Best comedy clubs in Austin: find options near you

Nice venue for smaller shows. I like the intimacy, vibes, and decor of it. Bar seemed nice too, and I was able to order a Mandarin Jarritos since I am a sober driver, plus free and easy to get water available at the bar too. Thanks for hosting the awesome PROVOKER show back on May 30th! 🙂

Excellent venue with great staff and enthusiastic patrons. Easy to go in and out and visit the food trucks or the bar space. An experience I won’t easily forget and a place I’d come back to often.

I love this place! It’s small and has its charm. Makes a great place for an intimate concert with your favorite band. They have a full bar and they don’t skimp on the drinks. They have excellent food trucks on site as well. Parking is very limited on site but there is room on the surrounding streets. I highly recommend this place for a show or an event.

Nice place, good atmosphere (how could you go wrong with gold angels?), staff seems friendly, good sound, lighting could be better on stage. My main beef with this place and it’s important is that two of the last three shows I’ve gone to have not gone down timewise how they were promoted, causing me to miss a band that I really wanted to see last time

Extraordinary bar to hang out, dance, and have a great drink. Live music, good open patio, and interesting people. Variety choices on food trucks are nearby, so it is definitely almost the complete package of a fun night.

Decent size event room with a great bar and outdoor seating. They also had a few food trucks right out the door which was very convenient.

Super fun atmosphere and really friendly staff. So much to look at in the day, but also really pretty at night with the lights. Food was tops for a bar.

Only down side for me was all the dogs (pet friendly place), but that’s a plus for most people.

The show was amazing! Super funny and topical. Venue was fun and creative.

The seating, bar and restroom are all easy to get to even if the place is full.

It’s connected in the back with a patio to the next door taqueria if you want a quick bite before or after the show. And, the next door comedy show is included in the Esther’s Follies ticket

Great show! There were funny skits and magic acts. The crowd outside added to the fun. I can see why they’ve been around so long. I can’t wait to go back.

A jolly good show indeed! Every cast member is as talented as hilarious. They never failed to keep me entertained and each skit was followed by one equally as beautiful as the other. They had everything from a wonderful illusionist (who should have his own show in Las Vegas) who could teleport and do all sorts of tricks to a wonderful parody of “Vanilla Ice”, except about I.C.E! (Immigrations and customs enforcement). This is a great show that I definitely recommend, how ever they tend to be more liberal, so if you are not open to new perspectives and you are a conservative/Republican, I wouldn’t really recommend.

Founded by Shannon Sedwick, Esther’s Follies is a one-of-a-kind live comedy venue perched right on 6th Street in Austin, TX. It shares space with the iconic Velveeta Room and the vibrant Taqueria Las Chismosas, adding to the charm of the experience. Arrive a bit early to wander around the building—there’s a rich history to take in that really sets the stage for the show. Whether you’re a local or just visiting, catching a live performance here is an absolute must. It’s pure old Austin.

Great show all the way around, friendly people and staff add to the feeling of just being part of the show, if you are in Austin it’s a must-see.

So glad I did this show when I visited. Even as a tourist it’s hilarious (the Texas jokes are understandable if you’re up on current events)! Very talented cast and cleverly written. I love how they use the window as a backdrop. Only downer was asking a member after the show if they ever did Orlando Fringe and he gave a me a bit of an attitude for even suggesting that…it was moreso they looked familiar! A++ otherwise!!

What a blast! I saw the show over 10 years ago and was very pleased the laughs are still as fresh as ever when I brought my husband for the first time last month!

We were fascinated with the talent and our cheeks still hurt from laughing. We loved how the show made fun of everyone and everything (you have to be able to laugh at it all, right). The performers were so funny and we will be back!

Saw my favorite comedian, had some really good food, and had a blast! There’s a lot to be said for a place that’s organized and the staff is a well oiled machine. Love this club!

