The Best Comedy Spots in Toronto
October 9, 2009 by Will
Filed under Comedy, Cool Stuff, Deals, Shows, Students, Stuff To Do, Toronto
You can’t go wrong with good laughs, smiles all around, funny stories, jokes, and maybe even laughing at other people’s misfortunes to your own delight as they get picked on, that is, until you get picked on by a Comedian or Performer… and your date points and laughs at you 
Jokes aside, Toronto has a vibrant comedy scene that is offers unparalleled entertainment value that allows you to stretch your dollar throughout the evening, making for a memorable date at the same time. The added bonus of checking out these comedy spots in Toronto is if you’re date is going bad, at least it wasn’t a complete write off as you got in a few laughs during the show
Check out these places for great laughs, fun and good times:
Absolute Comedy – one of the smaller comedy clubs in Toronto, Absolute Comedy has a convenient downtown location right just north of the intersection of Yonge & Eglinton (aka young & eligible) that offers great prices and reasonably priced food and drink that doesn’t skimp on the laughs in terms of the comedy talent that they attract.
Price: $6 – $15 depending on which night you attend
The Comedy Bar – located in the west end of Toronto, The Comedy Bar features a nice mix between traditional stand-up comedy and spontaneous improv comedy. Home of one of the best improv troupes in Toronto, the Sketchersons.
Tickets are reasonably priced at only $8!
The Second City – located in the heart of Toronto, this legendary venue that has locations in L.A. and Chicago as well, The Second City has produced the Canadian comedy legends such as Mike Myers, Colin Mochrie, Dan Aykyrod and Martin Short. You’ll be assured that their short-form improv and musical performances will always leave with a huge smile from ear-to-ear talking about your favourite scenes after leaving.
Tickets start from $23 and have Free-Improv show afterwards
Yuk Yuk’s Stand-Up Comedy – located in every major metropolitan city in Canada, Yuk Yuk’s Toronto is world reknowned for hosting the best stand-up comedic talent the world-over, as well as rising stars in their own right, Yuk Yuk’s provides a killer roster of touring comedians that’ll leave you with your cheeks and sides aching from all the laughter they manage to churn from your insides 
Tickets price start from $12 all the way to $20 depending on which night you attend.
Helpful hint for university students – if you go to your student centre, you can get discounted tickets for around $6 each!
Impatient Theatre Company – home of the long-form style of improv in Toronto, Impatient Theatre can take on suggestion and pump out gut-grinding comedy through improvised scenes that’ll leaving your brain numb from laughing. Check out their house team, Big In Japan. Seriously.
Ticket prices are only $5 at the Comedy Bar
Bad Dog Theatre Company – formerly known as “TheatreSports Toronto”, Bad Dog Theatre has been a mainstay in the improv and comedy scene, nestled right at the edge of Greektown on the Danforth right by Broadview. They have pumped out the likes of Toronto Second City alumnus Kerry Griffin and currently on the Mainstage, Rob Baker. Each night has as different show, with Saturday being their main draw for their “TheatreSports” show where teams battle it out for the most laughs. While the price they charge is small, they’re definitely big on laughs.
Tickets are $5 - $10 (Half Price if you’re a student!)
Be sure to check out their free improv classes that should make for an interesting date idea
Alt Comedy Lounge & Sketch Comedy Lounge – both held at the venerable stage of the popular Queen West Bar, The Rivoli, on Mondays they play host to local comedians. On Tuesdays they feature sketch comedy (improv) troupes from around the city, near and far.
This is definitely a great cheap date idea, in that they charge Pay What You Can.
Monkey Toast – The Improvised Talk Show - The long running improvised talk show, most talked about in Canada (because they’re the only one), Monkey Toast has won the Canadian Comedy Award 6 times out of being nominated 17 times. They feature a star-studded cast from a mix and mash from the cream of the crop of the Canadian improv scene from The Second City, Bad Dog Theatre Company and more.
They perform out of The Comedy Bar and have an erratic schedule, so check out when they play
Ticket prices are $10 and feature prominent improv comedians such as Colin Mochrie from “Whose Line Is It Anyway?”
Let us know what your experiences were! If I missed any other great comedy spots, please leave a comment and I’ll be sure to add it
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