Legend has it that there once were as many as seven full - time drollery clubs running in San Francisco – that ’s one for every nighttime of the week , if our maths checks out . These day , we pull off with fewer than half that number , but you ’ll be happy to larn that the comedy scene itself is thriving : we kicked over a few stones and get word plenty of solid clowning nights in this city – utter if you ’re front to get your jest on .
BrainWash Cafe & Laundromat
Sometimes there ’s a thing that hold reason and is also so perfect for its place and time , and BrainWash is that thing . In a city hellbent on hyper - simplification , there is no better will to an " eff it , do everything " mindset than a launderette - plus - cafe - plus - live - result space . This place blow a robust roll of diverse comic talent , and it ’s been around for more than twenty - five years . Seven Night a week , madam and gentlemen : Wash. Fold . Laugh . Check out theirlive webcams .
Milk Bar
This plaza is many things to many people . Mostly , it ’s a substantial bar at the tender - top of Haight St. However , it ’s also a seaport for bizarro , gamy - concept comedy showcases that ’ll make a scene minor out of even the least probable comedy rooter in your cell . Jury Duty , for example , is a show that happens most Mondays and involves comedian arguing type in defence of and against senseless topics on the fly ball – so drollery attorney is a thing . Milk River Bar rock a company air , and the shows feel almost like they are n’t even really theorise to be occur . See also : Milkin ’ It , a free stand - up show that comes around every second and third Tuesday .
The Basement
Not a comedy club per se ( there are only two full - sentence clubs in the metropolis ) , The Basement is more a waiting room that boast comedy on the habitue . It ’s cool , though : with candid mics on Thursdays and a mixed vitrine of national and local endowment every Saturday , it ’s a o.k. spot to post up at . Think reclaimed wood whisky prevention with incentive points for its storied chronicle as a former jazz clubhouse .
Good Times in the Grotto
MissionOK . This one is a show , not a venue . The venue is the Sports Basement on Bryant , but it feels weird to number theSports Basement on Bryantas a venue for comedy . That said , the 2nd Friday of every calendar month you’re able to trip up GTitG there – in the basement of said Basement . Calling placard are a diverse lineup of majuscule talent , costless price of admission , propinquity to rental ski gear mechanism , and – perhaps most importantly – innocent drink .
Cobb’s Comedy Club
Cobb ’s is the form of place a national headliner will hold when they come to town . It ’s a alive Nation - own hulk , clocking in with the sort of 400 - somebody capacity the touring comic demand . There ’s a two - crapulence minimum , which feel annoying at first , but who are we josh – you ’re go to purchase two drink . Beyond the tours , Cobb ’s local vitrine are a great chance to see some of the city ’s top talent , local comics who bust their asses at Cobb ’s short sis , Punch Line .
Doc’s Lab
This position by no means does comedy exclusively , but they systematically do it well . Doc ’s Lab is a small space ( in a basement , natch ) with a shivering atmosphere , service up regular chances to see some of the city ’s bright craftsmen along with a solid card of chuck . go over the calendar for the casual multi - night run of big - shot home talent that they occasionally snag , but the regular free show on Mondays are worth far more than the price of admission .
PianoFight
As this list goes , PianoFight has one of the most anaemic stand - up calendars you ’re probable to find , but it ’s also one of the undecomposed places to catch an excellent set . A relative newcomer to the city arts scene , PianoFight is a collectively race outer space that advance all sorts of work , including sketch drollery , dramatic event , and music . It ’s also just a damn nerveless spot – there ’s a live jazz saloon and two theatre spaces . Relevant to our interests : The Tabernacle , a weekly meeting of local comedy juggernauts Matt Lieb , Torio Van Grol , Steve Post , and Allison Mick , who keep back motor lodge with guest of change reputation .
Punch Line Comedy Club
painting every comedy club from every movie ever . Now picture yourself in the audience . Like Cobb ’s , Punch Line is a upper-case letter - coke clowning club . You ’re looking at polished material that ’s geared towards a crowd with diverse interests and thresholds . You ’re also looking at a communication channel to get in – so it ’s meridian for a particular date Nox . The outer space is just under half the capacity of Cobb ’s , making for a more versed experience . With shows six nights a week , including a weekly local display case , this place is the definition of a good bet .
Rite Spot Café
Rite Spot Café , one of the metropolis ’s most typical ( some might say good ) plunge , political platform comedy every blessed Monday . Of finical interest isJane Harrison ’s Misery Index , which offers the evergreen delight of comedians excogitate on the collapse of society . Laugh at our corporate demise while wrapped in the comfort arms of a cheap drinkable .
Mutiny Radio
Mutiny is a delightful confluence of hot performance space and media production house . As the name intimate , theypump audio out into the man . As the name does n’t suggest , much of that sound recording is comedy , recorded live at a place that kind of feel like a shopfront . Mutiny is also kind of a tantrum unto itself : the space is minuscule , the drunkenness are brownbag , and the vibe is cool .
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Casey Childersis a one man content mill and the punchline of every joke he ’s ever lived . Unfollow him at @cachilders . heavy thanks to @OJPATTERSON of @CourtingComedy and @supatrashedbros for the aid .
Jay Austin Graham Photography
Flickr/Stepan Mazurov
Meghan K Duffey
Cobb’s Comedy Club
PianoFight
Flickr/Ariel Dovas
