New York / London 

NEW YORK 

Boston Comedy Club
82 West 3rd Street between Thompson & Sullivan
(212) 477-1000

The owner, who hails from Boston, opened this Greenwich Village comedy spot in 1988. The club's diverse lineup includes showcases for African Americans on Sundays, new talent on Mondays, cigar smokers night on Tuesdays, women comics on Wednesday, Latino comics on Thursday, and headliners on Friday and Saturday. The Boston Comedy Club seats 140 people.

Caroline's on Broadway
1626 Broadway at 49th Street
( 212) 757-4100

One of the top comedy venues in the city, Caroline's is home to the long-running "Caroline's Comedy Hour" on the Arts & Entertainment cable TV network. Originally opened as a small cabaret in Chelsea in 1981, the club moved to South Street Seaport in 1987, then relocated to Times Square in 1991. The 300 seat facility was the first of its genre to offer great entertainment combined with excellent food in a sophisticated upscale environment. In fact, the club's elegant decor won an award from the American Institute of Architecture in 1995, and was featured on the cover of Interior Design magazine.

Comedy Cellar
117 MacDougal Street between West 3rd & Bleecker Street
(212) 254-3480

The Comedy Cellar has been packing them in for years. And we mean packing them in -- the club squeezes up to 150 people into its confined quarters. Located in a basement room on MacDougal Street in the heart of Greenwich Village, the Comedy Cellar features a full American and Mediterranean menu from the Olive Street Cafe, located directly above.

Comic Strip Live
1568 Second Avenue, between 81st & 82nd Streets
(212) 861-9386

Upon entering the Comic Strip, patrons pass a wall lined with autographed publicity shots of comics who have played the club since its inception in 1976. Eddie Murphy, Jerry Seinfeld and Paul Riser are just a few of today's stars whose pictures grace this venerable East Side establishment. For aspiring comedians, the Comic Strip offers an 8-week workshop, culminating with students performing before a live audience.

The club, which seats up to 220 people, serves light fare, which includes pizza, Chinese and Mexican food.

Dangerfield's
1118 First Avenue between 61st and 62nd Streets
(212) 593-1650

Dangerfield's has become something of a landmark in the New York entertainment world since opening in 1969. Owned by comedian-actor Rodney Dangerfield, this glitzy lounge presents shows seven nights a week, featuring top contemporary comedians. It's not likely Rodney will make an appearance, but hey, you never know. Seats 225. Modified dinner menu available.

Gotham Comedy Club
208 West 23rd Street, between 7th & 8th Avenues
(212) 367-9000

The Gotham Comedy Club first opened in the chic Flatiron district 10 years ago, investing over $300,000 to make this club one of the most elegant comedy establishments in New York. $50,000 was spent on the bathrooms alone. Chris Mazilli, one of Gotham's owners, said at the time, "We felt that it was time for a change in the way comedy clubs have been perceived: all comedy and no ambiance." Mazilli and his partner, Michael Reisman, not only own and operate the club, but are comics themselves. Now they have moved to a new 10,000 square space in Chelsea, but their goal of keeping an upscale feel to their club has remained the same.

New York Comedy Club
241 East 24 Street
(212) 696-LAFF

The New York Comedy Club prides itself on the diversity of its acts. In addition to "mainstream" comedy, the club features all-female stand-up, gay & lesbian shows, and all Latino & African-American shows (Fridays at 11 pm and Saturdays at midnight).

In its commitment to develop new talent, New York Comedy Club offers 6-week workshops for beginners. Students learn about comedy writing, MCing and the business side of the industry. Mondays are open mike night, where from 4:30 to 8:30 pm, neophytes pay a small fee for the right to go up on stage -- but are compensated with a free beverage. Amateur shows take place every Friday at 7 pm, and Saturday at 8 pm. The club seats 110.

Stand-Up New York
236 West 78th Street (off Broadway)
(212) 595-0850

The Upper West Side's main comedy spot. Opened in the Spring of 1986 by a husband and wife team who left promising careers in theater. In the years since, Stand Up-New York has become a pit stop for established comics. Known for also nurturing new talent, the club features special beginners shows at reduced admissions for starting comedians who wish to develop their talents before a live audience.

LONDON


Banana Cabaret

The Bedford, 77 Bedford Hill Road, Balham, SW12 9HD, Tel: 020 8682 8940, Website: www.bananacabaret.co.uk and www.thebedford.co.uk, Tube: Balham, Show Map
Undoubtedly one of the best comedy venues in London, Banana Cabaret is a simple no-nonsense affair which features consistently good acts, a lively (albeit smoky) roundhouse setting and the tried and tested stamp on your skin entry system! Recommended.

Chuckle Club

Houghton Street (London School of Economics), Holborn, WC2A 2AE, Tel: 020 7476 1672, Website: www.chuckleclub.com, Tube: Covent Garden/Holborn, Show Map
Cheap entry, cheap beer and top-quality acts have made the LSE's Chuckle Club into a much loved comedy institution. With Eddy Izzard and Al Murray among the famous names to have graced the stage here, it's no surprise that Saturday nights often produce some truly memorable entertainment. Recommended.

Comedy Café

66 Rivington Street, Shoreditch, EC2, Tel: 020 7739 5706, Website: www.comedycafe.co.uk, Tube: Old Street/Liverpool Street
Purpose built comedy club located in the heart of Shoreditch which has established an enviable reputation as one of the best venues in London. Along with some top comedic talent there's a disco at weekends (with extended licensed bar) and Tex-Mex food at reasonable prices.

Comedy Store

Haymarket House, 1A Oxendon Street, St. James's, SW1Y 4EE, Tel: 020 7344 0234, Website: www.thecomedystore.co.uk, Tube: Leicester Square, Show Map
Having outgrown its original location in Soho, the Comedy Store has gone on to become the most famous venue of its kind in London. Routinely attracting big name British acts such as Paul Merton, Lee Hurst, Tony Slattery and John Moloney, tickets start from £8 (concessions). With well-priced drinks and a small Tex-Mex menu to boot, it adds up to an inexpensive and enjoyable foray into Leicester Square.

Jongleurs

Battersea: 49 Lavender Gardens, Battersea, SW11 1DJ, Nearest railway station: Clapham Junction, Show Map

Camden: Middle Yard,  Camden Lock, Chalk Farm Road, NW1 8AB, Tube: Camden Town, Show Map

Bow: Bow Wharf, 221 Grove Road, E3 1AA, Tube: Mile End, Show Map

Tel: 0870 78 70 707, Website: www.jongleurs.com
 With three venues in London (and another in Watford) Jongleurs has proved to be a reliable and popular draw for top-notch comedy in the capital. Although tickets are slightly more expensive than some other comedy clubs, each location offers decent food, plus an after-show disco (either on Friday or Saturday evening). Booking in advance (especially for large groups) is recommended.

Up the Creek

302 Creek Road, Greenwich, SE10 9SW, Tel: 020 8858 4581, Website: www.up-the-creek.com, Nearest railway station: Greenwich DLR, Show Map
With shows on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, Up the Creek is a custom-built venue which has built a solid reputation for fine comedy in a friendly (albeit unforgiving) atmosphere. With a separate bar, decent food menu and the talents of Malcom Hardee (who not only runs the club but comperes shows too) you have all the right ingredients for a highly entertaining night out.