New York City has long been the birthplace for the best comedians in the industry. Whether you're looking for an intimate venue with up-and-coming talent or a legendary stage where comedy greats got their start, NYC has it all.
The city is packed with clubs that offer top-tier stand-up, electric energy, and plenty of laughs. If you're exploring things to do in New York, a visit to one of these comedy clubs in NYC should be at the top of your list, every night of the week.
The Greenwich Village
Comedy Cellar
The Comedy Cellar is the name synonymous with NYC stand-up—it’s where so many big-name comedians got their start, flexing their comedic talent. It might explain why this central spot is often heralded as “the Harvard of comedy clubs.”
It’s not just a name. The Comedy Cellar’s stage can be found in a basement venue—a blink-and-you'll miss it spot on MacDougal Street.
Since opening in 1982, it has set the standard for intimate, high-caliber performances. And because this venue has catapulted the careers of so many of your favorite comedians—to namedrop a few: Kevin Hart, Amy Schumer, Jon Stewart, Marc Maron—don’t be surprised if there’s an A-lister drop-in the night you’re there.
💡 Fun fact: The Comedy Cellar has served as the backdrop for several Netflix comedy specials, including Aziz Ansari’s Nightclub Comedian and Ray Romano’s Right Around the Corner.
🏠 Address: 117 Macdougal St, New York, NY 10012
📱 The comedy Cellar
Greenwich Village Comedy Club
The Greenwich Village Comedy Club is a comedy club located in, you guessed it, Greenwich Village. The venue boasts a cozy, intimate atmosphere that feels like the kind of place you’ll love to spend your evenings in, catching tight five after tight five.
On any given night, you’ll be treated to stand-up sets that’ll leave you in stitches. With a rotating lineup, there’s always something new to see, maybe even a comic on the rise, on the verge of their big break.
🏠 Address: 99 MacDougal St, New York, NY 10012
📱 Greenwich Village Comedy Club
Spectacular Shows Nearby!
Elevate your New York City experience with breathtaking Cirque du Soleil performances.
Brooklyn
Eastville Comedy Club
Eastville Comedy Club is Brooklyn’s oldest comedy club. It’s been around a long, long time. Not quite as old as the pyramids, say, but put it this way: If the walls of this showroom could talk, oh, the stories they’d tell…
Despite being around for eons, Eastville Comedy Club knows how to keep it fresh, with tons of events including open mic nights, late night open mic nights, and tons of regular comedy nights. Drop in, you never know who might take the stage…
💡 Fun fact: Eastville Comedy Club is New York City’s only comedy club with no drink limit. That means you can order as many drinks as you’d like—just try to keep it reasonable so you don’t interrupt a comic’s set!
🏠 Address: 487 Atlantic Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217
📱Eastville Comedy Club
Chelsea and West Village
The Stand Comedy Club
For a taste of delicious eats and laugh-out-loud hilariousness, The Stand is serving up something a little different.
This club often frequently appears on top five, best-loved comedic venues. And while there are laughs to be had, make sure you come here on an empty stomach. At the Stand, you’ll be treated to a delicious menu featuring steakhouse favorites, like strip loin or shrimp cocktails. In other words, it’s a great spot for a date night and for catching comedy at night live.
The venue’s tastefully stylish, underground setting gives performances a personal touch. It’s an intimate way for crowd work and audience interaction—a unique watch to catch a comedy show that’s bound to delight both stand-up fans and foodies alike.
🏠 Address: 116 E 16th St, New York, NY 10003
📱The Stand Comedy Club
Gotham Comedy Club
The Gotham Comedy Club first opened its doors years ago, back in 1996. And, just as its website says, it’s never looked back. The club has seen its share of comedians performing here. Some of the biggest names in showbiz have graced the Gotham Club’s stage, including Jerry Seinfeld, Dave Chappelle, Chris Rock, and Amy Schumer.
Many comics who’ve performed here have gone on to become regulars on shows like Saturday Night Live, or have had their own hour-long comedy specials air on Comedy Central or Netflix.
The club's elegant setting makes it a unique experience—think plush seating, sophisticated ambiance, and performances that hit hard. If you want a mix of class and comedy, Gotham is a must-visit.
💡 Fun fact: The Gotham Comedy Club became the “The Copacabana” in the 2019 Martin Scorsese’s film, The Irishman.
🏠 Address: 208 W 23rd St, New York, NY 10011
📱Gotham Comedy Club
New York Comedy Club
With locations in Midtown and the East Village, New York Comedy Club is a stalwart of the city's stand-up scene. Known for its no-frills, joke-heavy approach, it has welcomed rising stars and industry heavyweights alike to its stage. If you're looking for a night of unfiltered comedy in an authentic setting, this is, without a doubt, one of the hottest comedy clubs in NYC.
Keep in mind, the venue does enforce a two-drink minimum. So show up thirsty, hit the bar, and drink responsibly.
🏠 Address: 236 W 78th St, New York, NY 10024
🏠 Address: 241 E 24th St, New York, NY 10010
🏠 Address: 85 E 4th St, New York, NY 10003
📱New York Comedy Club
Midtown Manhattan and Upper West Side
Broadway Comedy Club
A fixture in the city’s theater district, Broadway Comedy Club is in the middle of all the action, in the heart of bustling Times Square. This spot is a favorite for its multiple showrooms.
What makes this club so special is its emphasis on diversity. The club was one of the first in New York City’s comedy scene that embraces performances from people from all walks of life.
In addition to comedy club standards like improv or open mic nights, Broadway Comedy Club hosts specialty events, such as LGBTQ+ nights, Black women stand-up nights, or Latino nights. It’s unique, inclusive, and a must-visit for any lover of comedy.
While you’re on Broadway, you might want to also book one of New York’s best musicals. This is the place to be!
🏠 Address: 318 W 53rd St, New York, NY 10019
📱Broadway Comedy Club
West Side Comedy Club
West Side Comedy Club is a popular spot in the Upper West Side located in the basement of a Mexican restaurant, Playa Betty’s. You know what that means, right? It means you can enjoy dinner and a show.
Don’t be surprised if some comedy legends like Jerry Seinfeld or Bill Burr are performing while you’re in attendance. It’s happened before, and maybe you’ll be lucky enough to see them, or some other up-and-coming comic, making a surprise appearance.
If you’re feeling like indulging in a fancy meal in the area before heading to a comedy show, here are our must-try fancy restaurants in Manhattan that are guaranteed to satisfy your palate.
🏠 Address: 201 W 75th St, New York, NY 10023
📱West Side Comedy Club
Create Lasting Memories at NYC's Comedy Clubs
The energy of a live stand-up show is unpredictable. The comedian might take a joke too far. The audience might not bite. Silence. A heckler might chime in. Awkward, right?
But that tension—that anything-can-happen thrill—that’s the beauty of catching comedy shows in NYC. Maybe the comic is testing out new material, trying to warm up the room. Maybe you’ll laugh so hard you cry. Honestly, we can see the appeal. As fans of the unexpected ourselves, we’re drawn to the capricious. We embrace a little chaos.
We can’t guarantee laughs at a comedy show, but we can promise something equally entertaining: pure, unfiltered joy and awe. Much like an evening at a comedy club, our performances keep you on the edge of your seat. One moment, an acrobat is soaring overhead; the next, a world-class dancer is commanding the stage.
So, the next time we roll into town, we hope you’ll catch one of our shows in New York. A soirée spent with our merry band of performers is bound to delight and dazzle. When we meet again under the glow of streetlights in the city that never sleeps—let’s make a night of it, shall we?