While the Mile High City is known for its close proximity to outdoor activities, it also happens to be a hotbed for stand-up comedy. No matter the time of year, it’s the perfect time to pick an indoor date night and spend the night laughing out loud.
Whether you’re a fan of big-name acts in established clubs or popping a $5 can of “dad beer” in a dive bar off East Colfax Avenue, there’s something for everyone to love in Denver’s comedy scene. That’s why we went on the hunt for the best comedy clubs in Denver and the suburbs.
Check out the full list below.
The Best Comedy Clubs in Denver and Beyond
The Bug Theater
3654 Navajo St., Denver, Colorado, 80211
- Ticket information: A calendar of performances and information about snagging tickets is available here.
First built in 1912 as a Nickelodeon movie house, the Bug Theatre now hosts a variety of performances in a space that’s meant to showcase emerging artists who might not otherwise be able to access such a large venue. That mission is reason alone to include it in our list of the best comedy clubs in Denver, but it’s not the only one. Notably, the Bug Theatre is famous for frequently hosting the Grawlix, a Denver comedy supergroup made up of Adam Cayton-Holland, Andrew Orvedahl, and Ben Roy — as well as a rotating list of special guests. You can also catch monthly performances by the Parker Players, a hilarious improv comedy group. This is a low-key establishment, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Don’t expect a gourmet dinner, but you can snag $6 beers and glasses of wine, a price point that would be hard to find at other comedy clubs near me.
Chaos Bloom Theater
70 S. Broadway, Denver, Colorado
- Ticket information: Find the full schedule and information about specific events on their website.
This cool theater’s skull logo and very indie-centric ethos perfectly capture the nearby Baker neighborhood. It also happens to be one of the best comedy clubs in Denver, thanks to its Bohemian vibes and shows featuring a combination of local performers and bigger acts from comedy meccas like New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago. And, if the pros make you want to try the comedy thing out for yourself, there are plenty of opportunities to sign up for a variety of relatively affordable improv, sketch, clowning, and stand-up classes.
Comedy Works (Downtown and South Denver)
Downtown location: 1226 15th St., Denver, Colorado, 80202
Denver Tech Center location: 5345 Landmark Pl., Greenwood Village, Colorado, 80111
- Ticket information: The base ticket price is $14 for weeknights and $22 for Fridays and Saturdays, with a two-item minimum purchase from the restaurant and bar when you arrive. Prices can vary, and you can find the latest information and a calendar of events here.
This Denver landmark doesn’t really need an introduction. It’s not just one of the best comedy clubs in Denver, it might also be one of the top venues in the country. That’s thanks to everything from its comfortable ambiance, yummy food and drink menu, and perhaps most importantly of all, the renowned lineup of the best touring comedians and rising stars in the business. Seriously: Over the course of its decades-long history, Comedy Works has hosted everyone from Jerry Seinfeld to Chris Rock to Denver legend Josh Blue.
Denver Comedy Underground
675 22nd St., Denver, Colorado, 80205
- Ticket information: $20 per show, and there’s even free pizza (you have to pay for drinks, though).
The fact that this venue literally has free pizza during every show automatically makes it one of the best comedy clubs in Denver, but that’s certainly not the only thing it has going for it. This intimate space prides itself on not having any bad seats, with its lineup of touring heavy hitters and fresh comedy acts seemingly performing right in the middle of the crowd. Be sure to stop by on a Sunday for their legendary brunch comedy show. Another thing to note? There’s not a two-drink minimum like other comedy clubs, and the bar happens to be pretty cheap, serving up $5 cans of beer and $8 well drinks.
Denver Comedy Lounge
3559 Larimer St., Denver, Colorado, 80205
- Ticket information: Find out pricing and see the event schedule here.
