I came here last Friday night and enjoyed coming here. Pro is that it's spacious, but also an intimate and cozy venue. The make you put your group's cell phones in a bubble poly-mailer bag that they seal up before you go inside. They had a terrific lineup of 8 comedians that made me laugh so hard. For drinks I had two Berry Martinis, yum. They have fantastic staff and our server was friendly. Great mc and crowd. Highly recommend for a comedy show option in NYC! read more

Listen, I don't have to say much about this place. It's a staple. It's legendary. It's iconic. Been coming here for years, and it's never once been a bad time. Founded back in 1982 in a basement on MacDougal Street, and it's stayed almost exactly what it's always been: low ceilings, brick walls, candlelit tables packed close enough together that you're basically eavesdropping on the next table over whether you want to or not. Godfrey is a regular here, and he never fails to make me split my sides. He's been holding down rooms at this club for the better part of three decades at this point, and it shows every single time. Then there's the actual reason people fly in from out of town for this place: the surprise drop-ins. I got lucky and caught Kevin Hart doing a full 45-minute set for my friends visiting from out of town, completely unannounced. That's the magic of this room. Chappelle, Chris Rock, Seinfeld, half the biggest names in comedy have all quietly walked through that door to work out new material in front of a crowd that has no idea who's about to walk on stage next. Food and drinks are great, though pricey. Doesn't matter. You're paying for the room and the possibility of a night like that, and I'd happily pay triple just for the ticket alone with no food or drink involved. Only real knock: the door guys aren't especially friendly, and if you land on their bad side, they will kick you out, so tread carefully there. You also lock your phone away in a pouch the second you walk in, which sounds annoying and is actually the best part of the whole system, since it means the room is actually watching the show instead of filming it. Service moves fast and you barely notice them working around you. Just make sure you order everything you'll need up front, once the room gets going, they don't want anyone breaking the flow to flag down a waiter. A true New York institution, and worth every dollar. read more

Holy shit - easiest 5 star ever. We went last month during our NYC trip and the show was amazing, every comedian was on point, I cried laughing. It was a last minute decision to go so originally we got in the 9pm standby line for Fat Black Pussycat. Unfortunately we didn't make standby twice when we waited at 9pm and 11pm. Luckily, we were offered to go to the 11:45pm comedy cellar show instead. Yes please! So happy it worked out, especially on a busy Saturday night. It was the 2 of us & we shared a table with 2 other couples who were such a vibe to chat with. 2 drink minimum. The show started around midnight and ended around 1:30am. Definitely recommend to catch yourself a comedy show here! I'll be back next time I'm in NYC read more

Comedy Cellar - Stand By Entrance - Comedy Clubs Near Me - New York, New York

I came to the Comedy Cellar at the Village underground with my friend. Please be sure to RSVP in advance. Tickets sell out quickly. There was a line for reservations, so get there a little early. Each patron has a two order minimum. You are not allowed to have your device out during the show. Upon entering they give you an envelope to put your smart devices in. It must stay sealed until the end of the show. The room is pretty dark and the lights on the table were dim, which made it challenging to read the menu. Our server was very nice and she was very helpful with menu questions. The drinks were good. I got the passion and heat and my friend got the cucumber 75. Both were really good. We also got an Oder of fries. They are shoestring fries. They serve them to you with a cup of ketchup and some salt packets. Fries were OK. They get cold pretty fast and when they're cold, they're not as tasty. They're kind of hard. We had a great show and there were some surprise celebrity guests. Definitely worth checking out when you're in New York City. read more