I have been to CapCity comedy several times, where the service is good and the staff are nice. The food choices and drinks are reasonable. Just be aware, there’s a two item minimum even though you paid a good amount for the ticket. Even though my waitstaff had a lot of tables, they were able to get me anything when I asked for them. First come first serve for seating, so if you’re not there early, you may not get a really great view. I wish they had some meatless options, but the last time I went there, the fries were edible. There’s always a pleasant vibe with every show I attend and culture of visitors. I think they need to update the menus that are on the table because if someone spilled something on it, It will probably be the same one you’ll see at the table.

Good seating, TERRIBLE prices and requirements. Food is basically Applebee’s food at $5 more than it should be. They force guest to order items while watching the show. What if someone literally only has money to see the show? The rule is asinine. I enjoyed seeing Kevin Smith, but I will not be returning to this location and don’t recommend at all.

Update: To clarify, this club absolutely does not make it clear about this two-item policy. They hide it in the very bottom of your confirmation email in very small font and then the same in the “what to know before you go” email. Very misleading and to say it’s an industry standard is wild.

Great time for my 1st visit. Staff was amazing and the food was good. Orders came out quick. The show was great and all seats were good seats. I left my glasses after the show and they already had they at the front when I went back. Will be back.

Show was great! Funny with a slice of culture. It was a great time!

Table seating is first come first serve, so come early for the best seats!

2 item minimum.

Nice establishment. Not the most comfortable seating but acceptable. The 2-item per person requirement is acceptable but I warn you, AVOID the “Bacon Jam Burger”. That was likely the BLANDEST burger I’ve ever had (not that its the reason you would be going here anyways).
The staff was very friendly and efficient. You will be most comfortable if you choose the Reserved section, the back of which is lined w/cushioned bench seating.

I recently had the pleasure of visiting Cap City Comedy Club, and it was an absolutely fantastic experience from start to finish! The atmosphere is laid-back yet vibrant, making it the perfect place to enjoy a night of comedy with friends or family. The staff is incredibly friendly and welcoming, adding to the overall great vibe of the club.

The Hideout blew us away! This improv show was hands-down one of the best we’ve ever seen. The performers were incredibly talented and had the whole room laughing nonstop all night. You could really feel the energy and creativity from the stage—each scene was funnier than the last. At just $15 per person, it felt like a steal. Honestly, I would’ve paid double for the kind of experience we had. The staff was welcoming, the vibe was great, and the whole night was just pure joy. Can’t wait to come back!

This is an improv show, and for the first timers like me who saw the Saturday 9:30 PM show who don’t know what to expect, it is as follows:

Location: Will take you to a coffee shop they run, but the box office and actual theater is at the back of the building. It’s first come first serve seating, so get there at least 10 mins early before doors open (5 mins before the show starts) to ensure you get seating with friends/family.

Setup: There are 12 improv actor/actressss (all that have taken classes through this theater and have varying levels of experience), that compete in various different skits. The organizers will draw random numbers and different actors who have their number called will come on stage and perform a skit assigned by the organizer (for example, a group of clowns in the circus). Audience feedback will be collected on a scale of 1-5 (5 bring the best) by clapping, and the actors will get points (also audience members are highly involved in participating in the show). After every actor has gone once, points are summed up and the lowest performers are eliminated. This continues on for several rounds until one performer is left standing and crowned improv king/queen of the night. In total this lasts about 1.5 hours, no intermission. Based on the performance and language, I would not recommend bringing younger kids.

Rating: 9/10. Very comfy place, easily good location in downtown Austin. Parking is street parking or the garages and wasn’t too bad for a Saturday night. Organizers were good and controlled the pace well, AV team was top notch and always had great timing with their music and lights. Some of the performers were clearly more experienced than others and it showed. Wished a couple of the stronger performers had a chance to perform together, but that’s okay. It was still pretty fun and I even got to perform on stage in one of the skits, so that was a cool experience. Would highly recommend for those that want to see a different style of comedy and a fun competition based theme.

Stopped here for a coffee. Tyler was a great help. Super friendly, easy to talk to, made great recommendations, he even offered great suggestions on where to go for good night life spots. Employees can make or break a spot based on customer service. I say Tyler is definitely the former. He definitely made the visit a great experience.

