Best Comedy Clubs in Ottawa

Ottawa's comedy scene runs every night of the week — from pro stand-up clubs with headliner tours to free pub open mics where comedians workshop new material. Here are 6 verified spots where you can actually catch live comedy in Ottawa, sorted by type.

Dedicated Comedy Clubs

1. Absolute Comedy — Ottawa's Original

Absolute Comedy has been Ottawa's dedicated stand-up comedy club since 2004. Pro-Am Night every Wednesday at 8:30pm is the testing ground for up-and-coming comics. Thursday through Sunday brings touring headliners. Dinner & Show packages make a full night of it. Google 4.5 with 2,091 reviews.


Shows	Mon-Sun (Mon open mic, Tue-Thu 8:30pm, Fri-Sat 8pm & 10:30pm)
Price	$10 Mon, $15-$20 Tue-Thu/Sun, $25-$35 Fri-Sat
Age	19+ (under 19 with adult)
Food	2-drink minimum, Dinner & Show packages
Google	4.5 (2,091)

Neighbourhood: Little Italy (412 Preston St)

2. Yuk Yuk's Ottawa — Canada's Biggest Chain

Yuk Yuk's Ottawa is the local outpost of Canada's largest comedy chain. Now located downstairs at Biagio's Italian Kitchen on Richmond Road (moved from Elgin Street). Wednesday shows at 8pm plus Thursday-Saturday headliners. The dinner + show combo with Biagio's is the classic Ottawa comedy date.


Shows	Wed 8pm, Thu-Sat headliner shows
Capacity	145
Food	Dinner + show with Biagio's upstairs
Google	4.4 (979)

Neighbourhood: Westboro / Lincoln Heights (1394 Richmond Rd)

3. Laugh Lounge — New Premium Spot

Laugh Lounge Comedy Club opened in 2023-2024 on York Street in ByWard Market. Thursday through Sunday pro stand-up shows with a "party-comedy hybrid" vibe. Full food and drink service during shows — a table lamp lets you flag a server without disrupting the set. Google 4.7 with 240 reviews.


Shows	Thu-Sun evenings
Tickets	Eventbrite
Food & drink	Available during shows
Google	4.7 (240)

Neighbourhood: ByWard Market (61 York St)

4. Cultures Comedy Club — Bilingual Comedy

Cultures Comedy Club opened in September 2023 inside NUVO Lounge on Dalhousie Street. Ottawa's hub for multicultural and BIPOC comedy with weekly Pro Saturday shows. Shows run in both English and French — a unique offering in Ottawa.


Shows	Saturday doors 8pm, show 9pm
Languages	English + French
Format	Stand-up, improv, alternative, sketch
Google	3.7 (6 — new club)

Neighbourhood: ByWard Market (291 Dalhousie St, inside NUVO)

Free & Weekly Pub Comedy

5. Pour Boy Pub — Three Comedy Nights a Week

Pour Boy Pub on Somerset Street runs three comedy events each week. Monday's "That's Rich!" show (donation), Wednesday Open Mic (7:30-11:30pm), and Comedy Thursdays. Popular launching pad for Ottawa comedians. Google 4.5 with 1,299 reviews.


Monday	"That's Rich!" 8pm (donation)
Wednesday	Open Mic 7:30-11:30pm
Thursday	Comedy Thursdays (stand-up)
Google	4.5 (1,299)

Neighbourhood: Chinatown / Centretown (495 Somerset St W)

6. Glebe Central Pub — The Open Mic

Glebe Central Pub on Bank Street runs a weekly Wednesday Open Mic from 8:30-11:30pm hosted by Chris Zimmerman. A mix of music and comedy makes it one of The Glebe's community staples. Free admission.


