Food: No food but drinks were perfect strength- Vodka soda and Rum and coke. Service: Bar tender had on a great a banana shirt and was friendly. Ambiance: Underground vibe to it. Just as expected- folding chairs, intimate seating. Comfortably can seat about 100? Originally came for Interrogation but arrived early enough to catch The Best of show also. Interrogation was clever and funny. Best of show was mixed- some comics had a hard time pivoting to an audience demographic they were not expecting. Maybe rodeo brought a different crowd? read more

We went on the night for new material and it was all funny, I had a great time the drinks were affordable. The crowd was nice, I definitely look forward to going back again. read more

Underground Comedy - Comedy Clubs Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Fun spot. Nice bar area. Comedy is in the basement. Limited seats first come first seated.

Hilarious comedy. Decently priced drinks and free entry! Really fun time I'll definitely go back again soon

They lost their main spaces due to covid, but they are doing a wonderful job finding new venues. We went to a show at 808 Upshur which was a converted art studio, and every comic was fantastic and the bits were different from one another so there was a variety of things to laugh about. The host is awesome -- thought he was one of the acts when it started. A great show for a cheap cost. read more

Great place to watch some great comics.I'll definitely be going back to another show.

First time here. Beer and wings not bad. Comedy hit or miss. Some of the comics on the line up were really funny and others...(well they bombed). Great time out nonetheless. The atmosphere was relaxing. The service was what is to be expected from a bar. This is really a spot where comedians test their material. Still I found it quite entertaining. read more

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They have free and paid shows Wednesday - Sunday. Every time I've visited it's been packed and a stellar show. They have the best comedy in the area. Consistently quality comics at the free shows and a fun audience. read more

Being in the mood to hear some comedy, I found this place online. I asked the hotel concierge about it and she had never heard of it. So either it was going to be a real find or a big miss. It landed somewhere in between. It starts upstairs in a divey bar where you have to get in line. Next, you check in and allowed to go into the basement (underground- get it?) to the club. If you are claustrophobic this may not be for you. A low ceiling and lots of metal folding stairs packed in. I am not sure if there was another exit out of the basement other than the stairs we came down, but it could be an issue if everyone had to get of there fast. We listened to three comics that night and they ranged from bad, to ok, to good-which is nice. read more

The name is fitting. Not the greatest venue in the world--a dark, dank, basement where climate control is often an issue--but the acts booked for their Friday and Saturday night 'professional' shows are consistently solid. They get a good mix of legit headliners (Michael Che, Michelle Wolf, and Louis CK, to name a few), hilarious NYC comedy writers (people you've likely never heard of, but whose work you've probably seen) and up-and-coming DC talent. The host, Sean, is routinely funny. (He's big on crowd work, so best to avoid the front row if you're shy.) My one gripe is that you have to purchase a ticket in advance to be treated like a paying customer here. Anyone purchasing at the door is presumed riffraff and relegated to a special line that is arbitrarily held up. Advance purchasers are allowed to get their seats first and the separate line is forced to wait, even if there are no advance purchasers waiting to be seated. Finally, right before the show is set to start, walk-ins are allowed to buy tickets and be seated. Prices are in line with the nearby, better-known comedy club--the big difference being that this place doesn't require the standard two-drink minimum. If all you care about is the funny and have the foresight to get your tickets in advance, this is not a bad way to spend a weekend night. read more

Underground Comedy is a rather appropriate name for this production. The talent, if it can be called that, would definitely be well-served directing their career aspirations towards underground pursuits, like digging ditches or robbing suburban basements. Then again, maybe it's our own fault seeing "comedy" in the title and expecting to have a few laughs over drinks; it is DC after all, hard to expect truth in advertising, but still. Friendly tip: political speech can be entertaining, but only when the audience makes the actual choice to be entertained that way, cable news being a prime example. You tell people it's a comedy show at a dive bar, and then piss in their ear about your political opinion for 25 minutes, they're gonna want their money back. Watched last night's line-up at The Big Hunt. Flat and largely humorless, with irritating amount of idiotic crowd work that left exactly no one laughing as we watched the cringey flailing failures stumble from one dumb none-joke to the next. One girl was decent. The rest, including the Malcolm X-lite headliner who spent the bulk of his slot reminiscing about the glory days of the previous administration, were worthless. Could've saved the drive to DC and replicated the experience by watching my dog screw a slipper to the sound of MSNBC's any show ever. Save your cash and go to a proper comedy club instead of this "To Catch a Rising Fart" trainwreck. read more

