Magooby's Joke House

I was at magooby's last week for trivia event. I wasn't going to say anything until I saw John Thompson's review. I have to say I was less than pleased with the service, and upon seeing the owners snarky responses to any negative reviews provided, (and there are more than a few), I'm going to share my experience. The food ordered came out incorrect, but we opted not to say anything because it took so long for the food to actually show up. Our waiter went missing for over 30 minutes and we had to find the bar manager so she could go find our waiter so that we could order more drinks. Unrelated to my experience, the lady at the table adjacent to me was complaining because her food came out wrong, and I had the feeling it was some kind of allergy thing. She was trying to explain to the waitress, why she didn't get what she'd ordered, and asked for the bar manager. The bar manager came over and just explained to her it would be easier for her to pick the items off the burger that she didn't want as opposed to ordering a new one. So these are not isolated incidents, and it's really quite disappointing that the owners responses on this public message board is to just be snarky and negative as opposed to actually trying to provide good customer service.
Won't be back. And I'm pretty certain everyone at the table next to me won't be back either. And it sounds like probably everybody in John Thompson's party of seven won't be back either. That's a lot of people not willing to return with multiple bad experiences on the same evening.
Additionally, and I find this exceptionally unsettling, the owner of the club chooses to fire back at negative reviews with petty, angry and narcissistic remarks as opposed to even remotely trying to be helpful, professional or courteous. One review commented "sub-par service" and the owners response to that review was "your face is sub-par."
I mean, seriously. WTF.

I prefer the comedy factory over Magooby's, but if there is a good headliner, I will surely come back again.

GLOWS:
- I appreciate that they have a 2 item minimum rather than a 2 drink minimum, it provides more flexibility.

-Servers work hard to keep everything organized.

GROWS:
-Before entry the line starts to form outside. On the night I came, it was raining, so this was rather inconvenient.

-The tables are jammed packed. It's very tight and uncomfortable to try to eat in some areas.

-I didn't care for the hummus platter.

Went to my first show at this venue this summer. It's setup like most comedy show venues with online and in-person ticket purchases. They also have the typical line starting outside with a first come-first serve seating policy. This experience comes with a 2 item minimum which is also pretty standard.

What wasn't so standard was how many people they attempt to squeeze inside to make money. The other reviewers are accurate in saying it's ridiculous. Tables adequate for 2 are being sold to 4. Comedy shows are laugh out loud fun but it's too close and too small to share with other people. Wish the building was larger or the seating wasn't so cramped. It would take an amazing act to get me to run back.

This is my first comedy show at Magooby's Joke House, it will not be my last. We were there to see Huggy Lowdown, Chris Paul, and Sugar Bear and E.U. I was a little nervous about the seating because the show was general admission, unless you purchased VIP seats. After we arrived and checked in, we were seated in the second tier. We had an awesome view. The menu was on the table, so we took a look at it so that we could met the minimum purchase per person requirement. We ordered the chicken fingers with fries basket, cheese quesadilla, an Arnold Palmer and a Drunken Golfer cocktail. The food was actually really good. It could have been hotter. The cocktail was okay, but I could barely taste the alcohol. Later I asked if they had wine, because it wasn't on the menu. Our server let me know they did and I ordered a moscato that I really liked.

Great venue. On the night we went, the headliner had a medical emergency and could not perform. Management provided everyone with vickers that can be used for the rescheduled show, or you could get a refund if the new date doesn't fit your schedule. I think that is how most people would expect the venue to respond.
The bonus was that we still got a full show because the openers agree to perform and they were really good.
They didn't have to since they were already reimbursing the crowd. They've earned a repeat customer.

I cant believe this was my first time here! not at my big age. Incredulousness aside i enjoyed this venue. I like the tiered seating you could see from any seat in the house and didnt feel all up on people. Feels like the perfect size. I swore Janelle James looked me directly in my eye more than once!

the food was mid but we arent there for gourmet cuisine. Im knocking a star off because the drink prices were ridiculous. I paid $150 for 4 double Tequila and seltzers. In real life thats the same price of 3 750ml bottles of Casamigos. Stop playing in my face Magoobys also your servers know the timing of the show im sure I got the last drink with 7 minutes left in the show so thats $70 left on the table.

