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With the siren call of Tinseltown forever beckoning everyone's inner star, it's no wonder that Los Angeles is a great place to enjoy a good comedy performance. Comedians who make it in smaller cities flock to LA by the thousands hoping to get noticed on a local stage; and while stardom may not be in their cards just yet, their presence is certainly something that the general public thoroughly enjoys. Many of LA's comedy clubs have served as the launch pads for some of the most famous career comedians, including a once little-known man from Toronto named Jim Carrey. On any given night, comedy fans can head to the local club for a showcase of up-and-comers tenaciously trying to break into the biz. Big name funny people are always gracing LA's stages as well, further enriching the Los Angeles comedy club scene.
Acme Comedy Theatre
135 N. La Brea Ave., Los Angeles, California; Tel. 323.525.0202
The Acme Comedy Theatre sometimes gets lost in the shuffle of other comedy clubs, but this completely improv style mix of props, audience participation and hilarity hits the mark more often than falling flat. However, patrons that need a little liquid fuel to find their inner laughter will be supremely disappointed—unless bottled H2O greases your social wheels—as the Acme Comedy Theatre doesn't partake in the booze goes with comedy and vice versa mantra. Okay though, the saving grace for booze hounds and Los Angeles nightclubbers looking for food and drink, right downstairs from this LA comedy club is a hip little restaurant and bar: Amalfi. |
The Hollywood Improv
8162 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, California; Tel. 323.651.2583
Everyone loves a good laugh—even at the expense of some poor slob who's not very funny. The Hollywood Improv has been letting some real saps take the stage, but it's all in the name of good fun. Without places like the Hollywood Improv, there would be a little less happiness in the world and probably more violence. Drinks are not cheap but someone has to pay for the comedians. They do feature top acts—just call for schedules or just pop in for potluck. Mo' Betta' Mondays are the only days the Hollywood Improv requires patrons to be 21 or older, so those days have a more club-like feel, with no kids. Break out the fake IDs or just wait until Tuesday when all ages are welcome. |
Improv Olympic West
6366 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, California; Tel.323.962.7560
Offering classes and nightly shows, Improv Olympic West is the West Coast branch of the IO in Chicago. Five shows are offered on the main stage almost every night and on some nights the show is free. The Andy Dick Experimental Blackbox Theater has experimental team comedy Thursday through Sunday nights at the Improv Olympic West. This Hollywood comedy club and bar has several famous alums to call their own and is always trying to bring in the best Los Angeles comedic talent. |
Largo
432 N. Fairfax Ave., Los Angeles, California; Tel. 323.852.1073
When big name musicians like Aimee Man and Beck play intimate shows at your bar, who wouldn't create strict policies and make it difficult to get reservations? Largo is a Los Angeles bar and restaurant that hosts nightly performances from musicians and comedians. The only way to guarantee that you'll get in is to make dinner reservations far in advance by calling the club and leaving a message in hopes that they will return your phone call. For those who feel lucky, there is limited seating at Largo's bar and standing room that people can get if they show up early the evening of the show and get in line. Make sure to be on your best behavior and don't forget there is a strict no-talking policy during performances from awesome musicians and comedians blowing through LA. |
The Laugh Factory
8001 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, California; Tel. 323.656.1336
Head over to West Hollywood if you're looking for a god laugh. No, not at the street walkers and decked out clubbers, but at the Laugh Factory. Opened on Sunset Strip of LA in 1979, the Laugh Factory has seen some of the most recognizable faces of comedy grace the stage. The bar has two other locations, one in Times Square and another in Long Beach, but the Hollywood location is the one that takes the cake as the original Laugh Factory. The man who opened the club, Jamie Masada, still manages the venue. Popular comedians still frequent the Laugh Factory to try out their material on the Los Angeles audience. Get there early to be able to get in and just spend some time at the bar if you've got time to spare. |
Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre
5919 Franklin Ave., Hollywood, California; Tel. 323.908.8702
After three hilarious seasons on Comedy Central, the Upright Citizens Brigade made their move to Hollywood to open up a theatre with their namesake. Now famous and not so famous comics take stage as well as the sketch-comedy group and occasionally, their comedy school students. If you're familiar with the small comedy clubs of New York that are often under the ground level bars, then you'll feel right at home in the cozy space of this LA comedy club. The ticket fee at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre is always reasonable and it's a great place for entertainment in Los Angeles. |
—Los Angeles bar and club reviews by Alanna Lee, Ryan Osterbeck and Buddy Seigel
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