What is the Comedy Cellar known for?

It is a legendary stand-up comedy club in Manhattan's Greenwich Village, often nicknamed the "Harvard of comedy clubs." It is known for being a place where famous comics like Chris Rock, Ray Romano, and Jon Stewart developed their material early in their careers.

How much does it cost to get in?

Ticket prices vary by day: $25 on Friday and Saturday, $18 on Thursday and Sunday, and $15 on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday for most shows. Special events and holidays are $25, while some specific shows like New Joke Night are $10 and others like Hot Soup Comedy are $20.

What are the hours and showtimes?

The club presents live comedy seven nights a week. At the MacDougal Street room, nightly showtimes include 6:45 pm, 8:45 pm, 10:45 pm, and sometimes 12:30 am.

How do reservations and standby work?

Standby opens two hours before the desired show time, or one hour before the first show of the night.

The original club is located in Greenwich Village at 117 MacDougal Street, between West Third Street and Minetta Lane.

What should I check before going?

Use Gyde for context, then check official sources for current hours, tickets, construction, and closures.

Comedy Cellar in New York City

What to know

The Comedy Cellar is a legendary stand-up comedy club located in the heart of Greenwich Village at 117 MacDougal Street, situated between West Third Street and Minetta Lane. Founded in 1981 by Bill Grundfest during the early phase of New York's comedy boom, the venue has evolved into one of the most prestigious rooms in the comedy world. Over the decades, the club has built its cachet by serving as a proving ground for future superstars. Performers such as Chris Rock, Ray Romano, Louis CK, and Jon Stewart developed their material here early in their careers, returning to the stage after achieving global fame. This reputation for excellence has earned the club the nickname 'Harvard of comedy clubs.' Operating seven nights a week, the club offers a variety of nightly showtimes, including 6:45 pm, 8:45 pm, 10:45 pm, and late-night sets starting at 12:30 am. The experience is designed to be intimate and raw, maintaining a legacy that was even immortalized in the opening credits of the TV series Louie. Beyond its original location, the brand has expanded, with a sister club called the Village Underground and an exact replica of the New York club built at the Rio Hotel in Las Vegas. Despite this expansion, the original MacDougal Street room remains the epicenter of the New York stand-up scene.

Visitor tips

Standby opens two hours before your desired show time, or one hour before the first show of the night.
Ticket prices vary by day: $15 on Monday through Wednesday, $18 on Thursday and Sunday, and $25 on Friday and Saturday.
If you have booking issues, you can contact the club via their phone number 212-254-3480 or their online contact form.

Nearby context

Located in the vibrant heart of Greenwich Village, the Comedy Cellar is surrounded by the artistic and bohemian atmosphere of MacDougal Street, a hub for cafes and nightlife.

Quick facts

Comedy Cellar