Best cheap comedy shows in New York
Get the best bang for your buck at these local gigs.
Performers may frown on cheap laughs from the stage, but for audience members, they're the best kind. This list features some of the choicest budget comedy shows in the city, many of which regularly get visits from the best up-and-comers around—and they won't set you back much more than $5.
Sweet
- Price band: 1/4
- Critics choice
Seth Herzog has moved the venue of his weekly LES mainstay from the Slipper Room (which is under renovation) to this spot; it still features scads of downtown stand-ups and, quite often, his mother.
If You Build It
- Critics choice
Locals Nick Turner and Kara Klenk pass the microphone to fellow stand-ups.
ASSSSCAT 3000
- Price band: 1/4
- Critics choice
NYC’s long-form improv royalty (including UCBT and SNL folk) play pickup-game style in this famous long-running show.
- Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre 307 W 26th St, between Eighth and Ninth Aves
- Sun Jun 23 - Sun Dec 29
Night Train with Wyatt Cenac
Good news for Brooklyn comedy: The show to fill the Monday night void at Littlefield will be booked by Hot Tub producer Marianne Ways and hosted by The Daily Show's Wyatt Cenac.
Uptown Showdown
- Price band: 1/4
- Critics choice
Two teams of comics and comic writers face off in a debate competition meant to settle age-old arguments, such as whether pirates or ninjas would win in a brawl. As the performers take shots at each other and do untested material, the room gets charged (in the silliest way possible).
- Symphony Space 2537 Broadway, At 95th St
- Until Mon Mar 18
Best free comedy shows in New York City 2012
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