Tips for Enjoying Your First Comedy Club Experience
There are a lot of things you can do for a night out with friends. If you're tired of the same old entertainment, you might want to try a comedy club. There are plenty of events to consider any month of the year.
Check the upcoming shows, talk to your friends, and prepare for some laughs with local or traveling comics.
Before you head to the comedy night, take a peek at these tips to help you join others in the club and enjoy your first venture into the comedy world.
Choose a Night with a Comic You Enjoy
The first time you go to a comedy club, you don't want to be miserable. Rather, you want to enjoy the spot, the comedians, and everything else about the comedy night. There are plenty of upcoming shoes, but you don't want to sit and listen to random comedians.
If you're going on Tuesdays, or any other time, it's important to choose a comic you enjoy and appreciate. Not everyone is going to be funny to you. Each comic has their own culture and as the person planning the night out, you have rights as to when you go.
There are tons of comics in the area and national treasures also travel. If you aren't sure which comics you think are funny, listen to podcasts, watch the comedy specials on TV, check out the local news, and see what makes you laugh.
The world is filled with comics and you can take a sneak peek at most of them throughout the year as you plan the comedy night and look into upcoming shows.
The comedy club will have a list of their headliners and you can choose one based on the comedy you most enjoy.
Once you have a list of comedians that make you laugh, check the comedy club and see when those individuals are going to visit. If you don't see any you know in the week you want to enjoy the comedy world, call the club and see what comics they recommend as similar to the ones you like. Once you have those names, you can peek in on those comedians online to prove the club's advice.
After you have the information you need on the comedians visiting the area, join the guest list by buying tickets for yourself and any friends that are coming. Start planning a week or more ahead so you can ensure you are able to get into the club on Tuesdays or whatever day you want.
Go with the Right Friends
Another way to join the comedy world in the right frame of mind it to ensure you attend with people from the right decades. You may have friends of varying ages and some thing certain things are funny while others don't.
This is your opportunity to judge your friends, in a way, and think about what they believe is funny. What makes them laugh? Prove how well you know them by going over the comedy acts in your mind and fitting them to the right companions.
You likely have acquaintances that have a similar sense of humor to yours. They are good people to take into the comedy culture. You will have a great night together if you can both giggle at the same things.
It's also important to go with people who approach a night out in a similar way you do. If you want to have a drink or two, you might not want to take someone who is sober. It might tempt them and make you feel guilty in that comedy culture. On the other hand, if you don't like to drink, choose people who will grab a soda with you and call it good.
You know how the people in your life react to certain decades, comedians, and news. Choose those who will fit in with the vibe you are going for and you will have even more fun yourself.
Choose the Right Club
There are plenty of comedy clubs on the market and you will want to choose one that fits your needs for a first outing. There are lots of things you can use as a sign that a comedy club is right for you. Here are a few that help you choose the right place:
Location, Location, Location
You may not want to travel way out of the area to visit a comedy show. You never know what the weather will do and it takes that much time to drive there and back.
On Tuesdays, you may want to stay close and that might be the case for those you take with you as well. Check the week you are planning the outing and use location as a sign that certain clubs are off the list while others are possibilities.
Luckily, most regions have options for comedy clubs, so you can look at their locations, check their comedian lists, and go from there. Cross off the ones that are farthest away and hope that the closer ones will help you to get the experience you want for your first comedy night out.
Pricing
It's hard to put money on the list of everything you do, but it matters and that's all there is to it. You may not have the funds to pay for a comic you see on TV every night. And some clubs are going to charge more than others.
If you decide to go out on Tuesdays, you are more likely to save money. And clubs are going to charge varied prices, anywhere you go.
Check the prices on the comics you like and compare them to other nights. When you see fair, comparable prices, that can be a sign that you have the right club. You deserve fair prices and you don't want to spend your whole month's worth of your entertainment budget for one night out.
Set a price range for yourself and look around the area until you find a comedy night that suits that budget and your liking of certain types of comedy.
Size
Each comedy club is different in size, within any city. Look at pictures or call the club and see what their capacity is. Think about what you want for your experience. If you prefer something small and intimate, choose a smaller comedy location. If you want to feel like one of the crowd instead, go for a larger comedy arena.
