Laugh out loud comedy clubs in Calgary
A funny thing happened on the way to preparing this list of top Calgary comedy clubs: We ran into veteran stand-up comic and storyteller Cory Mack. If anyone knows funny, it’s Cory. She has performed on stages across the nation and is the co-founder and co-producer of the YYComedy Festival. Here are Cory’s recommended funny rooms.
Broken City Social Club
613 11 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T2R 0E1At Broken City, James Moore hosts Western Canada’s longest-running open-mic night. Amateurs, professionals and novice comedians gather each Monday for a casual and cozy evening of laughs. Visiting comedians such as Zach Galifianakis have popped in to perform and CBC Radio’s Laugh Out Loud has been taped here. It’s got great street cred — it’s a go-to comedy place.
Scotsmans Well
116-12024 Symons Valley Rd Nw, Calgary, AB T3P 0A3Veteran comedian-MC Daryl Makk hosts The Comic’s Room at Scotsman’s Well in Creekside Mall on Symons Valley Road Northwest. It’s intimate, and you’re right there. It’s good fun, and it’s a professional show. The Tuesday-night performance features a headline comedian as well as a warm-up act, and great food and drink is served. At the end of the evening, you’re asked to pay what you think the performance deserves.
Vern's
622 8 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T2P 1G4Take in Crash Test Comedy at Vern’s on Tuesdays. This wee lower-level club is located downtown on Eighth Avenue Southwest. Starting at 8 pm, its curated stand-up comedy night features up-and-coming professional comics. The 10 pm after-show open-mic is an amateur affair that leans to the wild and crazy.
Nite Owl Club
213 10 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T2R 0A4The Jupiter Comedy gents also host a Tuesday-night show at Nite Owl, a cushy library den of a room located downtown on Tenth Avenue Southwest. The evening features a professional headliner as well as several open-mic amateurs who compete for audience appreciation and cash prizes.
The Laugh Shop Comedy Club
5940 Blackfoot Trail SE, Calgary, AB T2H 2B5The Laugh Shop in Hotel Blackfoot is built for comedy. The big room features great sightlines and comfy seats. Loads of touring professional comics take to the stage, and about once a month, the venue presents a high-profile comedian such as Norm Macdonald. Dinner and show packages are available Thursday to Saturday.
Comedy Cave The
In the Carriage House on Macleod Trail Southeast, the Comedy Cave predominantly features American headliners backed by local stand-up stars and a house MC. They have an early and a late show, and they keep it moving. Also, Jack, the owner, is very proud of his ribs, which are well worth a try.
Lolita's Lounge
1413 9 Ave SE, Calgary, AB T2G 0T4Once a month, Lolita’s Lounge in Inglewood presents Red Carpet Comedy. Hosted by comedian-MC Donovan Deschner, this is where Calgary’s professional comics try out their new material. “It’s terrifying for the comedians and very funny. It’s so exciting, and you can feel the buzz. Upstairs from Salt ‘n’ Pepper restaurant, the delicious menu is Mexican and the room is decked out with beautiful red-velvet banquette seats. It looks like Liberace’s bedroom.
Loose Moose Theatre Company
One of the country’s top comedy improv theatre venues, Loose Moose celebrated its 35th anniversary in 2012. They are phenomenal in terms of producing new shows. Friday and Saturday performances include Maestro Impro, a competitive, crash-and-burn improv evening and Gorilla Theatre in which top troupe members perform skits. As well, improv actors Andrew Phung and Renee Amber host Past Your Bedtime, a live comedy talk show.
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