Comedy Club Atlanta: Your Local Guide to the City’s Best Stand-Up and Improv

Atlanta’s comedy scene is lively, diverse, and constantly evolving. Whether you live in the city or you’re in town for a weekend, finding a great comedy club in Atlanta is mostly about knowing what kind of night you want: underground open mic, polished touring headliners, improv, or something in between.

Below is a practical, Atlanta-focused guide to where to go, what to expect, typical costs, and how to make the most of a comedy night out in the city.

Atlanta’s Comedy Scene at a Glance

Atlanta offers:

• Full-time comedy clubs with national headliners
• Improv theaters with crowd-driven shows
• Bar and restaurant comedy nights (often cheaper or free)
• Open mics for up-and-coming local comics

You’ll find most clubs and shows clustered around Midtown, Buckhead, Downtown, East Atlanta, and the I-285 perimeter, with a few notable spots farther out.

Major Comedy Clubs in Atlanta

These are the best-known, consistently active comedy venues that many locals look to first when planning a night out.

The Punchline Comedy Club (Buckhead/Sandy Springs area)

One of the longest-running names in Atlanta comedy, The Punchline typically hosts touring headliners, established comics, and special events.

• Type of comedy: Stand-up (local + national acts)
• Typical schedule: Shows most Thursday–Sunday nights
• Vibe: Classic comedy club setup with tables, food service, and a close-up stage feel
• Common policies:
  • Age restrictions often apply (frequently 18+ or 21+)
  • Two-item minimum (food or drink) is common

This is a go-to spot if you want a traditional comedy club experience with more polished sets and recognizable names.

Laughing Skull Lounge (Midtown)

Laughing Skull is known for its intimate room and focus on stand-up, plus its history with comedy festivals and competitions.

• Type of comedy: Stand-up, mix of local showcase nights and touring comics
• Location context: Often associated with the Midtown area’s walkable bar and restaurant scene
• Vibe: Small room, tight crowd, high-energy; you’re close to the stage almost anywhere you sit

If you like the idea of being right in the action and hearing both up-and-coming and seasoned comics, this is a strong choice.

Dad’s Garage Theatre Company (Old Fourth Ward / Inman Park area)

While not a “club” in the classic sense, Dad’s Garage is a major player for improv and sketch comedy in Atlanta.

• Type of comedy: Improv, sketch shows, special themed nights
• Typical schedule: Regular weekend shows, plus workshops and special events
• Vibe: Theater-style seating, interactive, more “theatrical” than a stand-up club

Choose Dad’s Garage if you prefer made-up-on-the-spot comedy, audience suggestions, and creative formats rather than traditional stand-up sets.

Village Theatre (Old Fourth Ward / Downtown-adjacent)

Village Theatre is another reliable spot for improv, stand-up showcases, and experimental formats.

• Type of comedy: Improv, stand-up showcases, themed shows
• Vibe: Casual, local, and community-focused

This is a good fit if you’re interested in a local, creative scene and don’t necessarily need a big-name headliner.

Typical Price Ranges and What to Expect

Prices vary based on the club, night of the week, and how big the act is, but Atlanta’s comedy clubs often fall into these general ranges:

Additional costs to factor in:

• Two-item minimums at some clubs (food or drink)
• Parking fees (especially in Buckhead, Midtown, and Downtown garages)
• Taxes and ticket fees if you buy online ahead of time

How to Choose the Right Comedy Club in Atlanta

When you search for “comedy club Atlanta,” you’ll see a mix of dedicated clubs and one-off bar shows. To narrow it down, consider:

1. What kind of comedy do you like?

• Stand-up with headliners: Look to The Punchline, Laughing Skull, and similar clubs.
• Improv / interactive shows: Try Dad’s Garage or Village Theatre.
• Edgier or experimental shows: Look for smaller rooms and bar shows in East Atlanta, Edgewood, and Midtown.

2. How far are you willing to travel?

Traffic and parking are real factors in Atlanta:

• Midtown and Buckhead have more garages and paid parking, but can be busy on weekends.
• Neighborhood shows (East Atlanta, Grant Park, Old Fourth Ward) might involve street parking and walking a bit further.

3. What kind of night are you planning?

• Date night: A more polished club or improv theater with reserved seating works well.
• Group outing: Look for venues that clearly describe group seating and food options.
• Tourist visit: Choosing clubs near MARTA stations in Midtown or Downtown can simplify transportation.

