The Dallas/Fort Worth metro area has a high number of comedy clubs, starting with The Improv--one of the most-pedigreed chains of comedy clubs in the U.S. with some of the biggest names in the business--at its locations in both Arlington and Addison. For a more home-grown vibe, Hyena's has three locations in Dallas, Arlington and Ft. Worth featuring national headliners and the best local and up-and-coming acts, with open-mic nights that vary by location. For other alternatives, the Backdoor Comedy Club in Dallas is a showcase-oriented club featuring eight or more comics per show and has been voted "best comedy club" by "D Magazine" and "The Dallas Observer," and the Pocket Sandwich Theater, normally a dinner theater, even features late night stand-up on Friday and Saturday nights.
Improv Comedy Club
309 Curtis Mathes Way #147
Arlington, TX 76018
817-635-5555
improv.com
Improv Comedy Club
4980 Beltline Rd. #250
Dallas, TX 75254
972-404-8501
improv.com
Hyena's Comedy Nightclub
5321 E. Mockingbird
Dallas, TX 75206
214-823-5233
hyenascomedynightclub.com
Hyena's Comedy Nightclub
2525 E. Arkansas Ln.
Arlington, TX 76010
817-226-5233
hyenascomedynightclub.com
Hyena's Comedy Nightclub
605 Houston St.
Ft. Worth, TX 76102
817-877-5233
hyenascomedynightclub.com
Backdoor Comedy Club
8250 N. Central Expy. (Doubletree Hotel)
Dallas, TX 75206
214-328-4444
backdoorcomedy.com
Pocket Sandwich Theater
5400 E. Mockingbird Ln. #119
Dallas, TX 75206
214-821-1860
pocketsandwich.com
The capital city of Austin has long been known for its support of the performing arts, allowing it to maintain three separate comedy clubs. The Cap City Comedy Club, in northern Austin, celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2010 and routinely brings in headliners seen on Comedy Central and elsewhere on TV. Its main competitor--the Velveeta Room--opened shortly after and offers comedy every Friday and Saturday and is located in the heart of downtown Austin's entertainment district. Austin's newest comedy club--the Coldtowne Theater--goes for a more relaxed environment, including some sofa seating, and features improv, sketch comedy and other mediums along with stand-up for those looking for something a little different.
Cap City Comedy Club
8120 Research Blvd. #100
Austin, TX 78205
512-467-2333
capcitycomedy.com
Velveeta Room
521 E. 6th St.
Austin, TX 78701
512-469-9116
thevelveetaroom.com
Coldtowne Theater
4803-B Airport Blvd.
Austin, TX 78751
512-524-2807
coldtownetheater.com
Houston has had a few big clubs come and go over the years, and remains a thriving market for top-notch comedy. The city is home to another Improv, along with the Laff Spot--located in the northwest suburbs and featuring terrific under-the-radar comics; the Comedy Showcase--founded by the "Godfather of Texas Comedy" Danny Martinez, who helped break such acts as Thea Vidale, Ralphie May and Bill Engvall; and the improv club Comedy Sportz, which provides an interactive change of pace for audiences used to watching straight stand-up shows.
Improv Comedy Club
7620 Katy Freeway Space 431
Houston, TX 77024
713-333-8800
improv.com
Laff Spot Comedy Club
8905 Louetta Rd.
Spring, TX 77379
281-655-7777
laffspot.com
The Comedy Showcase
11460 Fuqua St., Suite 300
Houston, TX 77089
281-481-1188
thecomedyshowcase.com
Comedy Sportz
901 Town & Country Blvd.
Houston, TX 77024
713.868.1444
comedysportzhouston.com
In San Antonio, the Rivercenter Comedy Club is located downtown in the Rivercenter Mall, and is within walking distance of the Alamo and numerous bars and restaurants along the scenic tourist destination Riverwalk area. Its sister club--the Laugh Out Loud Comedy Club--opened in 2009 in the Park North Entertainment Complex, next to the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, and offers the same high level of stand-up for those who choose not to battle the traffic and parking hassles of downtown and want to enjoy the newer environment.
Rivercenter Comedy Club
849 East Commerce Street
San Antonio, TX 78205
210-229-1420
rivercentercomedyclub.com
Laugh Out Loud Comedy Club
618 N.W. Loop 410, Suite 312
San Antonio, TX 78216
210-541-8805
lolsanantonio.com
The western half of Texas is not as comedy-oriented as the larger cities in the eastern half, though one well-respected club out west is El Paso's Comic Strip Comedy Club, which first opened in 1986 and has hosted such well-known acts as Paul Rodriguez, George Lopez, Dave Chappelle and Steve Harvey.
Comic Strip Comedy Club
1201 Airway Blvd.
El Paso, TX 79925
915-779-5233
comicstripelpaso.com