Home to famed comedian Bill Hicks, Austin remains a thriving underground for comedians looking to make their start across the country. While places like New York and Los Angeles may boast the big name tickets, Austin offers a greater variety of open mics, improv theatres, and clubs for both struggling and successful comedians looking to make it big.

For the residents, popular clubs like Cap City Comedy Club and the Velveeta Room always praise big acts and big shows. Being one of the fastest growing cities in the nation, many people have flocked to Austin for its eclectic culture. Austin real estate doesn’t just put in you within walking distance to some of the biggest music festivals in the world, but one of the best comedy scenes in the world.

Best Open Mics and Clubs

It isn’t just SXSW that attracts comedians to Austin, but the audiences and the wealth of options comedians have. What’s so great about Austin is that it truly is a weird city. Comedians can do everything from improv to local contests, all in front of an audience that supports local comics.

Of course, this doesn’t mean Austin is an easy city to do comedy and everything must wait their turn like any other city. But Austin does offer specific clubs from a thriving alt scene to Latin American clubs where you can find the audience that best suits you.

For the residents, there’s four improv theatres that run shows almost daily:
● ColdTowne Theatre
● The Institution theatre
● The New Movement
● The Hideout

At The Hideout, comedians try out impressions and sketches for everything from Star Wars to classical theatre characters.

There’s plenty of clubs that host open mic nights and major venues that continually book big name comedians. What draws most people to Austin’s comedian scene though, is the festivals.
The Festival Circuit

What many people forget is that South by Southwest is one of the biggest international comedy festivals of the year. SXSW continues to draw big name comedians each year from Tig Notaro to T.J. Miller and Reggie Watts. Fun Fun Fun Fest is now defunct, but carried big name comedians and live music acts like WuTang.

There’s plenty of festivals each year from the Moontower Comedy Festival to the Austin Sketch festival. While Chicago and New York may boast more clubs and big name comedians, Austin retains that special underground feel which make it such a draw for comedians and residents alike.