It’s no secret NYC offers some of the best entertainment around. From Broadway shows to live music concerts, to even hilarious comedy shows! And the hustle bustle of the city is a huge reason why most of the best comedians started out their careers in the Big Apple, right at these very spots!
Whether you’re looking for something new to do on a night out, or want to impress a date with a night of jokes, we’ve got some of the most iconic places to do it. Here are the best comedy clubs in NYC to visit the next time you need a good laugh.
1. Eastville Comedy Club, Boerum Hill
As Brooklyn’s oldest comedy club, Eastville features New York locals and visiting headliners in a current rotation of lineups, and while every night is guaranteed to be unique and different, it will always be filled with laughter! They also offer signature crafted cocktails with no minimum purchase necessary, so you can sip while you roar with laughter alongside amazing performers.
🎤 Buy tickets to Eastville Comedy Club here!.
📍 487 Atlantic Ave.
2. The Comic Strip Live, Upper East Side
The Comic Strip Live opened in 1975, and is therefore the longest running showcase comedy club in NYC, and the world–so, obviously, it’s one of the best comedy clubs in NYC! The likes of Eddie Murphy, Chris Rock, Adam Sandler, Jerry Seinfeld and more began their careers there, and even return from time to time to do new sets. They’re open seven days a week and work on nurturing the most talented up-and-coming comedians with regularly scheduled open mics, new talent showcases, and stand-up comedy classes!
📍 1568 2nd Ave.
3. Gotham Comedy Club, Chelsea
Housed in a 1929 building next door to the historic Chelsea Hotel, The Gotham Comedy Club is known for its design and ambiance as well as its fantastic lineups. They embrace a 1920s live theatre vibe so you feel like you’re being transported back in time to the golden era of live entertainment as you walk through the red carpeted halls. It has been featured in many TV shows and films such as Jerry Seinfeld’s 2002 Miramax film “Comedian” and Larry David’s pilot of “Curb Your Enthusiasm.”
📍 208 W 23rd St.
4. St. Marks’ Comedy Club, East Village
St. Mark’s Comedy Club is a popular speakeasy performance venue taking the East Village by storm, and is one of the best comedy clubs in NYC! From rising stars to national headliners they host some truly hilarious acts, and they also offer table service with a wide selection of drinks from a fully-stocked bar, as well as an array of vegan-friendly appetizers
🎤 Buy tickets to St. Mark’s Comedy Club here
📍 12 St Marks Pl.
5. New York Comedy Club, Multiple Locations
With two locations in NYC–the East Village and Midtown–New York Comedy Club has that “classic” look with a brick wall behind the stage, a candlelit showroom, and traditional drink menu. They’re now regarded as not only one of the best comedy clubs in NYC, but in the country overall.
📍 East Village – 85 East 4th St. / Midtown – 241 East 24th St.
6. LOL Comedy Lounge, Times Square
LOL Comedy Lounge’s showcase format features up-and-coming acts, seasoned local talent, and comic headliners with television and film credits. Guests can stop by to enjoy a night of laughs with national and international acts for the very best shows that New York City has to offer.
🎤 Buy tickets to LOL Comedy Lounge here
📍 336 West 46th St.
7. Comedy Cellar, Greenwich Village
The Comedy Cellar opened in 1982. Their Instagram is littered with drop-in shows from famous comics like Sarah Silverman, Craig Robinson, Jim Gaffigan, Ali Wong, Amy Schumer, and more. They also now have a no-phone policy at all shows and will ask you to secure your phone/smartwatch in a pouch so everyone can fully enjoy the show!
📍 117 Macdougal St.
8. Stand Up NY, Upper West Side
Stand Up NY opened in 1986 and has harnessed the talent of top comedians like Amy Schumer, Artie Lange, and Aziz Ansari over the years. If you become a super fan, there’s even an annual membership pass called the “Stand Up NY LaughPass” that includes access to unlimited shows, a free drink upon arrival, VIP choice seating, and more.
📍 236 W 78th St.
9. Broadway Comedy Club, Midtown
It’s hard to beat a stand-up comedy show if you’re looking to have a good night out, especially if that show is Broadway Comedy Club’s All Star Stand-Up Comedy! New York headliners take to the stage to deliver the hilarious riffs and one-liners that have landed them appearances on Saturday Night Live, The Daily Show, Last Comic Standing, Comedy Central, HBO, BET, and more!
🎤 Buy tickets to Broadway Comedy Club here
📍 318 West 53rd St.
10. The Comedy Shop, Greenwich Village
The Comedy Shop (aka the former Lantern Comedy Club) is a bar, restaurant, and NYC comedy club all in one, making it one of the best comedy clubs in NYC! Located inside the fantastic restaurant Ways and Means, you can check out any one of their shows that are happening 7 nights a week! They have a two item minimum for performances, and tickets are required, which you can purchase here. This spot is one of our favorites for catching up-and-coming NYC comedians, open mic nights, late night shows, and a whole lot more!
📍 167 Bleecker St.
11. Village Underground, Greenwich Village
The sister section to NYC’s iconic Comedy Cellar is Village Underground, which continually hosts the longest running and most prestigious open mic nights on Sundays. Although it used to also serve as a live music venue for bands too, Village Underground has transitioned into a 7-day-a-week comedy hub that boasts a blue-lit atmosphere surrounded by booths and candlelit tables.
📍 130 W 3rd St.
12. Caveat, Lower East Side
This cabaret comedy theater located deep under Clinton Street serves up cheap drinks and tons of laughs! You’ll find everything from typical comedy shows to “glorious nerds, pun-masters, West Wing speech writers, award-winning scientists, New Yorker cartoonists, powerpoint professionals and all-round hilarious people entertain you.”
📍 21A Clinton St.
13. The Grisly Pear, Multiple Locations
This lovely comedy club doubles as a dive bar, and features a variety of New York based comedians on the daily! Their main location in Greenwich Village is their original flagship, but they also have a newly opened location in Midtown too. It’s cute for a date spot if you want something different, or perfect to stop by if you want a quick laugh!
📍 Greenwich Village – 107 MacDougal St. / Midtown – 243 W 54th St.
14. The Stand, Gramercy
For the last seven years, The Stand has been a staple of the New York comedy scene through hosting A-list comedians and becoming a home to the city’s funniest performers as well as the best comedy fans–they were even named the best comedy venue by New York Magazine!
📍 116 E 16th St.
15. 53 Above, Theater District
Located in the heart of Midtown is 53 Above, a unique space that shows one person shows, small plays, cabaret, and so much more. They host all sorts of comedy shows, but our favorite is their comedy and magic show presented by award-winning 42nd Street magician Matt Roberts. You’ll spend a night both laughing and being mind blown, as you watch the one man act performing tricks, mind reading and a lot more!
🎤 Buy tickets to Illusionist Matt Roberts’ Comedy & Magic show here!
📍 318 W 53rd St.