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.

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.    

Spend an evening at this variety show featuring comedians sharing their joy in standing out. Comedian Lauren LoGiudice knows that being different can be tough, and that's why she's hosting her acclaimed Misfit Variety Show on December 3 at Brooklyn Art Haus to kick off the holiday season with a night of irreverent comedy and heartfelt connection.  "The holidays amplify everything — the pressure to belong, the ache of difference, the yearning for connection," LoGiudice says. "We need spaces that honor the complex, messy reality of who we actually are." What sets the Misfit Variety Show apart is its ability to transform personal discomfort into collective celebration. When audience members share their anonymous stories of awkwardness and alienation, the resulting laughter becomes a form of group therapy. "It's a space where everyone from the GenZ barista to the Boomer accountant are welcome to be appreciated for their uniqueness," as event organizers say. The show features standup comedy, storytelling, and some character work. In addition to LoGiudice, the lineup includes Carmen Lynch, Ethan & Gigi, Jackson Sturkey, Tom Achilles, Lexi Lewis, and DJ AIROS.

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.

The Meat Cats (Irina Chelidze and Britt Migs) are serving up some laughs at Brooklyn's Union Hall at 10pm on Saturday, December 13 as part of their comedy show, Saturday Sauce. The duo are co-hosting the event and performing some new sketches of their own before welcoming a talented line-up of comedians, including: Wally Baram, Nico Carney, Katrina Davis, Bassam Shawl, Nick Viagas, Jessie Ballard, Britt Migs and Irina Chelidze. It promises to be the sloppiest, sauciest show you'll see all week.

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.  Every show features a different musical theme, and each one is full of surprises. This time, on Saturday, November 29, the music of Billy Joel will put audiences in a "New York State of Mind." 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.

Can you spell F-U-N? The Upright Citizen's Brigade is combining their typical comedy with the high-pressure gaming format of a spelling bee in "Spell Checc: A Spelling Bee Gameshow!" on Sunday, December 14 at 7pm. Featuring Kevin McHale, Leana Rae Concepcion, Jeremy Culhane, Michael Sanky, Jorge Oyola and more, these comedians will compete to spell tough words with the possibility of gaining or losing them if they make other contestants or the announcer laugh. Each round will increase in difficulty and hilarity. Be sure to stop by The Upright Citizens Brigade (UCB) Theater on 242 E 14th St. in the East Village to cheer on New York's funniest spellers.