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.

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 favourite comedy bars in New York 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

Eric's Index

1 Stand-Up Comedy Clubs in New York
2 Comedy on Broadway
3 New York TV show tickets

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 comedy show in New York 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. See below which comedy gigs in NYC you can attend.

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 in Greenwich Village.

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 shows in NYC, 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 221 West 46th Street in Midtown Manhattan, you’ll find Stand Up NY. This is one of the oldest comedy clubs in the city. The Stand Up NY 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, this comedy club on Times Square offers a lot of room for newcomers to develop. Producers from all kinds of television shows often sit in the room, scouting new talent.

New York Comedy Club

The New York Comedy Club has a few locations in New York, of which the one on the Upper West Side is the most famous. You can enjoy multiple shows here every day, featuring several comedians. The variety is nice as some comedians can be funnier than others. The comedy club is easy to reach by subway. Take line 1 and exit 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

Rodney’s Comedy Club

Located on the Upper East Side, Rodney’s Comedy Club is a great spot for nightly laughs. Each evening, several comedians will take the stage. The comedy club is named after Rodney Dangerfield and holds historical significance as it’s in the location that used to be his own comedy club.

Book your tickets for Rodney’s 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…