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Penguins Comedy Club Tickets
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About Penguins Comedy Club
Penguins Comedy Club has a storied history in Cedar Rapids as an intimate stand-up venue. While the original 208 2nd Ave SE location closed permanently in 2020, Penguins now books top-flight comedy at multiple local venues, keeping the spirit of close-up, personal shows alive. This guide covers the Cedar Rapids area’s current Penguins network, seating approaches, parking, transit, and nearby hotels and dining to help you secure your seats with ease.
Whether you’re a local or visiting from out of town, we’ve got you covered with practical info to plan a seamless comedy night in downtown Cedar Rapids.
Current venue network and seating approach: Penguins’ Cedar Rapids programming now takes place at well-known downtown venues such as Olympic South Side Theater, Ideal Theater, Paramount Theatre, and Riverside Casino Event Center. While each venue has its own seating configuration, Penguins emphasizes intimate sightlines and close-up comedy experiences. If you’re curious about a specific show, check the event listing for seating notes such as available great seats and the section you want details.
Parking: Downtown Cedar Rapids offers several ParkCR facilities, including the South Side Ramp, Convention Center Ramp, 3rd Ave Ramp, 4th Ave Ramp, and Five Seasons Ramp. Parking is typically billed by the hour, with multiple entrances conveniently located near major venues. Always allow a few extra minutes to find a space during peak show times.
Transportation: Cedar Rapids Transit provides downtown connections from the Ground Transportation Center, with services that connect to regional routes like the 380 Express. For a smooth night, consider rideshare options as an alternative to parking, especially for late shows.
Hotels and dining nearby: The downtown Cedar Rapids area offers several lodging options within walking distance of Penguins venues. A prime choice is the DoubleTree by Hilton Cedar Rapids Convention Complex (350 1st Ave NE), popular for its convenient location and comfortable rooms. For dining, you’ll find a range of casual to sit-down options within blocks of the venues—great for pre-show meals or post-show drinks. We highlight trusted partner hotels and recommended restaurants to help you maximize your Cedar Rapids visit.
Insider tip: When booking, secure your seats through this page and use the venue’s official event listings to confirm the exact location and seating notes for that night. Penguins’ network ensures strong vibes and dependable ticket access across several downtown venues.
Good to know
Seating, Parking & Venue Information
- Address (Penguin's Cedar Rapids location, historically used for shows): 208 2nd Ave SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401.
- Venue type: intimate stand-up comedy club; historically configured around approximately 120 seats, with plans/talk of expanding beyond 200 seats.
- Seating chart: no publicly published seating chart is available for the Cedar Rapids venue; historical accounts describe a compact, intimate setup.
- Status: permanent closure of the 208 2nd Ave SE location in 2020 due to the pandemic; Penguins branding now books shows at multiple venues (e.g., Olympic South Side Theater, Ideal Theater, Paramount Theatre, Riverside Casino Event Center).
- Notable events: Impractical Jokers toured at Penguins in 2012; Jimmy Pardo performed in 2019; Bobcat Goldthwait was booked for 2024; John Mulaney has referenced Penguins as a past Cedar Rapids venue.
- Parking: downtown parking ramps are available via Park CR (e.g., South Side Ramp, Convention Center Ramp, 3rd Ave Ramp, 4th Ave Ramp, Five Seasons Ramp) with hourly rates.
- Transit: Cedar Rapids Transit operates from the downtown Ground Transportation Center and connects to regional services (e.g., 380 Express).
- Nearby hotels: downtown options such as DoubleTree by Hilton Cedar Rapids Convention Complex (350 1st Ave NE) are within walking distance of the venue area.