Comedy Clubs in New York

Comedy Clubs are a major New York specialty! These entertainment venues are dedicated to stand-ups and humor. Laughter guaranteed!

What is a Comedy Club?

A Comedy Club refers to small performance venues dedicated to stand-up comedy. Comedy Clubs have nothing to do with Broadway musicals! These are resolutely humorous shows with jokes flowing at a steady pace.
Comedy Clubs are a true New York tradition. The very first Comedy Club is called The Improv and was founded in 1963 in the Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood. This venue reserved exclusively for comedians was created by a former advertising executive, Budd Friedman. The Improv quickly gained a reputation for its headliners, with comedians who quickly became famous like Robin Williams and Jay Leno. Unfortunately, the venue closed its doors in 1992.
Other venues quickly followed suit, driven by the enthusiasm of New York’s comedy-loving public, who are fans of humor in all its forms. Stand-up is often a way to convey political messages!
It is estimated that there are currently around thirty Comedy Clubs dedicated to professional comedians in New York. However, it’s difficult to have a more precise figure because some bars occasionally organize stand-up sessions without considering themselves a Comedy Club in the strict sense.
A curious fact to know: you will notice that most Comedy Clubs impose a minimum consumption requirement for drinks, whether alcoholic or not, in addition to the entrance fee. Keep in mind that you must add taxes and tip, between 18 and 20%. This is a way to discreetly increase the final price. A typically New York practice that is therefore part of the experience!

Stage of the Broadway Comedy Club in New York — The stage of the Broadway Comedy Club awaits its comedians!

What are the best Comedy Clubs in New York?

Want to spend an evening at a Comedy Club in New York? Here are the 6 best Comedy Club addresses in Manhattan.

1/ Broadway Comedy Club (Times Square)

Booking Evening at Broadway Comedy Club

The Broadway Comedy Club opened in 2003 and the venue quickly established itself in the stand-up landscape. The Broadway Comedy Club welcomes both well-known comedians and emerging talents. You will appreciate the typical atmosphere of the place, with its stage backed by a brick wall. Typical of a New York Comedy Club!
Good to know: in addition to the entrance fee, you must order 2 drinks per person, whether alcoholic or not. Another important note: children from 13 years old are accepted, provided they are accompanied by their parents. You must also present yourself at the entrance at least 20 minutes before the show starts.
Address: 318 West 53rd Street, between 8th and 9th Avenue.

Audience at the Broadway Comedy Club in New York — The audience captivated by the comedians of the Broadway Comedy Club!

2/ Comedy Cellar (Greenwich Village)

This Comedy Club was founded in 1982 in a basement in Greenwich Village by comedian and TV producer Bill Grundfest. It is one of the mythical stages for stand-up and many comedians made their debuts here. As an anecdote, the club even appears in a Pepsi Cola advertisement, featuring Jimmy Fallon.
The Comedy Cellar also requires ordering 2 drinks per person, whether beverages, food, or bottled water. The club accepts teenagers from 18 years old, provided they are accompanied by their parents. Otherwise, you must be 21 to enter alone.
Address: 117 MacDougal Street, New York.

Entrance of the Comedy Cellar in New York — The entrance to the Comedy Cellar in New York. (Photo Ajay Suresh)

3/ New York Comedy Club (Midtown)

A comedian, a microphone, a brick wall… The New York Comedy Club perfectly embodies the Comedy Club as we imagine it. The venue was created in 1989 but, with success, the club expanded to the East Village in 2018 and to the Upper West Side in 2024. I obviously recommend preferring the original location.
The venue imposes a minimum consumption of $20 per person for drinks or snacks. Be careful, only drinks ordered from your table count. Wait until you’re seated before ordering!
Address: 241 East 24th Street, between 2nd and 3rd Avenue.

Comedian Michael Kosta at the New York Comedy Club.

4/ Stand Up NY at Bond 45 (Times Square)

Founded on the Upper West Side in 1986, this club moved further south to Times Square. It has notably hosted Jerry Seinfeld, one of the greatest American comedians. The club prides itself on its eclectic programming, featuring both seasoned professionals and newcomers.
When booking your tickets, you must also commit to spending at least $20 per person on drinks, whether alcoholic beverages, sodas, bottled water, or food.
Address: 221 West 46th Street, between Broadway and 8th Avenue.

Comedian on the stage of Stand-Up New York — A comedian on the stage of Stand-Up NY. (Photo Stand-Up NY)

5/ Gotham Comedy Club (Chelsea)

This club was created in 1996 in Chelsea and has hosted major names from the American comedy scene. It is also here that Jerry Seinfeld filmed his documentary Comedian and where Martin Scorsese created the Copacabana set for his film The Irishman. The club also offers comedy classes, in case you ever want to try your hand at stand-up!
The Gotham Comedy Club requires a minimum of 2 drinks per person, knowing that it is possible to order non-alcoholic beverages.
Address: 208 West 23 Street, between 7th and 8th Avenue.

Facade of the Gotham Comedy Club in New York — The discreet facade of the Gotham Comedy Club in New York.

6/ UCB Theatre (East Village)

UCB is the acronym for Upright Citizens Brigade. Quite a program! This theater opened its doors in 1996 and offers both shows and comedy classes. It is therefore a place conducive to discovering new comedians!
The UCB Theatre positions itself more as a theater than a traditional Comedy Club. The venue therefore has nothing in common with the atmosphere of the other places described above. In 2005, the UCB also opened an equivalent in Los Angeles.
Address: 242 East 14th Street, between 2nd and 3rd Avenue.

Entrance of the UCB Theatre in New York — The entrance to the UCB Theatre in New York. (Photo Luigi Novi)

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you absolutely need to speak English to go to a Comedy Club in New York?

New York Comedy Clubs offer shows exclusively in English. It is therefore recommended to have a good level of English if you want to grasp all the nuances. That said, you can absolutely attend a show even if you don’t understand everything. On the contrary, you will experience a 100% authentic and local experience!

Do you need to book in advance to attend a show at a Comedy Club in New York?

Yes, it is essential to book in advance to attend a show at a Comedy Club in New York, especially if you want to see a well-known comedian. This will allow you to guarantee your seat and avoid waiting outside for nothing. The venues must indeed respect a spectator capacity limit and, when the room is full, no one else can enter.

Are children accepted at Comedy Clubs in New York?

It depends on the Comedy Clubs! Some New York Comedy Clubs accept teenagers from 16 years old while others set the minimum age at 18 years old. Some bars strictly apply the alcohol consumption law by prohibiting entry to those under 21. Finally, some afternoon shows are specially designed for families and, in this case, doors open for children from 8 years old.