New York’s comedy clubs are back in fashion thanks to being championed in films and on television by superstar comedians such as Louis CK, Chris Rock and Amy Schumer. Here’s where to get the most from your two-drink minimum
Comedy Cellar, MacDougal Street
The comedy club ideal: low ceiling, brick wall backdrop and about 130 seats. It’s a showcase club, which means half a dozen of the city’s best comedians do short sets each show. Louis CK (you might recognise the club from the intro to his TV show Louie), Chris Rock and Amy Schumer sometimes turn up unannounced to work on material, and the comedians hang out between shows at a table upstairs in the Olive Tree Cafe (part of the same business). The downside: almost all shows sell out, so reserve tickets in advance. www.comedycellar.com
Village Underground, West 3rd Street
The sister club of the Comedy Cellar, it opened in 2013 to make hay during this stand-up boom.
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