Comedy Cellar - Comedy Clubs Near Me - New York, New York

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7 years after my first review and this is still a solid 5 stars. And would give it more if I could. This is a Must every time we come to NYC, and we have shared the experience with friends, who end up loving it as much as we do. We've been to different time shows and no matter which it's always a great time. All comedians performing always bring their A-Game and have us laughing all night long. To the point that we are repeating jokes the next day and still laughing. You get to see at least 5 different comedians, and sometimes even "bigger names" show up trying out new material, or just because they're in town. Reservations are really recommended, especially if you are visiting, as it does get sold out, and even thought there's a wait-list line, it get's sold out quick and not guaranteed you will get in. And, believe me, this is not something you want to miss. I just got back and can't wait for my next time there! read more

Went to the Comedy Cellar yesterday (Saturday) for the 6pm show and it turned out to be hilarious. I usually go to later shows since the jokes tend to get a bit spicier, but last night proved that no matter the time, Comedy Cellar always delivers. There's a two-item minimum purchase, and I highly recommend making a reservation in advance. It's free and super easy to do online. Phones are placed in sealed pouches during the show, which actually makes the experience even better because everyone is fully present. We had a few cocktails, beers, and wings and had a fantastic night. I think this was my 20th time here and I'll definitely keep coming back. Sometimes you just need a night full of laughter to clear your head, and Comedy Cellar is always a great place for that. read more

Comedy Cellar - Entrance - Comedy Clubs Near Me - New York, New York

While we spent the weekend in New York City- we wanted to see some live standup which led us to the Comedy Cellar. We had a really wonderful experience! The staff were very kind, efficient, & helpful. We ordered sliders & French fries to share that all came out hot. As a woman who appreciates French fries these were exactly what I wanted- seasoned well & plenty for the both of us. We enjoyed the comedians we were able to see & the energy in the room was fantastic which they played to. Really great evening! read more

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First time going to stand-up comedy in New York, and Comedy Cellar delivered 150%. Personally, I liked it more than Second City in Chicago. Laughed the entire time - so many talented comedians + occasionally they have celebrity guests. Make sure to book in advance and forget about personal space - seating is tight. Come see them - you'll thank me later. Can't wait to be back. read more

Comedy Cellar - Comedy Clubs Near Me - New York, New York

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We were so glad to get in via standby list for a Saturday 1045p show! We didn't have a reservation. STANDBY: We had just missed the 9p show and only 2 people were successful via standby. A guy at the door said people usually line up a little before one hour before the show to get on the list and staff members come at one hour before. I got in line (first in line lol) at 9p and people really started lining up around ~930p. The staff came around 945 to allow us to scan the QR code (must present ID) to reserve a spot in line. You only need one person per party to scan the QR code. He told us to come back at 1045 (no need to be in an ordered line) to see if our names would be called. After they let in people with reservations they returned to the standby line. I'd say maybe ~12 people got in that time. The staff member said people usually have more standby success for later shows. THE SHOW: The show was spectacular. They understandably ask that you put your phones or Apple Watches in a sealed envelope that you keep with you during the show. We saw five acts - 3 were strong, 2 were weaker. The weaker 2 didn't bomb but we just didn't enjoy as much. There is a cover charge + 2 item minimum per person. The item can be food or a nonalcoholic beverage, so no worries if you don't drink alcohol. Service was good. It's a cramped space but not uncomfortable and I think there's really no bad seat in the house. Such a fun night. :) read more

Love this place! We did stand by tix and got in on our second try. The show was solid. 5 comedians, the MC was terrific. Bonus was Dave Atell did the last part. So funny and fun. Iconic NYC. Additionally while we were waiting we ate upstairs at the Olive Tree, very good food and during the show we had a couple light bites and sodas. Everything was great. Total bill was around $120 not bad for a classic night out in the city. read more

Great comedy shows most of the time with an occasional hit and miss. Minimum food and drink sale requirements on top of entry fee, but this is the norm. Better to pre purchase ticket, but sometimes will luck out and be able to score one at the door. Sign up for alerts to get advance notice of popular performers and sometimes snag a discount. read more

