Comedy Cellar Classes

3.7
88 reviews
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id: 52364
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117 MACDOUGAL ST
New York, NY 10012

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(727) 725-7425
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Reviews
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Best

I went with my boyfriend and another couple - it was a great Friday night date night! They are very organized and efficient, even with a packed crowd. Some of the jokes were NOT ...

Worst

the feel of the comedy cellar is intimate and energized for comedians' acts, and the two-drink minimum is enforced like clockwork by everyone who works at the place. definitely be...

lmao 9/11/2005

This is my favorite comedy club in the city. We always have a great time. We love Godfrey, who does a lot of shows there. But I've found that no matter which comedians are performing, you'll get a good show on any given night. Cons: pricey drinks more
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always a good show 7/18/2005

I've been here several times and have never seen a bad show. The comedians are always hilarious. Although seating is extremely tight, you can see well from every seat. The service isn't too great and drinks are a bit pricey. Reservations are required. I recommend getting free passes on Sundays and weekdays. Chris Rock showed up one Sunday night and put on a great, impromptu show. It's in a great area and you can get some yummy $2 falafel next door at Mamoun's when you're done. Pros: awesome comedians, good bargain, close seating Cons: pricey drinks, rude service, long wait more
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Don't Make The Same Mistake I Did! 3/20/2005

This place stinks! The staff is rude, everyone from the guy at the door to the waiters. I had a party of 12 and they wouldn't let us all in because they don't take reservations for more than 8 people, even though we had 2 reservations. 8 went in and 4 went out to dinner. I wish I would have gone to dinner... more
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Gratuity on $15 cover charge? I don't think so... 3/6/2005

Went here this weekend and remembered the review I had read about how they try to get you to pay 15% tip on the $15 cover charge. For 4 of us, we spent $33 on beer and $60 on the entry fee, and there was no way we were going to pay a tip on that. Especially since our waiter was rude - he shushed us when we were talking about how to get out of our seats to get to the bathroom since they basically have you sitting in each other's laps. He was very obnoxious when he didn't get the tip he wanted, and they wouldn't let us out of the club without talking to the manager! On top of that, the people next to us got kicked out for objecting to one comedian's tasteless jokes about the tsunami disaster. Pros: good comedy Cons: rude wait staff, bad policies, cramped more
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BEWARE THE MANDATORY TIP 11/3/2004

The "suggested 15% gratuity" is based on the admission charge ($30, in our case), not just drinks/food. And, they now strictly enforce a "3 drink maximum/person" limit - even though we were there for four hours and very well-behaved. Our waitress was extremely rude, of the can't-be-bothered-to-wait-on-you variety. As a result, we tipped 15% on the drinks - not admission - and she loudly and lengthily read us the riot act during one comic's segment. The joke was on her - we would have left a much larger tip - without the "reminder" - if she had her act together and the management didn't try to pull one over on the policy. Pros: Good mix of comics, Good drinks, Reasonable prices Cons: , Tip on Admission more
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Most fun thing to do in NYC 5/27/2004

I come here each time I have guest visiting the city. Everyone loves it. Twice we have seen Jerry Seinfeld, Dave Chappelle 3 times, and also people like Ray Romano and Colin Quinn. The best comedians perform here. And the food is also fantastic. Best middle eastern food in NYC. Great drinks and desserts too - all for reasonable prices. I love this place. more
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Don't bring a group here! 5/23/2004

After being a regular visits to the comedy cellar, I decided to invite my wedding party here because I have always enjoyed this place so much. After being told that we could not make a reservation for 12 people, we attempted to make 2 separate reservations, and were called back and told that we could not make a reservation because groups "tend to be too drunk and loud to be in the audience" This is very insulting, and Comedy Cellar's website does not state this policy anywhere. If you have a group, go to Gotham Comedy club--they happily accepted our business. Pros: great comedy shows Cons: , bad for groups more
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Horrendous Service!!! 4/1/2004

Unless waiting 45 minutes to be waited on is acceptable to you, DO NOT go here thirsty or hungry. The service was so bad we did not have enough time or opportunities to spend the minimum $ requirement. Then when we got our last drinks at the end of the show, they kicked us out before we could finish them!! Go for the comedy, but have a few drinks BEFORE going in! Pros: prices, atmosphere Cons: , service, service more
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Ruined our night 9/19/2003

We took out some friends who had just been laid off from work and with a reservation waited on line for a half hour only to be told by the woman at the door that we "didn't have an index" card w/ our table seating... Everyone behind us did. Apparently they must have skipped us while on line but the woman would not belive us and told that we were lying. She argued, let us in last and we had the worst seats. The seats were not even appropriate for 5 people. The worst thing is that we used to be regulars here (once a month). Anyway the show was ruined for us. The woman's attitude did us in. We all had to leave half way through, we were so peeved and couldn't enjoy the show. The only thing that makes me feel better is "what goes around comes around". Pros: Collin Quinn Cons: Woman at the door more
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Good for laughs 8/4/2003

