Best Improv Comedy In New York City
(Credit: Clipart)
Tired of your regular weekend routine of a restaurant dinner and drinks? There's so much to do in the city – one of the best activities you can partake in to perk up is the comedy club. There are tons of comedy clubs throughout Manhattan so how do you choose which one? Here's your guide to the best laugh-out-loud shows in town.
UCB Theater
153 E. 3rd St.
New York, NY 10009
(212) 366-9231
www.east.ucbtheatre.com
The Upright Citizen's Brigade Theater has what is probably the cheapest improv comedy shows in town. Open all night every night, shows typically run about $5 or $10, and some are even free. There are two locations in New York – one is a training location where up-and-coming comedians perform in Chelsea (307 West 26th Street) and the other UCB East is where more established improv performers take the stage. Here, you'll find performers from "The Late Show with David Letterman," "Last Comic Standing," "Late Night with Seth Meyers," Comedy Central, MTV and more.
Peoples Improv Theater
123 E. 24th St.
New York, NY 10010
(212) 563-7488
www.thepit-nyc.com
The PIT offers three options for visitors: a school for future comedians and comedy writers, corporate or educational workshops on team building and a theater that presents original comedic works. Shows are cheap here, too – as little as $5 and $10. From long-form to sketch, newbies to experienced comedians, single man, two man or full team shows, there are a variety of options for visitors. The PIT sometimes throws parties with special themes as well.
Chicago City Limits
351 E. 74th St.
New York, NY 10021
(212) 888-5233
www.chicagocitylimits.com
Chicago City Limits has all of the great offerings that the previous clubs have, and more, including film festivals and birthday parties. CCL boasts "New York City's longest running show with over 10,000 performances over 30 years." Its National Touring Company performs at regional theaters all across the nation. CCL was based in the theater district but is now moving back to the Jan-Hus Playhouse on the Upper East Side.
National Comedy Theatre
347 W. 36th St.
New York, NY 10018
(212) 629-5202
www.manhattancomedy.com
The National Comedy Theatre performs every Friday and Saturday night with shows costing between $12 and $17. Shows are run similarly to the popular "Whose Line is it Anyway" television show. Audiences get to pick the games and decides who is the winning team at the end of the show. No crude humor – this is a clean, family-style show.
Dangerfield's
1118 1st Ave.
New York, NY 10065
(212) 593-1650
www.dangerfields.com
Probably the best-known club in the city, Dangerfield's is also the longest-running comedy club in the entire world. You won't find any amateurs here – only the best comedians show up for a performance. Past star performers include Jerry Seinfeld, Jim Carey, Chris Rock, Tim Allen and more. Shows run every night; discounted tickets can be found on the website.
Jennifer is a writer, reader, crafter, traveler and New Yorker. She works in midtown New York City for non-profit organizations. Her degrees are in communication studies and art history.You can contact Jennifer at @egyptologist. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.
