Free comedy shows in NYC: Stand-up, improv and more
Laugh along to both budding and established local comedians at these free comedy shows in New York City.
-
Free things to do today
-
Free events and festivals
-
Free attractions and days out
-
Free live music
-
Free museum shows
-
Free club nights
-
Free walks and tours
-
Free comedy
-
Free date ideas
-
Free art
-
Free dance
Free things to do in NYC: Your guide to gratis entertainment
Free comedy shows in NYC: Wyatt Cenac at Get It Out There Photograph: Etienne Frossard
Weknow; we’re biased. But for our money, NYC remains the best place to see live comedy on the planet. In addition to big-ticket gigs, you can catch fine free comedy shows here—be it a night of stand-up, improv, sketch or storytelling—without spending a dime.
RECOMMENDED: Full list of free things to do in NYC
No Name and a Bag o' Chips
- Free
At Eric J. Vetter and Dawn J. Owens’s comedy show, everyone gets the aforementioned bag, cheap booze, baked goods and comic sets.
- Otto’s Shrunken Head 538 E 14th St, between Aves A and B, 10009
- Fri May 24
No Name and a Bag o' Chips
- Free
At Eric J. Vetter and Dawn J. Owens’s comedy show, everyone gets the aforementioned bag, cheap booze, baked goods and comic sets.
- Otto’s Shrunken Head 538 E 14th St, between Aves A and B, 10009
- Fri May 24
Zebra Cake
- Free
Taking the place of former Friday night show Beautiful Comedy, young comics Josh Carter, Josh Homer and Adam Mamawala invite fellow stand-ups to this weekly downtown showcase.
- Beauty Bar 231 E 14th St , between Second and Third Aves, 10003
- Fri May 24
Permission to Fail
- Free
Young and funny Jacqueline Novak encourages some of her favorite comics to let it all hang out at this weekly showcase of new and experimental material.
- The Creek and the Cave 10-93 Jackson Ave, at 11th St, 11101
- Sat May 25 - Fri May 24
On the Offensive
- Free
Comics do their routines and are then asked to mock a YouTube video in front of the crowd. As the title indicates, host Mike Feeney and his cast like things a little rough.
- The Creek and the Cave 10-93 Jackson Ave, at 11th St, 11101
- Sat May 25
Sunday Night Stand-Up
- Free
The hardworking RG Daniels welcomes fellow stand-ups to this basement dive each week.
- Three of Cups 83 First Ave, at 5th St, 10003
- Sun May 26
Beauty Bar Comedy
- Free
Adam Sokol, Nate Fridson and Brad Austin welcome stand-up comedy from comics you know and others they think you should know.
- Beauty Bar 231 E 14th St , between Second and Third Aves, 10003
- Sun May 26
The Broken Comedy Show
- Free
Comics Nimesh Patel, Michael Che and Mike Denny host many more rising stand-ups each week at this Greenpoint spot.
- Bar Matchless 557 Manhattan Ave, at Driggs Ave, 11222
- Mon May 27
Dive Comedy
- Free
Brooke Van Poppelen and Giulia Rozzi host this stand-up showcase in the back room of a friendly Sunset Park bar.
- Freddy's Bar 627 Fifth Ave, between 17th and 18th Sts, 11215
- Mon May 27
On the Road with Nore Davis and Andrew Short
- Free
Young comics Davis and Short run their comedy night like a touring show: They invite a pair of stand-ups looking for stage time to open for a seasoned headliner.
- The Creek and the Cave 10-93 Jackson Ave, at 11th St, 11101
- Mon May 27
