Looking to inject a little humor into your next trip? Check out four of America’s best comedy clubs where you can laugh out loud.
Second City, Chicago
The storied stage at Chicago’s Second City has launched the careers of many a familiar funny face, including greats like Jon Belushi and Bill Murray. Many of the cast members from recent seasons of “Saturday Night Live,” including Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Rachel Dratch and Jason Sudeikis, are also Second City alumni, as is upcoming “Late Night” host Stephen Colbert. A night at Second City is filled with sketch comedy and hilarious improv sets.
Upright Citizens Brigade, New York City
In the mid 1990s, UCB brought Chicago’s Second City-style improv and sketch comedy to the Big Apple at what remains one of the cheapest comedy options in the city. Many shows are free or just $5, and you’ll be treated to some of the city’s top up-and-comers. You might also catch some familiar faces, like “SNL” stars Bobby Moynihan and Horatio Sanz.
The Improv, Los Angeles
When it comes to stand-up in Hollywood, look no further than The Improv. Here, you can bet on the jokes being edgy, crude and politically incorrect as top comedians let loose on The Improv’s stage. Comedians like Louis C.K. and Dane Cook have been known to perform on the fly, and many of the industry’s top comics graced this legendary stage when they first started out in the business. Who knows? You may just be laughing along with a punchline delivered by the next Jay Leno.
Comedy Works, Denver
This downtown Denver institution has been a staple of the stand-up circuit since the early 1980s, and it continues to attract top talent like Jerry Seinfeld, Ellen DeGeneres, Joan Rivers and Lewis Black. “Last Comic Standing” winners are also regulars at the club’s Larimer Square location.
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