The Comedy Store: Hollywood

As the entertainment capital of the world, Los Angeles is a great place to see up-and-coming and A-list comedians perform. The city’s burgeoning comedy scene has a variety of venues with improv and stand-up nights that pack a lot of laughs for a cheap ticket price.

The Comedy Store is one such venue, part of L.A’s trifecta of historic comedy clubs; the others being the Laugh Factory and Hollywood Improv. The club was founded by Pauly Shore’s dad, and is currently operated by his mother. A number of notable comedians have come through the Comedy Store, including Richard Pryor, Robin Williams and George Carlin.

My friend and I ventured to the edge of Hollywood on a Saturday night. We paid a $15 cover charge to get in the club, which had a two-drink minimum. Arriving around 10 p.m., the show had already started their lineup of comedians, so we grabbed a couple seats in the back and put in an order for fries and beer. The place was already pretty filled up with a lively crowd, making for a night with a lot of laughs.

As someone who doesn’t have a lot of experience in the comedy scene, it was cool to experience a stand-up show in an intimate venue. The mood was much more relaxed than your typical stand-up special. Performers would interact with the crowd and try out different material they wouldn’t normally try in a performance. While it can be hit-or-miss, the atmosphere was laid back and brought a lot of funny moments.

We got to enjoy several comedians ranging from up-and-comers to established performers like Dave Attell. Chris D’Elia and Bobby Lee, as well as a surprise performance by Jeff Ross. We also got a chance to chat with some of the performers in a standing area out back, adding to the intimate atmosphere of the club.

To learn more about the Comedy Store and their upcoming schedule of performers, visit their website at Hollywood.TheComedyStore.com.