Comedy clubs in Toronto are a great destination for a romantic date, a night out with friends, or to discover local rising talent, and many have been home to some of today’s biggest Canadian comedic stars from Russel Peters to Lorne Michaels.
From improv and stand-up and sketch comedy, here are some of the best comedy clubs in Toronto that will have you nonstop laughing.
Stars like Catherine O’Hara and Martin Short began their careers at The Second City Toronto, which is one of the best comedy clubs in the city known for its improv and sketch performances. It has also been around since 1973, and is a great place for up-and-coming talent to refine their comedy via their improv classes.
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You might not expect to find world-class comedy at this jazz and world music club but this comedy-led wine tasting experience in Toronto pairs standup with five guided pours, delivered in a no-judgment, interactive format. The 19+ show was created by an Australian comedian with certified wine qualifications and mixes laughs with practical wine insights. It’s a new way to experience comedy and wine, perfect for date night, mates dates or just a solo night out.
With two locations in the city, Comedy Bar is one of the most popular comedy clubs in Toronto, open seven nights a week 363 days a year. You’ll find comedians of all genres here, and nightly shows range from stand-up to improv troupes.
Yuk Yuk’s is a Canadian comedy club chain with multiple locations in Ontario in addition to Toronto, and is known for giving emerging comedians a great platform. Famous comedians regularly make stops at Yuk Yuk’s, which is also the destination for the Just For Laughs Festival.
Regularly hosting both amateur and professional comedians, Absolute Comedy is an intimate destination where you can also order food and drinks to your table while you enjoy the show. They also have a second location in Ottawa.
This multilevel comedy club on the Danforth is known for its improv, found on the second and third floor above Black Swan pub. Social Capital Theatre, or “SoCap” hosts nightly events, along with stand-up, sketch comedy, poetry readings, and a myriad of workshops.
The only black-owned comedy club in the city is also a dive bar, which prides itself on showcasing the city’s most diverse comedic talent. The Comedy Lab is open Thursdays through Saturdays, and also has a food and drink menu you can enjoy at your table during the performances.
The Corner Comedy Club is a Queen West destination dedicated to stand-up. Inspired by Speaker’s Corner, the club seeks to let Torontonians speak their minds openly, offering raw, uncensored comedy.
