Firehouse Theater

Have been going to see the bits for the past 3 years and each time is better than the next! EXCELLENT option for an event and the owners will help you out when booking, truly a unique and hilarious experience. Only $ 15 a head and byob can be dangerously fun so plan ahead! Definitely our go to in Newport and I highly suggest it. My abs hurt from laughing last night, Frank and lobo were on their game! And Vlad’s expressions are consistently hilarious. Can’t say enough good things– go here!

Seeing the Bit Players perform was the highlight of my sister’s bachelorette weekend in Newport! Super inexpensive and its BYOB AND they’re hilarious, what more could you ask for?! Thank you for bringing Kristen (the bride) up on stage and giving her a night to remember! You guys are freakin awesome!!!

My husband & I went this past December. A fun night with a talented group of people. We would go again when back in Newport.

The BIT PLAYERS were funny and engaging with the audience. It was a truly memorable experience as they improvised many scenes and left us laughing out loud many times. It was a BYOB, so we there was no drink minimum or requirement. And just in case you forget they supply you with bottle and wine openers. I would highly recommend going to see them at the Firehouse Theater anytime you are looking for a fun night activity in Newport, Rhode Island!

Improv, as they said in the show «sometimes it’s passable, sometimes it’s hilarious. «. They are so funny, they don’t have to stoop to political mud slinging or excessive profanity. Just off-​the-​wall insanity. The comedy is first rate, the firehouse is rather worn out, and could use comfortable seating.

After the family holidays this was the best way to move into 2016. Laughing! The actors are amazingly funny music was great. Well worth the ticket price. My stomach muscles hurt all day Sunday from laughing! A GREAT show

The bit players were truly funny. My stomach hurt a few times from laughing.
$ 15 is too low a price. Have more self respect — charge $ 25!
No weird sexual jokes so family friendly.
You can walk here from the wharf.

The setting actually takes place in a firehouse. I was quite surprised. It was also BYOB! The admission was only $ 15 which wasn’t so bad. The people that collected the money when you first walk in could have been more polite. They weren’t very friendly.
It was a casual setting and the cast are very funny. The host looks like the guy from Despicable Me. The show was funny. The seating could have been more comfortable. The show was basically all impromptu with suggestions taken from the audience. I had a good time. They had a live band and they played well. My friend fell asleep so i guess its not for everyone.

Planned a 13 girl bachlorette night out this weekend and it was honestly so amazing, they brought the bride up on stage and sang two hilarious songs about her! Everyone loved it and it was a really fun activity for a big group, a must see! Also BYOB and the nicest woman opened our wine as we arrived, honestly the best experience and the improv actors have so much talent it was a real treat and i didnt stop laughing the whole time!!! Perfect for a big group or a birthday or party, plan ahead so they can work you into their show like they did for us! ThankS!

I loved seeing the Bit Players at the Firehouse. The show is an improv show so its different every time and I thought everyone did such a great job. I was definitely laughing for the entire night. There were also a couple of bachelorette parties there at the same time, which were incorporated nicely into the show as well. This is definitely not kid friendly but is a must see if you’re in the area.

Came here with a bachelorette party. Cliché. The comedy itself was pretty good. The lead comic was great, and Vlad’s physical comedy was incredible, but the rest of the players were so-​so. It’s very possible that we just came on an off day. It was still fun and they do a very good job of incorporating anybody celebrating an occasion.
They lose a star for the reservation system. I’d called and left a voicemail asking whether they had tickets available for our group. The lady that does the seating called me back and quite rudely said that I should have spoken more clearly in my voicemail (not a complaint that I’ve heard before, but ok…) and that she would be turning other people away after accommodating us, so we had better show up on time. It was the same person manning the door, and I got scolded for not telling her it was a bachelorette party and she would not accept that I omitted the detail because my friend didn’t have any interest in being pulled onto the stage.
So, yeah. Weird experience!

We were in Newport for the last week in April and the improv show here was great! Everyone was very funny. We came with four friends at the 10pm show and they really loved it. Overall, I would suggest this because we had a great time. They had a live band backing them up and they have a BYOB policy.
The payment, greeting and entrance were confusing. It was our first time here and I didn’t know who was an employee and who was a guest. I tried to pay for four people and the woman at the door didn’t seem to understand. Anyway we all paid and got in. Then we were walked through an office into the back of the theatre to be seated. The theatre was really basic.

Disappointed. Wanted to bring a group of high school girls from church. The other leader called to find out if it would be appropriate, she was told that children are often in the audience… I don’t know what kind of parent would bring a child to such a show. She also asked the woman at the door if it was age-​appropriate. Not only was the woman impolite, she lied. The bit players went for the predictable ‘jokes’…religion, sex, and profanity. Not only is it NOT funny, it’s been done before. What’s worse… the set up made it impossible to leave the show early. In order to leave, you need to walk up on the stage!
Waste of $ 15. People probably only think it’s funny because it’s BYOB. I saw several people stumbling out of the place.

