Top Improv Comedy In Houston

The Daily Meal Staff|Sept. 15, 2014 7:00 am EST

While Houston has a great comedy scene with many national comedy tours coming through town regularly and a good number of homegrown comics to boot, just seeing stand-up can seem a bit stale after a while. But never fear! Houston also has a thriving improv comedy scene, where you are guaranteed to never see the same routine twice because the comics make it up right on the spot. For a great date night or just a fun evening out with your friends, make sure to check out one of these top spots for improv comedy in Houston the next time you're looking for a laugh.

Comedy Sportz
901 Town and Country Blvd.
Houston, TX 77024
(713) 868-1444
www.comedysportzhouston.com

ComedySportz is the only competitive improv comedy in the city. Its athletes compete in regular competitions of improvisational comedy with suggestions shouted out by the audience. It makes for a hilarious, family-friendly competition where everyone who loves to laugh wins. ComedySportz also sponsors the local high school ComedySportz clubs and trains the next generation of young comics. For an adults-only experience, check out the late-night long-form sessions, where the company has parodied familiar movies and other pop culture icons with a bit more of a raunchy style.

Spontaneous Combustion at Rice University
6100 Main St.
Houston, TX 77005
www.facebook.com/SpoCoImprov

This student-run organization is the University's main improv comedy group. The group performs many times each semester in academic auditoriums and dorm residences across campus, but it also has been known to tour. This past summer, it participated in a comedy festival in New York City. Not for the faint of heart, the humor is aimed at a college-aged audience and can sometimes be cerebral or crude. Check it out the next time you're looking for something to do after dinner in Rice Village.

Houston Improv Festival
3414 La Branch St.
Houston, TX 77004
(713) 909-4429
www.houstonimprovfestival.com

The Houston Improv Festival was formed in 2011 as a way for more people to experience and get involved in improv comedy. Since then, it has grown exponentially and has featured performers from all across the country. Not solely limited to comedy, it also works with improv actors and creates interesting spontaneous scenes. As of 2013, it has offered workshops for aspiring performers that have been taught by some of our nation's best. Make sure to check out one of the shows when you get the chance – but act fast! Most of the performances sell out quickly.

Houston Improv
7620 Katy Freeway, Suite 455
Houston, TX 77055
(713) 333-8800
www.improvhouston.com

This is one of Houston's biggest comedy joints and plays host to national tours of stand-up comedians, comedic groups and much more. Centrally located, it's easy for anyone in the Houston area to come and check it out one evening. Houston Improv often has two showings a night to accommodate its clientele because the performances can be so popular. Check out the calendar to see what style of comedy is being performed on any given day.

Joke Joint Comedy Showcase
11460 Fuqua St., Suite 300
Houston, TX 77089
(281) 481-1188
www.jokejointcomedyshowcase.com

The Joke Joint Comedy Showcase features so many sorts of comedy shows that there's sure to be something to please anyone in your group. Check out the various performers or stop by on a Wednesday for open mic night and try out some comedy for yourself. And if you've got a traffic ticket that needs to be attended to, make sure to look Joke Joint up. It offers comedy defensive driving regularly to make traffic school just a little more bearable for those who got caught speeding.

Gillian Kruse is a freelance writer living in Houston. She graduated from Rice University with a great love for all performing and visual arts. She enjoys writing about arts and cultural events, especially little-known ones, to help Houstonians learn about what's going on in their city. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.