One of my favorite things about living in the Big Apple is having access to world-renowned comedy clubs in New York City, it feels like a classic night out on the town! Some of the biggest names in comedy got their start here, and you can still catch rising stars testing new material just a few feet away from you.
It’s unpolished and always entertaining, even if you’re nervously making eye contact with the person next to you after a risky joke Comedy clubs in NYC offer some of the most unpredictable and entertaining nights in the city.
Over the years I’ve spent a lot of nights in tiny basements and iconic venues. In this quick guide, I’m sharing my favorite comedy clubs across the city, from the legendary to the low-key. Whether you want something rowdy and packed or small and intimate, there’s a spot here for every kind of sense of humor.
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Best Comedy Clubs in NYC
Table of Contents: Can’t Miss Comedy Clubs in New York City
Table of Contents: New York City Comedy Club Guide
The Stand
Website: The Stand
Neighborhood: Midtown
Address: 116 E 16th St, New York, NY 10003
If you were to accuse me of ranking the Stand first because of the pizza alone, you wouldn’t be wrong. I love the restaurant at this spot, so much so, I come here often for the food alone. The fact that it’s one of the best comedy clubs in NYC is mere icing on the cake in my book.
It’s a modern space with the kind of lineup that makes you realize halfway through the night you’ve seen half the people on TV. I’ve gone for casual nights and unannounced drop-ins, and it never disappoints. Start with a pizza and a cocktail, then head over for the show for a great night.
Comedy Cellar
Website: Comedy Cellar
Neighborhood: Greenwich Village
Address: 117 MacDougal St, New York, NY 10012
You go to the Comedy Cellar for the vibes and as much as the unpredictable lineup. Big names drop in often, but the real draw is how tight the sets are and how seriously everyone takes the craft. The Cellar doesn’t baby its audience. If a joke lands, the room erupts. If it doesn’t, the silence is deafening. And afterward, you spill out into MacDougal Street for great food and even better drinks.
The Bell House
Website: The Bell House
Neighborhood: Brooklyn
Address: 149 7th St, Brooklyn, NY 11215
The Bell House is a Brooklyn staple that leans more alt-comedy than classic stand-up, but that’s exactly why I love it. It’s in Gowanus, in a big warehouse-y space with high ceilings, great acoustics, and a casual crowd that’s usually up for anything. You’ll see a mix of comics, musical acts, live podcasts, and shows that feel more like weird theater than straight comedy.
It’s not the kind of place you randomly stumble into (you usually go for a specific event) but it’s always a good time. There’s a bar in the front, plenty of standing room in the back, and seating if you get there early. It’s the kind of venue where performers feel free to try stuff, and you never quite know what you’re going to get.
Stand Up New York
Website: Stand Up New York
Neighborhood: Upper West Side
Address: 236 W 78th St, New York, NY 10024
Stand Up New York has been around for decades! The space itself is straightforward — dim lighting, small stage, tightly arranged tables — but it gets the job done. The comics rotate between up-and-comers and seasoned pros, and on a good night, you feel like you’re a part of something really cool.
I like this spot because it doesn’t try too hard to impress. The focus is on the comedy. It’s a solid Upper West Side option if you want something reliably funny (luckily for me, I live a few blocks away).
The Tiny Cupboard
Website: The Tiny Cupboard
Neighborhood: Brooklyn
Address: 10 Cooper St, Brooklyn, NY 11207
The Tiny Cupboard is exactly what it sounds like: small, DIY, and a little unpredictable. It started as a rooftop venue during peak pandemic days and quickly became a hangout for comics who didn’t have anywhere else to perform. Now it’s part underground, part experimental, and very Brooklyn.
I’ve seen brilliant sets and some real trainwrecks here, often back-to-back. But that’s part of the charm — it feels like the kind of place where people are still figuring things out in real time. If you want a polished, professional lineup, this isn’t it. If you’re open to surprises and don’t mind folding chairs and BYOB, it’s a fun night out.
