Comedy Clubs in Los Angeles: 10 Places to See Stand-Up in LA (2026)

Last updated: October 2026

Key takeaways

• The Sunset Strip is the center of LA stand-up, with The Comedy Store and the Laugh Factory.
• Melrose Avenue has the Improv and the Groundlings.
• Big names drop in to test new material, but it’s never guaranteed.
• Rules vary by club: check age limits, drink minimums and phone policies before you go.
• Beyond Hollywood, Pasadena, Burbank and Hermosa Beach have historic rooms.

The best comedy clubs in Los Angeles at a glance

Club	Neighborhood	Address	Known for
The Comedy Store	West Hollywood (Sunset Strip)	8433 Sunset Blvd.	LA’s most famous stand-up room, open since 1972
Laugh Factory	Hollywood (Sunset Blvd.)	8001 Sunset Blvd.	Founded by Jamie Masada; nightly stand-up
The Improv	Fairfax / Melrose	8162 Melrose Ave.	Brick wall of comedian portraits; opened on Melrose in 1974
Largo at the Coronet	Beverly Grove	366 N. La Cienega Blvd.	Comedy and music in a historic theater
The Groundlings Theatre	Fairfax / Melrose	7307 Melrose Ave.	Sketch and improv since the 1970s
UCB Theatre	Los Feliz / Franklin Village	5919 Franklin Ave.	Improv and sketch; reopened in 2022
Dynasty Typewriter	Westlake	2511 Wilshire Blvd.	Alternative comedy at the 1926 Hayworth Theatre
The Ice House	Pasadena	24 N. Mentor Ave.	Opened in 1960
Flappers Comedy Club	Burbank	102 E. Magnolia Blvd.	Two rooms; opened in 2010
The Comedy & Magic Club	Hermosa Beach	1018 Hermosa Ave.	Beach-town club, opened in 1978

1. The Comedy Store (West Hollywood)

The Comedy Store opened in April 1972 at 8433 Sunset Boulevard on the Sunset Strip. Mitzi Shore began running it in 1973 and expanded it with a 450-seat main room. It’s the room most people picture when they think of LA comedy, with comedians’ names painted across its black exterior. Big names often drop in to work on new material.

2. Laugh Factory (Hollywood)

The Laugh Factory at 8001 Sunset Boulevard was founded by Jamie Masada, who still runs the company. It hosts stand-up shows nightly and in 2010 set a Guinness World Record for the longest continuous stand-up comedy show, at 80 hours.

3. The Improv (Melrose Avenue)

The Improv began in New York in 1963 and opened its Los Angeles club at 8162 Melrose Avenue in 1974. Its brick wall painted with comedians’ portraits (shown in the photo at the top of this page) is one of LA’s best-known comedy landmarks.

4. Largo at the Coronet (La Cienega)

Largo moved into the historic Coronet Theatre at 366 North La Cienega Boulevard in 2008 and runs a mix of comedy and music. It’s known for an intimate, listening-room atmosphere.

5. The Groundlings Theatre (Melrose Avenue)

The Groundlings improv and sketch troupe formed in 1974 and moved to Melrose Avenue in 1975. The theater at 7307 Melrose runs sketch and improv shows, and its school trains thousands of students a year. Interested in writing your own? See how to write a comedy sketch.

6. UCB Theatre (Franklin Avenue)

The Upright Citizens Brigade opened its Los Angeles theater at 5919 Franklin Avenue in 2005. After the pandemic closures, it reopened under new management in September 2022, with improv, sketch and stand-up.

7. Dynasty Typewriter (Westlake)

Dynasty Typewriter is based at the Hayworth Theatre, a 1926 Spanish-style building at 2511 Wilshire Boulevard. It’s a go-to spot for alternative comedy, live podcasts and experimental shows.

8. The Ice House (Pasadena)

The Ice House at 24 North Mentor Avenue in Pasadena opened in 1960 and is one of the oldest comedy venues in the area. It’s an easy alternative if you’d rather skip Hollywood traffic.

9. Flappers Comedy Club (Burbank)

Flappers opened in downtown Burbank in 2010 at 102 East Magnolia Boulevard. It has a 200-seat main room, a smaller 50-seat room, and a bar and patio.

