Love to laugh? 

Boston comedy clubs as well as some of our larger venues such as the Wilbur Theatre feature national, international, and local talent every night of the week with a mix of improv, open mic, stand up, ensembles, theatrical comedy shows, and more.

This abundance of comedic choice is part of why I (and many others) enjoy living here, and if you're visiting the city, catching a show or two at one of our comedy clubs could become your favorite memory of your trip. 

Some shows are family-friendly; others, not so much.  But with so many different venues, there's something here for everyone.

You'll find affordable tickets for most shows.  Take a look at what's on right now:

Ticket Discount Codes: 
      TicketLiquidator - Enter WINTERTL to get $10 off orders of $250+
      TicketNetwork - Enter TNTIX to get $10 off orders of $300+


Boston has a long history as an incubator for famous comedians. 

Jay Leno got his start here in Boston, as did Dane Cook, Louis C.K., Amy Poehler, Bill Burr, Paula Poundstone, Denis Leary, Steven Wright, Rachal Dratch, Steve Carell, Mindy Paling, Conan O'Brien, Paula Poundstone, Lenny Clarke, Jimmy Tingle, Janeane Garofalo, and a long list of other top comics. 

In fact, they often return to put on shows in Boston's clubs and even larger venues such as the Wang Theatre and TD Garden - so don't miss the chance to see them in our top local venues.

And don't overlook the shows in our smaller clubs and lounges, where you may catch a show or even a free open mic where you'll see the next soon-to-be-famous talent.

Check out all upcoming shows

To help you find the vibe you're looking for, I've organized Boston's comedy venues by category:

Boston Comedy Clubs and Mid-Sized Venues - Affordable, accessible, and shows every night of the week

Larger Venues - For shows by the biggest names in comedy

Bars with Open Mic Nights - Where to find laughs on one or two nights a week in your favorite neighborhood bar

RIP: Gone but Not Forgotten - In case you're ever wondering what happened to these iconic spots

Top photo: Comedy club; Photo credit: istock.com/AntonioSolano

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Boston Comedy Clubs and Mid-Sized Venues

Wilbur Theatre

Wilbur Theatre - Boston comedy club and concert venue in the Theatre District
Wilbur Theatre

The Federal Revival-style 1,112-seat Wilbur Theatre, built in 1914 and restored to its original splendor a couple of decades ago, hosts top comedy and music events seven nights each week.

This is where you'll see top national stand-up comics as well as occasional acclaimed musicians.  There is a disabled lift to enable patrons to reach the disabled restroom on the building's lower level. 

Because of the theater's historic status, it does not have an elevator to the mezzanine and balcony seating, which requires walking up several flights of stairs.  Also, the building does not allow re-entry.  Despite these wrinkles, the Wilbur continues to be the venue of choice for many top acts and their fans.

The Wilbur validates parking for the Archstone Boston Common Garage (660 Washington Street).  Get your parking ticket stamped at the Wilbur's Box Office on the night of your performance to get a $5 discount.

Shows & Tickets

Ticket Discount Codes: 
      TicketLiquidator - Enter WINTERTL to get $10 off orders of $250+
      TicketNetwork - Enter TNTIX to get $10 off orders of $300+

See all shows at Wilbur Theatre

246 Tremont Street, Theatre District |  617-931-2000  |  website

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Improv Asylum

Improv Asylum comedy club in Boston
ImprovAsylum

Improv Asylum, normally a much-loved fixture in Boston's North End*, features improvisation and comic sketches delivered by a skilled ensemble group of funny and personable comedians as well as guest comics. 

Although the Improv serves drinks only to those 21 and older, you do not have to be 21 to attend many of the shows, although most are recommended for 17 and up. 

If you're visiting Boston with older teens, the Improv is a fun and affordable family-friendly entertainment choice.

*Due to ongoing repairs to fix flood-related damage, Improv Asylum has temporarily moved to the Lil Chuck comedy club located in the Charles Playhouse (74 Warrenton Street; nearest T station: Green Line/Boylston, Orange Line/Chinatown, Red Line/Park Street + a 10-minute walk) in the Theatre District).

North End Location (after reopening): 216 Hanover Street, Boston's North End  |  Orange Line/Haymarket |  Get tickets

Nick's Comedy Stop

Nick's Comedy Stop, a popular favorite since the early '70s, is the longest running of the Boston comedy clubs and has always been known as an affordable, no-frills spot where you can see locals as well as nationally-known comics, sometimes well before they become famous.

Located near the Charles Playhouse, Comedy Stop's convenient Theatre District location makes it a popular destination with both locals and Boston tourists who enjoy seeing a variety of younger headliners. 

All shows are 18+, and take place every Friday and Saturday Night. 

The club has a full bar, but does not serve food.  No outside food or drinks are allowed.

