San Francisco, up until recently, has not been known as one of America’s funnier cities. We were too darn busy lobbying for gay marriage and gun bans to develop a sense of humor that is anything but snide, sarcastic, and self-referential. But nowadays with the Obama administration helming an ideal utopian government, by the people and for the people, and with congress coming to an unprecedented, bipartisan agreement on national health care after only a couple days of civil, friendly discourse, good ole’ Frisco is loosening its belt and lightening up. Visit any of these clubs and get a healthy dose of the city’s new, optimistic take on current affairs humor. And yes, Robin Williams has played all of them.
Punch Line Comedy Club
(415) 397-7573 Here you have one of San Francisco’s most beloved comedy institutions. That you’re going to pay $10 for a watery margarita won’t even bother you, you’ll be laughing so hard. If it’s good enough for Dave Chapelle, it’s good enough for you.
444 Battery St
San Francisco, CA 94111
Cobb’s Comedy Club
(415) 928-4320
915 Columbus Ave
San Francisco, CA 94133
If you can judge the quality of a comedy club by the men and women who have filled his hallowed halls with laughter, then check some of the names that have graced the Cobb’s stage. Aries Spears. Josh Blue. Dana Gould. Marisa Bamford. Don’t recognize any of those names? Well neither do I. But Tracy Morgan played there, and if it’s good enough for him, then it’s good enough for you.
San Francisco Comedy College and Clubhouse
(415) 921-2051
414 Mason St
San Francisco, CA 94102
Firstly, if a place allows you to bring your own beer, it’s good enough for you, if not downright better than you. Secondly, in the grand comic tradition of comedy groups like Second City, National Lampoons, and The Groundlings, this San Francisco laugh locale manicures a growing legion of hilarious folks.
The Purple Onion
140 Columbus Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94133
(415) 956-1653
Anyone who’s been around the block a couple times can tell you the funniest stuff doesn’t happen at the established clubs; it happens in the dirt and grime of dimly lit, barren comedy houses. Hence The Purple Onion, whose name doesn’t reveal accurately enough the guerilla style, no holds barred, blood-guts-and-shit comedy style that reigns supreme. This is Theatre of the Absurd, visceral, eye-ball dripping avant-garde style comedy. Get ready to laugh, suckers.