Having been to many improv shows at Upright Citizens Brigade in NYC and Improv Asylum in Boston, I didn’t expect to be blown away by the Bit Players, in a tiny theater on a side street in Newport. I figured it would be a fun evening and all… but they were AWESOME! Really hilarious. Diverse talents in the cast, and they all played well off each other.
One thing I LOVED was that the show I saw was 100% improv: no prerehearsed skits at all like they mix in at some other improv shows. The price is right, and the BYOB element is mindblowingly smart. There can be long lines for the bathroom at intermission, so definitely jump up if you want to avoid waiting. Also, if you really love the show, you may be able to see a later show at a reduced price if there are still tickets available.
The theater is small and extremely casual, so no need to dress fancier than sneakers if you don’t feel like it (can’t decide if the BYO or the lack of dress code is the #1 perk). There is also a liquor store around the corner in case you want to pick up your beverages on the way.
If the Bit Players have a show when you are in town, definitely include it in your Newport itinerary.
TIP: CASH AND CHECKS ONLY :)

Why have I not written a review for this place yet? My boyfriend took me on our first date there, and we now go ALL the time! At least once a month we are there for the improv comedy show, the Bit Players. They bring a wonderful atmosphere to the theater, and keep us coming back for more. The venue is BYOB, but the staff has cups, bottle openers, and corkscrews for anyone who needs it. They also usually have some coffee and soda for people. I think the 8:00 show is better, since it is a little longer. If you are ever in the Newport area, make sure to check this place out!!!

I wish I had know about this place earlier. I laughed through 99% of the show. I cant wait to go again. Each show cant be like another. Be prepared to talk to the cast but dont be afraid to say anything. BYOB — great idea. Bring a small flask, something easy to have at your seat.

I really couldn’t think of a better way to ring in the new year but to celebrate with lots of laughs! My boyfriend and I were looking for things to do in Newport for NYE and decided on watching the Bit Players. $ 20 (and it looks like it’s cheaper for tickets on a normal night), BYOB and lots of fun… we were sold.
The theater was very intimate. There is the pit area that’s maybe ten rows deep directly under the stage. This seemed like an ideal spot to sit if you want to be heard on suggestions! We sat at the back of the room, but since it is a very small theater, anywhere you choose to sit is a good spot.
In regards to the BYOB: as soon as you walk in at check in, you are offered solo cups to use or corkscrews to borrow which is great. They also offer non-​alcoholic drinks like soda and water, tea, apple cider, and coffee with a little donation jar. I thought this was really nice.
I truthfully didn’t know too much about the Bit Players coming in to the show. They’re an improv group. I loved it, and loved that it was for the most part, a show that all ages could enjoy! (I say for the most part because towards the end, people were getting vulgar and shouting out adult suggestions, haha!) I liked the games format of the show, and my favorite skit was the wedding dance game.
Can’t wait to go to another show soon, thanks for the laughs!

We went to The Bit Players show on a whim on Saturday night, and so glad we did! It was a really run show fueled by a lively audience. It’s BYOB. Definitely bring a bottle of wine or a 6-​pack. They have cups and corkscrews available.
The show was very funny. We weren’t sure what to expect since improv is so hit-​or-​miss, but we thoroughly enjoyed it (even more so than some of the NYC shows we’ve seen). Definitely recommend as a fun off-​the-​beaten-​path Newport activity.

I should give The Firehouse five stars just because we pulled up and there was an on-​street parking place right at the front door! That’s a rarity for Newport… I wanted to leave the car there all weekend just because. Anyway, the place is quite small, and pretty dingy, like hanging out in someone’s garage. Because it is actually a garage. But that is perfect, as it provides an intimate feel, and it is easy to see and hear everything going on.
It’s byob, which tends to make the crowd, uh… shall we say «animated»…as the show progresses. While a couple of the routines fell flat, most of it was very funny. Surprisingly so. It was well-​produced and each of the performers had their own special talents, which were incorporated into the improv routines brilliantly.
As for the «improv» part, yes, it is obviously unscripted, but not purely improvisational. The Bit Players have set routines they do at each show — complete with overhead graphics displayed on a big-​screen TV over the stage — such as a fake game show or a song. The changes with each show are the result of lots of audience participation, whether it is calling out for keywords to riff of off, or dragging a guest up on stage for some good-​natured abuse. It all works very well, and for the price it is probably the best night out in Newport (unless you can get invited to a party on one of those 150′ yachts). The Firehouse is within walking distance of the strip, so anywhere you can park will put you close enough.
Finally, I just have to ask… what’s with the popularity of this place for bridal showers? Look at all the reviews here talking about bridal showers and girls night out. There were two bridal parties there the night we went. I guess it is good mostly-​wholesome fun if you’re not looking for a Chippendale’s review (be prepared for an f-​bomb or two, but it rarely gets too raunchy for mixed company). All in all, bridal shower or just a fun night out with friends, The Firehouse and The Bit Players are a real treat.

Went here on a bachelorette party (for me) and saw the 8 pm show. It was fun, there were a lot of other brides-​to-​be there so thankfully I didn’t get pulled up on stage. They do special bits for anyone who has a special event and some are funnier than others. The comedy part is decent, but the singing parts are not. Did not know that it was BYOB, but others were bringing in coolers. The comedy place does supply water for donations, which is very nice.
Many of the people there were obviously regulars and were quite vocal. :)
Parking is a bear, so be prepared.