Living in Austin, we've always enjoyed a rich relationship with the arts. Whether it’s the colorful murals that liven up the drive to work, our beloved live music, or bright performances, it's a truly special place to be a creative. With the opening of its doors in 1915, Austin's Paramount Theater has become host to all kinds of talent. Creating an avenue and demand for comedic entertainment, the love is still very much alive and well today. Take a tour with us to meet a number of homes for the talented comics and performers who call Austin home. Even if you’ve never attended a comedy club or standup show before, let this be an open invitation.
The Velveeta Room
Sun-Mon, Wed-Sat | 521 e 6th Street
A small but powerful historic venue founded and sustained on the simple joy of making people laugh, The Velv packs a punch. As the longest-standing comedy club in Austin, you can always trust that through a diverse and varied set of acts and performances, the energy is guaranteed to be electric.
Esther’s Follies
Thu-Sat | Historic 6th Street
Sharing a founding duo with The Velv, Esther’s Follies proudly represents the longest-running comedy theater troupe in Austin. Bring a friend or the whole family, grab a refreshment, and get ready to laugh the night away at this historic (and hysteric) show.
ColdTowne Theater
Thu-Sun | 1700 East 2nd St
Standing as a cornerstone for alternative comedy in Austin since 2006, ColdTowne Theater serves up a variety of shows every week, ranging from improv to sketches to standup. With a variety of talented performers as well as all-ages shows and improv classes hosted both online and in-person, there’s something for everyone.
The Hideout Theater
Fri-Sun | 5555 N Lamar Blvd B103
As a strictly improv-focused theater that has operated since 1999, The Hideout features a variety of improv acts from short back-and-forth games to full-length improvised plays. Offering free sample classes and dedicating Sundays to showcasing student performances, The Hideout thrives on the desire to teach, perform, and share the art of improv with guests of all ages. For a truly one-of-a-kind experience, this is your next stop.
Rozco’s Comedy Club
Mon-Sun | 1805 E 7th St
Highlighting ever-changing lineups of ATX comedy all-stars, Rozco’s Comedy Club offers an intimate vibe that makes laughter infectious. For a new flavor of fun on your nights out, you’ll definitely want to give this one a try.
Cap City Comedy Club
Tuesdays | 11506 Century Oaks Terrace
In addition to their usual lineup of standup events, Cap City Comedy Club hosts open mic every Tuesday. Encouraging signups from people of all skill and experience levels, Cap City creates an inviting atmosphere that’s perfect for those who want to try their hand at making people laugh. Accompanied by a full spread of food and drinks to pair with the show, it could be your next go-to for when you and your friends are feeling adventurous.
Creek and Cave
Mon-Sun | 611 E 7th St
With a stage that has served as a launchpad for new comics since 2009, Creek and Cave hosts open mic nights that promise entertainment – whether they take off or bomb. Join them every Saturday through Dec 26 for their designated open mic shows to test or flex your comedic muscles.
Fallout Comedy
Mon-Sun | 616 Lavaca
If you’re more inclined towards a casual, BYOB open mic show, look no further than Fallout Theater. Visit them on Mondays to participate, and consider stopping by on another night of the week to experience their plethora of other comedy-centric shows and activities such as game shows, improv, magic acts, and so much more.
Moontower Comedy Festival
Apr 7-18 (+shows year-round) | Paramount & State Theaters
Flexing its title as one of the biggest comedy festivals in North America, Moontower Comedy Festival offers more than just a two-week comedy binge of both local and headlining acts. Operating in partnership with the Paramount Theater, they host shows at the State Theater year round. For real standout performances and class acts, this is the event to catch.
Out of Bounds Comedy Festival
Nov 5-8 | Differing Venues
Hosted in part with Austin Arts, Culture, Music, and Entertainment, Out of Bounds represents an outreach from a collection of passionate Austin Comedy Clubs to get people from all over the country to enjoy Austin’s Comedy scene. With a multitude of both local and visiting A-list acts divided across Fallout, ColdTowne, Dougherty, Rozco’s, and Cabaret’s theaters, no comedy-lover will want to miss it.
SXSW Comedy Festival
Mar 17-20 | Downtown Austin
To catch sets from the newest generation of talent and shows of all kinds, consider taking it up a notch with SXSW’s Comedy Festival. Four days of world-class improv acts, game shows, live podcasts, standup storytelling, and endless surprises – all the trappings of a truly unforgettable experience. If you’ve found your stride within the local comedy scene here in Austin, this could be an exciting next step.
Who doesn’t love a good laugh? At Moreland, we know how important it is to uplift and support the arts that have been staples of our community since its inception. Between improv, open-mic nights, and award-winning all-star acts, Austin’s resilient comedy scene has much to offer for your next outing or get-together.
