The Six Best Places to See Live Comedy in Broward and Palm Beach

It seems ever since the internet came along, witnessing a live comedy show has gone by the wayside. These days, we can cue up an improv show or standup set on YouTube on demand and bypass the two-drink minimum altogether. It's both incredibly awesome and, in some ways, sad. 

It doesn't have to be this way, though. There are still plenty of places offering live comedy shows in both Palm Beach and Broward Counties; you just have to put on some pants, grab your ID, and head out there. You probably haven't heard of a few of these wonderful places, but that's about to change. 

Here are a few options if your goal this fall is to close your laptop, get up off your couch, and watch some up-and-coming acts live before they get SNL famous. 
6. Boca Black Box Center for the Arts
8221 Glades Rd., Boca Raton; 561-483-9036; www.bocablackbox.com.

The name aptly describes the appearance of this part-time comedy club, but it definitely doesn't do the fine arts that take place inside justice. Boca Black Box had its grand opening late last year, and since then they have been holding a vast variety of events in their quaint little theatre. Each month the club posts upcoming acts on their website, usually a mix of up and comers, old favorites, and bit acts, such as hypnotists and ventriloquists. 

Black Box's theatre is set up well for comedy events in that inside the event hall itself there is a craft beer and wine bar that enables you to grab and go while missing none of the show. Tickets to most shows range anywhere from $10-$45.

5. Fort Lauderdale Improv Comedy Club
Seminole Paradise, 5700 Seminole Way, Fort Lauderdale; 954-981-5653; ftl.improv.com.

Fort Lauderdale Improv Comedy Club is undoubtedly the cream of the crop for those looking for a good night out of laughs, the acts appearing there ranging from superfamous to the once incredibly famous. This past weekend the club hosted ex-MTV VJ and movie star Bill Bellamy, and next weekend Jackass star Steve-O will perform. This is the club you take a date to if things are still new and you're trying to impress, while some of the others on this list are more in the already-married-cheap-drinks-and-laughs category. 

As with most comedy clubs, there is a two-drink minimum here, but the selection from which to choose your drinks is far superior to some of the other comedy clubs around. Obviously, the location next to the Hard Rock casino is a major plus as well. 

4. Improv U 
3333 S. Federal Hwy., Delray Beach; 844-561-4242; improvu.org.

This comedy club pick is so much more than a comedy club — it's a school. We recently profiled everything a man named Anthony Francis does at Improv U and how you can become a part of it. Since 2014, they have been holding classes for those who want to be a part of improv comedy and learn the skills it takes to perform. The group as a whole puts on shows themselves as well as with teams of people made up of students from their drop-in classes held in Boca. 

To learn more about what the unique Improv U movement has scheduled, take a look at their events calendar. 
3. Ray Combs Florida Comedy Club
201 SW Fifth Ave., Fort Lauderdale; 954-806-9799; floridacomedyclub.com.

If under-the-radar comedy acts is your thing, this is the comedy club for you. Sans all the glitz and glamour the Fort Lauderdale Improv provides, the Florida Comedy Club is more about cheap tickets and big laughs. There is most definitely a local feel here that makes you feel like you're witnessing something on the rise.

Many of the same house acts that perform often are featured on the Florida Comedy Club website. Tickets for an upcoming tour titled All You Can Laugh are now on sale. 

2. Sick Puppies Comedy
7200 W. Camino Real #330, Boca Raton; 954-667-7735; sickpuppiescomedy.com.

Besides offering improv classes and workshops, Sick Puppies puts on a damn fine improv show themselves. Tickets range from $17-$20 for their shows that feature a huge variety of people from all different walks of life. Just the number of people involved in some of these shows is impressive. This is one of the most ideal locations to take a date as it's clean, cheap, and easy to access without stepping over drunks or asking Siri 45 times where the club is. 

Sick Puppies' list of October shows can be found on their website in addition to information about how you can learn to do what they do, thus kickstarting your comedic career so you can gain a spot on the new Mad TV, whenever that finally airs. 

1. Palm Beach Improv 
550 S. Rosemary Ave. West Palm Beach; 561-833-1812; palmbeachimprov.com.

Like its southern sister club, Palm Beach Improv is the top of the mountain when it comes to improv clubs in its area. Here you will find the famous comedians that have either been in a movie or had a special on Comedy Central. This upcoming month, the club welcomes Aries Spears, Jeff Dye, Ari Shaffir, Bob Marley (obviously not that one), and Bruce Bruce. 

Palm Beach Improv offers drink specials on all types and brands of alcohol, making it a top option if you're looking for a fun couples' night out on the cheap.