Austin Comedy Clubs & Festivals
Austin doesn't just have a live music scene — it has one of the most vibrant comedy scenes in the country. Between Joe Rogan's Comedy Mothership drawing national headliners to East 6th Street, the Paramount's Moontower Comedy Festival taking over downtown every April, and a constellation of improv and sketch clubs keeping local talent sharp year-round, there's a show worth catching almost any night of the week.
Annual Comedy Festivals
Austin Sketch Fest
Austin Sketch Fest is a celebration of the best scripted comedy from Austin and beyond. The festival is produced, booked, and organized by ColdTowne Theater, a local icon in the improv, stand-up and sketch comedy scene. Previous guests include Latino Comedy Project, Master Pancake Theater, Atsuko Okatsuka and others.
Moontower Comedy Festival
One of the biggest comedy festivals in North America, the Moontower Comedy Festival runs nearly two weeks each April, taking over more than 10 walkable downtown venues. Presented by Paramount Theatre, the festival spans everything from arena-scale headliner shows — past lineups have included Marc Maron, Kathy Griffin, Leslie Jones and Albert Brooks — to upcoming and local acts in intimate venues. There are also podcast tapings, late-night parties and one-of-a-kind hybrid events that suprise attendees every year. Buy headliner tickets individual or add a badge for the full expierence.
Out of Bounds Comedy Festival
Out of Bounds is a week-long deep dive into all the comedy disciplines, featuring the largest and widest possible display of improv, stand-up, and sketch. Comedians from around the country show Austinites their comedy chops, performing alongside today's rising stars.
SXSW Comedy Festival
The comedy scene at SXSW has exploded in recent years resulting in a week-long dedicated festival. The SXSW Comedy Festival features a diverse lineup of offerings like comedian panels and podcast tapings, sketch comedy and stand-up from big-name comedians to up-and-comers. Recent headliners included Conan O’Brien, Nick Kroll, Samantha Bee and more.
Austin Comedy Clubs
Try the Capital City Comedy Club for big-name headliners like Vanessa Gonzalez, Bill Bellamy and Phoebe Robinson and discover up-and-comers at Open Mic Tuesdays with just $5 admission.
For a sidesplitting show, check out ColdTowne. With experimental improv, live podcasts, scripted readings and special guest characters, you'll find shows for everyone. The theatre also offers kid-friendly shows and audience members are often invited to participate.
Stop by famous podcaster Joe Rogan’s club, Comedy Mothership. The extraterrestrial-themed club hosts big-name stand-up acts and residency shows like the acclaimed Kill Tony live comedy podcast.
Founded by legendary comedian Ronnie Velveeta, The Velveeta Room has been offering weekly stand-up comedy showcases for 30+ years. The caliber of local and national comedy talent has established Velveeta Room as one of the top comedy clubs in Austin.
Did someone say musical comedy? At Esther's Follies, catch Austin's longest-running sketch comedy and musical revue, where musical numbers are interspersed between satirical sketches and magical illusions for an all-around good time.
Catch a late-night show at Sunset Strip Comedy Club on East Sixth Street. Owned by the co-host of the acclaimed Kill Tony comedy show, Sunset Strip hosts a variety of weekly shows, from Main Course Comedy, which features big-name comics, to shows like The Irregulars, with some of the up-and-coming comedians in the Austin comedy scene.
Rozco's Comedy Club on East Seventh Street is an intimate East Austin spot owned by local Austinites and Cap City alumni, with weekly programming Wednesday through Saturday that mixes local talent, touring comics, and an open mic night. Must be 18+.
After closing its doors in New York, The Creek and The Cave brought this legendary comedy venue to Austin in early 2021. This comedy hot spot has both an indoor and outdoor stage, full bar and food offerings. Catch a steady lineup of shows from local comics to touring talents seven nights a week.
East Austin Comedy is an intimate 82-seat BYOB club with a MICHELIN-trained chef running a food truck on site. Its small-room format makes for a different experience than the bigger stand-up clubs — you're close to the stage and the energy is unlike anywhere else in town. Look for stand-up showcases Wednesday through Saturday.
The Fallout Theater brings veteran performers and talented rookies to the local improv scene. Catch their weekly Comedy Fusion show, where improv and comedy styles are mixed into a hilarious showcase.
Laugh until your sides hurt at Vulcan Gas Company on Sixth Street. This club hosts weekly comedy shows like Cocktails & Comedy, for a speakeasy-style vibe with strong drinks, and Main Course Comedy, where the comic lineup for the night is a secret.
Open Mic Nights
Open mic nights are a genuine part of Austin's comedy culture — not just a warm-up act. You'll find working comics testing new material alongside first-timers, and the informal energy makes for a surprisingly fun night out.
A few reliable spots to know: Capital City Comedy Club runs Open Mic Tuesdays with $5 admission — one of the best deals in Austin comedy. The Creek and The Cave hosts a free open mic every Monday starting at 6 p.m. (sign up in person). The Fallout Theater runs a free comedy happy hour show on Fridays called TGIFallout. Most other venues post their current open mic schedules on their websites and Instagram.
Tips for Planning Your Night
A Few Things to Know Before You Go
- Book ahead for big shows. Comedy Mothership and headliner nights at Moontower sell out. Don't assme walk-up is an options.
- Most clubs are 18+ or 21+. The Creek and the Cave, Comedy Mothership and Sunset Strip are all 21+. ColdTowne and Fallout Theater welcome all ages (though content skews adult). Check each venue's policy before bringing younger guests.