, classes, and resident ensembles. Closely aligned with Asylum NYC's improv-heavy programming (Shitzprobe, Neo-Futurists) and ensemble-driven model.
• The Stand NYC: Gramercy-area comedy club and restaurant combining nightly stand-up with full food and cocktail service. Directly comparable as a nearby Manhattan venue with the same comedy-plus-bar-plus-private-events revenue mix.
• Gotham Comedy Club: Midtown NYC comedy club featuring established headliners, a full bar, and private event capabilities. Closely aligned on venue format, ticketing, and event-driven nightlife positioning.
• Broadway Comedy Club: Times Square-area comedy club with nightly shows and private event offerings. Directly competes for tourist and local comedy audiences in midtown Manhattan with a similar ticketed show + bar model.
• Stand Up NY: Upper West Side comedy club running nightly stand-up shows plus private events. Directly comparable venue scale, NYC market, ticketed show model, and corporate/private event booking motion.

Regional players

• Laugh Boston: Sister venue under the Improv Asylum family in Boston offering stand-up and comedy shows with food and bar service. Comparable format, programming mix, and ownership lineage to Asylum NYC, but operates in a different geographic market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/asylum-nyc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Asylum NYC