100 Warrenton Street; Theatre District |  617-482-0930  |  Schedule & tickets

Laugh Boston

Laugh Boston, located at the Westin Boston Waterfront next to the Convention Center, brings top stand-up comedians to the South Boston Waterfront on Thursdays - Saturdays, and occasionally other evenings.

With seating for 300 plus standing room for 400 more, Laugh Boston offers a spacious and comfortable setting for the national and local acts.

The club serves drinks and light fare; no outside food or drinks allowed. 

Tickets usually run about $35-$45, although may be higher for some acts - so pricier than some clubs, but still cheap compared with live theater tickets.

Normally no age restrictions - but the club cautions that much of the comedy is "R" rated and some people may find it offensive.

You can get validated parking when you park at the Westin (get your ticket stamped at the Laugh Boston Box Office), but there is sometimes street-side metered parking available along Summer and D Streets near the Westin.

Located in the lobby of Westin Waterfront Hotel at Summer and D Streets, South Boston Waterfront neighborhood

Shows & Tickets

Ticket Discount Codes: 
      TicketLiquidator - Enter WINTERTL to get $10 off orders of $250+
      TicketNetwork - Enter TNTIX to get $10 off orders of $300+

See all shows at Laugh Boston

The Rockwell

Look for an eclectic but always interesting mix of comedy, music, and even theater at The Rockwell, an intimate 203-seat black-box space once occupied by Jimmy Tingle's much loved/much missed Off Broadway in the heart of Somerville's Davis Square. 

The Rockwell's tagline, "Funny, Dark. Smart. Great" sets the stage for what you can discover here. 

Comedy offerings range from stand-up and improv to burlesque to periodic comedy workshops, including some for children.  Shows take place almost every night of the week, and tickets are affordable.

The Rockwell has a full bar as well.

You will almost always find something interesting on offer here, so check out the weekly schedules on their website.  Tickets for the most popular events sell out fairly quickly so don't wait until the last minute to book. 

255 Elm Street, Somerville | Red Line/Davis |  website

Lil Chuck

Lil Chuck is Boston's newest comedy club, opening in 2024 in the 199-seat basement stage of the Charles Playhouse- a hallowed space once occupied by the original Comedy Connection in the late '70s and then for 40 more years by Shear Magic, the long-running improv murder mystery set in an imaginary hair salon.

Shows currently include a mix of stand-up comedy and theatrical comedy shows, including nationally-known stand-up comedians such as Joe Dombrowsk, TJ, and Connor King as well as The Naked Musicians

Right now, Lil Chuck is sharing its space with Improv Asylum, the popular North End comedy club currently being repaired after sustaining water damage. 

Lil Chuck Address & Tickets

74 Warrenton Street, Boston

The Comedy Studio

The Comedy Studio has entertained fans in Harvard Square for the past 3 decades and is still going strong with an eclectic mix of standup by headliners (includling on occasion the biggest names in comedy), rising stars, new talents, open mic (usually on Tuesdays), and parties.  The continuing series of comedy classes are also a perennial hit here.  Also, don't miss the annual Halloween and New Year's events here.

The independent venue, which has won numerous "Best of Boston" awards, has a full bar, merch for the biggest fans, and a membership program where you can shave a bit off the already-modest admission fees.

Getting to The Comedy Studio

5 3/4 John F. Kennedy Street, Cambridge

Larger Venues: Shows by Top Comics

Open Mic Nights & Stand Up Comedy in Neighborhood Bars

Here are a few favorite spots with open mic nights and occasional comedy nights in Boston, Cambridge, and Somerville - not a complete list, but enough to get you started.

Boston

Cambridge

Somerville

  • The Burren - Stand-up amateur comedy contest, Wednesdays; live music the rest of the time

RIP: Gone but Not Forgotten

Nothing lasts forever - but Boston's sad to see these go.  So many laughs, so many memories.

Dick Doherty & His Comedy Den

A Boston fixture on the comedy scene since the late '80s, Dick Doherty's Comedy Den on High Street near the waterfront featured beginning and established local comedians on weeknights, Friday, and Saturday nights, with Sundays reserved for open mic.  

As a bonus, tickets, drinks, and food were relatively inexpensive, and this popular Boston comedy club showcased a variety well-regarded stand-up comedians as well as Dick Doherty himself.

After the untimely passing of the club's owner, standup comedian Dick Doherty, the club closed in 2022.  Doherty was known for giving stage time and encouragement to young comics, some of whom are now nationally known.

For those of us who love live comedy, Dick Doherty's Comedy Den offered the possibility of seeing the next yet-to-be-discovered great comic.

ImprovBoston

ImprovBoston began in the 1980s but closed in 2023, after 40 years of delivering laughs to Cambridge and Boston.

The exuberant shows featured all forms of comedy, including satire, slapstick, you name it.  Most were more or less family-friendly, and affordable.  Some, such as the popular Halloween Gorefest spectacle, returned year after year, cheesier each time.


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