By Claire Noack

From local favorites spouting comedy gold at stand-up shows to side-busting improv sketches, the Twin Cities know funny. We are, after all, home to A Prairie Home Companion’s Garrison Keillor, Saturday Night Live actor and Minnesota Senator Al Franken, MADtv personality Mo Collins and many other comedians from around the state. Check out our list of some of the best comedy clubs in the Twin Cities.

Stand-Up
If non-stop jokes are your thing, you won’t want to pass up these stand-up clubs. Acme Comedy Co. in North Loop has been a local favorite for years, including Minneapolis Mayer Betsy Hodges. National headliners take the stage here Tuesday through Saturday, and the open-mic night every Monday makes for a good chuckle as locals test their best material.

Laugh along with nationally touring comedians and local stand-ups at Joke Joint Comedy Club. This intimate performance space in St. Paul hosts an open-mic night on Wednesdays and offers a full bar and food menu. Patrons must be 18 and older to enter (minors must be accompanied by an adult).

Take a break from shopping at the Mall of America and head up to the fourth floor for Rick Bronson’s House of Comedy. Dig into flatbreads, burgers, sandwiches, hors d’oeuvres and other entrees, while listening to hilarious shows by national stand-up acts.

Improv Shows
The longest-running sketch-comedy theater in the nation, Brave New Workshop Comedy Theatre, has been cracking up Minnesotans since 1958 in downtown Minneapolis. Each show features hilarious comedy scenes, satirical songs and an energetic cast that continuously lives up to their superb reputation. Recent shows have included The Wolf of Walmart, Lady and the Trump and the holiday-themed Twerking Around the Christmas Tree. Adventurous spirits can even take classes at the Brave New Workshop Student Union to hone their improv skills.

Another comedy joint that will leave you rolling on the floor is Huge Improv Theater in the Lyn-Lake area. Check out the only Twin Cities stage dedicated to long-form improvisation for performances up to seven nights a week. Dedicated to supporting the local improv community through education, you can work on your comedic talents at one of their many classes and camps.

Games & Comedy
Comedy theater, awesome food and drinks, and bowling, what more could you want in one venue? Bryant-Lake Bowl hosts local acts at their theater in Minneapolis’ lively Lyn-Lake neighborhood. Comedy troupes stage comical shows, such as improvised Jane Austen and improv competition Melee à Trois.

If you can’t stop laughing at shows like Who’s Line is it Anyway?, this comedy club might be for you. ComedySportz hosts improv games with teams competing for laughs as audience members yell suggestions and an emcee awards points. Located in Uptown, this group has been voted Best Improv Show by locals on a routine basis.