Why did the ATLien cross the road? (They couldn’t… traffic.)
Atlanta is teeming with talent–everyone knows we’re one of the biggest cultural hotspots in the world. From music to art to film, Atlanta really knows how to get down when it comes to making the culture. And comedy is no different–from small, open mic events with laugh-out-loud funny comics to improv places to world-renowned comedians right here in the ATL, we’ve got it all.
If you’re looking for somewhere to go see some hilarious comedy, we’ve got you covered. Check out this list of 10 hilarious comedy clubs or spots that’ll have you ROTFL!
1. Laughing Skull
Laughing Skull Lounge has been serving up laughs to Atlanta comedy fans since 2010. You can check out all the fun at The Vortex Midtown (look for the huge laughing skull)!
They’ve got two ways to enjoy amazing comedy–open mics and a more professional show.
“Best of Atlanta Showcase” happens every Thursday – Sunday, and showcases 8 comedians doing their best 10 minute sets. And Laughing Skull Comedy Open Mic happens every Monday – Wednesday at 8pm. At the Open Mic, both amateur talent, and for visiting national comedians work on their material (…or to help rebuild their confidence)! On their website, Laughing Skull says, “You will see people doing jokes for the first time, expanding on current jokes, and some times just plain eating it… which is pretty awesome!”
For more about Laughing Skull, check out their website!2. Dad’s Garage
If you’re looking for hilarious professional improv, Dad’s Garage is the perfect spot for you! With hysterical improv comedy shows–both in play format and in regular suggestion-from-the-audience format, you’ll definitely leave Dad’s Garage with abs from laughing so hard. Their stand-out comedy is truly a treat for all. And they offer classes if you’re looking to dabble in the ‘prov yourself!
See more at Dad’s Garage’s website!3. The Punchline Comedy Club
The longest running and continuously operated comedy club in Atlanta is The Punchline Comedy Club. If you’re looking for laugh-out-loud comedy and HUGE star names (or stars before they’re stars), The Punchline is perfect.
They say, “Some of comedy’s all-time legends have appeared on our stage – Eddie Murphy, Richard Pryor, Chris Tucker, Jay Leno, Jerry Seinfeld, Tim Allen, Dane Cook, Jackie Mason, Dave Chappelle, Larry The Cable Guy, Ron White, Jeff Foxworthy, and dozens more.”
With a show every single weekend, The Punchline is the perfect place to unwind and laugh on your days off. It’s like they say, “40 years and still laughing!”
Check out more at The Punchline Comedy Club’s website!4. Helium Comedy Club
This nationally-acclaimed comedy club came to the ATL relatively recently, and we’ve been soaking in the laughs ever since! The bring stadium-sized talent to their intimate theater on a weekly basis, and patrons can enjoy some of the funniest live comedy and other performance art from nationally accredited acts, no more than 60 feet away.
Learn more about Helium Comedy Club in Alpharetta on their website!5. Whole World Improv Theatre
This improv theatre offers hilarious shows, four times a week, every week, at their Midtown location! With an award-winning ensemble, they bring the hoots AND the hollers! Thousands of people have enjoyed Whole World Improv, and you could be next! Enjoy a show, an improv Jam, a class or workshop. With an impressive stage and an incredible diverse company of talent, Whole World is the perfect place to unwind if you’re looking for a comedy club!
Check out more about Whole World Improv at their website!6. Community Star Bar
If you’re looking for a more casual comedy club affair, you’ve gotta check out Community Star Bar in Little 5 Points. This dive bar atmosphere offers Monday night comedy every week from 9:30pm – Midnight, hosted by Star Bar’s very own Rotknee.
Grab a drink and laugh your head off at Community Star Bar every Monday night! And if you’re feeling really bold… sign up to perform by Thursday the week before!
Check out all the details for Star Bar on their website!7. 1Up Comedy Club
1Up Comedy is a true hoot and a half. Founded in 2011 by local comic, Joe Pettis, 1Up Comedy has been putting on laugh-out-loud shows for all Atlantans to enjoy. In fact, their Beer & Comedy Show at SweetWater Brewing is the longest running brewery comedy show… in the world.
If you want to laugh out loud, you’ve gotta check out 1Up Comedy in the ATL. And even if they aren’t currently hosting any open mics–they keep an updated google calendar of ALL the comedy open mics in Atlanta.
Check out more at 1Up Comedy’s website!8. Uptown Comedy Corner
If you’re looking for hilariously urban comedy, Uptown is the perfect spot for you. They say on their website, “We’ve had some of the biggest names in comedy grace our stage… comics including Dick Gregory, Chris Rock, Kevin Hart, Damon Wayans, Chris Tucker, Paul Mooney, Dave Chappelle, Earthquake, Bruce Bruce, Mo’Nique, Mike Epps, Steve Harvey and Ricky Smiley… and they keep coming back… along with all the new faces.”
And they cool thing about Uptown Comedy is that, along with an incredibly funny show, celebrities like SnoopDog, Usher, Cedric the Entertainer, JayZ have been known to pop in to catch a show!
For more info about Uptown Comedy Corner, check out their website!9. The Fox
It would be amiss to leave The Fox off of this list of comedy clubs because, while not technically a comedy club of course, The Fox offers some of the most hilarious stand-ups from all over the world. Tina Fey and Amy Poehler recently had two shows at The Fox, and there have been many other recognizable names!
To catch a show (comedy or otherwise) at The Fox, check out their website here!
10. Don’t Tell Comedy
If you’re looking for something a little more off the beaten path, then you’ve gotta check out Don’t Tell Comedy! The whole name of the game is… you don’t know what you’re getting into until you’re there!
When you buy a ticket for a Don’t Tell Comedy show, you know the general location of the event, i.e. the neighborhood, and you know the time. For example, you might know that the show is in Virginia-Highland at 7:30pm, but you don’t know who you’re seeing until you arrive. And you don’t know the exact location until between 8am and 12pm the day of the show!
It’s super fun and keeps you on your toes! And you can rely on the fact that it’ll be a good show no matter what! Learn more about Don’t Tell Comedy in Atlanta here!
Keep laughing, Atlanta!