My friends and I had a blast there. The comedians were HILARIOUS and the environment is pretty relaxed. Good for those nights you don't know what else to do. Pros: Relaxed mood, funny comedians Cons: touch and go service more
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A great night out! 7/21/2003

The Comedy Cellar always delivers! I have gone there many times and it is a surefire way to have a great night. At the last show I went to, 9 comedians perfroemd and the show went 3 1/2 hours long. Talk about getting your money's worth! The cover + two drink min. is comedy club standard, although visit their website to see how to get free admission on weekdays. The comics are consistently high quality and you can't beat the ambience and sheer energy that fills this place evry night. Four stars. Pros: COMICS, Atmosphere, Value Cons: None! more
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This is NY Comedy! 6/16/2003

The thing I like about the Comedy Cellar is that it doesn't particularly cater to the tourist, but is truly a local New York spot. While drinks are weak and getting a good seat is purely a roll of the dice, the comedy is raw, cutting edge, and hilarious. For $15 and a couple of drinks, this is good value and makes for a different sort of night out. While visiting from out of town, I would much rather spend a couple of hours at the Comedy Cellar than at some big money Broadway show! Pros: Location, Comedy Cons: Seating more
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It beats going to a bar 5/13/2003

I went here last night (Tuesday), and got to see Chris Rock perform!! The lesser known comedians were great too. more
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live comedy can be harsh 3/24/2003

the feel of the comedy cellar is intimate and energized for comedians' acts, and the two-drink minimum is enforced like clockwork by everyone who works at the place. definitely be forewarned that your sitting in front of the comedian can be your ticket to being the next topic of comedy- good or bad. friday's show is usually a better bet than monday's, actwise. Pros: good drink selection, energetic atmosphere, 'special guest acts' Cons: sleazy promoters, crowded, abusive more
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Comedy Cellar 10/3/2002

Went with a group of friends, and it was hilarious. more
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Terrific Show 9/30/2002

Went on a Thursday night and had never been there before. Was extremely happy with the very initmate set-up. The AC was on high so it was pretty cold but it was key since it's a smoking and non-smoking crowd. The line-up was great and all of the comedians were terrific. We went for the early show and ended up paying and staying for the late show. Great time!! Pros: Layout, Lines moved quickly, Great comedians Cons: A little cold inside more
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funny, very funny 8/29/2002

I'm not sure about rising stars, the only star I've seen come out of there is Godfrey, if you want to consider him a star. But regardless of whether you've heard of them or not the comedians who do perform there are a riot. I've been there at least a dozen times and they have never failed to make me cry of laughter. more
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Shaking my head 8/28/2002

Spectacular. Sharod was the MC. Seriously funny man. All the acts were great (except the poor man from some nickelodeon show who was a bit painful). His weak performance was nearly forgotten with the help of the rest of the comics. All very different, all really f-ckin funny. It felt like a movie being there- everywhere I turned everyone was just laughing and laughing. Hands down the best night I've had in NYC. more
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Seinfeld Takes This Stage 8/18/2002

Some friends and I went to the Comedy Cellar on a tuesday a few weeks ago and had an amazing time. All the comics were hilarious and we were treated to three comedians in a row from Saturday Night Live...Darrell Hammond, Colin Quinn and Ellen Cleghorne! We went back this past friday to recreate the good time. I cannot begin to express our shock and delight when Jerry Seinfeld himself took the stage and did some stand-up! The entire crowd couldn't believe thier eyes! Wait...there's more. My cousin went to theComedy Cellar the next day to try her luck at a Superstar sighting and was not disappointed when Seinfeld made a guest appearance again! This is the best time I've had in N.Y. more
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I'm still lauging the next day 8/1/2002

Wow! I was way more impressed than I expected. I went to the late show (11:00 on a Thursday) and out of the 10 acts, 8 were hysterical (we'll let the other two slide...). I haven't had that much fun in a long time! And suprisingly, the drinks were even great. They have a 2-drink minimum, but both my pina colada and my 'peg 'o my heart' coffee were great! This night was the best deal I've found in New York so far. For two drinks (about $15) I had the time of my life. Pros: good value, hilarious, free cover Cons: possible bad seats, some acts suck more
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Editorial

  • Located in a basement beneath the Olive Tree Cafe, this popular club has hosted a lineup of performers ranging from William Shatner, Ice T and David Lee Roth to Colin Quinn, Greg Giraldo and Dave Attell. The tight quarters, college-age regulars and raucous atmosphere make for a quintessential NYC comedy experience--as does the high probability of unannounced drop-ins by the likes of Dave Chapelle and Robin Williams. A full bar offers beer, mixed drinks and specialty cocktails, while the menu from upstairs features burgers and wings, plus some vegan fare like a veggie kabob platter.

  • 5/30/2005 Provided by Citysearch
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