10. The Comedy & Magic Club (Hermosa Beach)

Opened in 1978 by Mike Lacey, the Comedy & Magic Club at 1018 Hermosa Avenue is a South Bay favorite. Jay Leno has been a regular there for years.

Tips for seeing comedy in Los Angeles

• Buy tickets ahead for weekend shows and big names; they sell out.
• Check the age policy. Many shows are 18+ or 21+.
• Expect a minimum. Some clubs require a drink or food purchase per person.
• Phones may be locked away. Some clubs use phone pouches to protect new material.
• Sit up front at your own risk. Front-row guests sometimes become part of the show.
• Try a weeknight. Smaller crowds, cheaper tickets and a better chance of surprise drop-ins.
• Look beyond the big clubs. Bars, bookstores and backyards host great independent shows.

Want to perform instead of watch?

Many LA clubs and bars run open mics and new-talent nights. Start with our tips for your first open mic and how to write your first five minutes.

Want to see how working comedians built their careers here? Read our profiles of Kat Bird, Brittany Ross and Mojo Brooks, plus our list of up-and-coming comedians to watch.

More comedy guides from The LA Note

• Comedic timing: what it is and 9 ways to improve your delivery
• How to write a stand-up comedy routine
• How to write a comedy sketch
• Types of comedy, explained with examples
• Stand-up comedy tips for your first open mic
• How to write a comedy script
• How to be funny: tips from the way comedians think
• The best stand-up comedians of all time
• Careers in comedy: jobs, writers’ room roles and how to start
• Improv comedy: what it is, the rules and how to start
• Comedy festivals worth knowing (including LA’s biggest)

Frequently asked questions

What is the most famous comedy club in Los Angeles?

The Comedy Store on the Sunset Strip, which opened in April 1972 at 8433 Sunset Boulevard, is often called the most famous. The Laugh Factory and the Improv are also legendary LA rooms.

Are there free comedy shows in Los Angeles?

Yes. Many bars, coffee shops and small theaters host free or low-cost shows and open mics. Some clubs also have free or cheap late-night shows. Check venue websites and social media for current listings.

Is there a two-drink minimum at LA comedy clubs?

Some clubs require a drink or food minimum per person; policies vary by venue and show. Check the club’s website before you go.

Do famous comedians drop in at LA comedy clubs?

Yes. Well-known comedians often drop in unannounced to work on new material, especially at clubs on the Sunset Strip and Melrose Avenue. It’s never guaranteed.

What age do you have to be to go to a comedy club in LA?

Many comedy clubs are 18+ or 21+, and some allow younger guests with an adult for certain shows. Age rules vary by venue and show, so check before you buy tickets.

Sources

• The Comedy Store, Wikipedia (opened April 1972, 8433 Sunset Blvd.)
• Laugh Factory, Wikipedia (Jamie Masada, 2010 record)
• The Improv, Wikipedia (8162 Melrose Ave., 1974)
• Largo at the Coronet, Wikipedia (366 N. La Cienega Blvd.)
• The Groundlings, Wikipedia
• Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre, Wikipedia (5919 Franklin Ave., reopened 2022)
• Dynasty Typewriter, Wikipedia (Hayworth Theatre, 2511 Wilshire Blvd.)
• The Ice House, Wikipedia (24 N. Mentor Ave., 1960)
• Flappers Comedy Club, Wikipedia (102 E. Magnolia Blvd., 2010)
• Comedy & Magic Club, Wikipedia (1978, Mike Lacey)
• Laugh Factory (8001 Sunset Blvd.)
• Hollywood Improv (8162 Melrose Ave.)

Image credits

• Featured image: The Improv, 8162 Melrose Avenue, by Minnaert, via Wikimedia Commons, public domain. Cropped to 16:9.
• The Groundlings Theatre, 7307 Melrose Avenue, by Gary Minnaert (Minnaert), via Wikimedia Commons, public domain.
• Dynasty Typewriter at the Hayworth, 2511 Wilshire Boulevard, by Dannyfazio, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
• Flappers Comedy Club, 102 E. Magnolia Boulevard, Burbank, by Alexis Doine, via Wikimedia Commons, CC0.