The eclectic SF comedy scene has produced some of the country’s most legendary performers including Ali Wong, W. Kamau Bell, and Robin Williams. From big-name venues to smaller comedy clubs in San Francisco, these local hotspots are musts for anyone who loves to laugh.
Here we’ve collected a lineup of diverse locations for any type of evening, whether you’re planning a memorable date night or a casual outing with friends. Scroll through for a mix of free shows in a casual cocktail bar environment, curated lineups at SF’s best comedy clubs, and popular venues for the most highly-anticipated national tours.
1. Punch Line SF
As the longest-running comedy club in San Francisco, Punch Line SF consistently presents some of the best stand up comedy in the city. Since 1978 they’ve hosted absolute legends including Dave Chappelle, who’s made frequent appearances there since the early nineties and once declared Punch Line “the best club in the USA.” Other top comedians to grace the Punch Line stage include Dana Carvey, Wanda Sykes, and Chris Rock.
Guests can enjoy top-tier comedy shows six nights a week in an intimate 182-seat venue. Punch Line is a chain run by Live Nation with additional locations in Sacramento and Philadelphia, as well as Cobb’s Comedy Club here in SF.
🎟️ Ticket prices range between $25-50, plus a two-drink minimum
📍 444 Battery St, Downtown San Francisco
2. Cobb’s Comedy Club
Since 1982, Cobb’s Comedy Club has produced some of the most highly-anticipated comedy shows San Francisco has to offer. Many famous comics have made appearances over the years including Dana Carvey, Jo Koy, Ron Funches, and Bill Burr.
The 400-seat venue in North Beach features a full dinner menu and bar, so you can slide into a table and enjoy live entertainment while you eat. Keep in mind that general admission is first-come, first-served, so if you’re going with a group consider getting there early.
🎟️ Ticket prices range between $25-50, plus a two-drink minimum
📍 915 Columbus Ave, North Beach, San Francisco
3. The Setup
The Setup began as a monthly comedy show in 2015 and has since become a national brand, specially curated for each location it appears in. In San Francisco they present packed speakeasy-style shows at the Palace Theater and The Lost Church, and more extravagant nightclub-style shows at The Valencia Room. No matter the venue, you can expect a sophisticated aesthetic that retains the approachability characteristic of comedy clubs in San Francisco.
🎟️ Ticket prices range from $30-35. Get tickets to The Setup at The Lost Church here.
📍 Locations:
- The Speakeasy (Palace Theater): 644 Broadway, North Beach, San Francisco
- The Lost Church: 988 Columbus Ave, North Beach, San Francisco
- The Valencia Room: 647 Valencia St, Mission District, San Francisco
4. Cheaper Than Therapy
Cheaper Than Therapy operates out of the historic Shelton Theater next to Union Square, hosting intimate comedy shows for over a decade. Performers range from local comedians to national headliners, and with ticket prices hovering around $20-25 it’s a popular choice for a casual night out in SF. Enjoy nightly shows from Wednesday-Sunday, and stick around in the Shelton Theater bar to keep the party going. Improv fans will be glad to know that the Shelton also hosts live shows from the Secret Improv Society.
🎟️ Tickets are around $20-25 with no drink minimum
📍 533 Sutter St, Downtown San Francisco
5. Milk Bar
Paradise Comedy has presented lively comedy shows in the Bay Area for over a decade. SF’s Milk Bar has been their venue of choice for three years running, with top-notch comics bringing their A-game five nights a week. Guests will enjoy intimate shows with comics and writers from SNL, The Daily Show, and Conan; as well as international performers from Mexico, China, Sudan, France, and more. Shows usually feature a lineup of independent comedians performing 5-7 minute sets.
🎟️ Free admission
📍 1840 Haight St, Haight-Ashbury,San Francisco
6. Comet Club
The Comet Club presents stand-up comedy in San Francisco’s Cow Hollow neighborhood every Wednesday night. Although not strictly a comedy club, it’s grown into a popular destination for SF comedy shows featuring local performers. Comet Club recommends arriving 15-20 minutes before the show, as seating is first-come, first-served. They also present live music and DJs every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.
🎟️ Free admission, Wednesdays at 8pm.
📍 3111 Fillmore St, Cow Hollow, San Francisco
7. The Masonic
SF’s Masonic is primarily known as a popular music venue in the city, but be sure to keep an eye on their event calendar as you’re likely to see some big-name comics roll through here on national tours. This year brings such performers as Atsuko Okatsuka, Andrew Schulz, Tim Robinson, Ronny Chieng, and Wanda Sykes. The historic auditorium has a 3,481-seat capacity and it’s an exciting place to see some of the most highly-anticipated stand-up comedy in San Francisco.
🎟️ Ticket prices range from $50-100
📍 1111 California St, Nob Hill, San Francisco
8. BroadwaySF
BroadwaySF is of course known for presenting some of the city’s most highly-regarded Broadway plays, but they also periodically host stand-up comedians at the Golden Gate Theatre, Curran Theater, and Orpheum Theatre. This year brings performers including RuPaul, Alex Edelman, and John Cleese, but you never know who could be booked next.
🎟️ Ticket prices range from $50-200
📍 Locations:
- Golden Gate Theatre: 1 Taylor St, Downtown San Francisco
- Curran Theater: 445 Geary St, Downtown San Francisco
- Orpheum Theatre: 1192 Market St, Downtown San Francisco