The best comedy clubs in Los Angeles for stand-up shows, improv and more

Dynasty Typewriter’s revitalization of the the Hayworth Theatre in 2018 couldn’t have come at a better time: The 200-seat performance space absorbed many of the top-notch shows and talent that frequented the then-just-shuttered NerdMelt and the Steve Allen Theater. Now, it’s simply the alt comedy space to hit up in L.A., bringing a steady mix of up-and-comers and shockingly huge stars. Adam Sandler and Hannah Gadsby have mounted residencies here, while podcast recordings and stand-up showcases occupy a more typical weekly lineup.

Of all the old-school stand-up rooms, the Comedy Store is the only one that’s managed to keep its lineups consistently fresh and funny while staying true to its seedy Sunset Strip roots (it dates back to 1972, when it took over a space that was once the notorious club Ciro’s). Three separate stages host a monstrous array of stand-ups more or less every night of the week, and it counts Neal Brennan, Iliza Shlesinger and Ron Funches among its regulars. The uproarious Roast Battle on Tuesday nights is always a winner, and its long showcases are known for headline-worthy drop-ins (just maybe cash out your two-drink minimum tab before the doldrums of the last hour of the show).

This intimate 1940s-era theater is one of the best place to see A-list comedians and storytellers. When comics like Marc Maron, Jenny Slate or Patton Oswalt aren’t doing stand-up, you might see live podcast tapings by Paul Scheer or long-form improv from Ben Schwartz. Some nights, the comics turn the stage over to (or share it with!) singer-songwriter performances. The ticketing system can be confusing for first-timers: Your advance purchase buys you an unassigned seat; if you want to be in the front row, you’ll need to check in at the venue about two hours in advance to claim your spot.

On the border of Echo Park and Frogtown, this century-old small theater has quickly become the go-to spot for one-man shows and outside-the-box comedy, from clowning to game shows.

One of our favorite record stores in L.A. opened its own David Lynch-meets-punk hideout back in 2019. But in the past couple of years, its cozy, backyard-like Cypress Park patio has also emerged as an excellent spot for comedy thanks to fixtures like Popular Kids Club and Hot Tub, Kurt Braunohler and Kristen Schaal’s long-running stand-up show (formerly held at the Virgil).

The flagship of the Improv chain is one of the most legendary clubs in Los Angeles, maybe the country. It’s not just a club, it’s a scene. On any given night you can walk in to see one of your favorite comics sitting at the bar and the main room acts are never a let-down. Come early as seats do fill up fast. Next door, at the Lab, catch some of the finest up-and-coming talent in the industry. The shows, which require a two-drink minimum, are an eclectic mix of experimental and independently-produced, often boasting appearances by well-known and respected comedians.

The holy hall of improvisational and character-based sketch comedy operates a popular theater alongside its extensive program of improv classes. Will Ferrell, Kristen Wiig, Lisa Kudrow and innumerable Saturday Night Live cast members have all shot to stardom from here.

L.A.’s original Upright Citizens Brigade location offers three or four shows per night across a variety of disciplines: There’s stand-up, improv, sketch and off-kilter comedy. Its flagship improv show ASSSSCAT, where improvisers turn an often recognizable guest monologist’s suggestions into a sketch, continues to sell out each weekend nearly two decades later. Once the city’s improv darling, UCB’s L.A. presence had contracted a bit in recent years, but it’s begun to rebound more recently.

This Sunset Strip staple is where Dave Chappelle and Dane Cook once had a competition to see who could perform the longest. It’s also where an audience member captured Michael Richards’s racist rant on video. In a nutshell, the Laugh Factory is where to go if you want to see comedy celebrities—albeit sometimes ones who might be a bit past their prime. The round, glowing orange sign has become an iconic image of L.A. comedy. You’ll need to spring for VIP tickets to guarantee a prime seat.

Watching comedy at the Ha Ha Cafe Club in North Hollywood is like sitting back and relaxing in your own living room. It's one of the most comfortable rooms in town. Stop by to see fresh faces trying out new material. There’s a no-pressure vibe and, while they do drop by on the odd occasion, don’t expect to see any celebrities here.

You can stop in at about any time of night, any day of the week and see comics at all levels at this Burbank club. Parking is simple and free in a complex right next door. There are typically multiple shows going on in the different rooms and the waitstaff is friendly and efficient as they bring drinks and a full food menu. Flappers is spacious, and the 1920s ambience brings its own special vibe conducive to watching comedy.

This Pasadena establishment has been a mainstay in the comedy scene since 1960. Surreptitiously located in an alley off of a one-way street, the spot has welcomed everyone from George Carlin to George Lopez over the years. A two-drink minimum is enforced, plus dinner is on offer in the just-refreshed venue; if you eat before the show you’ll get saved preferred seats in the intimate theater.