Top Spots Known for Organizing Comedy Events in Los Angeles

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When potential comedians and actresses travel to the West, they are often as taken aback by the famous comedy clubs that litter major streets in Los Angeles as they are by the famous actors. Many of those famous comedians got their start in those scary halls.

Let’s take a look at four classic Los Angeles comedy clubs known for comedy events in Los Angeles where actors got their start.

The Laugh Factory

The Laugh Factory is possibly the most well-known comedy club in the Los Angeles area. The venue has become a Sunset Strip institution, with locations in Chicago and Las Vegas. For both tragic and happy causes, that technicolor logo in orange/yellow encircled by blue/purple is scorched into our minds. Michael Richards’ has been a great part of this spot. Moreover, Dave Chappelle was back on the stage after abandoning his TV show and disappearing from the comedy scene for years.

The Groundlings

In terms of genuine training grounds, The Groundlings is unrivaled. It’s one of the best Saturday Night Live platforms, with alumni including Kristen Wiig, Phil Hartman, Jon Lovitz, Will Ferrell, Cheri Oteri, Will Forte, Maya Rudolph, and more. “Groundlings” were lower-class audience members who stood on the ground to see plays in Shakespeare’s day. It’s still a favorite spot for organizing comedy shows in Los Angeles.

The Comedy Store

The Comedy Store is also a Sunset Strip landmark that greets both locals and tourists around the world. It’s a black edifice adorned with “handwritten” names of the comedians who have performed there. The club was founded in 1972 by Sammy Shore, an incredible comedian (today is famous as “Hey Buuudy” Shore), but it was immediately sold to his ex-wife Mitzi as part of a divorce settlement.

Mitzi Shore of Mitzi Shore’s Comedy Store argued that being on stage was an “opportunity” and a “training ground” for comedians who would (maybe) get recognized by casting agencies — all while supporting bartenders, waiters, and herself. David Letterman and Jay Leno were among the comedians who protested the policy for five weeks outside the club.

Largo at the Coronet

This comedy club in Los Angeles has a 1940s vibe and routinely hosts big-name comics like Patton Oswalt, Paul Scheer, and Sarah Silverman. Apart from comedy shows, podcast tapings are held here on a regular basis.

Largo’s ticketing system is a little odd; you must purchase a ticket in advance, but you will not be allotted a seat. If you want to be in the front row, arrive early.

Upright Citizens Brigade Theater

The Upright Citizens Brigade (UCB) is similar to The Groundlings but much rougher, weirder, and more budget-friendly golf galaxy. The small size, low admission, and famous improv show with well-known starring actors guarantee that every event is standing room only.

UCB just opened a new, larger “compound” in Hollywood that is intended to seem less like an average comedy club in Los Angeles and more like a “college dorm” where you can hang out with the next Rob Corddry, Donald Glover, or Ed Helms, all of whom got their start there.