Second City Bag Policy Reddit

So, you’ve decided to see a show at the legendary Second City in Chicago. You’re ready for some world-class improv, gut-busting sketches, and maybe a beer that costs more than your dignity. But then, a dark cloud looms: The Bag Policy. It’s a topic so fierce that Reddit’s comedy corner has turned into a battlefield of totes, backpacks, and purse-sized fury.

Let’s be real: nobody wants to be the person who ruins a perfectly good “Yes, and…” with a “No, you can’t bring that duffel bag.” If you’ve ever scrolled the Second City subreddit, you’ve seen the war stories. One poor soul got turned away because their “small crossbody” was apparently a “tactical carry-on.” Another Redditor bravely asked if a fanny pack counted as a purse. Spoiler alert: it depends on how much sass you give the door person.

The Great Purge of 2023

Here’s the sacred text, as passed down by Reddit prophets: Second City has a strict no backpacks, no large bags, no luggage policy for most shows. You can bring a small clutch or a purse that’s roughly the size of a modest avocado. But if your bag is bigger than a chihuahua, you’re out of luck. They don’t even check memories—just bags.

One Redditor claimed they saw a woman try to argue that her reusable grocery bag was “vintage alternative art.” The door staff nodded, smiled, and pointed to the coat check. Coat check—that’s the magic word, folks. You can check your bag for a few bucks, but be warned: the staff has seen it all. Another Reddit legend literally tried to smuggle in a backpack full of Pop-Tarts for the show. He didn’t make it past the lobby. His legacy, however, lives on in the “SnackGate” thread.

Why Does This Matter? The Physics of Laughter

You might think, “It’s just a bag, Karen.” But no—there’s a science to it. Second City’s theaters are cozy, like a comedy womb. If every audience member brought a hefty backpack, you’d have to sit through a set with a Patagonia brick jabbing your spine. The Reddit consensus is clear: bag enforcement saves marriages. One user posted, “My wife left her bag at home. We laughed. We held hands. We didn’t elbow each other for space. It was magical.”

2nd city - which way? : r/civ

Another surprising fact: the policy is older than some of the cast members. It’s been in place since the 1990s, when someone tried to bring a literal suitcase to a Steve Carell show. Or maybe it was a suitcase full of expectations. Either way, the policy stuck. And here’s the kicker—the coat check is cash-only. Yes, in 2024, you need actual paper money to unleash your bag from its prison. Reddit threads are peppered with frantic posts: “I only have Venmo! Will they hold my backpack hostage?” The answer is yes. They will. It’s like a hostage negotiation, but with more laugh tracks.

The Reddit Gold: You Can’t Make This Up

One thread titled “Second City Bag Policy: A Love Story” detailed a couple’s breakup over a tote bag. The man refused to check his “emotional support messenger bag.” The woman left mid-show. The comments roasted him so hard he deleted his account. The Moral? Your bag is not your spirit animal. Leave it at home.

any tips to fix this mess? I'm kinda new and this is my 2nd city : r

Another user suggested a hack: wear cargo pants. “Just stuff everything in your pockets like a deranged raccoon,” they wrote. It got 847 upvotes. A rival commenter fired back: “Yeah, but then your pants look like you’re smuggling a family of badgers.” The debate raged for 650 comments. This is the sort of high-stakes drama that keeps the internet alive.

The One Exception (For Chaos)

There’s one asterisk, and it’s a doozy: the Second City Training Center is a different beast. Students there can bring whatever bag they want, because they’re paying for the privilege of carrying anxiety and scene notes. But for the mainstage shows? No mercy. Reddit mods have actually pinned a post that reads: “If you ask about the bag policy one more time, we will ban you. Just bring a small purse or a wallet. Or don’t come. I’m tired.” You can feel the exhaustion in every capital letter.

Second city almost done PC2 : r/PocketCity

Here’s a surprising fact: Second City employs a full-time “Bag Ambassador” during peak weekends. This is a real job title. Their sole purpose is to gently explain to people that their “tote bag for a single iPad” is not allowed. One such ambassador told a Reddit user that the most common excuse is, “But I’m a comedian!” The ambassador’s response? “Then you should know the rules.” Mic drop.

So, what’s the final verdict from the Reddit jury? Plan ahead. Wear a jacket with deep pockets. Bring a clutch that screams “I respect the fourth wall.” And for the love of all that is holy, don’t bring a duffel bag full of Pop-Tarts. The comedy gods—and the coat check staff—will thank you. You’ll get a seat without a bag-swordfight, and you might even remember the punchline. That’s the real policy win.