We’re at that point in the season where we would rather get wine drunk and watch Bachelor with friends than throw up cheap tequila outside of Fiddlesticks.
And what better way to spend a wholesome Friday night than with a buttery bag of popcorn, uncontrollable belly laughs, and some of the best comedy performances in New York City?
Because comedy clubs are the talk of the town right now, we’ve rounded up the most hilarious shows in Manhattan that will be sure to bring you to tears.
See Also: New NYC Cocktail Bars, Nightclubs, Spirits, and More
Tears from laughing too hard, for clarification. Not because the overly-sarcastic comedian made a joke about his love life that hit a little too close to home.
Ok, well, maybe that too.
Sit back, relax, and enjoy the show.
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Multiple Locations
These industry up-and-comers are really making a splash in the New York City comedy scene. Underground Overground Comedy performs in “strange places,” including iconic Manhattan landmarks, ranging from candy stores to barber shops, to laundromats. On a broader scale, the company is reimagining and redefining the boundaries of what a comedy show looks and feels like.
Disclaimer: Come looking your best, because you’re guaranteed to run into your friends, boyfriends, sisters, cousin, who you made out with once in the Columbia Prep bathroom.
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117 Macdougal St, Manhattan/Website
Putting Comedy Cellar on a list of the best comedy clubs in NYC is like putting JG Melon on a list of best burgers. Predictable, yet absolutely necessary. Industry legends have performed here, including the one and only, Amy Schumer. Enough said. The best part about the entire experience is the no-phone policy. People come here to actually interact with the real world. Shocking, we know! It’s intimate, it’s real and absurdly hilarious.
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1626 Broadway, Manhattan/Website
If Broadway’s in the name, they’re guaranteed to put on a great show. An oldie but a goodie, Carolines is a world-renowned institution that will stand the test of time. Industry veterans will battle to get their jokes on this stage. The “real” life Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Elyse DeLucci, will be gracing the audience with her presence this Saturday, the 13th. You won’t want to miss her unfiltered, Italian-American single mother humor.
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99 Macdougal St, Manhattan/Website
It may be easier to get into Casa Cipriani than the Greenwich Village Comedy Club. Just kidding. Tickets do sell out super fast, but it’s definitely way less pretentious. This highly-celebrated comedy show is hosted in a dimly-lit basement underneath an Indian restaurant. It’s not as creepy as it sounds. The vibes are super grunge and chill, yet the talent is some of the best the industry has to offer.
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167 Orchard St, Manhattan/Website
Part comedy, part burlesque, part neo-vaudeville, the Slipper Room is the equivalent of those fusion restaurants that are super trendy right now. This performing arts theater and lounge is not your average comedy show in a claustrophobic basement that closely resembles a dungeon. The comedy shows at Slipper Room are true theatric performances that will sweep you off your feet. Hopefully, you won’t lose your glass slipper at midnight!
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1568 2nd Ave, Manhattan/Website
There’s a reason this famed establishment is the longest-running comedy club in the world. Yes, you heard us correctly, the world. Industry superstars have performed here, ranging from Michael Rappaport to Adam Sandler, to our personal favorite, Jerry Seinfeld. A New York City staple since 1975, The Comic Strip Live continues to foster great smiles, laughs, and memories.
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61 Christopher St, Manhattan/Website
You wouldn’t necessarily think to go to a live-music cabaret for comedy, but trust us, they certainly know how to put on a show. This historically gay piano bar hosts a melting pot of people from all different walks of life. Everybody in the room is brought together by the mutual love of dancing, drag queens, and of course, jaw-dropping comedy. You’ll definitely leave this spot a lot drunker than you came.
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208 W 23rd, Manhattan/Website
The Gotham Comedy Club is the perfect place to impress your date. The talent’s consistently phenomenal, and having the same sense of humor as your partner is critical to any successful relationship. Not only do they showcase some of the best comedians in the space, but they offer a wide variety of different stand-up workshops for any skill level. When we learn how to tell a joke that actually makes our in-laws laugh, we’re totally performing at Gotham.
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172 Rivington St, Manhattan/Website
A great WFH coffee shop by day, and an unbelievably witty comedy show by night. Black Cat’s open-mic talent shows are a perfect opportunity to see a blend of established and emerging comedians. Because of the location, AKA the home of every drunk post-college idiot, the venue brings in a young, lively crowd. Totally recommend coming here to grab a beer and chuckle the night away.
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241 E 24th St, Manhattan/Website
Our version of clubbing may be different than yours, but we would rather go to the New York Comedy Club than Marquee with a greasy promoter any day. This Manhattan hotspot is super traditional with brick walls, neon signs, and classic theater lighting. We love that this club is unapologetically New York City—authentic, new-frills, and just plain awesome.
Photography by: Michael Grolet