We went to the Comedy Cellar for the 7:30 shows hubs made the reservation online, which was super easy, but you don't actually pay ahead. Just make sure you get there before the cut-off time or they'll give your seats away (they don't mess around with that). The weekday cover is $15, but there's a two-item minimum per person, so it can add up. We'd already had dinner, so we just got fries and water, but they do have a full food menu if you're hungry. I've been to a few shows here and honestly, it never disappoints. This time we came specifically to see Emil Wakim and he was just as funny live as he is on TV. Every comic had their own style, and somehow the whole show flowed perfectly. The atmosphere and crowd interactions make each show so unique. Such a fun night, start to finish. We've already decided we're making this a yearly tradition! read more

Comedy Cellar - Comedy Clubs Near Me - New York, New York

Easy 5 stars. Been wanting to do this for a while, planned to come based on a few comedians that I wanted to see. After watching the show, I recognized almost every comic (I watch a lot of stand up comedy on youtube). Every comic was solid, every comic was funny. Anyone I hadn't seen before, I looked up and watched on youtube after. Fun experience. Try to buy tickets in advance if you can, unless you are super flexible and are okay with being on the waiting list and maybe not getting in. We ended up in the standby line and luckily got in. Prices are reasonable. If you like standup comedy definitely come. You can look up the lineups on their website ahead of time. They do not guarantee that everyone listed will appear, but I guess they also sometimes have drop ins of special guest and really famous comics. Brennan was the big name of our show. Schultz was also supposed to be there, but was a no show. Everything is pretty organized and orderly. 2 drink min. but the drinks are reasonably priced as well. Highly recommended. I wanted to see Aaron Chen, but the timing didn't end up working out, but he was there the days I was in town. read more

My friend and I were on a long weekend trip to New York and booked a reservation here for the 10pm Sunday show. We weren't exactly sure what to expect but I'm glad we went! It felt kind of like a bucket list item if you are a stand up comedy fan. We arrived at the front door and the bouncers checked our reservation then we went around to the side of the building to stand in line. It got busy pretty quickly, then a worker came around with bags to lock our phones up. You stand for about 10 more minutes before you're lead in to the cellar and to a seat. You don't get to pick and they just try to fill you in based on your party size. Our group of 2 got put at a back corner booth with another group of 2. We were CRAMMED and it was pretty uncomfortable honestly. There is no bad view in the room I believe. It's a very small room. Luckily the comedy made up for it. We saw 5 comedians do 10 minute sets and it was awesome. All had their own unique style and most were funny. We had a good crowd in the audience too. There is a 2 item minimum per patron but waters and pops are included in that. They also serve some food, desserts, and alcoholic drinks. read more

Good cover charge my first time here and I enjoyed myself. I missed the first comedian but the rest were very funny. I would definitely reccomend this place for great laughs. 3 different venues with shows half hour apart read more

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What a fun experience to watch stand up comedy where many big names have started out. The MacDougal location is the OG Comedy Cellar, so I had to book this one for my first time. The cover charge ranges depending on day and time, but all Sunday shows are $18 per person. I made reservations a few days ahead, which was easy. They provide clear instructions for you noting no phones and 2 item minimum purchases (including a menu with prices for you beforehand too). We arrived half an hour early and were seated front row. I was slightly nervous for getting called out, but it wasn't bad at all. It is best to arrive early so you have time to order food/drinks and settle in as you don't want to miss anything inbetween. I had an Old Fashioned ($16), which was nice and strong. Also ordered the fries ($8), which came in a huge basket and were super crispy. I was addicted to these fries --yum! I saw the table next to me get the nachos and it was enormous too. The portions are great and food was honestly solid. Great experience overall. Each comedian was not too short nor too long. I enjoyed this experience more than I thought I would. Lastly, I can't stop thinking about those fries.. (Too bad I have no photos due to the no phone policy) read more