New York Comedy Club
Website: New York Comedy Club
Neighborhood: Midtown & East Village
Address: 241 E 24th St & 85 E 4th St
New York Comedy Club has two locations (one in Midtown and one downtown) and both are solid. The lineups usually feature a mix of club regulars, newer voices, and occasional surprise drop-ins. The Midtown location has a bit more polish, while the downtown space feels a little more casual.
I’ve always liked the pacing of the shows here. The turnover is quick and the crowd tends to be engaged. It feels like a classic NYC comedy club without feeling dated. It’s a great choice if you’re looking for that traditional stand-up format with a well-run structure.
West Side Comedy Club
Website: West Side Comedy Club
Neighborhood: Upper West Side
Address: 201 W 75th St, New York, NY 10023
West Side Comedy Club is tucked into the basement of Playa Betty’s on the Upper West Side. The space is cozy but well laid out, and the crowd tends to skew local, which gives it a slightly more relaxed feel than the downtown clubs.
I’ve had a few great nights here — comics who clearly knew how to read the room, quick turnarounds, and the kind of vibe where the audience actually wants the jokes to land. It’s also one of the few comedy clubs in New York City where you can grab tacos and a drink and then head over for a show without moving more than twenty feet.
Gotham Comedy Club
Website: Gotham Comedy Club
Neighborhood: Midtown
Address: 208 W 23rd St, New York, NY 10011
Gotham has that classic “night out” feel. It’s a big room with table service, a proper stage, and a crowd that shows up ready to laugh. The lineup is usually tight (mostly seasoned comics with the occasional big name dropping in) and the production value is higher than most clubs in the city.
I’ve been for both weekend headliners and weekday showcases, and the experience has been consistently strong. You’re not going to catch too many experimental sets here, but you’ll definitely see polished acts who know what they’re doing. If you want a guaranteed solid show in a more upscale setting, this is a safe bet.
Broadway Comedy Club
Website: Broadway Comedy Club
Neighborhood: Midtown
Address: 318 W 53rd St, New York, NY 10019
Broadway Comedy Club sits just far enough west of Times Square to feel slightly removed from the chaos. The space has two separate rooms, so depending on the night, your experience may vary. The lineup usually includes club regulars, newer talent, and comics testing out material between bigger gigs.
I’ve had a few surprise standouts here. It’s not flashy, and the vibe depends a lot on the crowd, but that’s part of what makes it interesting. If you’re in Midtown and want a casual, no-frills comedy night, Broadway is an easy option.
Greenwich Village Comedy Club
Website: Greenwich Village Comedy Club
Neighborhood: Greenwich Village
Address: 99 MacDougal St, New York, NY 10012
Greenwich Village Comedy Club is tucked into a small basement just off MacDougal Street. It’s one of those clubs where the room is tiny, the stage is close, and everything feels a bit more immediate. The crowd gets into it quickly, and that helps the energy stay high.
Most nights follow a showcase format, so you’ll see a variety of comics doing short sets. I like it for last-minute plans or when I’m already downtown and want a low-pressure show. It doesn’t draw huge buzz, but it delivers a solid night of stand-up in a neighborhood filled with comedy history.
Comic Strip Live
Website: Comic Strip Live
Neighborhood: Upper East Side
Address: 1568 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10028
Comic Strip Live has been around since the 1970s and still holds onto that old-school comedy club energy. It’s located on the Upper East Side, which makes it feel slightly removed from the downtown circuit and gives the space a more neighborhood vibe.
The room is long and narrow, which oddly works in its favor. The focus stays on the stage, and the crowd tends to be pretty engaged. It’s not a scene-y spot, but you’ll see everything from sharp veterans to newcomers figuring things out. It’s a good place to catch live comedy without feeling like part of a tourist crowd.