When Tammy and I go out for date night, we look for quality entertainment for a good price. The basement venue feels casual, but don't be fooled... Underground Comedy is here to deliver. For those weekend night shows, you're watching some up-and-coming talent. Comedians on the rise. Five-star recruits, right on the brink of stardom. It's something special. What makes an establishment great is how they treat their people. Not every business remembers how important customer service is. From the door people taking our tickets, to the bar staff, to the comedians themselves, our whole night was one well-executed game plan. You only get execution like that if everyone in the team believes in what they're doing. And that "everyone" includes your audience and patrons. We'll be back soon. Clear eyes, Five stars, Can't lose. - Coach Taylor read more

The Big Hunt place has grown over time from being a trendy dive bar to a full blown legit spot in Washington, DC for standup comedy because of the Underground Comedy establishment. They're no stranger to special national headlining acts like Rory Scovel, Patton Oswalt or Louis CK stopping through. While it's understandable that this setting is not everyone's cup of tea, upon knowing that this is the type of scene it is, they should be mentally prepared for all that it encompasses. Two weeks ago, I happened to be attending the show mentioned a few Yelp posts back where one of the most raucous group of Jersey Shore casting rejects would not stop for a second to consider anyone else in the room. A good chunk of this group was incredibly rude to the female comic on stage, the promoter and some of the waitstaff. Keeping in line with any decent spot for comedy in the nation, be it the Laugh Factory, The Comedy Cellar, Helium, etc. they bounced those idiots right out. As they should have. In fact, if these patrons from Hell were allowed to stay, The Big Hunt probably *should* be getting a 1-star review. This place has definitely earned some respect with taking a hardline stance on ejecting people who are clearly self serving and have blatant disregard for how they affect the enjoyment or atmosphere of others. read more

Had a good time tonight. First time here. The comics were great and the crowd was having a good time. Enjoyed the service from the wait staff. Ordered the buffalo wings with ranch. A lot of wings for a great price. Looking forward to going back read more

This is one of my husband and i's favorite thing to do on the weekend. We've tried a few stand up venues but this one is our favorite. It's really laid back and tickets are cheap. Every show we've been to has been super funny and it's nice because the venue is small and intimate. It's in the basement so you get some of those dungeon-y vibes but it's charming. I would recommend getting tickets a head of time and make sure you show up 15-20 before the show starts. Sometimes there is a long line and there aren't seats for everyone. We haven't eaten at The Big shunt before but would like to try it in the future! read more

I was nervous after seeing other mixed reviews here, but I had a great time! Got tickets in advance online so getting into the show was seamless. I arrived about 20 minutes early to beat the crowds but it was surprisingly un-crowded for a Saturday night at 8 PM. Everyone in line got seats, the bar was fast and VERY affordable, and all the comedians were funny and personable. Things you should know before going: This is a true basement comedy experience; it is not glamorous. The ceilings are low and the chairs are metal folding chairs. If you're not comfortable with that, you might not have a great time here. I knew what to expect from other Yelp reviews and decided to embrace the authenticity--every big comedian has gotten their start in small spots like this. read more

This comedy club was sub par at best. I'm not sure if I just hit it on a bad night or if this is the norm. The club was located in a basement. Pretty cool idea in theory, but poor air conditioning and limited space to move around down there made me change my initial thought. Bathrooms were extremely dirty and didn't appear to have been cleaned in quite sometime. I did attend the second show of the night, but surely all that mess wasn't made during the early show. Bathroom was about 15-20 degrees hotter than basement area. No ventilation and water was leaking from the ceiling onto the floor. Literally puddles of water filled the bathroom floor ?? Drinks were pretty small, but reasonably priced and were good. Comics that night were not great, literally 2 minutes of laughter during there 10 - 12 minute set. Headliner and black comic (Forgot names) were by far the best, but even they struggled. Other comics and host need to find another hobby or side job. Like literally my party if 4 couldn't stop talking about how bad they were. It was painful to watch to say the least. For a $15.00 admission fee I guess you get what you pay for. read more