I was looking for a third place, one that was not my home or work, but somewhere in between. The Hideout quickly became one of my absolutely favorite places, one that has allowed me to express myself through improv theater (classes starting all the time!) but more importantly, I found a community of awesome and supportive people. Come for the live theater, stay for the friendliness (and delicious easy tiger pastries) I hope you enjoy what these funny, talented people have in store for you!

Amazing improv experience – my husband and I have been to improv shows in almost every city we’ve visited, and Hideout had by far the most solid group all around. A little nugget of joy and laughter nestled behind a tasty coffee shop.

Took our grand kids for Sunday 4pm family, interactive improv. Our family loved it and the kids all participated!! The cast was great and very kid friendly. Kept them entertained for an hour. We will be back

We went to the show last night. We’ve been to a lot of stand up but not improv. Let me say The Hideout didn’t disappoint! We laughed and laughed! It was amazing. Coffee was great too! Highly recommended from this Kentucky girl visiting!

10/10 Experience at the Comedy Mothership Saw Joe’s List and it was absolutely incredible! The service was excellent, and of course the comedians had us laughing nonstop. One thing to note before going-phones aren’t allowed. If you bring one, staff will turn it off and lock it in a bag for the show. A little unusual at first, but totally understandable once you’re inside. Drinks were also fantastic. Highly recommend this spot for a night out!

I’ve been to a handful of comedy clubs and this one is doing it right. Every single member of the staff was extremely friendly and helpful. They have you turn off your phones and lock them in a bag and I think it makes for a well focused crowd. The level of comedy here will make you rethink your work watercooler jokes. It was nice to hear full throttle comedy from a complete variety of human beings. So many different aspects of life but ONE goal, to make you laugh. There is a 2 drink minimum but the drinks were made well so 2 will be gone before you realize. Even if you cant go to the Kill Tony show I recommend any ticket you can buy to this place because it is an experience. I will be back!

I mean what an experience. supersedes any expectations you could even imagine going. The staff were so friendly and so helpful. it goes without saying that the comedians were world class. we were fortunate enough to see if you a few of the more famous come out and test their new material. I was in Austin for 3 days and I went all three nights. I can’t wait to go back

They take your phone, watch, and anything they think might be able of recording if audio. They immediately set the expectation that the comedy sets you’re about to see are so funny and incredibly that they think you’ll want to record it all. No comics live up to this standard and ultimately you leave disappointed. Meh at best…. The whole time I just wanted to know what time it was and how much longer before I could leave, but they took my watch.

First time at this venue and it was a pretty smooth process going in, they had us lock our phone and Apple Watch up, not sure if that’s the norm or just for the comedian we happened to go see. Everyone was then checked with a metal detector, the inside of my wristlet was checked as well. Once inside, it’s big enough to accommodate a good size crowd but still feels like an intimate venue. There is a 2 drink minimum and have a good amount of non alcoholic options. Husband and I had a great time!

My first time ever at a comedy club so I didn’t know that they will be bagging my phone and my smart watch to lock them down and to be opened at the end of the show.Maybe it’s on the website? I don’t know but that is fine, I understand the reason why, I just need a heads-up.

We were asked to come at 9:30 when the show was 10. Us thinking maybe to get nice seats? Nope. You will be asked to wait in a bar, Mitzi’s, adjacent to it or part of the theater and of course you have nothing to do but order drinks – kaching$

We will have to enter the theater thru this bar. We were seated by the entrance of the bar. Good thing I asked someone how we will be going in as i thought it’s going to be thru the theater entrance but no – I was told thru the back of the bar. So we strategized and positioned ourselves to stand by the back of the bar to get seats close to the stage.

We actually went on the Wednesday show when there was someone who yelled STFU at an audience. That was not acceptable. He should have been escorted out right then but I think he stayed as the spat continued. I may be wrong.

The show is worth the money plus the 2 mandatory drinks that you have to order. It was a good experience.

All staff are super nice!

