New York Comedy Clubs

New York Comedy Clubs offer a vibrant and diverse comedy scene, showcasing many talented comedians. Watching stand-up comedy in New York is a fun activity, guaranteeing an unforgettable night of laughter in a city that some say is the mecca of stand-up.

New Yorkers have a famously wicked sense of humour, and the best way to experience that is at one of the many comedy clubs in Manhattan. However, there are so many clubs, the amount of choice can seem overwhelming. I’ve listed my personal favourites below. If you want to explore, then Greenwich Village is the best place to go.

See here for a list of comedy shows in New York

Stand-Up Comedy Clubs in New York

Comedy clubs in New York will have multiple shows in one night, featuring around 5 to 8 comedians doing 10-15 minute sets: the variety is nice as some comedians can be funnier than others. Most clubs will charge to get in and often have a drink minimum you must buy. Each show will last up to a couple of hours, and remember to check whether the entrance is on the door or requires tickets.

A lot of famous comedians once started in the small comedy clubs, but have become big names in comedy. They now play in large theatres, like The Theater at Madison Square Garden or Carnegie Hall. If you want to visit a show of one of those comedians in New York, you can buy your tickets online.

LOL Comedy Lounge

LOL Comedy Lounge is a popular place because of its convenient location. It is located in Times Square, making it a great combo if you are visiting the Crossroads of the World. It is also a practical choice when you are travelling with teenagers, as most of their shows are for 13 years and up. There is entertainment for the whole family.

Book your tickets for LOL Comedy Lounge on Times Square here

Comedy Cellar

Comedy Cellar is the most famous comedy club in Manhattan’s Greenwich Village. Upstairs at MacDougal Street, you can have something to eat or drink before you watch a show. There are also two other sister showrooms, Comedy Cellar at the Village Underground and Fat Black Pussycat (FBPC), located right around the corner from Comedy Cellar.

The lines at Comedy Cellar are always long, so be on time for good seats, even if you bought a ticket in advance. Every night there’s something else to see at this club, so you can even return a few times if you like!

Eric’s Tip: “Please note that to most comedy clubs you only pay a small entrance fee, but there’s a minimum amount to spend inside. A minimum of two (non-)alcoholic drinks per person is common or $15-$20 worth of drinks (sometimes you can also include food). A waiter is always ready to be of service.”

Stand Up NY

On 236 West 78th Street in the Upper West Side, you’ll find Stand Up NY. This is one of the oldest comedy clubs in the city. The club opened its doors in 1986 and has since then fostered a lot of talents such as Jerry Seinfeld, Chris Rock and former presenter of the popular The Daily Show, Jon Stewart. In addition to the famous comedians, Stand Up NY offers a lot of room for newcomers to develop. Producers from all kinds of television shows often sit in the room, scouting new talent.

The comedy club is open almost every day and usually has two shows a night. Make sure you are well on time as the hostess can then offer you the better seats in the room. A regular show is about 2 hours long and has 4 or 5 different comedians. The variety is nice as some comedians can be funnier than others. The bar is set very high at Stand Up NY so there is a high chance you’ll be entertained. Additionally, the shows are constructed in such a way that the comedians complement each other. While one mocks his life as a 40-year-old bachelor, the other tackles political issues. Expect a lot of sarcastic comments, sharp observations (also from the public!) and derogatory jokes. You won’t find any careful or prude Americans at the Stand Up NY!

When visiting this comedy club, do bring a jacket or cardigan. The air-conditioning is always on high so even in the summer, it can be a little chilly. Stand Up NY is very easy to reach by subway. Take subway line 1 and if you get off at 79th Street, you’ll see the club on your left-hand side after about 30 metres.

Broadway Comedy Club

At Broadway Comedy Club in Midtown Manhattan, you’ll get to see the rising stars of comedy. Talented comedians who performed at this venue later appeared on Comedy Central and at Letterman, to name a few. When you visit Broadway Comedy Club you won’t be disappointed, as every show provides four headliners. This venue has a two-drink requirement.

Book your tickets for Broadway Comedy Club here

Comedy on Broadway

When you think of Broadway musicals, comedy might not be the first thing that comes to mind. But several Broadway shows are actually very funny! The king of comedy on Broadway is definitely Book of Mormon. This hilarious show is running in New York for years already and won several awards.

Book your tickets for Book of Mormon here

Off-Broadway, the wildly entertaining Drunk Shakespeare offers a hilarious twist on the playwright’s classic plays. The show is performed by five actors, one of whom has just had five alcoholic drinks…