Have a Laugh at Comedy Clubs Near Kimpton Hotels

To kick off this blog post, we made up a little joke.

Why did the Kimpton hotel guest cross the road?

To get to the comedy club!

Thank you, thank you. We’ll be here all night.

But seriously, folks: We know you like to unwind when you’re traveling. And nothing helps you do that more than having a good laugh. So we’re devoting this blog post to great comedy clubs near Kimpton hotels across the U.S. Okay, so they’re not exactly across the road. But they’re not far and our Front Desk employees will gladly point the way.

The cast of Second City’s 100th Revue: Who Do We Think We Are?

Chicago
Some of the biggest names in comedy got their start at The Second City, a multi-level venue in Chicago’s Old Town neighborhood. Back in the day, Tina Fey, Steve Carrell, John Belushi, Amy Sedaris, Gilda Radner and other big stars performed sketch comedy here. Today, it’s a place to see future comic sensations refine their craft. No topic is sacred, especially politics, as cast members swiftly move from scripted scene to scripted scene, and laugh to laugh. The Second City recently opened Up Comedy Club where stand-up comics are the main attraction.
1616 N. Wells Street, Chicago (312-337-3992 or secondcity.com)

New York City
This city never sleeps likely because everyone stays up all night laughing. Follow the chuckles to Gotham Comedy Club, where up-and-coming comics and powerhouse favorites alike let jokes fly. There’s not a bad seat in the house, which comes in especially handy when legends like Jerry Seinfeld and Colin Quinn roll through. Also notable is the fact that the NBC Emmy-nominated reality show “Last Comic Standing” films its dueling-comedian scenes here.
208 W. 23^rd Street, New York City (212-367-9000 or gothamcomedyclub.com)

Miami
Improv in Miami’s Coconut Grove is part of a growing chain of comedy clubs that’s built its reputation on snagging big names – and rarely keeping the stage dark. Every Monday is Comedy Jam, a hosted evening that cycles through numerous standup acts in just a few hours. Other evenings lure established stars like Carolos Mencia and Mike Epps. Grab a drink in the lounge before the show, or order a full meal at your table while you watch the show. There’s everything from nachos to 14-oz. Argentine steaks.
3390 Mary Street, Miami (305-441-8200 or miami.improv.com)

Portland
Portland is a city that thrives on local food, resources and talent – all the more reason to check out Local Wednesdays at Harvey’s Comedy Club downtown. Every week, area comic heroes take the stage, regaling crowds with monologue shtick, physical comedy and audience interaction. Thursdays through Sundays are when traveling talents pour through, many of them fresh from the comedy festival circuit.
436 Northwest 6^th Avenue, Portland (503-241-0338 or harveyscomedyclub.com)

San Francisco
The Purple Onion, a no-frills cellar comedy club in North Beach, can be compared to a great comic act: quirky, raw and full of colorful details. Largely thought of as the birthplace of the San Francisco comedy scene, it’s hosted everything from garage-rock bands to standup comedians to legends like Richard Pryor and Woody Allen. If you work up an appetite from all that belly laughing, look no further than the upstairs Italian restaurant, Caffe Macaroni.
140 Columbus Avenue, San Francisco (415-956-1653 or caffemacaroni.com/purple)

Need more recommendations on places to laugh when you’re on the road? Ask the Front Desk employees at any of our hotels. They always have local secrets to share and will help you find the funny.