Sometimes people arrive at a comedy club with the attitude of “this better be a good show!” Well, you better be a good crowd. If you’re an asshole, we can’t help you. So, here’s how to help make it a good one.
1. Get there early. If you’re going to an 8PM show, don’t show up at 8:15. Showing up early ensures a good seat and the ability to order food and drinks without having to whisper. Also, sitting and chatting with your friends or your date about comedy for 20 minutes before the show starts builds anticipation for the show itself, which will enhance your enjoyment of the show.
2. Pick the right show. The Internet allows you to find out who is going to be performing ahead of time. As well as what their sister’s name is and where they went to high school (but please don’t get that creepy). If you want clean comedy, ask the club when the next clean show will be—don’t just show up to a dirty comic and get mad when they’re not what you expected. Know your tastes, and pick a show based on them.
3. Bring a good companion. If your mother is an old prude, don’t take her to a comedy show—because she will be a downer. If you want to enjoy yourself, bring people who also want to enjoy themselves.
4. Be courteous to other people. The show is not yours. It is everyone’s. So be kind with your chatter, your texting and how many seats you need to save for your purse or your man bag.
5. When something is funny, laugh! Smiling is nice, but a crowd full of smilers is a crowd full of silence. I have seen people cover their mouth to try to stop themselves from laughing. Why? Let it out. Laughter is contagious—the more fun you outwardly have, the more fun everyone has. And then the more fun you actually have.
6. Be open. Not every joke is meant for every person. So when a joke is not for you, wait for the next one. Enjoying 89 minutes of a show and then getting upset by the one minute that wasn’t for you is extremely selfish. Don’t boo or ooh or voice your displeasure... just hang out a second and wait for the jokes that you like.
7. Be polite, even when you hate the show. Sometimes comics have off-nights or the lineup changes. And if you decide the show isn’t for you (which is okay), politely get up and leave. Don’t make a big fuss about it. Just be a nice person and understand that your displeasure isn’t the room’s displeasure.
8. Most importantly, tip well. Comedy club servers have a very hard job. They have to do the same job as other servers—but to many more people in a much quicker and quieter way. I know drinks at comedy clubs are more expensive than they are at bars, just like hot dogs at ballparks, cotton candy at fairs and popcorn at the movies. That doesn’t mean you should treat the staff any worse. That extra dollar goes a long way to keeping the staff happy. And when the staff is happy, the club can concentrate on putting on a wonderful show.