The best places for stand up comedy in San Francisco

Located in North Beach on Columbus Street, Cobb’s Comedy Club is quite possibly the most well known spot for stand up comedy in the city. Founded in 1982, Cobb’s was originally a pub in the Marina. The current space, which seats 400 at circular low and high bar tables, is the third home to the club. When big name comedians come through SF, they are most likely to take the stage at Cobb’s; past comics include Louis CK, Dana Carvey, Dave Chappelle and other regulars of the late shows and Comedy Central. Upcoming artists include Michael Yo from Chelsea Lately and Pete Davidson from Saturday Night Live. Cobb’s has a dinner menu and full-service bar with a two drink minimum. Most of the seating is general admission and it’s first come first served. Since it’s a bar, all IDs must be checked before show-goers enter, so there may be a line out front to get in. Public transportation is recommended as there isn’t much parking nearby.

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The Punch Line, a sister club to Cobb’s, is SF’s longest-running comedy club. It’s a historic place where many amazing comedians—Robin Williams, Ellen DeGeneres, Rosie O’Donnell and Chris Rock to name a few—honed their skills early on in their careers. The Punch Line is an intimate space with wooden chairs and a cartoonish skyline of SF as a backdrop to the stage. On the corner of Battery and Washington in downtown San Francisco, Punch Line seats a sizeable crowd that are first come first served. There is a two drink minimum and nightly dinner menu served. Be warned: Show tickets are purchased at the Punch Line box office are non-refundable and non-exchangeable.

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Doc’s Lab is a downstairs venue underneath a Jackson Square restaurant, Doc Ricketts’. The venue was the original home to the Purple Onion and countless artists have performed in this historic basement including Woody Allen, Lenny Bruce and Zach Galifianakis. Today, Doc’s Lab is a warm and inviting space with L-shaped seating and a small bar. Seats and tables are given on a first come, first served basis, and tickets can be purchased through Doc’s Lab’s online box office. Pinching pennies? Every Monday evening Doc’s hosts a free comedy show. Doors open at 6pm and the show starts at 7pm, featuring some of the best up-and-coming comics along with varying special guest hosts. Doc’s Lab is one of the few venues where the food is as good as the shows; chef Justin Deering serves up sensational pork meatballs, fried chicken bites and a finger-licking good ground short rib burger.