UPRIGHT CITIZENS BRIGADE THEATRE: This bi-coastal comedy spot never stops making Los Angelenos laugh, with affordable shows seven days a week. Housing mostly improv and sketch shows, UCB also has a strong Tuesday and Thursday night stand-up following. And most shows usually sell out. Regular weekly shows in the 92-seat theatre include Harold Night, Doug Loves Movies, Spank, Facebook, Cagematch and ASSSSCAT. The recently departed Comedy Bang! Bang! show, run by Scott Aukerman, gave the biggest names in stand-up the chance to work in front of a smart, hip, young crowd (and was just renewed for its second season by the Independent Film Channel). From Ansari to Galifianakis to Poehler, it's the hip comedy place to be.Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre is located at 5919 Franklin Avenue, Hollywood, 90028 (323) 908-8702
HOLLYWOOD IMPROV: "Where comedy begins," Hollywood Improv offers a mix of road warriors and national headliners on the weekends and more independent local shows on the off nights. Their Skinny Sundays show just celebrated three years of funny, and the mix of game show and stand-up, plus some of the best bookers in town, make this spot a must-go for those seeking a few good laughs almost any day of the week. (And don't forget about Hollywood Improv's Orange County sibling, Irvine Improv!)Hollywood Improv is located at 8162 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood, 90046 (323) 651-2583
HOLLYWOOD STUDIO BAR & GRILL: Offering eats, open mic jams, singing contests and speed dating, this intimate venue is also the weekly home of What's Up, Tiger Lily?, one of the longest-running stand-up shows in town. The show entertains every Monday night, and it's free (with a two drink minimum for patrons seated at tables and the bar). Hot local acts, established comics doing jokes for other comics and touring names that want to drop in somewhere all come here, and it's as close as you'll get to a New York City bar show.Hollywood Studio Bar & Grill is located at 6122 Sunset Boulevard, Hollywood, 90028 (323) 466-9917
THE VIRGIL: Specialty craft cocktails aside, The Virgil has emerged as a notable up-and-coming comedy venue, with new comedy shows constantly joining the events calendar. Kristen Schaal and Kurt Braunohler's lauded NYC variety show Hot Tub just made this spot their West Coast home and have brought along the talent to match. For those wishing to wet their whistles, The Virgil offers happy hour from 7-9 p.m. nightly and all night Tuesdays, and Hump Days have earned their name as Whiskey Wednesdays.
The Virgil is located at 4519 Santa Monica Boulevard, Silver Lake, 90029 (323) 660-4540
DOWNTOWN INDEPENDENT: An edgy home for free stand-up, monthly indie comedy film screenings and the Channel 101 shows that have been spawning great minds since 2003, Downtown Independent does a fine job of making people laugh without also making them broke. The theater also sells beer, which comes in handy for those who prefer to pair a cold brew with their cackles.Downtown Independent is located at 251 South Main Street, Downtown Los Angeles, 90012 (213) 617-1033
THE CLUBHOUSE: This community-centric venue serves as L.A.'s new consolidated home for independent improv. Dedicated to the local indie improv and sketch scenes, The Clubhouse really is just that for the comedy community, defined as not only a theatre, but also as a hangout space, classroom and rehearsal space, too. Only there are no prerequisites to enter. Indie shows and improv jams crowd the calendar seven nights a week, with performances from the best minds at UCB, iO West, Second City, The Groundlings, TV, film and more. And best yet, the space is run by the very people who perform, teach and event plan there.The Clubhouse is located at 1107-A El Centro, Hollywood, 90026
THE MINT: While best known for its live music, this growing venue has embraced comedy as of late, mostly in the form of benefit and storytelling shows. What we love about The Mint is its emphasis on L.A.-based talent, and heck, who doesn't love to squawk and squirm in their seat while brave souls tell it all onstage? (We love us some Taboo Tales.) Los Angelenos in need of a good guffaw should pencil in an installment of Anna David's True Tales of Lust and Love from Writers and Comedians.The Mint is located at 6010 West Pico Boulevard, Mid-City (323) 954-9400
