By Sarah Sussman
When it comes to comedy, Calgary is a hub for everything from amateur nights and touring international headliners, to improvisational theatre and dark edgy stand-up. If you’re looking to get in some laughs, here’s where to find comedy in the city every night of the week. [Image credit: EJ Negre]
Each Monday night, Broken City hosts western Canada's longest-running open mic comedy show, Comedy Monday Night. It’s a known hub for amateur and professional talent and often sees cameo appearances from some of the biggest names in the industry. Past guests have included Zach Galifianakis, Bob Odenkirk, Richard Lett and more. Admission is $5 and there are drink specials to tide you over if things go south.
On the third Monday of every night, Café Koi plays host to Cannon Comedy. Hosted by Calgary favourite Ben Cannon, this pay-what-you-can comedy showcase is a great spot to scope up-and-coming hopefuls.
Each Tuesday at 8 p.m. Crash Test Comedy takes over Vern’s for a night filled with comedy veterans and local amateurs. Crash Test Comedy is notably unfiltered and uncensored – so if you’re looking for a completely unpredictable night of laughs (with a lot of shock value), Vern’s is the place to go.
On Sept. 28, 2011, the first-ever Jupiter Comedy night premiered at the Jupiter Lounge. Though the lounge closed down a mere six months after the event's inception, the Oak Tree Tavern – located in the same location – has carried on the tradition. Each week, Calgary comics take to the stage, many of whom are performing a set for the first time ever. The evening always also hosts professional headliners.
Another spot to check for comedy on Wednesday is The Blues Can. While best known for its line-up of live blues shows, the Inglewood watering hole dedicates the first Wednesday of every month to its professional comic-headlined Comedy in the Can event.
Located on Macleod Trail in south Calgary, the Comedy Cave features headlining performances from international and nationally acclaimed comics almost every night of the week. With most Thursday performances starting at 8 p.m., you can catch a laugh and still make it home in time to get some rest before work on Friday. A full menu is available, featuring classic pub fare like BBQ ribs, poutine and crispy homemade fries. A dinner-and-a-show deal is available for $29.95 and includes a show ticket, choice of starter salad and choice of entrée.
Weekends are a prime time for scoping professional international headliners at Calgary’s comedy clubs. Head over to Yuk Yuk’s, which has hosted comedians such as Nikki Payne, Paul Reiser, Kerry Unger and more. A full menu is available and the nachos are highly recommended.
Another well-attended club by Calgary comedy aficionados is The Laugh Shop at Hotel Blackfoot. Past guests have included Shawn Majumber, Iliza Shlesinger, Mark Forward and more.
If you are looking for a different sort of comedy experience, head to Calgary’s Loose Moose Theatre. The theatre company was founded in 1977 as a hub for improvisational theatre training and performance. On Friday nights at 8 p.m., Loose Moose hosts a weekly Theatresports competition, which was created by co-founder Keither Johnstone. Theatresports sees teams of competitors challenge each other to improvised scenes, after which they are awarded points by judges or the audience. It’s a great way to get an interactive comedy experience that doesn’t involve getting singled out by a stand-up headliner in a comedy club.
Each Saturdays at 8 p.m. Loose Moose hosts a weekly event called Super Scene, wherein performers are challenged to each direct the first part of an improvised play. The audience votes for their favourite scene and the director with the least number of votes gets eliminated. The process is repeated for each scene of the improvised play until only one director remains.
2017 also sees the launch of a brand new monthly improvised comedy event called One Lions: My Dinner with ________. Hosted by The Kinkonauts Lab, the event takes place on the second floor of the old Movie Poster Shop building in the city’s northwest. Tickets are $10 for general admission and $5 for students.
For years, dark comedy fans have been going to Juliet’s Castle for edgy, uncensored laughs. The pay-what-you-can has been named a number of different things over the years, its most recent iteration being Handcuff Comedy. Expect to be offended.
Located on the lower level of Getto Boys, The Comic’s Room is another great Sunday comedy option. Located in an intimate venue reminiscent of New York City’s hidden gem underground comedy clubs, The Comic's Room hosts a different headliner every Sunday at 8 p.m for $10. Each show, an audience member is given the B.A.M. (Best Audience Member) award for laughing, paying attention, not heckling and being (obviously) an exemplary audience member. The winner is awarded a prize package valued at more than $100 filled with gift cards, show tickets and other goodies.
A recent addition to Calgary’s comedy scene, local coffee company Phil & Sebastian has started a monthly Sunday comedy showcase at its Mission location. Hosted by Yuk Yuk’s Top New Comic Brett Forte, you're guaranteed to have a "latte" laughs at Sunday Night Standup Comedy. Tickets are $10 and include $5 towards a café purchase.
Whether you’re looking for low-key amateur weeknight entertainment or a headlined weekend show, you’ll be able to find what you’re looking for in Calgary’s comedy scene. With so many comedy clubs and regular comedy nights, there’s plenty of time to get in some laughs – no matter how busy your schedule may be.