Great show. Service was good, drinks were good pours. Place had great AC and clean bathrooms. Can’t ask for more of a comedy club.

Never been here before and not exactly the coordinates I usually visit in Austin. This place is a very cool unassuming comedy club with great AC even while the outside is 100F. Bartender is cool and the drinks are on point.
If u are early for the show like we were you have to leave the stage area and go to the back until start time. The “back” is a stage in the back yard of the comedy place equipped with a food truck. I have yet to try it but can see this night will be memorable & encourage you to try it. Happy travels!

I went to my first comedy show here featuring Nore Davis and it was fantastic.

We loved all of the crass humor right off the bat and all the staff was super fun.

I sat in the VIP section and I obviously got talked to about what I was allowed and not allowed to say loudly in the room,
so in future, I will know a little better.

Watch your talking during the event:

But overall amazing !!! Highly recommend going!

1st time visiting for a comedy show. Great prices and food. The show was great. All the comedians were funny. Will be back.

I want to update my previous review below to reflect the way Creek and Cave handled our initial experience. After posting about the issues we had during our visit to see TJ Miller—particularly with the VIP process and service—they personally reached out to us and offered complimentary tickets to another show as a gesture of goodwill.

We accepted their generous offer and attended the Zoltan Kaszas’ show last night. It was a fantastic experience from start to finish, our server was Yoel. The service was much improved, the atmosphere was just as fun and welcoming, and the team truly went above and beyond to make things right.

Their proactive outreach and sincere effort to correct a past misstep says a lot about their integrity and how much they value their guests. I genuinely appreciate their hospitality and the way they respected our concerns.

Prior review:

Great Comedy, Poor Service Experience

We visited Creek and Cave Comedy Club in Austin last weekend to see TJ Miller, and the comedy lineup absolutely delivered—hilarious acts all night, and the venue itself is fun, cozy, and full of potential.

However, our experience with the VIP ticket process and service left a lot to be desired. We paid for VIP entry, yet waited in line for over 15 minutes before being called inside, only to then stand in the lobby for another 15+ minutes. Meanwhile, general admission guests were already seated inside. That was confusing, but we stayed patient.

Once seated (front row, center stage—right under the mic), it took nearly 50 minutes to receive our first round of drinks, and only after we proactively approached someone twice. I asked if we could order, and was told—somewhat sarcastically—”You have table service.” Except… no one ever came.

By the time my husband followed up at the bar, we had already missed service through five full comedians, while tables around us were enjoying their second or third round. We didn’t even have water.

The comedy show itself was fantastic, and the atmosphere was great, but the service model for VIP guests needs serious attention. If you’re going to offer “table service only,” it should be executed properly—especially when patrons are paying extra for it.

We’d love to come back because the talent and vibe are great, but we hope the service structure improves.

We went for open mike night and may have been the only non signed up people in the audience. What a great experience I felt like we peeked behind the curtains of Austin’s comedy scene and got a raw real experience. The bar staff was more than welcoming and attentive. I’ve always heard so much about this place and I’m so happy to have experienced it.

Had a wonderful time at the Monday shows! The staff was great, especially at the door. Matt, the bouncer, made us feel at home right off the bat! My husband and I have been to the venue a few times, and it was nice to finally see some representation in the staff! Beautiful night!

The Creek is my favorite club. Great venue, great shows, and an amazing food truck. A great choice any day of the week.

An absolute blast! We weren’t sure what to expect when we landed here. An unassuming venue with the energy to change your evening. We went for the ‘Date Night Comedy’ and the line up was great. Comics after comics, up on that small stage delivering absolutely hilarious sets. We were in stitches for the entire duration of the show.

An genuine must for anyone that likes stand-up comedy!

This place is always a great time! The venue has a cozy, intimate vibe, and the lineup of comedians is consistently the funniest I’ve found in Austin. The fact that it’s BYOB makes it even better—convenient, affordable, and adds to the fun.

