Hollywood comedy clubs are the places where legends are made! Many of the biggest names in entertainment started their careers on the dimly lit stages of Hollywood's glittery-meets-gritty clubs. With the comedy scene being bigger than ever today, many people who visit Los Angeles are looking for ways to catch live shows. Getting to see famous comedians in Hollywood is usually as easy as booking tickets at one of the city's main comedy clubs. Here's a rundown of the four iconic comedy clubs in Hollywood to check out during a visit!
Hollywood Comedy is known for being one of the hottest open mic spots in Los Angeles. Patrons can watch free open mic shows daily. This is one of the best ways to see up-and-coming acts. If you want to see one of Hollywood Comedy's weekly shows featuring booked acts, you'll need to grab tickets online ahead of time.
The Comedy Store is widely regarded as the greatest stand-up comedy club in the world. It was also the first! The Comedy Store was founded in 1972 by Sammy Shore, Mitzi Shore, and Rudy De Luca. Every well-known comic from the past 50 years has spent time nurturing their career at the Comedy Store. Patrons today can book tickets to see some of the biggest headliners in the comedy world. It's also common for big names to make surprise appearances on stage to work out their material in front of the crowd!
The legendary Hollywood Improv is where many of the biggest stars in comedy and movies refined their skills. Ellen DeGeneres, Damon Wayans, Ray Romano, Tim Allen, Sarah Silverman, Chelsea Handler, Bert Kreischer, and Drew Carey are just some of the stars who got their starts here. The club was also the setting for a popular television show called "An Evening at The Improv" that aired for 15 years.
Patrons who visit the Hollywood Improv can see a mix of legends and contemporary comics. Like other famous Hollywood comedy clubs, the Improv often welcomes surprise guests to the stage when big celebrities want to work out their material in front of a live crowd. Tickets for evening shows can be purchased in advance online. Booking as far in advance as possible is recommended because shows with big names tend to sell out quickly!
When the Laugh Factory opened in 1979, it was the first comedy club to pay its performers. One fun fact about this club is that the building it's housed in was once owned by Groucho Marx. Some of the first comedians to grace the stage included Richard Prior, George Miller, and Paul Mooney. The Laugh Factory of today is a favorite spot for Adam Sandler, Jimmy Fallon, Jo Koy, Sebastian Maniscalco, Whitney Cummings, Tiffany Haddish, Adam Devine, and many more of the biggest names in comedy and entertainment. One tradition that has been kept alive all these years is that founder Paul Masada still attends every single open mic on Tuesday nights to oversee auditions for amateur comedians from around the world!
One thing to know about comedy shows in Hollywood is that the biggest stars usually don't get on stage until around 10 p.m. If you're expecting a late night, there's nothing better than having a place to stay right near the heart of Los Angeles. That's why staying at Hollywood Hotels located just minutes from comedy clubs and other iconic attractions is such a popular choice. For those who want to play all day before laughing all night, there's no better choice than a Universal Studios Hotel.