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Zanies in Vernon Hills Tickets

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The venue

About Zanies in Vernon Hills

Welcome to an insider look at the former Zanies Vernon Hills, a satellite comedy club that was part of the Zanies family from Hawthorn Village Commons. Opened in 1992, this venue aimed to deliver accessible, mid-size comedy with a friendly, low-friction ticket experience. Although the space is no longer in operation as Zanies (closed in 2011 due to lease issues), the venue’s legacy remains a notable part of Vernon Hills’ entertainment history. Today, the footprint houses Milkcow cafe, continuing the location’s role as a local gathering spot. Below you’ll find historical seating details, parking and transit context, as well as nearby lodging and dining options to plan a visit to the area. We’ve got you covered with practical, no-nonsense information to help you explore the current scene while appreciating the past.

While Zanies Vernon Hills is no longer booking shows, the Hawthorn Village Commons area remains a convenient hub for dining and events. If you’re looking to replicate the easy ticket-buying vibe you’d expect from a trusted show partner, consider exploring nearby venues or current entertainment listings in the Chicago suburbs. For hotel stays, dining, and local transportation, our trusted partner network can help secure comfortable options close to where the club once stood and where Milkcow now resides.

Good to know

Seating, Parking & Venue Information

  • Address: 230 Hawthorn Village Commons, Vernon Hills, IL 60061 (opening reports in 1992).
  • Capacity: reported as 350 seats at opening (1992), with later references placing Vernon Hills capacity around 300 seats (2009).
  • Venue type: satellite comedy club in the Zanies chain, located in Hawthorn Village Commons.
  • Status: permanently closed in 2011 due to lease issues; venue not in operation since then.
  • Current occupant: the former Zanies Vernon Hills space is now Milkcow cafe at 240 Hawthorn Village Commons, Vernon Hills.
  • Notable events hosted: opening week in 1992 featured Christopher Titus; final headliner in 2011 was Dobie Maxwell (Mr. Lucky); 2010 coverage highlighted Maxwell returning to Vernon Hills.
  • Parking (historical): Hawthorn Village Commons provided parking; center reportedly had around 500 spaces in related reports, with parking concerns noted during planning. Parking details are historical since the venue is closed.
  • Transit (historical): nearby public transit options included proximity to Vernon Hills Metra (North Central Service) and local Pace/Bus access; distances cited include roughly 2–3 miles to the Vernon Hills Metra station.
  • Nearby hotels: Hotel Indigo Chicago-Vernon Hills and Holiday Inn Express Chicago NW-Vernon Hills are among nearby lodging options.