Age Limits, Dress Code, and Other Club Policies

Most Atlanta comedy clubs have similar baseline policies, but each location is different, so it’s worth double-checking before you go.

Age limits

• Many stand-up clubs are 18+ or 21+, especially where alcohol is served.
• Improv theaters and early shows sometimes allow younger audiences, but content can still be adult-oriented.

If you’re planning a night out with teens or a mixed-age group, look closely for “family-friendly,” “PG,” or matinee shows at improv venues.

Dress code

Atlanta comedy clubs typically lean casual:

• Jeans, t-shirts, and casual shoes are widely accepted.
• Some people dress up more for weekend shows in Buckhead or Midtown, especially if they’re pairing comedy with a nicer dinner.

Unless a club specifies otherwise, smart casual is a safe baseline.

Food and drink

Common setups in Atlanta comedy clubs:

• Full menu of bar food and appetizers (especially at larger stand-up clubs)
• Two-item minimum at traditional clubs (can be any combination of food and drink)
• Beer/wine-only or bar snacks at smaller or improv venues

If you have dietary restrictions, checking the menu in advance can help avoid surprises.

Transportation and Parking Tips for Comedy Clubs in Atlanta

Getting to and from a late-night comedy show in Atlanta is easier when you plan for traffic and parking up front.

Driving and parking

• Buckhead & Midtown: Expect paid decks and limited street parking, especially near busy restaurant corridors. Give yourself extra time.
• Old Fourth Ward / Inman Park / East Atlanta: You may find more street parking, but it can still fill up on weekends.
• Downtown-adjacent areas: Often a mix of lots, decks, and metered street parking.

If a club lists a specific attached lot or validated deck, that’s usually the simplest option, even if it costs a bit more.

Using MARTA and rideshares

• Midtown and Downtown venues tend to be closer to MARTA rail stations.
• Rideshare options (Uber, Lyft, local cabs) are widely used for late-night shows to avoid parking and driving after having drinks.

For out-of-town visitors staying in the city core, combining MARTA + short rideshares is a common approach.

Open Mics and Smaller Comedy Nights Around Atlanta

Some of Atlanta’s best comedy moments happen outside the big clubs in bars, breweries, and mixed-use venues.

These shows are great if you:

• Want a low-cost or free night out
• Like discovering new local comedians
• Are curious about trying stand-up yourself

Things to know:

• Many open mics are on weeknights, especially Monday–Thursday.
• Sign-ups for performers may open online or in person earlier in the evening.
• Shows often run longer and feature a wide range of skill levels.

If you’re performing, it’s common to see lists posted or sign-ups handled by a host or showrunner at the venue.

Tips for Getting the Most Out of an Atlanta Comedy Night

A little planning goes a long way in Atlanta’s busy nightlife and traffic.

Book early for popular weekend shows

• Headliner sets, festival weekends, and holiday shows can sell out.
• Buying tickets online ahead of time usually gets you better seating and fewer lines at the door.

Arrive early, but not too early

• Clubs often recommend arriving 30–45 minutes before showtime.
• Early arrival helps with:
  • Parking or navigating unfamiliar neighborhoods
  • Getting seats together for groups
  • Ordering food and drinks before the show starts

Mind the club etiquette

Most Atlanta comedy clubs share standard expectations:

• No heckling; talking back to comics rarely goes well for anyone.
• Limit phone use and recording; many clubs strictly ban filming sets.
• Order early and tip staff—servers and bartenders help keep the show running smoothly.

If You’re New to Comedy Clubs in Atlanta

If you’ve never been to a comedy club before and you’re in Atlanta:

1. Pick your area first. Decide whether Buckhead, Midtown, or a more neighborhood vibe fits your travel plans.
2. Choose style: Stand-up with headliners vs. improv vs. local showcases.
3. Check the calendar: Look for show descriptions that mention “clean,” “late-night,” “crowd work,” “improv games,” or “headliner” depending on your comfort level.
4. Start with a weekend show: Friday or Saturday nights usually offer the strongest lineups and best crowd energy.

Once you’ve tried one or two venues, it becomes easier to recognize the pockets of the city that match your taste in comedy.

Atlanta’s comedy clubs and small stages together create a scene where you can find something nearly every night of the week—whether that’s a polished national act in Buckhead, inventive improv in Old Fourth Ward, or a no-cover open mic at a neighborhood bar. With a bit of planning around location, style, and budget, you can build a comedy night that fits exactly what you’re looking for in Atlanta.