This unique venue in Denver’s River North Arts District isn’t just home to great comedy — it also shares a space with Colorado Sake Company, meaning you can sample a delicious beverage and Japanese tapas menu all while enjoying a rotating cast of national and local comedians. Sushi and comedy are two of the best things about life (not an opinion, a fact), and you’ve got to love how the Denver Comedy Lounge combines both!
Denver Improv
8246 Northfield Blvd. Unit 1400, Denver, Colorado, 80238
- Ticket information: The box office opens one hour prior to each showing of the evening. You can also snag tickets and see a schedule of events here.
The Improv might be a national chain, but it’s also been a springboard for the careers of successful comedians like David Spade, Lily Tomlin, Drew Carey, and more. Denver’s iteration continues that tradition, bringing in a rotating cast of national touring acts who you might recognize on TV. A bonus about this Denver comedy club? Since it’s in the Shops at Northfield rather than downtown, parking happens to be a little less of a journey!
Lion’s Lair
2022 E. Colfax Ave. Denver, Colorado, 80206
- Ticket information: Free (but be sure to buy something from the bar!).
If you’re looking for assigned seats at a comedy club where you can drink a fancy cocktail and see established acts, this probably is not the place for you. But, if you want to drink a $4 can of Old Style, immerse yourself in the cultural experience that is East Colfax Avenue, and roll the dice about whether you’ll see possibly the best or worst stand-up set of your life, then this is the best. The Lion’s Lair, which is famous for its punk rock heritage, also happens to host some of the best comedy shows in Denver thanks to its frequent open mic comedy nights and gong shows. During the latter, wannabe comedians see if they can make it through a full seven-minute set without being “gonged” off the stage. No matter what, you’re sure to have a unique experience at a comedy venue that also happens to be one of the best dive bars in Denver.
Oriental Theater
4335 W 44th Ave., Denver, Colorado
- Ticket information: The box office is located in the Berkeley Bodega (which is next door to the venue) and opens from noon to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, and until 9 p.m. any evening there’s a show. You can also snag tickets to specific events on the Oriental’s website.
While the Oriental Theater hosts all kinds of different acts, it happens to be one of the best places to catch comedy shows in Denver. That’s thanks to its funky atmosphere and knack for booking unique shows that would be hard to find anywhere else. A highlight? Lucha Libre and Laughs, which brings a combination of comedy and professional wrestling (which is funny in its own right) to the Oriental’s stage. Before and after the show, be sure to stop at one of the numerous bars and restaurants along nearby Tennyson Street.
Rayback Collective Boulder
2775 Valmont Rd., Boulder, Colorado, 80304
- Ticket information: This comedy series goes on hiatus during the winter, but check back when the weather gets warmer here!
If you happen to find yourself searching “comedy clubs near me” next time you’re in Boulder, you’ll be in luck! Thanks to the weekly Boulder Comedy Show at the Rayback Collective, you can catch live comedy every Sunday night near the bustling 29th Street Mall. Denver comedian Brent Gill created this series of shows. Gill is a local hero who has been touring with Saturday Night Live alum David Space since 2023. He has plenty of star power, and he’s used it to attract guests like Hasan Minhaj, Punkie Johnston, and more. For what it’s worth, the Rayback Collective is a cool spot in its own right — we’ve featured it on our list of the best dog-friendly spots in Denver.
RISE Comedy
1260 22nd Street, Denver, Colorado, 80205
- Ticket information: Tickets start at $13, and are available online here.
This comedy club right in the middle of LoDo has been making Denver laugh since 2008 when its team started performing “The Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Dinner Show” and “Hit and Run: Musical Improv.” It opened in its current space (then known as the Voodoo Comedy Playhouse) in 2011, and since then has cemented its reputation as one of the best comedy clubs in Denver thanks to its lineup of improv, open mics, sketch comedy, karaoke, classes, and festivals. It also happens to be an affordable night out compared to other similar establishments; there is a fully stocked bar, but you don’t have to worry about buying a minimum number of drinks. Another bonus? All of the shows are for all ages until 10 p.m.!
