How many Comedy Clubs Are there in California?: A Census of the Golden State's Comedy Clubs

How many Comedy Clubs Are there in California?

California has always been a magnet for dreamers, innovators, and entertainers. From the gold rush of the 1840s to the tech boom of the 2000s, people have flocked to the Golden State in search of fortune and fame. It’s no surprise, then, that California is also a global powerhouse when it comes to comedy. For decades, Los Angeles has been the undisputed industry capital, the place aspiring comedians move to in the hopes of landing a TV show or a movie deal. But the scene extends far beyond the Hollywood hills, with a rich and diverse network of comedy clubs stretching from San Diego to San Francisco.

But just how big is California's comedy circuit? Trying to put an exact number on its comedy clubs is a fun but tricky exercise. The line between a dedicated club, an improv theatre, and a bar with a comedy night can be blurry. However, by looking at various directories and lists, we can get a fantastic sense of the scale and variety of the stand-up scene in the comedy capital of the world.

The Numbers Game: How Many Clubs Are There?

Pinning down a precise, official number is nearly impossible, but we can get very close by consulting the most comprehensive directories available.

One of the most detailed lists comes from the comedy resource website Dead-Frog.com. Their directory for California is extensive, listing a staggering 46 distinct comedy venues across the state. This list includes everything from major clubs like the Hollywood Improv and its various sister locations, to smaller independent rooms and improv theatres.   

Another source, a Wikipedia category page for "Comedy clubs in California," lists 18 of the most notable and historically significant clubs. This includes legendary names like The Comedy Store, The Improv, the Laugh Factory, and the San Francisco institution, The Punch Line.   

While the numbers differ, they both paint a clear picture: California has a massive and deeply entrenched comedy infrastructure. A conservative estimate would place the number of dedicated, full-time comedy clubs and theatres in the state at somewhere between 20 and 50, with countless more bars and alternative venues hosting regular comedy nights.

The Los Angeles Epicentre

Unsurprisingly, the vast majority of these clubs are clustered in and around Los Angeles. As the heart of the global entertainment industry, LA is a lively hub for aspiring comedians, actors, and writers. The city is home to some of the most famous comedy venues on the planet.   

• The Comedy Store: An iconic club on the Sunset Strip since 1972, famous for its three separate rooms and its legendary alumni.   

  
  

• The Laugh Factory: Another Sunset Strip institution, with sister locations in Long Beach, Covina, and San Diego.   

  
  

• The Hollywood Improv: The flagship venue of the famous Improv chain, which also has clubs in Brea, Irvine, Ontario, and San Jose.   

  
  

• The Upright Citizens Brigade (UCB) Theatre: Co-founded by Amy Poehler, UCB is a cornerstone of the alternative comedy and improv scene in LA.   

  
  

• Largo at the Coronet: An intimate theatre known for hosting A-list comedians like John Mulaney and Patton Oswalt for unique, often story-telling focused shows.   

  
  

Beyond these titans, LA boasts a dizzying array of smaller but equally brilliant venues like Dynasty Typewriter, Flappers in Burbank, and The Elysian in Echo Park, each catering to a different niche of the comedy world.   

Beyond LA: Comedy Across the State

While LA may be the capital, it’s far from the only game in town. California has thriving comedy scenes in its other major cities.

San Francisco has a rich comedy history of its own, having nurtured the talents of Robin Williams and Ali Wong. The city is home to two legendary clubs, Cobb's Comedy Club and The Punch Line, the latter of which Dave Chappelle has cited as his favourite club in the country. The Bay Area has a reputation for smart, alternative, and politically aware comedy that reflects the city's unique culture.   

San Diego also has a robust scene, with excellent clubs like The American Comedy Co. in the Gaslamp Quarter, the Mad House Comedy Club, and a sister location of The Comedy Store in the La Jolla neighbourhood.   

Even smaller cities have their own comedy hubs. Sacramento is home to the Sacramento Punchline and Laughs Unlimited, while you can find clubs in cities like Pasadena (The Ice House), San Jose (San Jose Improv), and Escondido (Grand Comedy Club).   

The California Comedy Experience

So how many Comedy Clubs are there in California? What all these numbers show is that California offers an unparalleled range of comedy experiences. On any given night, you could see a global superstar workshopping their new hour for a Netflix special at Largo, watch the best new talent at an open mic in Sacramento, or see a legendary improv show at UCB. It’s a state that truly loves to laugh, with a comedy club for every taste and budget.

It’s a scene that rivals any in the world, including our own brilliant circuit here in London. While we may not have the Hollywood glamour, we have a gritty, vibrant, and hilarious scene of our own. To experience the best of it, come and see a show at Comedy in Your Eye, where the only thing golden is the comedy.