The Top Independent Comedy Clubs in Minneapolis

Comedy Corner Underground: This “weird little punk rock comedy club” located in the basement of the Corner Bar hosts fresh shows every Friday and Saturday night. The small stage offers maximum laughs—be sure to check out the wallpaper of comedy fliers as you go down the stairs for a taste of the space’s past shows. (Good to know: All showtimes 8pm or earlier are 18+ and 10pm or later are 21+.)

Acme Comedy Company: Located in the basement of the historic Itasca Building in North Loop, this nationally lauded comedy club has been entertaining Minneapolis with national comedy headliners and local up-and-comers since 1991. Lewis Black, Patton Oswalt, Jim Gaffigan, and Dana Gould have all been featured on the intimate stage. The club features food and drinks from Sticks Restaurant, including a “dinner and a show” special. Have a birthday coming up? Bring up to three friends to any show for free during your birthday month.

Gutty’s Comedy Club: Located in Edina’s Southdale Center mall, this standup comedy club specializes in all-ages “clean” comedy—no swearing or adult content here. You also won’t find any alcohol at the dry bar, but you’ll be able to grab pizza by the slice, pretzels, nachos and other snacks as you enjoy family-friendly laughs most Friday and Saturday nights.

The Parkway Theater: This retro movie theater in Southwest Minneapolis features live comedy and music events, as well as cult classic films (often projected using original 35mm film). The theater features a full bar, real buttered popcorn, classic 1980s arcade games, and a very Instagrammable Art Deco interior.

Cedar Cultural Center: This non-profit, all-ages venue in the Cedar Riverside neighborhood has championed global sounds, dance, singer-songwriters, film, and comedy shows since 1989. The intimate venue gets you up-close and personal with performers, as if you were a guest in their living room. (Shows are offered both seated and standing, but the Cedar goes above and beyond to offer accessible seating and save dedicated space for wheelchair users, as well as free tickets to aids and companions of folks who need assistance to attend a show.)

Varsity Theater: Once an Art Deco movie theater, this storied Dinkytown venue near the University of Minnesota has become a local and regional favorite for live music and comedy. Shows are generally standing-room only, but ADA and VIP seating are available. (You’ve got to check out the restroom—really. It was once named the coolest public restroom in America.)

Where to Catch National Comedy Shows in Minneapolis

Hennepin Theatre Trust (Orpheum, State, Pantages): When the really big headliners come to Minneapolis, chances are they’ll be performing at one of the historic Hennepin Theatre Trust stages lighting up Hennepin Avenue in downtown. These large, ornate theaters harken back to the heyday of American entertainment, whether you’re watch the symphony, a touring Broadway show, or a national comedian like Bill Maher, Hannah Gadsby, David Spade, Mike Birbiglia, Tig Notaro, Marc Maron, or Steve Martin and Martin Short.

Rick Bronson House of Comedy at the Mall of America: The House of Comedy, located on the top floor of the sprawling Mall of America, offers live standup comedy shows weekly from headliners like TJ Miller, Arsenio Hall, Nikki Glaser, Preacher Lawson, Brendan Schaub, Sarah Tiana, Bryan Callen, and Jeremy Piven. Note there is a two-item minimum for all performances (either food or beverages) so prepare to get dinner or drinks with your ticket!

Skyway Theater: Once a multiplex movie theater, the Skyway is now home to a cavernous, two-story live music and comedy venue featuring two bars and multiple VIP sections. Because of its history as a movie theater, the main floor slopes upward to the rear of the room, giving every spot a great view of the stage. In addition to the main stage, the Skyway is home to several more intimate spaces and lounges.

Where to Watch Improv Comedy in Minneapolis

HUGE Improv Theater: Founded in 2005, HUGE is ground zero for legendary longform improv comedy in Minneapolis. The nonprofit venue runs scheduled nightly improv comedy shows performances, and hosts national groups at its annual improv festivals. Popular featured groups and shows include The Mess, Off Book, Again & Again, BRICK!, Luke & Ash Do a Harold, and My Town.

Strike Theater: Dedicated to Minneapolis sketch comedy, improv comedy, storytelling, and spoken word, Northeast Minneapolis’s Strike Theater was founded by SlamMaster of Poetry and SlamMN! Allison Broeren and longtime Improv artists, educators, and Brave New Workshop alumni Mike Fotis and Joe Bozic. Catch ComedySportz games and Friday Night Stage Matches, plus special (funny) features every month.

Theater of Public Policy: Exploring big issues using improv comedy, this local troup specializes in turning politics, social issues, and other “hard thinky stuff” into humorous sketches and shows. (Theater of Public Policy was founded by Danger Boat Productions, who also host an Improv Comedy Meat Raffle at Finnegan’s Brew Co.)

Stevie Ray's Comedy Cabaret at Chanhassen Dinner Theatre: Located in Chanhassen, MN, this comedy cabaret hosts clean, two-hour improv comedy shows every Friday and Saturday night. Full dinner can be added for just $18 per person. If you’re looking for a fun way to celebrate a special event like a birthday, anniversary, or graduation, tell the box office about it when you make your reservation and the troupe will work the guest of honor into the show!

Open Mic Comedy in Minneapolis

Comedy Corner Underground
Open Mic Night—Fridays at 10pm

Every week, this totally free comedy open mic night draws comedy fans (21+) to Comedy Corner’s intimate underground stage for around 90 minutes of laughs. Arrive early, because the venue has a strict seating limit and often has to turn people away. Want to perform? Submit your request here. (99% of the time you will get on if it's your first time through the club with an amazing three minutes for your set.)

Acme Comedy Company
Open Mic Night—Tuesdays at 7:30pm

Free for all comedy lovers 18+ (ID required), this weekly open mic night is a great place to catch newcomers and veteran comedians trying out new material. Performers can sign up at the bar before the show between 6 and 7pm.

Rick Bronson's House of Comedy at the Mall Of America
Triple Threat Tuesdays at 7:30pm

This $5 pre-booked showcase of amateurs and pros offers 5 minutes of stage time for each performer—email Mike Brody at brody@houseofcomedy.net to add your name to the list for a spot, or show up on Tuesday before 7:15 to nab a wildcard spot.

Dino Jam at HUGE Theater
Thursdays at 8:30pm

Dino Jam offers all aspiring improvisers age 18+ a chance to improvise at HUGE Theater. Participation is free, and it’s $10 if you just want to watch. (If you’d like to perform in the jam, a new signup form goes up online every Friday morning. Find out more at the Dino Jam Weekly Sign Up page.

Gutty’s Comedy Club
Local Levity Open Mic—Mondays at 7pm

$5 for viewers of all ages and free for performers, this weekly show is a family-friendly, clean comedy-only showcase of up-and-coming local talent. All open mic performers have a chance to be selected to perform at a stand up comedy showcase at Gutty’s Comedy Club. Sign up to perform here.

Sisyphus Brewing
Amateur Hour - Thursdays at 8pm

Located just north of the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, Sisyphus Brewing’s weekly Thursday Night Amateur hour features both open mic comedians and a headliner comic. Open mic sign up is onsite at the brewery from 6-7pm with the list posted at 7:15—put a star by your name if it’s your first time to guarantee stage time.

The Saloon
Stand-Up Saloon (1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month at 8:30pm)

Want a true variety show? Head to local LGBTQ+ club The Saloon for prebooked comedy sets, a comedy drag show, and 3-minute spots for open mic participants. Sign up for open mic spots starts at 7:30.