Comedy
New York City’s best guide to comedy clubs, stand-up comedy, comedy venues and comedy events
The best comedy shows in NYC this week
Want to be in the cult of comedy? These get-downs at comedy clubs in NYC feature some of the city’s best and most diverse comedians taking the stage and doing what they do best. So whether you’re into regular open-mic nights or insane sketch comedy, we’ve got you covered. Some of the best NYC comedy podcast stars are known to make surprise appearances at these shows, so keep your eyes open…
The best comedy shows in NYC this month
Sure, you could stay home and watch the best stand-up comedians’ specials, or you could head out to the best comedy clubs in NYC and see some world-class performances in person. Below you’ll find our picks of the absolute best shows happening this month, from improv to open mic nights and everything in-between. RECOMMENDED: Complete comedy shows in NYC guide
The best comedy shows by women in NYC
The days of schlubby male stand-ups in sweatpants complaining about their girlfriends are (hopefully) over, at least in NYC. Women-identifying, trans and nonbinary performers have taken over NYC's best comedy clubs, and we couldn't be happier. Here's our handy guide for shows going down in Brooklyn, Queens and Manhattan.
Great comedy shows with POC performers in NYC
NYC's comedy scene is more inclusive than ever, with funny women and queer comedians of color performing at the best comedy clubs all over town on any given night. We break down hilarious shows hosted and produced by people of color, from improv to musical variety. Now go out and celebrate!
Upcoming NYC comedy events
Dr. Natasha / Mr. Vaynblat
Natasha Vaynblat presents a new version of her hybrid character-comedy-stand-up act. For this edition, fellow comics Ashley Brooke...
Hack City
It’s a free comedy night...with dessert. Need we say more? Fumi Abe and Michael Nguyen bring together some of the city’s most diverse and...
Best comedy events in NYC: Critics’ picks
Hack City
It’s a free comedy show...with crêpes. Need we say more? Fumi Abe and Michael Nguyen bring together some of the city’s most diverse and reliably solid lineups every month at this sweet show. August's edition is a banger, with Emily Winter, Thiago Macklin, Joyelle Johnson, Alingon Mitra and Ismael Loufti the stage.
Brooklyn Queer Comedy Festival
New York's surging queer comedy scene gets its due at this epic showcase, which benefits the Ali Forney Center. Grab a drink at the new and spacious 3 Dollar Bill Bar, all while witnessing some of the city's fiercest performers going at it. The inaugural edition boasts founder Ryan McLendon, along with Sam Taggert, Gabe Gonzalez, Jes Tom, Alex English, Wanjiko Eke, Larry Owens, Carrie Berg, Jay Jurden, Eman El-Husseini, Bobby Hankinson and Lena Einbinder.
Gathering the Coven: A Talk Show for Witches
The witchiest women of NYC's comedy scene gather to cast spells, talk hexes and share magical secrets at this monthly show. Host Lauren Maul welcomes her favorite funny sorceresses to unleash all hell on the PIT. For October's "The Other Side" edition, she welcomes shamanic healer Ilka Pinheiro, storyteller Marie Carter, clairvoyant Janelle Belgrave, aromatherapist Helena Melissa McGill and magical realist Alyson Greenfield.
Top comedy stories
Sydnee Washington revisits her years as a hard-partying bottle girl
Sydnee Washington may be one of NYC’s most in-demand stand-ups, but living the dream isn’t always lucrative. In her one-woman show, Death of a Bottle Girl, the ferociously funny cohost of The Unofficial Expert podcast returns to the wild decade she spent as a high-earning cocktail server.
Stand-up Kate Wolff launches her rap video Labia Game and her album 11:11
Stand-up comedian. Single Mom. Healer. Tarot reader. And now...rapper? As Kate Wolff triumphantly launches her hilarious, totally-empowering rap video "Labia Game," along with her debut stand-up album 11:11, the goddess of dirty comedy tells us about her journey from telling jokes to spitting flow.
Joel Kim Booster on dating fans and his new comedy album Model Minority
When it comes to hustling, nobody does it like Joel Kim Booster. You can often see the sharp and shady stand-up—who just released a Comedy Central special and the album Model Minority—at multiple venues every night, making merciless observations on race, politics and the secrets of his sex life.
