From the suburbs of Chicago, Dan McCarty has made audiences laugh across the nation. Starting on his 31st birthday Dan picked up a mic and never put it back down.

A celebrated host and stand up comedian, and formally part of the main-stage headlining improv cast at The Comedy Clubhouse - Chicago, Dan specializes in hyping up a room. He’s available for bookings on public and private shows, including birthday and corporate parties, as well as hosting gigs and producer spots. When it comes to comedy, he’s nacho average, but he can do it all.

What does “nacho” have to do with it all? In 2018 Dan hiked all 2,198 miles of the Appalachian trail from Georgia to Maine. Along the way, hikers earn their nicknames from other hikers. Because of Dan’s bright raincoat, he was named Nacho. Some of his friends from the trail don’t know his real name to this day.

It was also during this hike that Dan realized that if he could hike all those miles, then he can do anything he set his mind to. That’s what ultimately inspired him to finally pick up a mic and pursue stand up comedy.

Currently, Dan hosts an open mic every Tuesday at Gracie O’Malley’s Portage Park location and is co-producer of an upcoming show, It’s Got Legs, at The Crib Comedy Playspace.