Comedy Cellar - Front entrance. - Comedy Clubs Near Me - New York, New York

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Hilarious comedians and worth the hype. A classic NYC experience. You have to check all your electronics into a sealed envelope so it is a completely no phone experience which is refreshing. Extremely fast service and they do make sure that you hit the two item minimum. Got an apple pie as one of the items and it was delicious. read more

What an iconic place to be. Seating is tight as usual. Line up was pretty funny and price was not bad to get in, but of course 2 drinks min. Didn't try the food but just got a beer and soda. We got on the wait list to see some of the comics from YouTube. Great to see so many comics come through there, a definite experience to do while in NYC. read more

My husband and I absolutely love going to the Comedy Cellar whenever we can find someone to watch the kids (usually my amazing mother-in-law!). Over the years, we've seen some truly incredible performers and unforgettable shows. I'll never forget seeing Trevor Noah before he was a household name and I remember thinking, "This guy is going to make it big." He was sharp, intelligent, and absolutely hilarious. Since then, we've also had the honor of seeing Hasan Minhaj, Aziz Ansari, and several other big names perform live. Each show is a unique experience, and the club rarely disappoints. There's something magical about the energy in the room--the performers feed off the audience and every set feels fresh, witty, and unforgettable. It's the perfect spot for anyone who loves comedy that's smart, timely, and endlessly entertaining. We're especially excited to be returning at the end of the month for my husband's birthday. If you love comedy, the Comedy Cellar is an absolute must-see in NYC. Every visit reminds me why this place is such a legendary institution. I appreciate that their 2-item minimum can also be an appetizer and 2 bottles of water if you've just come from dinner or you don't drink alcohol! read more

Classic comedy club. They have it down to a science. MC was funny and kept things moving, waitstaff was prompt and made sure you ordered/received your 2 drink minimum with ease. They asked/we agreed to sit in the front row, obviously this opens the door to interact/be made fun of. There were two guys from Iowa at the table next to us that got obliterated by the comedians. They took it well and it wasn't truly mean spirited but if you can't take a roasting it would be better to sit somewhere else. Buying tickets was tricky, they release them a couple weeks in advance but the website kept saying they were sold out. I finally called them directly to see if there was a trick to it or if there were "day of" tickets that get released and was told their website doesn't work well and there were "plenty of seats" for the shows I was targeting. Easy to book through the person on the phone and received a confirmation email within minutes. read more

Always a good time with a group of friends. The surprise guests can make the night. Watch out if you're on a two person table in the front...you might get picked on! read more

It was a fun, lively spot where we could laugh, enjoy some drinks, and grab a bite to eat. On a cold winter night, the place was packed with people from all over the world, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere. I'd definitely recommend it for great laughs and cozy vibes. read more

I came here for a 6pm show on a Saturday. They require all attendees to put their phones and watches in a sealed envelope so they can't be accessed during the show. You get to keep the envelope at your table, but you can't unseal it until after the show ends. It was a bit annoying at first, but also liberating because you had no way to check the time and it forced people to be social and live in the moment. The show featured a live band that included a drummer and pianist. They were phenomenal and made the event so much more lively. They did a very short feature about halfway through the show, but I would have loved to hear them play for longer. The show's host did a short bit to kick things off. Be warned that if you are sitting in the first few rows of the venue, it's very likely the host will chat with you as part of the set and you may be the butt of a joke or two. After the intro, the show consisted of 6 comedians who each did about a 10-15 minute set. All of the comics except for one were men, but they had varying backgrounds and styles. The first comic was a bit green and seemed to run out of material and steam towards the end of his set, but the others were fairly polished and I laughed consistently throughout. The venue has a two item minimum. They have a food menu with typical bar food, as well as cocktails. They can make a moscow mule mocktail as well. We got the mozzarella sticks and they were actually pretty good as they were crispy and well-seasoned. The wait staff do a great job of promptly taking orders, whisking away empty glasses and bottles, and serving while not disturbing the show. A great option for a night out for both tourists and locals. read more

