When asking yourself about something to do near me in Cambridge with a group of friends or family, consider
The Comedy Studio
Why The Comedy Studio is a fun option when searching for things to do near me with friends and family
The Comedy Studio in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is a vibrant hub for comedy lovers and friends looking for a unique and intimate place to meet. Established in 1996, this venue has grown from modest beginnings in the attic of a restaurant to Harvard Square’s beloved comedy stage, celebrated for its warm, inclusive atmosphere. With a focus on both emerging talents and world-renowned comedians, The Comedy Studio offers a diverse lineup of performances that appeal to a broad range of tastes. The environment is welcoming to all, reflecting its philosophy of accepting diverse attitudes with tolerance and humor. The club’s intimate setting enhances the connection between performers and audience, making it a memorable and engaging experience. Recognized multiple times as the Best Comedy Club by Boston Magazine, it's not just a place for laughs but a cultural fixture that supports experimentation in performance art. Whether for a casual night out or to enjoy cutting-edge comedy innovations, The Comedy Studio is a great meeting spot that encourages community, creativity, and lots of laughter.
Here's what people think of The Comedy Studio
As of recent, The Comedy Studio holds a 4.7-star rating based on 244 reviews.
User reviews for The Comedy Studio overwhelmingly praise its intimate vibe and high-quality comedy acts. Patrons appreciate the club's welcoming environment, ideal for comedy enthusiasts who enjoy discovering new talent alongside seasoned performers. Many positive reviews highlight the friendly staff, the diversity of the performers, and the unique charm of the venue's setting in Harvard Square. The intimate seating and attentive audience contribute to a vibrant atmosphere that enhances the comedy experience. Reviewers also mention that The Comedy Studio feels like a home for comedians, fostering a supportive space for artistic growth. On the negative side, some reviews mention challenges related to the recent management transition following founder Rick Jenkins’ resignation, with a few attendees noting booking inconsistencies or confusion about event schedules during this period. A limited venue size can sometimes lead to quick sell-outs, which some visitors found disappointing. Overall, the majority of feedback underscores the club’s importance in Boston’s comedy scene, noting its continued commitment to progressive and diverse comedic voices. Reviewers conclude that despite some minor growing pains, The Comedy Studio remains a cherished and top-rated destination for comedy fans looking for authentic performances in an inclusive and dynamic setting.
Highlights from reviewers (Most Relevant)
Kathleen Viola
Excellent experience !! The vibes, joke material and the energy!! The show offers a unique blend of humor that resonates with a diverse audience. The comedic style ranges from observational humor to clever wordplay, making it accessible yet thought-provoking. A must-watch for anyone looking to enjoy a night filled with laughter. Its combination of talented performers and relatable content makes it a standout in the comedy scene. Highly recommended for a fun evening out
Paulo
We had a blast! Great setting and awesome service! The bartender is super friendly and helpful and the comedians where GREAT!! We where laughing throughout the whole show and still talk and laugh about it days after. (windshield wiper). Drinks are a little pricey but overall worth the experience. Going back this week!
Mike Trubnikov
Awesome place. Jeff is the man. They run the best comedy club in Boston.
Kaytie Dowcett
Diverse range of edgy, smart, side-splitting comedy. Went with a large group for a bday party and we had a blast! It's also a spacious, comfortable setup with a solid bar selection and fun extras like popcorn and photo booth. We will definitely be back!
Ivonne Palma
The comedy open mic here is a big production. Compared to open mics throughout Boston, Somerville, and Cambridge, this one has the best (voted) comics perform at the top. If you're performing, it's a long wait, but if you've been to some open mics, you know seeing some *above average acts* is everything. I enjoy the dim lighting here, it's friendly service, and they are cool with you bringing outside food.
Kathleen Viola
Excellent experience !! The vibes, joke material and the energy!! The show offers a unique blend of humor that resonates with a diverse audience. The comedic style ranges from observational humor to clever wordplay, making it accessible yet thought-provoking. A must-watch for anyone looking to enjoy a night filled with laughter. Its combination of talented performers and relatable content makes it a standout in the comedy scene. Highly recommended for a fun evening out
Paulo
We had a blast! Great setting and awesome service! The bartender is super friendly and helpful and the comedians where GREAT!! We where laughing throughout the whole show and still talk and laugh about it days after. (windshield wiper). Drinks are a little pricey but overall worth the experience. Going back this week!