Just a fantastic & intimate setting if you are looking for great comedy. The BYOB is amazing from a value perspective and the amount of talent showing up is awesome. The Fresh Squeezed comedy day on every other Tuesday is a must go!!!

Excellent venue, such a fun show – it was my first time there and I can’t wait to go back. Highly recommend as a date night or a girls night for anyone who enjoys stand-up. Each act was just the right length, no one went on for too long, and the vast majority of them were absolutely hilarious.

The east Austin comedy club was an absolute blast from start to finish! The lineup featured incredibly talented comedians who had the entire room roaring with laughter. The atmosphere was cozy and inviting, making it easy to relax and enjoy the show. The staff were friendly and attentive, ensuring a seamless experience throughout the night. I can’t recommend this place enough for anyone looking for a night full of laughs and great vibes!

We had such a blast at the early Saturday show! Perfect choice to celebrate my birthday. Super small venue made it very intimate – the comedians were fun to interact with and really good at riffing with the audience. We laughed so much and enjoyed every comedian in the lineup, eight or so! BYOB is a great perk for us to keep the evening more affordable. And being olds, we appreciate the opportunity for great entertainment and being able to get home before dark ; )

Wife & I both enjoyed the “Sunday Funday-ish” show, cool venue and fun comedians! All good laughs, and good vibes!!

This was a fantastic venue for a comedy show! Everyone was super friendly, the comics were very funny, drinks were reasonably priced, and super importantly, the bathrooms were very private and clean. Would highly recommend, though parking can be kinda tight!

Story Starts Improv on Saturday morning was loads of fun. It’s clearly geared much more toward the kids than the parents, but the experience absolutely worthwhile to give kids some storytelling magic from improvisers who enjoy what they do, are good at doing it, and know how to connect with kids. If we lived locally, we would definitely come back often.

I’ve been involved as a Improv student, and sometimes a performer, at Coldtowne for well over two years and it has been such a key part of my life. Picking up a totally new hobby out of my comfort zone and becoming so close-knit with this community has been so fun and I feel like I’ve grown so much and made so many memories. I graduate from the program next week!! SNL baby here I come…

Also, I’ve brought my coworkers 2 times now to Coldtowne for their corporate workshop offering – everyone always had a great time, and so many people who were terrified of IMPROV came up to me and said how much less intimidating and how much fun it has been. I do recommend!!

Phenomenal introduction to improv comedy for kids on Saturday mornings. Staff is highly enthusiastic and supportive. The new venue is beautiful and offers ample secure parking. Will return as frequent as possible.

I played trivia on Tuesday night and had an absolute blast! Not only were the questions fun but they weren’t too hard! Can’t wait for it to be a weekly event starting in March!

I went to my first show here on Thursday and ended up returning the next night for 2 more. What a great space Coldtowne has created here. It’s a good combination of professional yet friendly & inviting. The groups I saw were top-notch and the audiences were supportive and enthusiastic. Do yourself a favor and go see a show here!

A MUST GO! it was a fun, quaint, relaxing place. Tickets cost $9 k, but before the show, they gave us FREE Margaritas and yummy candy, FREE!? Then, there was actually TWO show sets. They were pretty funny. There isn’t a bad seat. It is small and I loved that part. I will go back for sure.

Great spot for comedy! The drinks are strong and so are the vibes.

Saw the Mean Boys live podcast there and I had a great time. Small club with a super cool atmosphere. Very intimate. Plus, I’m a fan of pretty much any place that would provide such a thoughtful arrangements of products in the bathroom (picture included).

I had a blast. The hosts were amazing and their comics had me laughing and stitches all night long! I can’t wait to go back.

Martin Phillips was great but this club wasn’t great. Could hear the party next door. They we’re having more fun. The comics up before Martin were all very depressed people. The drinks were cheap quality. Not sure what else to say. It’s available real estate to push alcohol and comedy .

Cute and cozy comedy club. It’s tiny so there is no true bad seat in the house, except maybe the front row lol. Bartenders are kind when we visited. You can hear next door’s vaudeville style show through the wall, I kind of wish they would/could work on the acoustics in there, but it also kind of adds to the charm and these are old downtown buildings so it’s to be expected.

