The Best Comedy Clubs In San Diego For A Fun Night Out

Every once in a while, we all need to wind down and have a good laugh. The best way to do this is by watching a comedy show.

Comedy clubs have long been a popular pastime in San Diego. Over the years, the city has seen a massive increase in venues popping up and comedians have noticed the city’s appetite for comedy.

This post will fill you in on the best comedy clubs in San Diego. These establishments provide laughaholics with a place to unwind and watch shows. Whether stand-up is your life or you simply need a date night idea, there’s something for you.

Big Comedians Coming To San Diego From May 2023

• Neal Brennan – The Observatory North Park, May 20th, 2023
• Taylor Tomlinson – San Diego Civic Theater, May 6th – 7th, 2023
• David Sedaris – Balboa Theater, May 2nd, 2023
• Trey Kennedy – San Diego Civic Theater, June 17th, 2023
• Samantha Bee – Balboa Theater, June 15th, 2023
• 85 South – San Diego Civic Theater, June 3rd, 2023
• Dude Perfect – Pechanga Arena, Jul 16, 2023
• Druski – San Diego Civic Theater, July 15th, 2023

The Best Comedy Clubs In San Diego

The Comedy Store – La Jolla

Address: 916 Pearl St, La Jolla, CA
Phone: (858) 454-9176
Website

There’s no better place to get your dose of laughter than at the amusing Comedy Store La Jolla. It was the first road comedy club in the USA upon opening in 1976, before moving to its permanent home in La Jolla.

Since its establishment, Comedy Store has grown to insane levels, hosting hilarious comedians almost every night of the week. Including some big names, such as Garry Shandling and Pauly Shore. There’s no doubt, this San Diego comedy club is much-loved.

Most of the shows hosted at the Comedy Store La Jolla are stand-up, with a blend of upcoming comedians and big-name hitters.

On the night of a performance, there’s a minimum two drink purchase requirement and you must be 21+ to attend.

Mad House Comedy Club San Diego

Address: 801 Fourth Ave, San Diego, CA
Phone: (619) 269-1987
Website

The Mad House Comedy Club is known all over the world for its live stand-up shows. It’s located in the vibrant Gaslamp Quarter and open seven nights a week, so you don’t have to plan your trip around any specific dates.

This venue is owned and controlled by comedians, so you can guarantee you’ll be in good hands throughout your visit. The setup they have is brilliant; with two spacious showrooms and a wonderful dining area, you’ll be blown away by it all. 

So you don’t interrupt of any of the performances, there’s a candle switch system in place. If you’d like to order something, flick the switch, and a server will be with you right away.

Mad House Comedy Club headliners have included names like comical Grant Lyons and Kevin Camia.

Check out the venue’s calendar before you arrive to catch some of the best San Diego stand-up comedy.

American Comedy Co.

Address: 818 Sixth Ave, San Diego, CA
Phone: (619) 795-3858
Website

The locally-owned American Comedy Co. is one of the top places to see a comedy show in San Diego. In the past, they’ve featured hugely celebrated comedians like Joe Rogan, Bobby Lee, and Kevin Nealon, so you know you’re in for a funny time.

The American Comedy Co. is a 200 seat venue that has adopted a vintage speak-easy vibe and a relaxed environment. On nights famous comedians aren’t making the general public giggle, the club hosts open mic nights for everyone to join in on. It’s an ideal opportunity for anyone looking to dabble their toes in the comedy scene.

There’s a strict 21+ policy at the American Comedy Co. unless stated otherwise.

Visitors can enjoy delicious bites and drinks at the onsite bar and restaurant. Laughing is much more enjoyable when there’s food involved, right?

National Comedy Theater

Address: 3717 India St, San Diego, CA
Phone: (619) 295-4999
Website

If you’re looking for something a little different, head over to the National Comedy Theater to see an improv show. This is a comedy routine where the performers act out the show based on what the audience wants to see. 

The unscripted shows have been held at the National Comedy Theater since 1999, with over 6,000 performances, making it the longest-held comedy show in San Diego. 

