Comedy Clubs in Los Angeles

LA comedy clubs are among the best and most legendary in the country. With national headliners such as Ben Bailey, Loni Love and Ralphie May making regular appearances, fans are always in for a night of sidesplitting laughter.

The Upright Citizens Brigade Improvisational and Sketch Comedy Training Center is the only accredited improv and sketch comedy school in the country. Our highly trained faculty represents the best writers and performers working in comedy today. Over the last 15 years, the Upright Citizens Brigade (Matt Besser, Amy Poehler, Ian Roberts and Matt Walsh) have developed a unique unified curriculum that is constantly updated and improved by the best improvisers in the world.

5919 Franklin Ave, Los Angeles, 323.908.8702

For more than 35 years, the legendary Hollywood Improv Comedy Club has been introducing some of the greatest comedians of all time to the stand-up scene, including Eddie Murphy, Ellen DeGeneres, Adam Sandler and Dave Chappelle. Jay Leno himself helped paint the ceiling, and you may recognize the signature brick-wall backdrop. The joint fills up every night of the week, but the more intimate venue means that every seat is a good vantage point for the show.

8162 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, 323.651.2583

Los Angeles Magazine says, “Many clubs claim to be world-famous, but the Laugh Factory actually earned the title.” Some of the biggest names in the business have been shaking up the stage at this iconic establishment for more than three decades. If you can’t be there for the show, watch highlights on the website. In December 2010, Laugh Factory snagged the Guinness World Record for "Longest Continuous Stand-Up Comedy Show," with more than 130 comedians performing for 80 hours straight.

8001 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, 323.656.1336

One show in the Original Room of the Comedy Store features a whopping 16 headlining acts appearing back-to-back-to-back. There are also two other stages — the Main Room and the Belly Room — at this popular Sunset Strip venue. It’s impossible to miss the all-black landmark building with the names of notable performers around the entrance. 

8433 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, 323.650.6268

This Santa Monica funny house is home to one of the most popular touring improv groups in the country, Mission IMPROVable. M.I.’s also hosts comedy classes most days of the week, and you can even test your own jokes during open mic time on Saturdays.

1323 3rd St., Santa Monica, 310.451.0850

 Every Sunday, Tonight Show host Jay Leno gets back to his stand-up roots at this Hermosa Beach institution. Catch the club's other signature show, “10 Comedians for $10” on many Friday nights.

1018 Hermosa Ave., Hermosa Beach, 310.372.1193

Six resident troupes perform weekly sketch comedy and improv shows — now-famous comedians to come from their ranks include Sean Hayes and Joel McHale. The audience is invited to participate in the hilarity at the high-tech, 99-seat theater.

135 N. La Brea Ave., Los Angeles, 323.525.0202

Laughter has been rolling at this Pasadena comedy outlet for more than 50 years. The club offers stand-up classes, as well as a great birthday package, which includes free admission and a discount for friends.

24 N. Mentor Ave., Pasadena, 626.577.1894

This Los Angeles branch of the famous iO Theatre in Chicago presents improv and sketch comedy shows nightly in 3 theater spaces, as well as offering multi-level improv training classes. They also host the annual Los Angeles Improv Comedy Festival, which features performers in all improv genres from all over the world.

6366 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, 323.962.7560

Celebrating their 40th Anniversary this year, The Groundlings has turned out some of the best-known comedians of our time, including Phil Hartman and Paul Reubens. The improvisational and sketch comedy troupe performs several shows a week for the public, and their competetive comedy school is known as one of the best in the business.

7307 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, 323.934.4747