Comedians call it "crickets" when a jokeflops, in tribute to the
chirping insects that can be heard above thedeafening lack of
laughter. And while no comedy house is perfectlyuninfested, the
following clubs are plenty cool enough to remainbug-free most
nights of the year. - M.H.
Chicago
Zaniesin
Lincoln Park is both intimate, with a 130-seat room,
andintimidating, presenting A-list jokers like Dave Chappelle
practicallyin your lap. With improv legend Second City a block
away, Zanies'nightly shows are all and only stand-up. Cover for a
typical show is$20. In case of a sellout, satellite Zanies in St.
Charles and VernonHills offer larger venues.
www.chicago.zanies.com
Denver
ComedyWorks reliably lures comedy's biggest and best to the Mile
High City.Tariffs to enter the 280-seat theater on historic Larimer
Square rangefrom $10 on Tuesday's Amateur Night - the first show of
the week - to$45 on a weekend, when established stars like Dennis
Miller may sharethe stage with Josh Blue and other up-and-comers.
www.comedyworks.com
New York
Inthis city known for hip humor, nobody outjokes the Upright
CitizensBrigade Theatre. The Chelsea club claims to be New York's
only venuewith stand-up, improv, and sketch comedy every night. It
may also bethe city's best cheap date: All shows cost $5 to $8. If
you're killingtime on a Sunday, line up by six p.m. for free seats
to the 9:30 improvshow, during which
Saturday Night Live headliners
frequently appear.
www.ucbtheatre.com/ny
Pasadena, California
America'soldest comedy club is the Ice House in
Pasadena, where,
starting in1960, the likes of the Smothers Brothers trod the boards
that todaysupport Ellen DeGeneres and her ilk. Tickets range from
$14.50 to$19.50, and there's always a two-beverage minimum at this
cozy,185-seat former ice factory where every night but Monday you
can seeSunset Boulevard-quality comics in a Main Street
environment.
www.icehousecomedy.com