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Best Comedy Clubs In New York City

Carolines On Broadway
(credit: Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images)

New York City offers some of the world's best comedy clubs in the country. Ranging from cavernous to can-we-share-that seat, the city's comedy club scene is full of stand-up's best and brightest stars and stars-to-be. Don't forget what your mama said, "If you laugh, you'll live longer." Here's to long life and great nights at these five bastions of the belly-laugh.

Related: 5 Best Comedy Shows Hosted By Women In NYC

Stand Up NY
236 W. 78th St.
New York, NY  10024
(212) 595-0850
www.standupny.com

Stand Up NY is a bit pricey by comedy club standards but you are on the Upper West Side, after all. The patrons don't seem to mind much, given the incredibly high quality of stand-up comedians appearing there nightly. It's open mic night every weekday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., followed by calendared shows featuring New York's best comedic talents. Regulars include late-night television star, Al Madrigal, and fan-favorite, Aziz Ansari.

Comedy Cellar
117 MacDougal St.
New York, NY  10012
(212) 254-3480
www.comedycellar.com

If a comedy pub crawl is your idea of a good time, Comedy Cellar now has two locations featuring side-splitting comedy from well-known stars and she-looks-kinda-familiars on the same square block. Efficiently managed with a friendly atmosphere, the once a week customer crowd boasts Chris Rock and Louis C.K. sightings on a regular basis. Every act here is a winner, but if stargazing is your thing, weeknights are better than weekends.

Related: The 5 Best Places To See Stand-Up Comedy in NYC

Laughing Devil Comedy Club
 47-38 Vernon Blvd.
Long Island City, NY 11101
(347) 913-3845
www.laughingdevil.com

Intimate in size but large on laughs, this comedy club practically has a "No Tourists" sign on the door. A born and bred Queens crowd comes to see the club's MC Alexis Guerreros and regular Allan Fin. Prowling singles side bar: Saturdays here are strictly date night.

The Annoyance Theatre And Bar
367 Bedford Ave.
Brooklyn, NY
(718) 569-7810
www.theannoyance.com

As hilarious as it is edgy, The Annoyance made its bones in Chicago and features comedy improv, musicals, sketch shows and plays. Raw and uncensored, the Brooklyn newbie hosts the Salt + Gun Club for an insane hour of improvisation on Thursday nights, and Dog Fight – an improv cage match judged by a real barking pooch (kept safe, no worries) on Fridays, plus a wide range of rotating solo talents nightly. If your sole goal in life is to annoy your friends with hysterical feats of improvisation, training classes held by the club's artistic director, Mick Napier, are also available.

Related: Best Improv Comedy In New York

Carolines On Broadway
1626 Broadway
New York, NY 10019
(212) 757-4100
www.carolines.com

The gold standard for comedy clubs in the city, Carolines is the place to take relatives from out-of-town. Featuring truly hilarious stand-up acts that will have you all doubled over in minutes, upcoming shows include uber funny Judah Friedlander and Chris D'Elia. Carolines is one of the few comedy clubs in the city where you can get a first rate meal as well as a good show. Treat yourself to the grilled baby backs and a nice apple tart before you end the evening.

Corey Whelan is a freelance writer in New York. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.

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