Find 16 stand-up comedy clubs in Austin, Texas. Browse venues, open mic nights, show schedules, and tickets.
Austin punches above its weight for comedy. The city has a real scene — not just a few corporate clubs — built around East 6th Street, where Comedy Mothership, East Austin Comedy Club, The Creek and The Cave, and Esther's Follies all sit within blocks of each other. If you're visiting and want to hit multiple shows in one night, this strip is the place to do it.
Comedy Mothership is Joe Rogan's club at 320 E 6th St — 240 seats, 21+, and it books real headliners alongside strong up-and-coming acts. The production quality is high and tickets sell fast. Cap City Comedy Club up in north Austin (near the Domain) is the other big touring room — they've been booking A-list comics for decades and the crowd is reliable. Esther's Follies at 525 E 6th is a different animal: it's a variety and political satire show that's been running on 6th Street since 1977. All ages, 200 seats, and unlike anywhere else in town.
For smaller rooms, East Austin Comedy Club is a 60-seat intimate space on E 6th where you're very close to the performer. The Hideout Theatre does improv and is all ages and affordable. The Creek and The Cave on E 7th is an indie room with a local comedy-first booking philosophy — good place to discover Austin talent before they get famous. The Moontower Comedy Festival in the spring brings national headliners to venues across the city and is worth planning a trip around.
Austin's comedy scene received a significant boost with the relocation of prominent comedians like Joe Rogan to the city, which helped draw national attention and further establish Austin as a major comedy destination.
The East Austin area, particularly around East 6th Street, is a hotspot for comedy clubs and offers a great selection of bars and restaurants for pre-show drinks or dinner. Parking can be found in nearby garages or street parking if you arrive early.
Comedy Mothership at 320 E 6th St is owned by Joe Rogan, who opened it in 2023. It's a 240-seat club with 21+ admission and books a strong mix of national headliners and road comics alongside occasional surprise appearances. Tickets run $20–$50. It's worth it — the production quality is high, the room sounds good, and the booking reflects Rogan's taste for no-holds-barred stand-up.
Esther's Follies at 525 E 6th St has been running since 1977 and is unlike any other venue in Austin. It's a variety and political satire show with comedy sketches, magic, and live music — not a stand-up comedy club. Shows are all ages, tickets run around $25–$35, and the production is polished. It's a great option if you're looking for something the whole group can enjoy or want a taste of Austin's entertainment history.
For tourists who want a guaranteed great show, Cap City Comedy Club in north Austin and Comedy Mothership on E 6th are the two main touring headliner rooms. For locals looking to discover new talent, The Creek and The Cave on E 7th and East Austin Comedy Club (E 6th) book local and regional acts in more intimate settings. East Austin Comedy Club seats 60 people, so every seat is close.
Yes. The Hideout Theatre at 617 Congress Ave is Austin's dedicated improv venue — all ages, 99 seats, and they run shows and classes regularly. ColdTowne Theater on E 2nd is the other improv home, also all ages and very affordable. Both are good options if you want to try improv for the first time or catch strong ensemble work.
Moontower Comedy Festival in the spring (typically April) is the peak comedy event in Austin — national headliners take over venues across the city for a week. Outside of the festival, East 6th Street has comedy happening almost every night between Comedy Mothership, East Austin Comedy Club, and The Creek and The Cave. Weekends draw the biggest names; weeknights are better for catching local and regional talent.