Looking for a night of laughs in San Francisco? While the City by the Bay may not be as well known as a comedy epicenter as Los Angeles or Chicago, there are several awesome venues known to locals around the city that feature great comedic talent nightly.

Next time you want to spend the night laughing your butt off, head to one of these San Francisco comedy hot spots. 

Cobb’s Comedy Club - North Beach

Photo courtesy of Cobb’s Comedy Club

This North Beach club is a heavyweight, with a 400-person capacity that makes Cobb’s an attractive option when a national headliner comes to town. There is a two-drink minimum but that’s a small price to pay for the top talent you’ll watch when you come here. In additional to national tours by famous comedians, the club’s local showcases are also a great way to check out some of the top up-and-coming talent San Francisco has to offer. Also, if there’s a comedy festival coming through town, chances are there will be shows here.

Punch Line Comedy Club - Financial District

Photo courtesy of Punch Line Comedy Club

In the heart of the Financial District, you’ll find this well-known hot spot that knows how to do comedy with a capital C. Some of the top comedians in the country make this their Bay Area pitstop and range from all kinds of comedy styles and backgrounds. Punch Line only seats around 200 so it’s still an intimate environment. There are shows six nights a week, so there’s almost always something going on here worth checking out.

Milk Bar - Haight-Ashbury

Photo courtesy of Milk Bar

In the Haight-Ashbury, you’ll find Milk Bar, a haven for lovers of bizarre high-concept comedy. On Mondays, the Jury Duty show involves comedians improvising court cases around pointless topics. If you’re trying to avoid the cover charge, they have a free stand-up show on the second and third Tuesday of every month (Milkin’ It). The atmosphere lends itself to a rowdy party, which makes it a fun space to hang out with old friends and make new ones. They also host live music and DJ parties, in case you’re looking for something different as well.

Cheaper Than Therapy - Downtown SF

Photo courtesy of Cheaper Than Therapy

Thursdays through Sundays, Cheaper Than Therapy offers solid fun evenings full of strong comedians without causing you to break the bank. Tickets run $15 to $20, there’s no drink minimum, and you can even bring your own beverage. Located in the Shelton Theater in Downtown SF’s Union Square, shows are intimate affairs but that makes them more special in a way. Driving home the friendly feel, the crowd is invited to an after-party at Chelsea Place following shows, where they might just mingle with the comedians they’ve been watching.

Doc’s Lab - Financial District

Photo courtesy of Doc’s Lab

Located on the edge of the Financial District, Doc’s Lab does a whole lot more than comedy, but it's something they do very well. The space is small, making it an intimate counterpoint to nearby Cobb’s. The cocktail and food menus aren’t huge but offer enough good stuff to keep you satisfied. The club also snags a mix of national talent and rising local talent so be sure to keep an eye on the calendar.