The 5 Best Comedy Clubs in NYC (2026)

1. Comedy Cellar — Greenwich Village (MacDougal Street), Manhattan

The most famous comedy room in America, where superstars drop in.

The Comedy Cellar, on MacDougal Street, is the club where the country's biggest comedians work out new material, often unannounced. Shows run nightly in several rooms, and the comics hang out upstairs at the Olive Tree Cafe.

Book online — shows sell out.

Good to know: Book the late shows on weekdays for a better chance of a surprise guest.

117 MacDougal St, New York, NY

Google Maps Website

2. The Stand — Union Square, Manhattan

A stylish comedy club and restaurant near Union Square.

The Stand pairs a comfortable comedy room with a restaurant and bar, booking strong lineups of club comics and frequent drop-ins.

It is a polished night out near Union Square.

Good to know: Have dinner upstairs before the show.

Website

3. Gotham Comedy Club — Chelsea, Manhattan

A grand Chelsea room that has launched many TV specials.

Gotham Comedy Club, on West 23rd Street, is one of the city's best-known comedy venues, with an elegant room that has hosted countless televised specials and big-name headliners.

Lineups mix established stars and rising comics.

Good to know: Check for headliner nights when booking.

208 W 23rd St, New York, NY

Google Maps Website

4. New York Comedy Club — Murray Hill and the East Village, Manhattan

Busy, good-value stand-up with multiple shows a night.

New York Comedy Club runs several shows a night across its locations, with a mix of seasoned comics and up-and-comers.

It is often easier to get into than the Cellar.

Good to know: A good fallback if the Cellar is sold out.

Website

5. Stand Up NY — Upper West Side, Manhattan

The Upper West Side's long-running comedy club.

Stand Up NY is the Upper West Side's comedy club, with nightly shows of working New York comics.

It is handy if you are staying uptown.

Good to know: Convenient for Upper West Side hotels.

Website