While Comedy venues have not seen a return to their peak days in the eighties, many have been closed because poor business practices and the venues that have survived are well financed and able to attract headliners.
At one point there were many more New Jersey comedy venues than headliners, and in order to survive, some clubs decided to start headlining people who weren't headliners and that had 50 minutes of time killing material. The audiences were quick to experience this tactic and quit coming to these clubs. Many of these venues turned to alternative ways of filling their clubs by letting people in for free and making their money off the drinks. These venues, having abandoned the cover charges, no longer were able to afford the better comedians, and many were forced to close down. While there has been a substantial paring down of clubs in line with the supply of headliners, today the successful New Jersey comedy venues are well financed and cover the costs of headliners with cover charges.
Northern New Jersey Clubs |
Bananas Comedy Club
at the Holiday Inn
283 Route 17 South, Hasbrouck Heights
201-727-1090 |
Open since 1988 features performances by up-and-coming and national comedians. Friday at 9:30pm - $12, Saturday at 8:00 (smoke free) & 10:30pm - $15. One item minimum. Prices are higher for special shows/attractions. They offer a Dinner Package at Verbena Restaurant. Dinner is served 2 hours before Show time Dinner Package guests get priority reserved, up front seating for the show. Finger food is available in the club. Overnight packages featuring dinner, the show, and room are also available. Plenty of free parking |
Rascals Comedy Club
499 Bloomfield Ave
Montclair, NJ
973-744-3711 |
In recent years Rascals has downsized their comedy clubs and transformed the company to take advantage of the internet multimedia boom. In 2003, the West Orange club closed and reopened in 2004 in Montclair in a stretch of retail businesses on Bloomfield Avenue known as the Montclair Mile. This club is substantially smaller than its predecessors. |
The Comedy Shoppe
at The Woodbridge Hilton, 120 Wood Ave. South, Iselin, NJ
866.552.6633
|
A large venue with many headliners. The seating capacity can accommodate up to 1000 |
Central New Jersey Clubs |
Catch a Rising Star
at Hyatt Regency
102 Carnegie Center
Princeton, NJ
(609) 987-8018
 |
A 190 seat comedy club with performances by up and coming comics. A two item minimum per person is required during the show. They offer four shows each week on Friday & Saturday.
Friday at 8:00 and 10:30pm; Saturday at 8:00 and 10:30pm
They also offer special packages; The Weekend "Fun Fest" package
Stay either Friday or Saturday night at the Hyatt Regency, watch the comedy show, and have a breakfast buffet the next morning.
Dinner/show package
Enjoy dinner at the Crystal Garden Restaurant & afterwards enjoy preferred seating at Catch A Rising Star. $56.00 per person. |
Stress Factory
90 Church Street
New Brunswick, NJ
732-545-4242
 |
Entertaining New Jersey for over 10 years with the top stand-up comedians. Located a few blocks from Rutgers University, features national acts as well as up and coming performers. Vinnie Brand, your host for the evening, is sure to make an appearance and crack a few jokes as well. Food and drinks are available as well as dinner/show packages. Wednesdays are open mic nights starting at 8:30pm
Show times are Thursdays at 8:00pm, Fridays and Saturdays at 8:30 and 11:00pm and Sundays at 8pm. |
Improv Jam Comedy Lab
The Eatontown Playhouse
37 Route 35, The Tower Market Center
Eatontown, NJ
(732) 460-0100
 |
In operation nearly 20 years, it is a comedy show made up completely as it goes along, using your suggestions to prove how truly improvisational. The show is known to get raunchy on occasion. There are regular "late night" shows every Friday and Saturday night at 11:30 PM. Though show lengths may vary night to night, you can expect them to conclude around 1:30 AM if not a little sooner Price: $8.00 |
Uncle Vinnies Comedy Club
520 Arnold Ave.
Point Pleasant, NJ
732- 899-3900
 |
Now one of the popular comedy clubs in Ocean County, Uncle Vinnies is owned by 2 brothers from Belleville, NJ, Dino and Jerry Ibelli. What started out as Ferraras Ristorante doing comedy one night a week as grown to be a very popular club. |
Southern New Jersey Clubs |
Casba Comedy Club
Atlantic & Spicer Aves.
Wildwood, NJ
609-522-8444
 |
Open from May through September, The Casba Club is affordable and popular with summer vacationers. Frequented by many headliners from around the country.. |
Comedy Cabaret
Clarion Hotel and
The Elephant & Castle
1450 Rt. 70 East
Cherry Hill, NJ
856-866-JOKE
 |
The Comedy Cabaret has six comedy club locations in the Philadelphia area, two in New Jersey. They have been providing the very best in comedy club entertainment for over 20 years, featuring top-quality talent.
Friday and Saturday Shows
All shows are smoke-free! |
Comedy Stop Cafe and Cabaret
Quarter Tropicana Hotel & Casino
2801 Pacific Avenue
Atlantic City, NJ
609-822-7353
 |
Since 1983 The Comedy Stop has been a popular comedy venue for top comics and rising stars. They also offers a complete food menu, comedy group packages. Show Times are Sunday thru Thursday at 9PM, Fridays at 9PM and 11:15 PM and Saturday at 9PM and 11:15 PM. For all shows there is a 1 drink minimum. Friday and Saturday 9:00 shows are Smoke-Free. Discounted rates are available for 10 or more. |