Cool little spot for some great comedy! We’ve seen quite a few shows there, and they’ve all been really good. There are plenty of local and non-local comedians that perform here, and they have different types of comedy from stand-up to dual improv. The staff is also really awesome! You can bring in food if you want, so it’s cool to grab a slice of pizza next door and come in for the show. They usually have 2 different shows at 9pm and 11pm. It’s also at the beginning of 6th, so not quite as noisy outside. Definitely recommend for a fun night out!

One of my favorite intimate small rooms for comedy in Austin!

There’s a reason this club is one of the longest running rooms not just Austin, but America. It has a phenomenal layout for comedy, and the management, and everyone involved with operating, it exudes a passion for the space and the performers.

I recently attended a Bingo Loco, and while the event itself was a blast, the venue itself had a few drawbacks.
The dim lighting, especially on the second floor, made it difficult to see and had to use my flashlight on my phone to participate. The narrow, dimly lit staircase was another concern, especially for those who might have been enjoying a few drinks. Another elderly women was also complaining about this as well as we both walked down the stairs together.
The bathroom situation was also a bit inconvenient, with only two stalls available for women. Additionally, the venue felt quite freezing, even though the weather outside wasn’t particularly frigid.
Despite these shortcomings, the overall atmosphere was lively, and the Bingo Loco experience itself was enjoyable. If the venue could improve the lighting, heating, and bathroom facilities, it could truly elevate the experience for future events.
Tips for Improvement:
* Brighten Up the Space: Improve the lighting, especially on the second floor, to enhance visibility.
* Warm Up the Venue: Consider adjusting the heating system to provide a more comfortable environment.
* Expand Bathroom Facilities: Increase the number of women’s restrooms to avoid long lines.
* Staircase Concerns: Upgrade the lighting and handrails on the stairs to make them safer and more accessible.

Loved this place first time here especially since Im not from Austin came to the blade blood rave I had a very awesome time I met some new friends ( hopefully they remember me ) I loved the goth community I would love to attend again with my gf

I am not sure why any professional comedian would have a show here. Paid an extra $10 per ticket for “preferred seating” to sit 8 deep at a cocktail table and look at the back of six people’s heads. Online it shows 4 per table, you get there nope actually that table is two tables.

Horrible experience at the Vulcan Gas Company for Kill Tony tonight. They clearly oversold the venue and even though we arrived 45 mins early were still sat in a hallway by the front door five feet away from the people who didn’t even pay (assuming they were the people who signed up?). None of the speakers near us were working and we couldn’t hear anything over the sound of the loud whirring coolers behind the bar and all the noise at the front door. Let staff know my father who is hard of hearing with hearing aids couldn’t hear anything and they did nothing to rectify the situation. Hope they do better at prepping before trying an event like this again. Pretty upset we didn’t get to enjoy the show we paid for…

Small, politically incorrect comedy club that delivers an overall enjoyable experience. It was my first comedy club experience. Would have liked them to offer at least some kind of cocktail menu but it’s fine, I came to laugh not to drink. When you walk in they lock your phone in some kind of case locker you carry with you that they unlock at the exit. When I asked the bouncer why they do that and he said it’s to prevent people from cancelling the comics. Fair play on that part, i get it. I booked tickets an hour before and expected a half empty hall since i noticed it’s empty when I reserved a seat but when I arrived the front rows were all filled so it’s not a venue many buy tickets for ahead of time, which is nice for those on the fly people. Plus, the tickets are affordable compared to mothership, only $20. I went to the event tonight where the comics perform before and after smoking a joint, so that was a very interesting concept to be a part of.

Went to Bingo Loco here. It’s 2 levels. Decent bathrooms. 2 bars. Cute set up.

Had an absolute blast at the Red Bull MotoGP After Party. Vulcan did a great job putting on the event and Martin McDaniel was amazing!

The bar staff was on point, but some of the waitresses could take a lesson in services industry etiquette.