The Hottest Bay Area Spots To LOL!
Comedienne Margaret Cho (credit: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
San Francisco and the Bay Area have a long-standing reputation for terrific stand-up comedy and witty improv, where some of the greatest comedians of the 20th century got their start. A couple of old standbys and some new places figure into the stand-up scene centered around FiDi, North Bay and Downtown San Francisco. Prices, ticketing and drinks policies vary widely, as do opinions about the performers. Sometimes the venues operate only one or two nights a week. Most of all, we wish everyone a few good laughs, because as the folks at one comedy club wisely say, "it's cheaper than therapy."
915 Columbus Ave.
San Francisco, CA 94133
(415) 928-4320
www.cobbscomedy.com
Staying funny since 1982 is hard work; ask David Letterman. A mix of dependable headliners and up-and-coming comedians. often the writers for famous funny men can surprise audiences in the best ways. Trevor Noah, Jon Stewart's replacement at Comedy Central's "The Daily Show," rattled plenty of cages for six sold-out shows in May. Now in North Beach since 2002, if you haven't been to the Comedy Club for awhile, you'll like this year's remodel job. Save on fees by booking direct, open five nights a week.
444 Battery St.
San Francisco, CA 94111
(415) 397-7573
www.punchlinecomedyclub.com
www.punchlinecomedyclub.com
The older, smaller sister to Cobb's Comedy Club, born in 1978, the Punch Line pedigree includes all the top name credentials since including Robin Williams, Ellen Degeneres, Margaret Cho, Drew Carey, Chris Rock, Dana Carvey, David Cross, Dave Chappell and Dave Attell. Note that Punch Line is easy to find if you know it's upstairs by One Embarcadero. Open six nights a week, closed on Mondays, call for tickets direct.
530 Jackson St.
San Francisco, CA 94133
(415) 730–2359
www.purpleonionatkells.com
Find some homegrown talent and students at the San Francisco Comedy College beneath the Irish pub, tucked away in a space which you just have to know is there. Run by comedians, for comedians, Wednesday and Thursday nights only, the Purple Onion was once the most celebrated name in San Francisco comedy stand-up circles. The original Purple Onion dated from 1952, where it hosted or launched Dick Cavett, Bob Newhart, Jim Nabors, Richard Pryor, Lenny Bruce, The Smothers Brothers (The Purple Onion album was their first) and an epic run for a newly-discovered headliner, Phyllis Diller.
533 Sutter St.
San Francisco, CA 94102
(512) 586-4401
www.cttcomedy.com
Find this spot on Friday and Saturday nights only at 10 p.m. at the Shelton Theater off Union Square. With tickets on Eventbrite at $10, it's a winner. Theater seating means good seats and no drinks minimum. Come for optional pre-show drinks from 9 p.m. and stay for the after-party at Chelsea Place, since the whole audience is invited. Your regular comedic trio of performers is Eloisa Bravo, Scott Simpson and Jon Allen, who subscribe to the idea that laughter is cheaper than a shrink. Shows end by 11:30 p.m., so BART and Muni are still an option.
582 Market St.
San Francisco, CA 94104
(415) 748-5119
www.bestofsfstandup.com
Check out this nonprofit comedy club. The Variety Preview Theater in the Hobart Building has plush seats in a movie theater setting. The shows go on every Friday night at 8 p.m. only. The proceeds, including drinks in the lounge, go to Variety Children's Charity to assist kids with special needs. Visit their Facebook page for promo code on Eventbrite tickets. Free parking after 7 p.m. a block away and couldn't be handier to BART and Muni.
