The Best 6 Comedy Clubs in NYC for Stand-up and Improve

Comedy Clubs in NYC featured image

Featured image credit: gothamcomedyclub.com

For a lifelong comedy fan, comedy clubs form one of the best places to enjoy a night out with a group of friends.

With New York known to be home to the best stand-up comedians, most would ask; Which are the best places to watch comedy in NYC?

This article reviews some of the best comedy clubs to guide you as you select a spot to enjoy a night out with friends.

Best 6 Comedy Clubs in NYC

So, what are some great places you can watch comedy in NYC? Below are the six best comedy clubs in New York City that guarantee great laughs.

1. Upper East Side - The Comic Strip Live

Rated by New York Magazine as one of the expertly booked comedy clubs, Comic Strip Club forms one of the best places to enjoy stand-up comedy with friends.

For seven nights a week, familiar faces from top-rated tv shows and films hit the stage to give you some of the best acts in the history of stand-ups.

In addition, surprise guests such as Tracy Morgan, Dave Chappelle, and Susie Essman grace your night on a given night.

Upper East Side

Image credit: comicstriplive.com

Known for hosting one of the long-serving talent showcases, this comedy club has nurtured some top comics such as Chris Rock, Jerry Seinfeld, Eddie Murphy, and Adam Sandler.

This famous comedy club continue to host several open mic nights and talent showcases where new talent showcase their new material.

2. Chelsea – Gotham Comedy Club

Gotham comedy club is a perfect choi ce if you are in Chelsea and looking for one of the intimate spots to enjoy live comedy.

Whether it is on a Saturday or Monday night, you will enjoy funny acts from talented comics.

On Friday or Saturday Night live, you will not miss one or two famous comics featured on Netflix, HBO, Late Night, Tonight Show, Comedy Central, and other great comedy shows and films.

Comedians known to have graced this club's stage include Lewis Black and Colin Quinn.

This club has a great menu for food and drinks; hitting the two-drink minimum requirement is easy. Tables are shared unless you buy all the seats.

3. Hell's Kitchen – Upright Citizens Brigade

Upright Citizens Brigade Comedy was a people improv theatre founded by Matt Besser, Ian Roberts, Amy Poehler, and Matt Walsh.

Until it closed in 2020, this comedy club hosted many weekly shows with tickets retailing under $10.

On a regular night, you would expect to see rising comedians sharing the stage with some top comedians, such as Louis C.K. and Amy Schumer.

4. Gramercy – New York Comedy Club

Gramercy – New York Comedy Club

Image credit: newyorkcomedyclub.com

If you are looking for a comedy club with a line-up of the best comedians, then New York Comedy club is a place to be.

Founded in 1989, this club continues to be a launching pad for NYC rising stars and a great spot to experience big acts from famous faces in comedy.

Additionally, the intimate candle-lit showrooms allow you to feel the live comedy on a deeper level.

The minimum purchase of food and drinks per person is $18. Although the club might be a bit pricey, it offers a great setting for the other clubs in New York.

In addition, the club hosts open mics every Sunday evening from 5:30-7:00 pm.

5. Lenox Hill - Dangerfields

Founded in 1969, Dangerfield remains one of the oldest and most famous comedy clubs in New York City.

Located on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, the club is known for hosting some of the best shows in the history of stand-up comedy.

In addition, this club features some of the best comics who have performed on popular TV shows such as Mad Tv, The Tonight Show, Jimmy Kimmel, and Comedy Central.

Some of the top comedians that have previously performed in this show include the likes of Tim Allen, Jay Leno, and Rosie O'Donnell.

Unlike other clubs, this one does not host open mics and only hosts top comedians. However, due to COVID-19, Dangers fields remain temporarily closed.

6. The Village Underground – Comedy Cellar

The Village Underground – Comedy Cellar

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On a given week, Comedy Cellar-Village Underground brings you multiple shows with great MCs and personal appearances by some of the best New York City Comedians.

For example, on any given show, it is usual to experience some great stand-up and improv comedy by Dave Attell, Darrell Hammond, and Jim Gaffigan.

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On particular shows, renowned comedians such as Dave Chapelle and Jerry Seinfeld make surprise drop-ins.

And thus, the club prohibits audience members from recording the comedian while in action, and as you enter, you are required to place your phone on a porch. Also, the club has a two beverage minimum requirement.

Because of the warm and intimate space, Comedy Cellar forms one of the best places on the West Side for improv comedy and podcast recordings.

Conclusion

New York hosts some of the best comedy clubs, and on any night, you will not miss a place to have a good Laugh.

So whether you are on the Upper west side or lower east village, you will not miss a club that hosts some of the famous faces in comedy.

Also, every November, some of these clubs host the New York Comedy Festival, where you get to experience great laughs from a variety of comedians. 

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Ryan S. Mills
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