Interesting comedy show. It was underground right near Washington Square Park. It was 25 bucks cover and you had to put your phone in a bag so not to record anything. The place also requests ordering 2 items each. It was very dark down in the basement and a lot of tables were there to see the show. Mostly tourists were there. Some of the comics were funny and some were average. Overall, it was a cool experience. read more

Comedy Cellar - Comedy Clubs Near Me - New York, New York

Bring long pants and a jacket. It was unbearably cold which made the show rather unpleasant, even the dj mentioned the cold. It took forever for the show to start. The food is as expected... the breakfast burrito had absolutely no taste. The cheeseburger was good. The ac cooled the food down so quickly. We whereby offered refills on our sodas.. which left me with a little bit of a bad taste in my mouth considering the 25 dollar ticket price. read more

Comedy Cellar - Front of venue - Comedy Clubs Near Me - New York, New York

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It was easy to make a reservation here ahead of our trip. We knew we would have to lock our phones and smart watches. In case you dont know this that's your warning lol We got in line and they checked our reservation and got our technology locked up. We then went in and were seated right away. Drinks and small bites were available for purchase (2 item minimum per person) Our server was so kind and on it. Every worker there was helpful and just moving it along. The comedians were so funny and I had the best time! No "famous" people were there our night, but all the comedians could easily take off at any moment. read more

Excellent service, ambiance, location! Only had drinks and not food in the show but would 1000% come back!

A NYC institution for comedy. Whenever I am planning a trip to New York, I always make sure to book a table in advance at Comedy Cellar. Though they have several sister clubs, this one is the original and the best in my opinion. I have had the pleasure of seeing comedy greats such as Dave Attell do late night drop ins at this location which was truly a sight to behold. The drinks and service are great as well as the food. It can get a little crammed in there at peak hours, but it just adds to the experience. If you find yourself in NYC, this is a must. read more

Comedy Cellar - Comedy Clubs Near Me - New York, New York

The comedians were great and genuinely funny -- no complaints there. But the seating situation was way too packed. They jammed so many people in that you literally couldn't move. I couldn't even eat my food because the person next to me's hair was basically in it -- and it wasn't even their fault. There was just no space. It felt cramped, uncomfortable, and took away from the experience. Comedy should be fun and relaxing, not a game of "don't bump into your neighbor while chewing." The one comic with the orange hat on sucked !!! Making a joke about anyone getting killed isn't funny Also you can order food they don't tel you that before you make reservations read more

Comedy Cellar - Horrible seating has to be some yup elf code violation - Comedy Clubs Near Me - New York, New York

12/10 comedians were on point. Very well put together and ran show. Had a great time and some great drinks! Thank ya!

Whenever I come visit my kids in NYC, we get tickets to one of the shows at the Comedy Cellar. It's such a fun relaxing time to have a few drinks and chill with family and laugh your ass off. Buy tickets in advance. It doesn't matter if we don't know the comics yet - just go and enjoy!! So much fun - highly recommended. read more

Your system for purchasing tickets is...let's say interesting. I'm in NY for my honeymoon, and we're staying not too far from your club. We went around noon to get tickets for the 7:45 show, and was told that the reservation list was full, but we could go on the standby list. When we asked (literally the next second) "can you put us on the standby list?" We were told we needed to wait until two hours before the show to be put on the standby list. When we came back, we were told that we couldn't get in. Honestly, it's baffling that an establishment would refuse money from patrons who haven't even stepped through the door. read more

Loved comedy cellar but it became a hard watch to show up and see these stand up comedians do the exact same sets- same exact tone of voice, same crowd work, etc. I went like several weeks apart and could tell the person their script like for like if they'd asked me to. Also I've always had to do standby to get tickets. Two item minimum and prices of ticket depend on day of week you go. So many shows between the three locations but somehow I end up getting a comedian I've seen before and can recite their routine EVERY. TIME. read more