The larger spaces may have bigger headliners, and they might also cost more, so keep that in mind as a sign one way or the other.
If you are inviting a lot of people to go with you, you may need a bigger table or more seats. That isn't always possible at certain comedy venues. Match your group to the right comic and the right venue and you are sure to have a great comedy night.
Rules and Amenities
Comedy businesses can set their own rules and you want to find a club that suits your needs and wants. Some clubs, for example, might not permit smoking.
If you or someone in your group wants to smoke, that is something to consider. It may feel too cold to be outside during those smoke breaks.
Clubs also sometimes have age restrictions, and you will want to know what those are. If you are over 21, as are those you invite, it's probably not going to matter. If you're in college, however, certain shows won't permit those who aren't 21 because there is alcohol served. Check those rules so you can get tickets to a show that permits the age range you need.
Most comedy clubs have bars attached, not not all of them. That's something else to keep in mind as you look at the comedy options.
Some clubs also have full restaurants attached so you can have a meal while the comics are performing.
A night out could include dinner and you don't have to go anywhere for the food when you can get it there.
Arrive Early
Once you choose a comic and a club for your comedy night out, and you get the tickets and plan the evening, arrive early. Some clubs are first-come first-served on seating and you want to make sure you get a great table or seat for your group.
After the comic starts performing, you won't be able to talk to your companions as much. It's nice to gather the group early so you can chat and catch up before the comedy starts.
If there's food and/or drinks, it's nice to get those ordered before the comedy begins as well.
Set the Time
Check with the comedy club and see what time the show starts. Also, check and see what the doors open. Set the time with your group for the right arrival period.
You may want to set a time for everyone to arrive right when doors open so you can get a seat, chat, order, and settle in. As the person organizing the night out, you get to set the meeting time.
You know the people you invited, too. If some of them tend to run late, setting an earlier time will help everyone to arrive to the club at a decent time.
You certainly don't want anyone coming late and interrupting the show. That will disrupt your experience, and that of those around you.
Be Respectful
There are lots of different comedy options on the market, and there are also lots of different audience members. Comedians are used to hecklers, but don't be one of them. It disrupts the flow of the comedy and can ruin the experience for others.
Laughing and clapping is always accepted at any time during the comedy show. Anything else is discouraged. The comedy is meant to entertain you, but you are not the only person attending the show.
Let your companions and the others around you appreciate the comedy too by not interrupting the show, talking too loudly to those around you, or getting up and moving around constantly.
Take Well-Behaved People
You can't control how others are going to act, but you can control who you invite to the club. Instead of taking people you know are prone to shouting and heckling, invite those who know how to behave in performance situations.
Your city is filled with people who know how to act, though there are plenty who don't. If you know certain folks who don't handle liquor well, and you know they will want to drink, leave them behind for your first comedy venture.
Don't Be Offended
Comedy performers often push the boundaries, especially in clubs. They aren't being filmed for a comedy special or anything else. They can test out new material in your area, and they will.
It's possible that even if you enjoyed their comedy where you checked in on it, they may come out with something offensive or uncomfortable for you or someone you are with.
If you are easily offended, a comedy club might not be the right place for you to have a night out. Don't invite people in your life who are offended easily, either.
Instead, if you find some of the comedy uncomfortable, just try to brush it off and have a good time. These comedians aren't to be taken seriously. Don't let them get to you!
Avoid Controversial Comics
You don't want to be offended, and you are going to try and brush off what you can, but one way to avoid that feeling is to avoid certain comics. There are plenty of comics to offer and some are more controversial than others.
Some comics specialize in political comedy, for example. If you're a Republican, don't go see someone perform if they are constantly bashing your beliefs.
Other comics are simply known for pushing boundaries. Avoid those performers for your first outing and you are more likely to have a good time.
Sit Back and Enjoy
Watching a comedy show is an enjoyable, fun experience--if you let it be just that!
If you keep these tips in mind and move forward with this in mind, you should have a great night of comedy ahead of you. Larger cities have a lot of options to offer to you and your group.
Spend a little time figuring out what you want, when you can attend a show, and what comedy you like the most and move forward from there.
You want your first comedy experience to be one you'll never forget! If you enjoy your first experience, you may have many more in your future!