Night	Wednesday 8:30-11:30pm
Cover	Free
Host	Chris Zimmerman
Mix	Music + comedy
Google	4.4 (798)

Neighbourhood: The Glebe (779 Bank St)

The Quick Comparison

Venue	Type	Night(s)	Cover	Vibe
Absolute Comedy	Pro stand-up	Mon-Sun	$10-$35	Dedicated club, since 2004
Yuk Yuk's	Pro stand-up	Wed-Sat	$$	Dinner + show at Biagio's
Laugh Lounge	Premium stand-up	Thu-Sun	$$	New ByWard Market club
Cultures	Bilingual, BIPOC	Sat	$$	English + French
Pour Boy	Pub comedy	Mon/Wed/Thu	Free-$	Triple weekly comedy
Glebe Central	Open mic	Wed	Free	Music + comedy mix

Comedy by Night of the Week

Monday: Absolute Comedy (open mic $10), Pour Boy "That's Rich!" (donation)
Tuesday: Absolute Comedy
Wednesday: Absolute Comedy Pro-Am, Yuk Yuk's, Pour Boy Open Mic (free), Glebe Central Open Mic (free)
Thursday: Absolute Comedy, Yuk Yuk's, Laugh Lounge, Pour Boy Comedy Thursdays
Friday: Absolute Comedy (2 shows), Yuk Yuk's, Laugh Lounge
Saturday: Absolute Comedy (2 shows), Yuk Yuk's, Laugh Lounge, Cultures
Sunday: Absolute Comedy, Laugh Lounge

Tips

Most shows a week — Absolute Comedy runs shows Monday through Sunday.
Best free option — Pour Boy Wednesday Open Mic or Glebe Central Wednesday Open Mic.
Best open mic — Pour Boy (Wednesday) or Glebe Central (Wednesday).
Date night — Yuk Yuk's + Biagio's Italian dinner combo, or Laugh Lounge food-during-show.
Bilingual / French comedy — Cultures Comedy Club, Saturday only.
Arrive early — Headliner shows at Absolute and Yuk Yuk's sell out.
19+ venues — Most dedicated comedy clubs are 19+ (Absolute, Yuk Yuk's, Cultures).
Also check — LIVE! on Elgin hosts comedy nights as part of its nightly performance lineup, and NUVO Lounge 295 houses Cultures Comedy Club.

FAQ

What is the best comedy club in Ottawa?

Absolute Comedy on Preston Street in Little Italy is Ottawa's longest-running dedicated stand-up comedy club, operating since 2004 with a Google 4.5 rating and over 2,000 reviews. Yuk Yuk's Ottawa (at Biagio's on Richmond Rd) is the local outpost of Canada's largest comedy chain. Laugh Lounge in ByWard Market is the newest premium option with Google 4.7.

Where can I see free stand-up comedy in Ottawa?

Pour Boy Pub on Somerset offers Wednesday Open Mic and Monday's 'That's Rich!' show by donation. Glebe Central Pub has a free weekly Wednesday open mic mixing music and comedy. Pour Boy also runs Comedy Thursdays.

What comedy clubs in Ottawa have shows tonight?

Absolute Comedy runs shows every night of the week (Mon open mic, Tue-Thu 8:30pm, Fri-Sat double shows, Sun evening). Yuk Yuk's has Wednesday shows plus Thursday-Saturday headliners. Pub comedy nights: Pour Boy Mon/Wed/Thu, Glebe Central Wednesday Open Mic.

Is there a French-language comedy club in Ottawa?

Cultures Comedy Club (291 Dalhousie St, inside NUVO Lounge) runs shows in both English and French every Saturday (doors 8pm, show 9pm). Founded in September 2023 with a multicultural and BIPOC focus. The only regular bilingual comedy venue in Ottawa.

How much does a comedy show cost in Ottawa?

Absolute Comedy charges $10 (Monday open mic), $15-$20 weeknights, and $25-$35 for Friday and Saturday headliners with a 2-drink minimum. Yuk Yuk's ranges similarly. Pub comedy nights (Pour Boy, Glebe Central) are free or by donation. Laugh Lounge and Cultures tickets are sold via Eventbrite.

Do Ottawa comedy clubs serve food?

Absolute Comedy offers Dinner & Show packages. Yuk Yuk's pairs with Biagio's Italian Kitchen upstairs. Laugh Lounge has full food and drink service during shows. The pub venues (Pour Boy, Glebe Central) both serve their regular pub menus during comedy nights.