Wow, where do you start!?
Try it all we say.
There are restaurants, bars, clubs, both Broadway and off-Broadway shows and plenty more.
Something we also like to do when visiting New York City is to see live performances. What better than comedy clubs and improv theatres?
Here are 3 suggestions for you:
Comedy Cellar
Think Amy Schumer, Chris Rock, Robin Williams and more!!
It is an intimate venue located on MacDougal Street, in the Greenwich Village and SoHo neighbourhoods of Manhattan. As the name implies, it is in the basement with low ceilings, which adds to the ambience.
When we first went there, we didn’t know the routine and were saying how awesome this first guy was! Then he said, “ok, let’s start the show with the first act …..” As you can imagine, the 5 comedians were even better than the host!
Some tips…
- It is busy, so suggest you make reservations online (you only pay on the night). If not, then arrive 45mins before the show and join the waitlist queue just around the corner. There are always no-shows.
- No photos – they will make you delete the photo and if you do it again, will throw you out.
- If this venue is full, try their sister venue, the Village Underground, just around the corner.
- If you want a bite to eat before or after the show, try Saigon Shack Vietnamese Restaurant across the road. Quick, inexpensive and wonderful!
Comedy Cellar
117 MacDougal Street
Between W 3rd St. & Minetta Lane
The Peoples Improv Theater (PIT)
A random word or phrase is called out by someone in the audience and then it starts……If you want to be amazed at the skill and quick wittedness of people doing improv in a relaxed and very pleasant theatre, then this is for you. Tickets were inexpensive and staff and surroundings very relaxed and professional.
Established on 2002, this is both a comedy training centre and improv theatre. As we were already enrolled in an acting course, we just went there to enjoy improv and the rawness and emotion of their craft.
There are two locations, 123 E 24th St (b/t Park & Lexington) where they have 2 theatres – Striker Main Stage (their largest) and the Underground and the Loft at 154 W 29th St (b/t 6th & 7th). We hung out at 123rd.
Some tips…
- Check the website for show themes and times and get there a little early to enjoy the wonderful bar.
- Perhaps you can sign up for a short course and let us know how it goes!!
People’s Improv Theater (The PIT)
123 E 24th St, New York
New York Comedy Club
This is a smaller venue than the Comedy Cellar and is really conducive for in your face stand-up comedians working the crowd – particularly if you are in the front row. We struck it “lucky” a few times and were right up there and ended up being part of a few shows. One night we had a couple next to us on a first date and offered up that they just met on a Christian online dating site. That ended up being a 10min improv set just there!!
Some tips…
- After the show on a Monday night a whole bunch of comedians come on and try out their new material. It is so new, many are reading the lines from their phones or note pad. As you can imagine, the quality varies, but you get to see them perfect their craft and all the hidden work they must do. This is a tough gig when no one laughs.
- Get there a little early for a few drinks at their cosy bar and also you can be more selective with seats when they usher you in.
There are 2 locations, Midtown and East Village.
We hung out at the Midtown.
Midtown – 241 East 24th St.
East Village – 85 East 4th St
https://newyorkcomedyclub.com/
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