Mike Trubnikov
Awesome place. Jeff is the man. They run the best comedy club in Boston.
Kaytie Dowcett
Diverse range of edgy, smart, side-splitting comedy. Went with a large group for a bday party and we had a blast! It's also a spacious, comfortable setup with a solid bar selection and fun extras like popcorn and photo booth. We will definitely be back!
Ivonne Palma
The comedy open mic here is a big production. Compared to open mics throughout Boston, Somerville, and Cambridge, this one has the best (voted) comics perform at the top. If you're performing, it's a long wait, but if you've been to some open mics, you know seeing some *above average acts* is everything. I enjoy the dim lighting here, it's friendly service, and they are cool with you bringing outside food.
How to reach The Comedy Studio
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Website: None
Why rally at The Comedy Studio with your friends? Because laughter is the ultimate social glue, and The Comedy Studio delivers it in spades. With a stellar 4.7 rating from over 244 reviews, this venue has earned a reputation as a top-notch comedy club that provides a unique, intimate experience perfect for groups. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion, looking to unwind after a hectic week, or simply craving a night out filled with lighthearted fun, this is the place to be. The Studio’s cozy, friendly ambiance allows you to share jokes, reactions, and good vibes closely with your crew, creating memories that go beyond your typical night out. Being located in the vibrant area of Union Square, Somerville, near Harvard Square, adds an extra layer of excitement, with plenty of nearby restaurants and shops to explore before or after the show. The professionalism of their staff who go the extra mile to accommodate group needs—from reserved seating to drink recommendations—means your meetup is not just fun but stress-free.
What kinds of activities can you enjoy at The Comedy Studio? Primarily, the main attraction is stand-up comedy performances that showcase both rising stars and seasoned comediansfrom the Boston area and beyond. The Comedy Studio features a variety of shows throughout the week, each with its distinct flavor and format. For example, their “Wednesday’s Rising Stars” showcases fresh talent, giving you the opportunity to discover new comedians before they hit the big stages. The “Certified Fresh” shows have a curated lineup of professional acts known for their polished and hilarious sets, ensuring you’ll experience high-quality comedy. On Fridays and Saturdays, you can catch “Comedy Gold” or “The Late Night Show,” events that attract a lively crowd and feature an eclectic mix of performers, often with edgier or more experimental humor. The venue also hosts open mic nights on Tuesdays, where local comedians test new material — a perfect event if your group prefers a more casual and interactive vibe. This variety ensures your group will find a show that fits your humor style and energy level, making each visit unique and enjoyable.
Why is The Comedy Studio perfect for a group meetup? The venue’s intimacy fosters connection, allowing your group to enjoy jokes up close where you can see the comedians’ expressions and feel their energy. Unlike larger venues where you might feel disconnected, The Comedy Studio provides excellent sightlines from every seat due to its careful design, ensuring nobody misses the punchlines. Despite its small size, it offers enough space for groups and provides reserved sections upon request, which reviewers have praised as accommodating for larger parties. This means your group stays together in comfort and style. Another highlight is the bar, serving a great variety of drinks with bartenders who are knowledgeable, friendly, and ready to suggest the perfect cocktail or beer to complement the evening. Though food isn’t served inside the club, the location near Union Square means you can easily grab appetizers or a meal from nearby eateries and bring them in, allowing your group to enjoy both food and laughs in one go. The combination of thoughtful service, excellent drink options, and a customer-friendly environment makes The Comedy Studio an exceptionally welcoming meeting spot for friends or family.
What makes the atmosphere and location special for a meetup? The Comedy Studio’s home in Union Square offers an energetic and lively neighborhood, giving your group more than just comedy to look forward to. You can start your night with dinner at one of the many diverse restaurants nearby or explore local shops and ice cream parlors, creating a full evening experience beyond the show. The venue itself is known for its cozy, warm lighting and a vibe that encourages everyone to relax and engage with the performance. Reviews often highlight how the bartenders and staff contribute to this friendly atmosphere by being helpful, attentive, and genuinely interested in making your night enjoyable. Accessibility is another advantage — parking options, including discounted nearby garages, make it easy to get there, even for larger groups. The location also benefits from excellent public transport links, so everyone can arrive safely and without hassle. This makes The Comedy Studio a convenient and fun destination for a social gathering where both the location and the entertainment align perfectly.