Ok guys, was feeling in the mood to laugh hard, so I decided to go check it out. I laughed more with my broski before the show began. One comedian sucked more than the last, I didn't even crack a smile.. I could have been funnier than these dumb makeup-less clowns. I have laughed harder after farting during a fit of coughing. I would have been a better hit if I would have walked up to the stage, grabbed the mic, stared at the comedian, then slowly lowered the mic to my butt and let out a slow squeeking fart. Then brought the mic up to his nose so he can smell it and see his reaction. Now that is comic relief! Hit them with the unexpected with perfect timing! Bottom line, don't let these cuties steal your money. read more

I probably would not return to this place even though the performances were good. People were packed in like sardines, bad sightlines, no tables for drinks, no access to bar, no waiters or waitresses, just not a comfortable or clean. The poor comedian kept bumping his head on exposed ventwork! read more

This was a fun accidental discovery. 5 - stars from me because I had a lot of fun and it's "as good as it gets" in this area as far as I know. Nice relaxed atmosphere with encouragement from the crowd. They seemed to all have the right attitude: wanted to laugh and have fun versus the kinda people that stand around comedy clubs critiquing or waiting to be impressed . Never tried stand up myself but I suspect this is a great environment for aspiring comedians. Crowd was supportive. Not gonna say every joke was killer, but I enjoyed it a lot and recommend giving it a try. Disclaimer: only went once so far so can't assume it's that great every night but I will be going back read more

Great place to see starter comedians, loved the atmosphere. They have skeeball upstairs and a balcony.

Great comedy show, perfect date night! This was my first time there and I have been spoiled with most of my past comedy clubs having room to move and a table to sit at. This is not that club! ( which isn't a bad thing!) The beer is cheap and so are the tickets BUT the comedy is top notch!! Also check out the bar if you like that relaxing dive bar experience!!! read more

This is the Best Open Mic Comedy spot in the city - hands down! It's a basement show that has the look and feel of a New York Comedy Club. Always a lovely crowd, ready to laugh, and the line-up of comedians is incredible. The show's hosted by Sean Joyce (DC Improv, Arlington Drafthouse, Howard Theater) and admission is free. If I had to complain about anything, the bathrooms look like Shawshank. Otherwise, great times, cheap booze and friendly folk! read more

Had a great time at this comedy show. As long as you get there a bit early you will get a seat. I loved the underground basement vibe and the great beer prices! I will be back! read more

They put on incredible shows for the D.C. Area. This is an amazing deal for absolutely stellar lineups. Sean runs this place with class and professionalism. If you want to see a comedy show in DC, this is the place to go. read more

I've thoroughly enjoyed myself each time I've stopped by for a laugh. The comics are hilarious and the staff is always incredibly friendly. I always recommend friends stop by when they tell me they are going to Washington, D.C. read more

Underground Comedy is a stand up institution. Bad PUN intended. Sean who runs and organizes all the shows is a great guy who brings in really good talent. His hard work in recent years has had a huge impact on the DC comedy scene. The shows run smoothly, use solid venues, and very funny comedians. Would highly recommend to any comedy fans in the DC area. read more

This is one of the best comedy shows in DC. It's the real deal. And re: the woman with the loud group who wrote, "This place would not stay open in NYC Or similar area for a week." This is silly. I'm a comedian in NYC and many of the best comics in NYC perform here regularly and we all talk about what a super room it is. Sounds like you don't really understand comedy or how to behave at a show. That's on you. People like you get kicked out of comedy shows because it saves the show for everyone else who knows how to behave respectfully. For everyone else: This is a great, cool, intimate, fun show that you should check out. read more

This is my first time ever writing a review, but it needs to be known. This is One of the best clubs(probably the best) in DC. Whenever any big name comedians are in town, they always come through to do surprise sets. You can't go wrong seeing a show any night of the week. read more

This is the place to be for comedy in the D.C. Area. It gets crowded with people who love to laugh so get there early!

