10 best comedy clubs in Boston

Laugh Boston is an established comedy hub in the hub, hosting both seasoned comics and emerging talents, with regular appearances by SNL alumni. Laugh Boston offers full bar service along with a menu of snacks, sandwiches, and desserts. Show schedules may have a touch of humor themselves, with performances varying throughout the week.

Established in Central Square in the 1980s, this venerable institution has played a significant role in the Boston theater arts scene ever since. As a non-profit arts organization, they continue to provide workshops, host a national touring company, and offer classes, in addition to stand up nights. 

Did you know that Nick’s has been a comic theater staple in Bay Village since 1977? This is a local hidden gem and often hosts local and national headliners every weekend. There is a full bar, but no food. So plan on heading out to a restaurant before or after the show. 

Some of the Theatre District’s biggest venues host comedy shows, but the Wilbur—which took over the Comedy Connection bookings—is the big kahuna, bringing the biggest comedic talent to Boston. This is the venue to look at when you are in the mood for Pete Davidson, Amy Wong or Dave Chapelle. 

Venture out to Route 1 for a dose of fantastic comedy amidst the array of chain restaurants and questionable motels north of Boston. The weekly lineups feature luminaries of Boston comedy, including the likes of Lenny Clarke. The venue itself is located within the renowned North Shore pizzeria, Prince's, recognizable by the replica of the Leaning Tower of Pisa outside!

This is Laugh Boston’s smaller sibling, housed in the North End, and serving as an incubator for new talent. To that end, the resident pros also host classes for aspiring comics, as well as special custom shows and corporate training programs. Generally, there’s a comedy show every night, both improv and sketch, including the brand new, all-improv show from the NXT Cast every Sunday and Wednesday night at 8pm. There is a bar. Midnight shows on weekends are not for the easily offended. 

This Roslindale theater is the home of two locally owned and operated improv and sketch comedy organizations: ComedySportz Boston, the award-winning, competitive improv comedy show performed in 31 cities across the US and Europe, and The Riot Theater Company, featuring the veteran troupe Improv Jones. The theater—which also has strong education and community programs—has added a virtual component with online shows, as well as a variety of late night, improv, stand up, sketch and theater shows on Saturdays at 10pm. Days and times vary, so check the website.

Formerly The Davis Square Theatre and Jimmy Tingle’s Off Broadway comedy club, this basement-level theater features a variety of shows throughout the week: everything from skits, standup, burlesque, and variety to children’s shows. Regular nights include Shit-faced Shakespeare, which lampoons the bard’s works with no-holds-barred innuendo and toilet humor, but in full Shakespearean character and costume. The bar does not serve food, but some shows are available as a dinner-show hookup with nearby Saloon restaurant.

Though the City Winery hosts many musical acts, it is also the place to be entertained by top name comedians. Performances take place both the main room and the Haymarket Lounge—a smaller, club-like space with a full bar. The bigger the name, the bigger the space, and the likes of Jay Mohr, Ben Bailey, and the entertaining designer-turned-raconteur, Isaac Mizrahi, have held court. 

This North Andover hotspot has headliners like Steve Sweeney and Lenny Clarke taking the stage inside of China Blossoms, a well-loved Chinese restaurant serving old school Asian cuisine since 1960. The 90-minute shows typically have a host and two to three comedians, and tickets are a reasonable $20.