In Austin, finding a good laugh is easy. The city’s vibrant comedy scene features comedy shows at clubs, special events, festivals, and open mic nights for aspiring comedians. Highlights include the Austin Comedy Festival, which showcases top talent and emerging stars, making it a must-attend event for comedy lovers. Get ready for an entertaining evening!
Comedy Clubs
Many top touring comedians prioritize performing at Cap City Comedy Club in The Domain. This club has been a fixture in Austin for almost 40 years and offers shows from Thursday to Sunday. It has also been a key venue for the Comedy Festival Austin, drawing comedy enthusiasts from across the country. Special events include an annual contest to determine the Funniest Person in Austin. Pub-style food and cocktails enhance the overall experience.
Catch improv, sketch comedy performances, and stand-up acts at the ColdTowne Theater. Improv offers an unpredictable experience every time. Some nationally recognized artists are scheduled to perform from Thursday to Sunday in the 2ND Street District. The venue also played host to memorable acts during the Austin Comedy Festival 2023, highlighting its role in Austin’s vibrant comedy scene. You can also register for the free Intro to Improv workshop to get a feel for what it’s like to perform improv on stage.
Enter the historic Ritz building on East Sixth Street to see well-known performers deliver hilarious entertainment at Comedy Mothership. The main acts take the stage at Fat Man, while the Little Boy stage features comedy showcases, local open mic talent, improv, and more. Don’t forget to grab a drink at Mitzi’s bar before the show.
The Creek & The Cave showcases up to four performances each night, having relocated from New York City to East Seventh Street in Austin a few years ago. It features well-known comedians alongside emerging local talent on both indoor and outdoor stages. In addition to regular shows, special events such as roasts, musical comedies, and podcast recordings are held. It’s recommended to arrive early to enjoy the patio bar.
If you’re looking for comedy, music, and magic performances, Esther’s Follies on East Sixth Street is the perfect destination. This recipe for fun has been successful since 1977. Their humorous sketches, which take place at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m., cover a wide range of topics, from pop culture to politics, with no subject off-limits. If you’re hungry before or after the show, you can grab tacos, tortas.
If you’re looking for live underground comedy performances, check out Fallout Theater located in downtown Austin. This venue and training center hosts improv, sketch, and stand-up comedy six nights per week. Events may feature a live game show, open mic sessions, audio dramas, and more. You can also attend a free one-hour Intro to Improv class on Mondays.
Weekends are perfect for improv comedy, which takes place from Thursday to Sunday at two theaters located at The Hideout on Congress Avenue. Each performance is unique, with the comics using suggestions from the audience to create spontaneous and funny scenes. Don’t forget to visit the Hideout Coffee House, open daily from morning until night, where you can enjoy drinks, sandwiches, pastries, and ice cream.
Enjoy live comedy, dance music, and stage performances that take place nearly every night at the Vulcan Gas Company. Take a look at the club’s schedule to find a lineup of both local talent and popular acts, including the regulars from The Kill Tony, who never fail to entertain. The Vulcan Gas Company boasts 9,500 square feet of space, complete with full-service bars on every floor and a terrace that offers views of East Sixth Street.
Open Mic Nights
On certain Tuesdays, the Cap City Comedy Club in The Domain hosts amateur comedians. If you want to participate, get ready with three minutes of your material and enter a lottery to be chosen to perform. Come and witness the emergence of future stars.
Comedy enthusiasts and aspiring comedians should take a look at the various weekly open mic nights at The Creek & The Cave. You might catch a comedy superstar dropping by to try out new material. Make sure to arrive early to register. Entry is free.
Start your day with a caffeine fix at Kick Butt Coffee, and make sure to come on Wednesday nights for open mic comedy nights. Each performer is allowed three to five minutes on stage. On Sundays, they can also incorporate music and poetry into their comedy acts. Arrive early to secure a spot on the participation list.
Comedy Festivals and Events
Austin Sketch Fest: Every May, the Austin Sketch Fest provides five days filled with hilarious scripted sketches, satire, and stand-up comedy at the ColdTowne Theater. Comedians from the local area share the stage with performers from New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles, and other comedy hubs. In addition to the shows, the Austin Comedy Festival offers workshops on writing, improv, character development, and more.
Moontower Just for Laughs Comedy Festival: Get ready to enjoy 11 days of laughter in April as the Moontower Just for Laughs Comedy Festival makes its comeback in Austin. Renowned comedians will perform at various downtown locations, such as The Paramount Theatre, Stateside at the Paramount, and the Moody Center. Adding to the excitement, the Austin Comedy Film Festival offers a unique blend of humor and storytelling, featuring comedic short films and documentaries from talented filmmakers. During the festival, you’ll have the chance to watch up to 80 comedians showcase their finest acts, along with an additional 100 performers appearing over four days at 10 nearby venues. Keep an eye on the festival’s website for lineup updates as April approaches.
SXSW Comedy Festival: In March, the highly acclaimed SXSW Conference & Festivals features a dedicated five-day showcase for comedy. The SXSW Comedy Festival attracts a wide range of more than 60 comedians to Austin, where they perform, host podcasts, and engage in discussions. You’ll have the chance to see beloved comedians and discover emerging comedy talents.
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