One of my favorite places to enjoy comedy. It's not easy to produce a great show but Sean does an awesome job. The space has an intimate, unique vibe, and the bar and food are great, definitely check it out. read more

I love their 5 minute standup! The comedians are great (there were a few trainwrecks, but overall great quality). I also love the set up of each comedian getting 5 minutes, because if someone sucked, you are not stuck listening to them for 30 minutes. I do feel that each comedian could have had a few more minutes each, because as soon as you get into it, it is over. The club is located underneath the restaurant, you'll find the stairs in the middle of the restaurant. I knocked off a star because it was FREEZING inside and there was a HUGE fan blowing ice cold air on us the entire time, and it was miserable. Based on previous reviews about it being excruciatingly hot, it seems the folks in charge cannot get the temperature settings right. Overall, I would recommend, but arrive early so you get a seat AWAY from that fan! read more

If you're looking for something fun and cheap to do on a Wednesday or Friday night, you should definitely check out the free comedy show at The Big Hunt. I've gone to this show a couple times and always laugh my butt off. There's a full bar in the basement of Big Hunt, $2 shots, and food specials. The comedians performing at Underground Comedy's shows are really funny and are all unique. In a stressful city like DC I find it feels good to just laugh it off, even if its in a slightly creepy dive bar basement. read more

Awesome show with consistently solid and professional comedians. Really cool basement show for crowds who want to see the newest and best up-and-comers performing in D.C. Affordable drink prices too, not overpriced. Highly recommend this show to any serious comedy fans. read more

They overbook, no place to sit and horribly rude. Expect to be treated like dirt. Didn't even get to see the show due to rudeness

The stand up comedy shows at the Big Hunt on Wed and Fri are one of the best places to watch stand up comedy in DC. The show is free and the comedians are some of DC's best. The guy (Sean Joyce) who runs the show is really funny and does a great job hosting. If you're looking for something different to do on a Friday night I would definitely check it out. There's a bar in the back of the room, so if you need a drink or something to eat it's very easy to get. read more

Based on other reviews I'd read about this series, I quickly snatched up two tickets a few days before the Saturday evening performance at The Big Hunt. When we arrived, we were shown through a couple rooms where we waited on line to descend into a tiny bar area with low ceilings. The stage was maybe 3x4 and there were probably only 25-30 seats. The room was completely packed and there was no free space to move. The seats should have been reserved for pre-paid customers but they were not. You couldn't even get to the bar, so we just gave up and left. This is probably one of the worst experiences I've ever had going out in DC. read more

Saw a Underground Comedy show last night at the Buckeye & Bear in Dupont Circle and all I have to say is they put on a great show! Great comics and a well run show. read more

I'm the female comic that Sean mentioned in his response to the woman who was kicked out. A man in the party came and sat next to me in the comic's area. I moved away from him and he followed me, trying to corner me inside the bench and get me to take a beer he bought for me. I said no thanks man, and moved away again. He scooted closer to me. I signaled to my boyfriend to come over and asked the man to leave me alone. The man loudly said "You should have more respect for yourself" and made an aggressive gesture towards my boyfriend as if he was thinking about trying to start a fight. At that point I asked the bouncer to remove the party. I have a right to not be harassed in my workplace, regardless of what the audience thinks about my jokes. The fact that I tell jokes about romantic or sexual subject matter does not mean that i have to give sexual attention to a drunk 60 year old man who feels entitled to it. I'm certain that the venue handled the situation appropriately. read more

Very good comedy show on Friday nights.The only downfall is that the show takes in the basement which was very hot to the point the ceiling was sweating and the comedian was drenched in sweat. Also for the shows they clearly don't do a headcount because there's no way possible it's legally safe to have that many people crammed in a basement to the point where you can't really move so it's foreseeable this is a future liability. If you don't get there to the show early be prepared to stand up for the 2 hours of the show because there are only about 20 seats. All the devil pictures in the basement was also weird to say the least and the group next to me said they weren't returning since it appears to be some type of satanic ritual room. Overall great show especially for the price. If they revamped the basement or place the show in another section of the bar they could compete with the Improv. read more