About

Roast Battle Chicago is the city’s
premier insult comedy show.

You can see us every first and third Thursday at Zanies Chicago, and monthly at Zanies Rosemont.

Meet the Team

  • Chris Grieco

    Founder / Host

  • Kevin Kellam

    Producer / Host

  • Stephanie Robertson

    Producer / Host

  • Michael Thomas Regan

    Photographer / Editor

  • Justin Smith

    Director / Editor

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see more on patreon

Full Shows, Extra Battles, and Behind the Scenes

History of the Show

  • April 15, 2021
    Chris Grieco and Matt Banwart create “Sticks & Stones Roast Battle”. It debuts at The Lincoln Lodge as one of the venue’s first shows after opening its doors post-pandemic.

    July 17, 2021
    The show’s first YouTube video is posted.

    May 5th, 2021
    The show’s first TikTok is posted.

    September 9, 2021
    A clip of the show goes viral for the first time.

  • March 2022
    The Grand Finals of the 2022 Tournament was between Grace Leishman and Evelyn Troutman.

    Grace wins the 2022 Championship.

  • June 1, 2022
    Sticks & Stones joins the Roast Battle League. The show is renamed to Roast Battle Chicago.

    September 15, 2022
    The Roast Master General, Jeff Ross, judges Roast Battle Chicago in one of the most electric shows of all time. This marks the first of many celebrity drop-ins.

    October 5, 2023
    After over 2 years, Roast Battle Chicago does its last regular show at the Lincoln Lodge. 100% of ticket sales were donated back to the venue.

  • March 2023
    The Grand Finals of the 2023 Tournament was between Tito and Brandon Kieffer.

    Tito wins the Championship.

  • November 2, 2023

    Roast Battle Chicago starts its permanent residency at Zanies Old Town with the 312 Comedy Festival.

  • March 2024
    The Grand Finals of the 2024 Tournament was between Max Sorich and Fujiko

    Max wins the Championship.

Previous Producers
Matt Banwart (Co-Founder), Claire Sundbye (Host), and Matt Tiester (Tech)