The best places to see comedy in Sydney

Café Lounge packs ’em in every Monday night for cheap pizza, drink specials and short stand-up sets from newcomers and old hands alike.

This weekly Friday-night stand-up smackdown features a headliner and emcee with six shorter support slots from local talent. Even better: Staves brews its own ales, and there's plenty of choice on tap.

The Friend in Hand’s Thursday open-mic night is a comedy institution for its welcoming, give-it-a-good-shot attitude. It’s also the place of choice for high-profile comics to try out new stuff.

Alexei Toliopoulos and Nikko Malyon run this room, and emcee the monthly stand-up line-up.

Sydney's comedians are pretty fond of this cosy comedy club; more importantly – so are you, voting it Best Comedy Club for the last two Time Out Sydney Comedy Awards. With an intimate vibe and weekly shows featuring at least two names you know and guests you may not, Happy Endings also has the benefit of being beneath El Rocco Room, for pre-show noms or post-show beers.

This weekly night at Redfern's Tudor Hotel features a local emcee and short sets by emerging comics, but also has a bunch of spots for open mic.

Promoter Donte Winbush is behind this weekly comedy club, which features pros, semi-pros and emerging comics.

What She Said is a relatively newcomer on the Sydney comedy scene, but it's already attracting crowds each Sunday at the Chippo Hotel. The acts range from total first-timers to seasoned professionals, and the purpose of the event isn't just to give audiences a great time but to foster a supportive community of comedic talent.

Get cocktails with your comedy at this Time Out Sydney favourite.

Stand-up star Urzila Carlson is sort of a huge deal in NZ and has won basically every award available to a Kiwi. She's now conquering Australia, thanks in part to her regular appearances on Have You Been Paying Attention?