Union Hall
Website: Union Hall
Neighborhood: Brooklyn
Address: 702 Union St, Brooklyn, NY 11215
Union Hall isn’t your typical comedy venue. It’s a cozy bar upstairs with couches and bookshelves, and a performance space downstairs that hosts a mix of comedy, music, and live podcasts. The shows tend to lean more alt or indie, and that’s what makes them interesting.
I’ve gone for live podcasts, themed stand-up shows, and comics trying out weird new formats. The vibe is casual and smart, and the crowd is usually there because they’re genuinely into it. If you’re looking for something different from the club circuit, Union Hall is worth the trip to Brooklyn.
Grisly Pear
Website: Grisly Pear
Neighborhood: Greenwich Village & Midtown
Address: 107 Macdougal St & 243 W 54th St
The Grisly Pear has a rough-around-the-edges charm. It has two locations now, one downtown in the Village and another in Midtown, but both keep that back-of-the-bar, unfiltered feel. The rooms are small, and the shows are usually a mix of newer comics and seasoned performers trying out material.
I’ve had nights here where the energy shifted every five minutes. It’s not always polished, but it’s often entertaining. If you’re in the mood for something less curated and a little messier, The Grisly Pear offers exactly that.
The Village Underground
Website: The Village Underground
Neighborhood: Greenwich Village
Address: 130 W 3rd St, New York, NY 10012
The Village Underground is part of the Comedy Cellar family, and it keeps a similar standard in terms of lineups and crowd energy. The space is larger than the original Cellar room, with a bit more room to breathe, but the comics still bring the same edge and pace.
I’ve gone when the Cellar was sold out and ended up with just as good a show. The space feels well-run, the crowd is into it, and the sets are consistently strong. If you’re downtown and want a comedy night that feels sharp and well-produced, which is why this is one of the best comedy clubs in New York City.
Tips for Visiting Comedy Clubs in NYC
Arrive Early: Comedy clubs in NYC have strict starting times and when it rolls around you want to be in your seat, drinks ordered and ready for the show. Plus arriving early will give you the chance to pick good seats. If you don’t want to be in the front row being teased by the comic you better be early so you can snag a table of your choosing.
Look at the club’s schedule before buying tickets: Comedy Clubs in NYC do a good job of updating their websites with events, themed-nights, and line ups. Rather than shooting in the dark just take a quick peek online and book the show that sounds most fun to you, it could help you avoid a show you’re not interested in.
Don’t heckle the comics: Odds are you’ll eventually come across a comedian that doesn’t tickle your fancy. My suggestion is to wait them out. Comedians can be ruthless and more times than not, the crowd is on their side. Not to mention they could be trying something new, and your silence tells them all they need to know.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Comedy Cellar is widely considered the most popular comedy club in NYC, renowned for its legendary status, top-notch talent, and intimate, surprise-filled performances.
In New York City, you can watch stand-up comedy at various renowned comedy clubs, including The Comedy Cellar, The Stand, Gotham Comedy Club, and The Comic Strip Live, among others.
Famous comedians often perform at iconic comedy clubs in New York City, such as The Comedy Cellar, Gotham Comedy Club, The Stand, and The Comic Strip Live. These venues attract top-notch talent and are known for hosting both established and emerging comedians.
Comedy shows at The Stand NYC typically last around 90 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the specific lineup and format of the show. It’s common for comedy clubs to feature multiple comedians during a single show, each performing a set of varying lengths.
Famous comedians who grew up in New York City include Jerry Seinfeld, Chris Rock, Joan Rivers, Eddie Murphy, and Louis C.K.
NYC Comedy Clubs (Post Summary)
- Comedy Cellar
- The Stand
- Stand Up New York
- The Bell House
- The Tiny Cupboard
- West Side Comedy Club
- New York Comedy Club
- Gotham
- Broadway Comedy Club
- Grisly Pear
- Union Hall
- Comic Strip Live
- Greenwich Village Comedy Club
- The Village Underground
Let me know if you think I missed a spot. Cheers!
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