The location? A secret. The entertainment? Also a secret. The only thing guaranteed was the laughter.

Don’t Tell Comedy has expanded to over 250 cities with a unique premise: you buy a ticket without knowing the venue or the comedians. After spotting a show in Gahanna, we grabbed tickets for the 9:00 PM set and scrambled for a babysitter.

Founded in Los Angeles in 2017, the concept gained global traction in 2023. Columbus hosts several shows each month across neighborhoods such as Franklinton, Clintonville, and Grandview. Most events offer 7:00 PM and 9:00 PM showtimes, with sets lasting 60-90 minutes.

You receive an email with the exact location at 8:00 AM on the day of the show. It could be an art gallery, a restaurant, or a local business; our show was held at The 1 Fitness. Watching comedians perform in the middle of a high-end gym—and naturally roasting the workout equipment—was a highlight.

Doors open 15 minutes early. We arrived 10 minutes prior and scored second-row seats. Check-in was as simple as giving our names at the door. Most shows are BYOB with no concessions. While we stuck to water, others brought backpack coolers and seltzers. No glass allowed, so pack accordingly!

You won’t know the lineup until they hit the mic. We saw three distinct comics—Trevor Austin, John Armstrong, and Carmen Lagala (who has a YouTube special and late-night TV credits). The mix of comics in different styles was extremely entertaining and kept us laughing throughout the show. The next day, the organizers emailed us their social media handles and Venmo info for optional tipping.

At just $30 per person, it was the perfect, spontaneous date night while the baby slept. We’re already looking forward to the next one!