Toronto comedy clubs that will give you a laugh a minute
No use in sitting alone in your room – come see the comics play! You can lighten up any spring or summer night and beat the fall and winter doldrums with raw and exciting comedic talent at a price that’s hard to beat.
The Second City
388 King St W, Toronto, ON M5V 2G3Laugh every night of the week in this cabaret-style venue that features dinner/show packages. Part of a comedy performance and training network connecting Toronto with Chicago and Hollywood, The Second City specializes in shows that run the gamut from songs and sketches to improvisation. Be prepared to share a table and make new friends over cocktails and grub. Reservations are recommended.
The Central
603 Markham St, Toronto, ON M6G 2L7This is an eclectic venue with a finger in several performance genre pies. You can enjoy or even take part in Mic Comedy on Monday nights and a regular Tuesday night gig put on by the house. There’s a reasonable menu of snacks, mains, soups and cocktails if you want to settle in for the evening.
Yuk Yuks
1280 Bay St, Toronto, ON M5R 3W1Widely heralded as the birthplace of Canadian comedy since 1976, Yuk Yuk’s is the local mecca for stand-up, with a weekly amateur night for fresh, uncensored entertainment. The brainchild of comic and author, Mark Breslin, the franchise has expanded nationwide with clubs in most major cities. The flagship branch certainly keeps Toronto laughing.
Comedy Bar
945 Bloor St W, Toronto, ON M6H 1L5Stand-up, sketch and improv comedy are the staple fare here with both young talent and established acts gracing the stage. You can find laughs here every night with some evenings billing two or three shows if you want to make an evening of it. If you’re a budding comic, sign up for one of the club’s regular classes and workshops on stand-up, scripting and improv.
Absolut Comedy
Lwr 2335 Yonge St, Toronto, ON M4P 2C8Wednesday night is a highlight when both local amateurs and established weekend acts take turns tickling your funny bone. From Thursday to Sunday, it’s the full Monty with two or three comedians, an MC, feature act and headliner. You can have a laugh over drinks, a buffet or a la carte dinner. Be warned, all shows contain adult content.
Black Swan Tavern
154 Danforth Ave, Toronto, ON M4K 1N1What’s your pleasure? Improv, stand-up or variety shows? The Black Swan has it all, with a very different show every night, including fun takes on TV shows of yesteryear. A weekly drop-in class is held for new stand-up comics and total novices.
Bad Dog Theatre Corp
875 Bloor St W, Toronto, ON M6H 0A2You can’t do comedy in Toronto without a big nod to Bad Dog Theatre Company. One of the longest-running acts in the city, their particular talent is for unscripted comedy and improv with a jam-packed calendar of hilarious and quirky shows from which to choose. They also run training for all ages and experience levels, and pride themselves on being affordable.
