18 Legendary Comedy Clubs in Los Angeles Where Actors Started Their Careers

When aspiring comedians and actors make the pilgrimage West, they are often just as starstruck by the famous comedy clubs in Los Angeles littering major streets as they are the famous actors. Many of those comedic actors got their start right here in those hallowed halls.

Let’s take a look at four legendary comedy clubs in Los Angeles where actors started their careers.

Where Can I Watch Comedy Shows in Los Angeles?

The following are some of the best comedy club in Los Angeles:

• The Comedy Store
• Laugh Factory
• The Comedy Union
• Groundlings
• The Hollywood Improv
• Second City Hollywood

If you want to start performing improv or comedy at one of these comedy clubs in Los Angeles, CA, or anywhere else in the world, for that matter, you’ve got to consider taking acting or improv lessons with TakeLessons. This is one of the best ways to learn the skills you need to knock ‘em dead!

Here’s a video that will show you everything you stand to gain from taking improv comedy classes:

18 Best Comedy Clubs in Los Angeles, CA

Here are some of the best comedy club,.. LA, California – be sure to pay a visit to each if you want to be guaranteed lots of laughs!

1. The Laugh Factory

8001 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, CA 90046

There is probably no more famous comedy club in Los Angeles backdrop than that of The Laugh Factory. That technicolor logo in orange/yellow surrounded by blue/purple is seared into our brains for reasons both sad and glad. It’s the backdrop that was behind Michael Richards during his memorably awful onstage breakdown, as well as Dave Chappelle’s triumphant return to the stage after quitting his TV show and dropping off the comedy map for years.

Founded by Jamie Masada, who immigrated from Iran at age 14 with no money and no knowledge of English, The Laugh Factory has become a mainstay of its Sunset Strip location and even expanded to Long Beach, Chicago, and Las Vegas. Masada started the club with the intention of paying stand-up comics a fair wage (a somewhat controversial idea in 1979), but Richard Pryor, the first major act he booked, reportedly handed back his $100 split for the night, saying “you need this for your rent, boy.”

2. The Comedy Store

8433 W Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069

A black building covered in “handwritten” names of the comedians who have performed there, The Comedy Store is another Sunset Strip landmark which immediately confronts both hopefuls fresh off the bus and tourists hopping off their hop on/hop off Starline tour bus. The club opened in 1972 by comedian Sammy Shore (now better known as the father of Pauly “Hey Buuuuudy” Shore), but was quickly handed over to his ex-wife Mitzi in a divorce settlement. Far from just a lucky inheritor, Mitzi Shore became hugely influential with her non-traditional methods of financing as well as bucking the “boy’s club” trend of comedy clubs in Los Angeles at the time, devoting an upstairs section to booking female comedians exclusively and later creating specialty nights for gay, lesbian, and Latino performers.

However, not everyone felt so well cared for. Remember how the idea that paying comedians was revolutionary back in the 1970s? The Comedy Store was part of the old guard, with Mitzi Shore arguing that being on stage was an “opportunity” and training ground for comedians who would (hopefully) get noticed by casting agents — all while paying waiters, bartenders, and herself. Among the comedians who picketed against this policy for five weeks outside the club were David Letterman and Jay Leno. Feel free to thank them both when you get a check for your Comedy Store gig!

What’s the Best Room at the Comedy Store?

Despite being widely regarded as one of the best comedy clubs in Los Angeles, the Comedy Store has its fair share of secrets.

One of them is this – not all the rooms are exactly alike.

In fact, some rooms are better than others. 

Of the three popular rooms at the Comedy Store – the Main Room, the Belly Room, and the Original Room, the Original Room is by far the most expansive. 

3. The Groundlings

7307 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046

Now, for actual training grounds, The Groundlings is second to none. It’s one of the great Saturday Night Live breeding grounds for all eras of the show, with Phil Hartman, Jon Lovitz, Will Ferrell, Chris Kattan, Cheri Oteri, Will Forte, Maya Rudolph, Kristen Wiig, and more on the alumni roll. While the name refers to the school’s humble origins (“Groundlings” were lower-class members of the audience who stood on the ground to watch plays in Shakespeare’s day), having The Groundlings on your resume today is especially prestigious.

4. Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre

5919 Franklin Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90028

Similar to The Groundlings but a little edgier, weirder, and generally friendlier to the pocketbook is The Upright Citizens Brigade. What began in a tiny theater on Franklin Ave, the small size, affordable tickets, and legendary improv shows featuring well-known actors ensure that every show ends up being standing room only.

In an effort not only to expand, but allow more space for students, fans, and comedians to socialize before and after shows and classes, UCB recently opened a new, larger “compound” in Hollywood that is intended to feel less like the average comedy club in Los Angeles and more like a “college dorm” where you can hang out with the next Donald Glover, Rob Corddry, Ed Helms, or Aubrey Plaza, all of whom got their start at UCB.

5. Hollywood Improv 

The Hollywood Improv comedy club in Los Angeles is another top destination for laugh-lovers.

Big names drop in here all the time – including Louis C.K.Dana Carvey, and other big names. It’s a great place to check out during the week and the Happy Hour specials here are to die for. 

6. Dynasty Typewriter

A revitalization of the Hayworth Theater, this 200-seat venue has all kinds of top-notch shows, with big names including Adam Sandler and Hannah Gadsby. 

7. Largo at the Coronet

With a 1940s-era feel, this comedy club in Los Angeles regularly features big-name comics like Paul Scheer, Patton Oswalt, and Sarah Silverman. In addition to stand-up and long-form improv, podcast tapings regularly occur here, too.

The ticketing system for Largo can be somewhat confusing – you have to buy a ticket in advance but you won’t be assigned a seat. Get there early if you want to be up front! 

8. Upright Citizens Brigade Theater