The best comedy shows in NYC this month

Once a week, after closing time, 10 people convene at the city’s oldest magic shop, Tannen’s, for a cozy evening of prestidigitation by the young and engaging Noah Levine. The shelves are crammed with quirky devices; there's a file cabinet behind the counter, a mock elephant in the corner and bins of individual trick instructions in plastic covers, like comic books or sheet music. The charm of Levine's show is in how well it fits the environment of this magic-geek chamber of secrets. As he maneuvers cards, eggs, cups and balls with aplomb, he talks shop, larding his patter with tributes to routines like the Stencel Aces and the Vernon Boat Trick—heirlooms of his trade that he gently polishes and displays for our amazement.

You pawsitively won't want to miss Catbaret, a cat-themed variety show at Caveat in the Lower East Side. This purrfect variety show features comedy, burlesque (actually purr-lesque) and music in celebration of all things feline. For the Halloween edition on Friday, October 31, come in your most "cat-tastic" costume for a chance to win the contest. The show's hosted by local cat lady Gemma Smith and includes free cat ears for all.   The lineup includes The Randy Andys, a post-modern Broadway vocal trio putting a feline twist on classic pop hits; Fem Appeal known for delightfully weird performances; Neysa Lozano with a live tarot performance piece; Joy Vicious as a Cheshire Cat; James Koroni, a cat-loving comedian; and Kinsey Three with a campy Cats mash-up. Stage kittens Jenny Purrson, founding executive director of the Cat Museum of NYC, and Amanda B., host/producer of the 6 Degrees of Cats podcast, will lend a hand—er, paw. This year Weruva is sponsoring the show and donating $500 of product to Rescue NYC, which also provides adoptable cats to Koneko Cat Café right across the street from Caveat.

Coming off of his award-winning solo show "Connect the Dots," funnyman Natan Badalov will test out new material at Astoria's Tootles & French. The in-progress show will see Badalov try to wrench laughs out of tough subjects like empathy, family dynamics, and the Middle East. The show's on the first Sunday of each month (that's January 5, February 2, March 2, April 6, May 4, June 1, July 6, August 3, September 7, October 5, November 2, and December 7 in 2025). Tickets cost just $5 plus a one-drink minimum.    

Join Brandon Collins' critically acclaimed show Drunk Black History for a special Halloween-themed edition at Isola Brooklyn on Tuesday, October 28. This one-of-a-kind, booze-fueled show will dive deep into the dark, gothic side of Black history.  This special Halloween edition will include costume prizes, a fun exploration of Black representation in horror films and hilarious commentary. The show features a star lineup of comedians, writers and experts who will recount stories of overlooked figures and moments in Black history (while hilariously tipsy). Expect plenty of laughs, drinks, twists and fascinating facts about Black culture and how its shaped what we drink and eat.  Tickets for this event are $25 in advance and $30 at the door. They can be purchased here. 

Conspiracy theorists come together in the name of comedy at this show hosted by Nikolai Vanyo at Caveat on the Lower East Side on August 27.  The show consists of five comedians who will present their own unique conspiracy theories while connecting dots you never knew existed. After each presentation, their findings will be peer reviewed as they answer questions from the audience and their fellow panelists. The "winner" of the show will take home the title of "Most Fringe Conspiracy Theorists" and will be crowned with a beautiful handmade tin-foil hat.  Tickets for the show can be purchased online in advance for $15, or for $20 at the door. If you can't make the August show, there's a livestream you can join for $10. Plus, there's another show happening on November 10.   

NYC’s only bingo-themed comedy show is back. Head to the backroom of Ernie O'Malley's (140 E 27th Steet) every first Thursday of every month for good old-fashioned bingo pepped up with some of the city's funniest folks. Featuring a handpicked lineup of rising comedy stars, the shows will feature a fun interactive element: audience members get to play bingo based on the jokes told during the night for the chance to win a free drink and other prizes. Grab a drink, kick back, and let the good times (or at least the bingo balls) roll.

From the people who brought you Asssscat comes this Sunday comedy series, taking over Caveat NYC every weekend. A guest monologist (previous monologists include Gloria Steinem, Mark Hamill, Kevin Bacon and Bowen Yang) will tell true stories from their life and the performers—some of NYC's best improvisers, including Zach Cherry (Succession), Connor Ratliff (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel), Jeff Hiller (Somebody Somewhere) and more—will use them as inspiration to make up scenes on the spot.  It's a perfect way to banish the Sunday scaries with a laugh.

You won't believe how seamlessly good comedy can work with pole dancing (you can read about it here). While stellar stand-ups deliver sets, pro dancers give the crowd something stare at. Think of it as a full-brain experience. Comics Dan Goodman, Joanna Ross and special guests will welcome talented pole dancers and comedians from across NYC.  Each show features a different musical theme, and each one is full of surprises. This time, on Friday, October 17 and Saturday, October 18, the music of Ozzy Osbourne will take over the speakers for a chance to "Bark at the Moon" and get on the "Crazy Train."  Expect to hear jokes from five comics and see performances by five dancers. "They're not strippers, it’s not burlesque. It’s aerial dance with a side of crazy gymnastics, and death defying tricks that make your jaw drop," event planners explain. As the event organizers say: "If you don't see shows like this, why are you even paying the NYC rents?" See it at Drom in the East Village.