The best weekly comedy shows in NYC

One of the city’s most popular comedy nights sees NYC’s long-form improv royalty (think folks from Saturday Night Live and some adored Upright Citizens Brigade regulars) play pickup-game­–style in this famous long-running show.

Comics Nimesh Patel and Mike Denny—joined by Michael Che, when his SNL "Weekend Update” anchor duties allow it—host rising stand-ups each week in this expertly honed show.

Sean Patton's weekly show takes place in the back of an East Village dive bar, but don't be deceived by appearances: It's home to some of the best up-and-coming comics, and some of the biggest names in stand-up—Louis C.K., Bonnie McFarlane and Murderfist—have dropped by.

This wildly popular weekly show—originally created by the delightfully understated Hannibal Buress (Broad City's Lincoln)—is hosted by Will Miles, Clark Jones and Kenny DeForest, and features the funniest pros and up-and-comers. Past guests include Dave Chappelle, Chris Rock, Bridget Everett and Method Man.

Key to a great weekly show is great regulars, and the Stand’s endlessly popular free show, hosted by Aaron Berg, has this in spades: The likes of Judah Friedlander and Aparna Nancherla are often on hand to supply the belly laughs.

Brendan Fitzgibbons and Lance Weiss welcome comedy fans into the bar's basement every Wednesday for this friendly stand-up show. So friendly, in fact, that famous comedians including Louis C.K., Jim Gaffigan and Todd Barry are known to stop by and try out new material.

Every week, Gotham Comedy Club gets big names (previous comics include Jim Gaffigan and Sinbad) to host this showcase of next-big-thing comedians, who are usually making their TV debut. The events are taped and air live on AXS TV, so the atmosphere is usually fantastic.

From what we can tell, maybe the only thing missing from this eclectic and entertaining stand-up show by Matt Ruby, Mark Normand and Gary Vider is actual soup. (Most people make do with beer.)

Have you ever watched a bunch of comics and then felt like you really wanted to yell something into a microphone, too? This show has you covered. Every week, Eli Yudin (SNL's "Weekend Update" contributor) and Nick Mullen (Thought Catalog) host this stand-up showcase, followed by some pretty enthusiastic karaoke.

This wildly popular show, hosted by Leo Allen, is known for always featuring the city’s best rising comedians. But it’s the surprise VIPs (name-check: Chris Rock, Louis C.K. and David Cross) who keep audiences hooked.