By Jason Heidemann for the Orbitz Travel Blog
The United States of America is a pretty hilarious place for comedy. Even its smallest cities are home to great places to have a chuckle (Comedy Attic in Bloomington, Indiana we're looking at you). And, increasingly, every bar, coffeehouse and even taco stand (see Los Angeles) is home to a stand up show. But if you want to know which U.S. cities truly rule in the laughter department, here are America's funniest 9 cities (in alphabetical order mind you).
Cap City Comedy Club | Photo courtesy of Cap City Comedy Club
Austin The live music capital of the world has slyly integrated comedy into its most celebrated fests. At Austin's South By Southwest for example, T.J. Miller, Chris Gethard, Reggie Watts, Tig Notaro and Brody Stevens have all performed while the Fun Fun Fun Fest in November has brought the likes of Eric Andre, Eugene Mirman and Jonah Ray. But lets not forget about the Moontower Comedy Festival this April whose headliners include Martin Short, David Cross, Maya Rudolph, Janeane Garofalo and Ron Funches. Around town there's Cap City Comedy Club and the Velveeta Room and shows like Buzz Kill Comedy, Chris Cubas and Friends and Live at Coldtowne.
Improv Boston | Flickr CC: Improv Boston
Boston Bean Town need not prove its comic chops. Late night giants Conan O'Brien and Jay Leno were born and raised in the Bay State and other comics with Boston roots include Mindy Kaling, Mike Birbiglia, Amy Poehler, Louis CK and the late Patrice O'Neal. These days you can find laughs at the Improv Asylum, Improv Boston, the Comedy Studio, Laugh Boston and Nick's Comedy Stop. Check out shows like Roast Battle at the Davis Square Theatre or The Gas hosted by the Anderson Comedy Group every Friday at Great Scott. The Boston Comedy Festival happens in November.
Comedians You Should Know | Flickr CC: Joe Kilgallon
Chicago The Windy City is one of the funniest places on earth. (Credit those hard scrabble winters for bringing folks together for a chuckle.) Sketch and improv stalwart the Second City reigns supreme in Chicago but numerous competitors including the Annoyance, iO and the Playground give it a just run for its money. Meanwhile, the vibrant stand up scene includes clubs like Zanies, Jokes and Notes and the Laugh Factory while indie showcases Comedians You Should Know, Parlour Car, This Week's Show, Stand Up Stand Up, Blind Bet and Sadsacks and Wisecracks should top a visitor's short list. Keep an eye out for Natalie Jose, Tim Barnes, Jeff Acuri, Kristen Toomey, Martin Morrow and Adam Burke.
George Lopez at Comedy Works Landmark on their 5th anniversary | Photo courtesy of Comedy Works
Denver Rising star comic and local Adam Cayton-Holland once made a terrific joke about Denver's status as a flyover town, but make no mistake the Mile High City is a seriously funny place. Every visitor should check out the Denver Comedy Works, a fantastic venue (with a second suburban location) that regularly hosts megawatt headliners like Joel McHale, Amy Schumer, Bill Burr, Dave Chappelle and Natasha Leggero. But Denver also boasts a thriving indie scene including showcases like The Pump and Dump, The Fine Gentleman's Club's Too Much Fun and more. Let's not forget that Denver is also home to both the Crom Comedy Festival and High Plains Comedy Festival.