But out side of that had a great time and will make sure I look out for other fun shows

My husband surprised me w.tickets for a date night, to see a specific comedian we had been following- my initial reaction was both pro & con- pro: I love comedy shows! con: ugh, the two item min while pregnant was awful, as they didn't offer many great looking alternative options to booze (the bar food all sounded meh-and was overprized for portions-and there were very limited non-alcoholic drink options-no diet, no non-caffeine)

Upon arriving, they have their own parking lot-with ample spaces-so no stress there & the check-in process was very easy; they had our name in their system, we didn't need our online tickets. A short wait, and an usher brought us to randomized seating (a first come first seated system, but this doesn't mean front row stage back, it was more-so making sure the theater was evenly filled out-spreading people throughout as they arrive-so arriving early doesn't guarantee closeness). They also prefer to have couples sit vertical parallel to each other (i.e me in front and my husband's seat behind me) instead of side by side (i.e booth style)-and another pair will be seated at the same table, also vertical parallel-which was a bit annoying because to talk to him I had to keep turning around versus just another couple being seated behind us, which would have been more comfortable

The other randomized system seemed to be taking orders- with the two item requirement we knew we would definitely not be missed, but it was a decent hour before a waitress took our order, though nearly all the tables immediately adjacent to us were taken right away-then she just headed to the back tables-

Before order, I asked about some dishes- how many chicken wings, caffeine & diet options for soda, size of coffee & creamer availability- we opted for:
Smokehouse Burger: decent sized burger, topped w.onion ring, bbq sauce, lettuce, tomato, onion, cheese w.chips- $16- nothing special, but not awful-wasn't juicy, delicious, well-seasoned yum, but it was edible, and a decent size for the price- loaded with condiments-edible

2 orders Chicken Wings (buffalo & old bay)-welp, the waitress claimed the baskets came with 8 wings, which seemed reasonable for the price $16- however the baskets actually only had 6 tiny, over seasoned, over cooked wings- very disappointing. Way over sauced, the basket appeared to have more wings within than it did. They tasted as if clearly a mass-order popular item the kitchen makes large batches & just has them sitting under heat lamps waiting for each table's order- some wings were so over cooked crunchy the skin dissolved-reminding me of the sad turkey poof scene from National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation- go for the chicken tenders- seeing our table buddy's order-while also a smaller basket ($14 for 3 tenders & fries) they at least didn't appear to be overcooked & painfully dry

Cheesecake-husband said it was a decent slice- creamy, resembling taste of an average storebought and thawed to-go slice ($8)

Venue was just a large open warehouse with tiered seats-not overly comfy-reminded me of old community center basement events- but not bad ambiance, all seats seemed to be fine for viewing & hearing- clean bathrooms

Overall, I would say I would return to Magooby's if there was a specific comedian I wanted to see, but only when I'm able to drink-as they didn't have a half-bad beer list (granted they will be overpriced drinks, but rather over priced good beer than overpriced meh tasting food)- the cocktails at $13 all looked very small & very iced down- would skip those.

First off, I think some reviewers may not make allowances for time of attendance, staffing level, and what it takes to serve a large group of people in this setting. Having worked as a food waitress, cocktail waitress, bartender and banquet server - I can see all of those and make a more ... informed ... opinion. Also having said THAT, I will be mindful but not cowed by how the owner has responded nastily to others who expressed their honest opinions.

So. Parking is ample and free. Check-in was super easy. I get what some complained about with the seating, and tbh I was on the floor level so I don't know how the upper level worked. But with cabaret tables, there really is no other way to seat people without some being "behind" others. There were four of us and so in order to see the stage, our chairs couldn't be around the table.

The wait for a server was no longer than any decent restaurant I've been to for a while. We ordered our drinks and foods at the same time. I didn't time the wait, but I feel it was very reasonable, same as at a decent restaurant. Similarly, the wait for the food itself was about at the outside of what I think reasonable.

My chicken quesadilla was only warm, but there was enough chicken and although I tend to want way more cheese than usual, tasty. I snitched a couple of fries from DD's basket and they were fine. She didn't finish her Monte Cristo sandwich but the two bites I stole were OK. I can't recall what the other two in our party had but both said they were good.

Our friend had a cocktail and said it was tasty; SIL had one, which I tried a sip of, and it was good if you like sweet, fruity drinks ;) I had a bottled water and DD a seltzer, no way to go wrong there. I did not pay for any of this so I can't tell you about the cost. The menu is online, though, so the difference probably will be the cost of the headliner.

I'm not reviewing the show itself because that part is not dependent on the venue. Except I LOVE BEN BRAINARD!!! His opener, Zach Bennett, was very good.

In all, a great comedy show experience. I think people just need to be more informed about how these things work behind the scenes.

I love this small comedy club in Timonium! Not only do they keep their shows affordable, but they're always polite, get great comics and amazing service. The ambiance is old school and there's not a bad seat in the house. Love coming here for a random show or famed performer!

4 acts, three I could not understand their words speaking either so fast or so loud with shrieking voices. I guess the DMV must only have female black comedians. Funniest thing tonight was frozen basket of fries.
D Lo was a 8 until he ran out of material and went into a soliloquy on his gay upbringing. Ended as a 5