Each show runs for an hour and forty-five minutes and promises to have you laughing hysterically throughout its entirety.

What sets the National Comedy Theater apart from others is there’s no age requirement, so you can bring your kids along if you wish. Additionally, there’s no minimum drink purchase to get your hands on tickets, which is a huge plus.

This isn’t a venue where you’ll see well-known comedians. A few cast members operate regularly and are excellent at entertaining the audience.

Mic Drop Comedy

Address: 8878 Clairemont Mesa Blvd, San Diego, CA
Phone: (858) 225-2100
Website

Mic Drop Comedy is the perfect venue to watch a stand-up comedy show in San Diego. Only recently opened in 2022, it was started by two lifelong friends who wanted to give people a safe place to laugh with their favorite comedians.

Mic Drop Comedy hosts a variety of comedians, from well-known household names like Sara Weinshenk and Elisabeth Wykert to exciting up-and-comers. Their shows are split into two rooms, purple is the main showroom where events with larger crowds are held, gold is for smaller crowds with more of an intimate atmosphere.

Be sure to arrive early when visiting Mic Drop Comedy, they operate on a first-come, first-served basis. The venue opens 60 minutes before every event, so you can get there early to find a good seat and sip on a crafty cocktail.

While stand-up comedy is the recurring theme of many performances at Mic Drop Comedy, sometimes they host roast shows where comedians do their best to humiliate the life out of each other in front of the crowd. It’s well worth a look at, but not for the faint-hearted.

Comedy Heights

Address: 4590 Park Blvd, San Diego, CA
Phone: (619) 679-5960
Website

Every Saturday night, Comedy Heights comes alive with a free performance by comedians from world-famous shows on HBO, Comedy Central, and America’s Got Talent.

The hilarious shows are all PG 13 +, which explains why you’ll see a lot of families here. Every weekend there’s something different, so you’ll always see guests returning for their next fix of giggles.

Unlike every other comedy club in San Diego, Comedy Heights allows you to bring outside food and drink to the venue. Since you’re not paying for anything, leave a few dollars behind to say thank you.

The unique features of Comedy Heights makes it a favorite among the comedy clubs in San Diego.

The Laugh Factory

Address: 432 F St, San Diego, CA
Phone: (323) 656-1336
Website

Opened in 1979, The Laugh Factory has provided comedy-lovers in San Diego with titters for decades. They have offered their stage to well-known stand-up comedian figures like Dave Chappelle and regularly give an opportunity to those looking to break into the game. It’s no wonder this is one of the top spots for stand-up comedy in San Diego.

An hour or two before most big shows, the Laugh Factory hosts free improv performances to prepare everyone for the main event. Why would anyone ever say no to a free laugh?

The Laugh Factory is renowned for its modern sound system, so you’ll never have to worry about missing out on any jokes.

The Grand Comedy Club

Address: 340 E Grand Ave, Escondido, CA
Phone: (760) 741-5233
Website

The Grand Comedy Club is one of the lesser-known venues in San Diego, but it always has a nice sized crowd there. It only opens three nights a week, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, but for those nights, it’s all systems go.

Tickets can only be bought by those who are over 18 years old, and if you want to purchase alcohol, you must show your ID. Foreigner visitors have to show a passport. 

You must purchase at least two items from the venue’s menu. They offer all kinds of food, like pizzas, burgers, and salads. It doesn’t have to be food. It can be beers or wines too.

While the Grand Comedy Club does work off a first-come, first-served seating basis, if you have a group, you can email ahead of time. They’ll do their best to reserve you a space.

You can watch a wide range of comedians at the Grand Comedy Club. High-energy performers like JC Currais have and continue to do shows here. They don’t put any restrictions on their entertainers, so expect lots of bad language and some blue work. That’s not suggesting it’s all like that, but just a word of warning.

People go to comedy shows in San Diego because they offer a happy form of entertainment. Throughout the city, you’ll find a plethora of venues to choose from for your next chuckle.

We have not mentioned them all, but we’ve gotten through a couple which will surely leave you giggling for weeks.

Which San Diego comedy club will you visit first?

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