Finding comedy in Seattle isn’t a challenge based on how many longtime and prestigious comedy clubs they have there. While the Northwest isn’t always known as much as it should be for comedy, Seattle is slightly different from its southern neighbor of Portland, Oregon. The Emerald City might be considered a little more rugged than the Rose City, yet the comedy clubs are virtually the same. In fact, that’s one thing you’ll find in every city: Comedy clubs are ubiquitous, plus uniform in their style and amenities. That includes the usual mix of standup clubs alongside those that celebrate improv.
Take a tour of Seattle and spend your evenings checking out these comedy clubs where some bring in prestigious comedy names on a regular basis.
Laughs Comedy Spot
This comedy club in nearby Kirkland is one of the major comedy clubs in the Seattle area. They get headlining acts of up-and-coming standup comedians who’ve appeared on Leno, Letterman and the lot. It’s also been recently remodeled with state-of-the-art facilities. Parking is free and the club has a full menu with alcoholic drinks. You’ll be glad to know they have no obstructions of the stage, which you can’t always say in lesser comedy clubs.
Try their open-mic option on Wednesday nights where you can see if you’d actually make it as a standup comedian.
The Comedy Underground
As far as history is concerned, The Comedy Underground has a significant track record of every major comedian of the last 30 years performing there. Everyone from Ellen DeGeneres to Jerry Seinfeld have performed on their stage at one time or another. As with Laughs Comedy Spot above, they also bring in the hottest standup comedians from around the country.
It seems open-mic nights are becoming popular, because this club has the same. The only difference is their website gives you helpful tips on how to do comedy so you don’t go up there without any knowledge of what works and (mostly) what doesn’t.
You can find the club on 109 S. Washington Street in downtown Seattle.
Unexpected Productions
If you’re looking for improv comedy, this club is one of the best in the Emerald City. Their recurring shows have different themes and combinations so you’re always getting different scenarios to challenge the improv comedians. They even have an improv course they teach that’s just starting early this year.
The comedy troupe behind Unexpected Productions are up for hire and can work at any event, including company parties and school functions. As part of the education side, they even send out coaches that teach the art of improvisation for use in the real world.
Check out their weekly schedule of shows at their main location and the different themes they have nightly, including an Improv Happy Hour. It’s a different theme every night to remind you how fresh improv can be compared to any other art form.
Jet City Improv
As one of the longest-lasting improv clubs in Seattle, you can find performances here that are very family-friendly. They never work blue, though improv comedians seem to avoid that anyway to show off their creativity. Located at 5510 University Way NE in downtown Seattle, the shows here are all about full audience participation. If you’re more into just being entertained than participating in the show, standup may be better suited for you. Despite that interaction, you have time to eat family-themed food, plus available libations.
Jet City also offers improv classes as many improv clubs do now. In their courses, they categorize each one to suit a particular demographic, including college programs.
As you visit each of the above comedy clubs in Seattle, you can find a true definition of how standup and improv work. They’re very different, yet also challenging as you’ll find out if doing open mic night or taking a course. Then again, you might be a new discovery if you’re able to look at the world through a different or absurd perspective from everyone else.
