Austin Comedy
So much focus is put on the Austin music scene it is easy to overlook all of the other options for entertainment in Austin. In particular, there is a rich heritage of live comedy and comedians from the area.
Comedy Clubs in Austin
Cap City Comedy Club is probably the most well known comedy venue in Austin. Most of the comedians you have heard of have performed (and recorded CD's) here at some point.Every Sunday is Open Mic night. $2 Admission ($1 goes to charity) and free for college students. Come so you can say you knew them when.
Every Tuesday is Mish Mash night. They invite half a dozen of Austin comics to perform with that week's headliner. Tickets are half price and there are happy hour specials the whole night.
Thursdays is Austin Food Bank night. Free admission if you bring two canned food items (not including special events)
The Velveeta Room is a little more intimate than Cap City, but it can be equally funny. The club is on Sixth Street so after the show it is too easy to keep the party going.
Thursdays they host Spite night, a three round improv roast between two comedians. Open Mic night follows.
Improv Theaters
Hideout Theatre is located on 617 Congress. It is housed in a coffee shop and it the home of Wafflefest and groups like Threefer Madness, Maestro, and Double Barrel.
You can also take classes in Improv (level 1-3) through out the year.
ColdTowne Theater is located on 4803 Airport. It is made of transplants from New Orleans and it the home of several groups like Parallelgramophonograph, Thursday Night Awesome, Mortified, Punchline and Stool Pigeon.
You can also take classes in Improv (level 1-5) through out the year.
You can also take classes in Improv (level 1-3) through out the year.
ColdTowne Theater is located on 4803 Airport. It is made of transplants from New Orleans and it the home of several groups like Parallelgramophonograph, Thursday Night Awesome, Mortified, Punchline and Stool Pigeon.
You can also take classes in Improv (level 1-5) through out the year.
Other Stuff
Alamo Drafthouse is an Austin treasure as far as I am concerned. Once you have been to Alamo, you won't go to a movie any other way. That's because its not just a movie theater. You can order food, beer, and wine while you watch the film.That isn't the reason why they are listed on the Austin Comedy page. They also host non-movie events like Rocky Horror Picture shows, Air Sex tournaments, and Movie quote alongs (check out the webpage for details - it'll be easier).
My favorite Alamo show is Master Pancake Theater. Three comedians play an old movie and heckle it the whole time (Think Mystery Science Theater 3000). I promise it will be a good time if I haven't done a good job of explaining it.
Esther's Follies is a musical comedy, variety, magical troupe that does send ups of politics (local and national) and other cultural events. Reservations are a good idea. They have senior, student and military discounts.
Paramount Theater can be worth checking out. Comedy isn't their main attraction, but they often have some big names perform.
Comedy Calendar
Shows, Improv, and Open Mics all week
Monday
Pic-a-Card Improv Show at Cap City (8 PM)
Long Form Improv at Kick Butt Coffee (8 PM, No Cover)
Tuesday
Mish Mash night at Cap City. Half a dozen of Austin comics perform with that week's headliner. Tickets are half price and there are happy hour specials the whole night.
The Jam is an all level improv show at the Hideout Theatre (7:00pm)
Hole in the Wall hosts a Open Mic every third Tuesday of the month
Wednesdays
The Kick Butt Comedy Open Mic at Kick Butt Coffee (8 PM) Free with a drink Purchase
Thursdays
Thursdays is Austin Food Bank night at Cap City Comedy Club. Free admission if you bring two canned food items (not including special events)
Spite night (three round improv roast between two comedians)and Open Mic at the Velveeta Room
Parallelogramophonograph Improv Group performs at Coldtowne Theater (8 PM)
Esther's Follies show at 8 PM.
Friday
Proctor Improv Show at Coldtowne Theater(8 PM)
Punchline Open Mic night at Coldtowne Theater (10 PM)
Threefer Madness is a sampling of three different improv troupes at the Hideout Theatre (8-9:30)
The Double Barrel invites you to witness two improv troupes performing extended at the Hideout Theatre (10-1115)
Esther's Follies show at 8 and 10 PM.
Master Pancake performs at Alamo Drafthouse Ritz location (usually a 7:30 and 10:30 show)
Saturday
Stool Pigeon Improv Show at Coldtowne Theater(8 PM)
Maestro is the most audience participatory show in the Austin Improv. (Hideout Theatre 10PM)
Esther's Follies show at 8 and 10 PM.
Master Pancake performs at Alamo Drafthouse Ritz location (usually a 730 and 1030 show)
Sunday
Open Mic night at Cap City Comedy. $2 Admission ($1 goes to charity) and free for college students. Come so you can say you knew them when.
Pic-a-Card Improv Show at Cap City (8 PM)
Long Form Improv at Kick Butt Coffee (8 PM, No Cover)
Tuesday
Mish Mash night at Cap City. Half a dozen of Austin comics perform with that week's headliner. Tickets are half price and there are happy hour specials the whole night.
The Jam is an all level improv show at the Hideout Theatre (7:00pm)
Hole in the Wall hosts a Open Mic every third Tuesday of the month
Wednesdays
The Kick Butt Comedy Open Mic at Kick Butt Coffee (8 PM) Free with a drink Purchase
Thursdays
Thursdays is Austin Food Bank night at Cap City Comedy Club. Free admission if you bring two canned food items (not including special events)
Spite night (three round improv roast between two comedians)and Open Mic at the Velveeta Room
Parallelogramophonograph Improv Group performs at Coldtowne Theater (8 PM)
Esther's Follies show at 8 PM.
Friday
Proctor Improv Show at Coldtowne Theater(8 PM)
Punchline Open Mic night at Coldtowne Theater (10 PM)
Threefer Madness is a sampling of three different improv troupes at the Hideout Theatre (8-9:30)
The Double Barrel invites you to witness two improv troupes performing extended at the Hideout Theatre (10-1115)
Esther's Follies show at 8 and 10 PM.
Master Pancake performs at Alamo Drafthouse Ritz location (usually a 7:30 and 10:30 show)
Saturday
Stool Pigeon Improv Show at Coldtowne Theater(8 PM)
Maestro is the most audience participatory show in the Austin Improv. (Hideout Theatre 10PM)
Esther's Follies show at 8 and 10 PM.
Master Pancake performs at Alamo Drafthouse Ritz location (usually a 730 and 1030 show)
Sunday
Open Mic night at Cap City Comedy. $2 Admission ($1 goes to charity) and free for college students. Come so you can say you knew them when.
Austin Comedy Locations
Cap City is up north, but most everything else is downtown.
Feedback
If I missed anything or got it wrong let me know
rdandy wrote...
Hey this lens is cool. Who knew Austin had so many clubs? You should check out my site, squidoo.com/oneliners, and tell us a Texan joke or two.
Posted September 13, 2008
Lensmaster
Jessica wrote
At the Hideout there is usually a main stage show at 8pm on Saturdays. This is an improvised Star Treck, or Shakespeare, or musical, or comic book. They do different formats for full runs. It is usually some of the best improv in Austin.
Posted August 27, 2008
Lensmaster
Master Gohring wrote
Thank you for including Kick Butt Comedy at Kick Butt Coffee. We also have Improv on Monday Nights.
Posted July 03, 2008