No photos because no photos allowed and your phones go into a bag before the show. I've been to a few different venues run by the same people, showing the same comics. Fat Black Pussycat is more of a bar. Village Underground is actually better laid out than the Comedy Cellar. The Comedy Cellar is just that. A cellar. Compared to the Village Underground, it is smaller, there are fewer decent views and more weird angles, and more awkwardly placed poles. That being said, the comics are the same, the two drink/item minimum is the same, the food is the same, the drinks are the same. The only difference is the other spots have better layouts overall. I got lucky and got an elevated seat that I could turn to be facing the stage, but some of these spots have you completely turned away from the stage or facing perpendicular. Some people think they are doing themselves a favor by going to the OG Comedy Cellar. But honestly, the other venues offer the same product, but better views and less poles. And just a tip: the doormen will tell you to come back 15-20 minutes before the show (if you have reservations), but that's not cool. If you follow that logic, the line is already around the corner by then. I would say get there about 25-30 minutes before to get your envelope and get in line. read more

I came to this comedy show expecting a good time, but the experience started off uncomfortable from the moment I walked in. The no-phone policy was fine, but the way it was enforced felt aggressive--like I was being talked to like a child. Even entering the place felt strange, like walking through some underground tunnel. The staff were rude and rushed the entire time. Food felt like it was just microwaved and thrown at you, and they push a strict two-drink minimum--no flexibility, just forced. The space itself is tight and uncomfortable, packed mostly with tourists. I honestly didn't feel at ease sitting there. To be fair, by the third act I was actually laughing and enjoying myself--but that didn't last long. A host came over and abruptly told me to leave, then brought a bouncer when I questioned why. I was given no clear explanation. Even the bouncer couldn't tell me why I was being kicked out. As the only minority sitting in that corner, the situation didn't sit right with me at all. Overall, I felt disrespected and uncomfortable. I won't be coming back. If you're looking for a negative experience, this might be the place--but otherwise, don't waste your time. read more

We went in for a show on a Friday night, and managed to get in even without an online reservation. Although I would highly recommend buying your tix beforehand because they tend to sell out. I would also recommend folks to get there early to get the good tables. The seating was very cozy. The food however was horrible. There was a 2 items order minimum plus the cover charge. We tried their fries, beers and tiramisu. We loved the acts but hated the food unfortunately. I wish they can improve their food options and include a few healthy options for folks with dietary restrictions. read more

Comedy Cellar - Comedy Clubs Near Me - New York, New York

Good vibe, line entry was efficient. Some of the seats are in terrible positions though. Overall was a decent experience. read more

Comedy Cellar - Comedy Clubs Near Me - New York, New York

Comedians were amazing, staff was great. However the table that we were sat at was incredibly crammed. I was not able to move at all without touching the person next to or behind me. This also made it incredible hard to order anything as the server was not able to reach us. Also our table was incredibly unstable and we couldn't place drinks on it without them spilling. Still had an awesome night, and didn't stop laughing for 90 minutes. read more

We came to celebrate our 30th anniversary, hoping for a night of laughter after a difficult month, my mother had just passed away. Instead, we were asked to leave for whispering, "He's so funny!" Apparently, showing enjoyment breaks the rules here. It was embarrassing, confusing, and absurd -even one of the comedians followed us out to apologize, clearly embarrassed by the management's behavior. No matter how good the talent is, when guests are treated like that, the night is ruined. This place may know comedy, but it has zero sense of hospitality or heart. Huge Disappointment. read more

This was a fun place to hear some comedians. Some funny, some not so funny. There is a two drink minimum so just be aware of that. You can also order food here if you wish but not mandatory. I would suggest making a reservation ahead of time. They tried to put us in the front row but one person doesn't like being front and center and also one had a broken arm so it would have been very tight. There's usually a cover as well. It's well worth it - the evening is fun to go and spend some time with friends and enjoy some laughs! read more

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