How does The Comedy Studio accommodate groups and special events? The venue is flexible and accommodating when it comes to group bookings. If you’re planning a meetup with friends or family, you can contact the staff beforehand to reserve a section, ensuring everyone sits together with good views of the stage.Guests have praised the staff for being proactive and friendly, making the booking experience seamless, and it’s common for them to arrange special seating for large parties. The relatively small size of the venue means your group can interact and enjoy the night without feeling lost in a crowd, fostering a more personal and lively group experience. Moreover, while food isn’t served internally, The Comedy Studio permits bringing in appetizers from surrounding eateries, a perfect arrangement for parties who want to snack while laughing. For those interested in hosting private events or special celebrations like birthdays or group outings, the venue can be rented, offering a more tailored experience complete with comedy entertainment. This flexibility makes it an ideal place for structured meetups, allowing your event to combine professionalism with laid-back entertainment, and ensuring everyone in your party has a memorable evening.
What can you expect from the quality of comedy at The Comedy Studio? Expect a top-tier comedy showcase in a place known for spotlighting both raw emerging talent and established stand-up vets. The studio’s reputation for consistently offering high-quality performances is reflected in their varied weekly lineups, ranging from polished comedic brilliance to experimental sets that keep the atmosphere fresh and exciting. According to many patrons, nights at The Comedy Studio produce genuine laughter and often leave groups with sore sides from nonstop joking and improvisation. The intimate setting encourages comedians to interact directly with the audience, creating a personal, immersive humor experience. While the venue occasionally hosts one or two less successful acts—as can happen in any comedy lineup—the overall standard is strongly positive, maintaining a balance of entertainment that appeals to a broad audience. This shows why the club remains a favorite spot for locals and visitors looking for a reliable, affordable comedy show that feels both professional and approachable.
Why rally at The Comedy Studio with your friends? Because it is one of the premier destinations where laughter and social connection come together in a truly special way. Rated an impressive 4.7 out of 5 from nearly 250 reviews, The Comedy Studio stands out as a place that brings people together through humor, offering a warm and welcoming atmosphere perfect for groups of friends or family gatherings. When you come here, you’re not just watching a show—you’re sharing moments of joy, surprises, and genuine amusement side by side in an intimate setting designed to keep everyone connected. The Studio’s location in the lively Union Square area of Somerville, near Harvard Square, means your night of comedy can be seamlessly paired with dinner, drinks, or an evening stroll through charming shops and eateries. The friendly, knowledgeable staff make the experience enjoyable and stress-free by accommodating groups with reserved seating and expert drink recommendations, so everyone in your party feels cared for. In short, The Comedy Studio delivers a unique and memorable venue where the act of gathering itself becomes a highlight as laughter bonds everyone closer.
What activities does The Comedy Studio offer for groups? The heart of The Comedy Studio experience is its dynamic lineup of stand-up comedy shows held almost every night of the week. Guests can enjoy a variety of formats, including “Wednesday’s Rising Stars,” spotlighting new and emerging talent, “Certified Fresh” on Thursdays for polished, professional comedians, and weekend “Comedy Gold” and “Late Night Show” sessions featuring a range of acts from seasoned veterans to experimental performers. For groups who appreciate a more low-key experience, the Tuesday open mic nights invite audiences to take part in the creative process of comedy by watching hometown hopefuls test new material. This diversity of programming means any group can find something that matches their humor style and energy, from lighthearted and family-friendly sets to edgier, more adult-oriented comedy. Beyond the shows themselves, the venue hosts special events and allows groups to rent the space for private parties, making it an ideal location for celebrations or team gatherings centered around shared enjoyment of live comedy entertainment.
Why is The Comedy Studio ideal for group meetups? One of the biggest strengths of The Comedy Studio is its intimate size, which fosters a close-up and engaging experience where everyone in your group feels connected to the performance—and to each other. The seating is thoughtfully arranged so that every seat offers a fantastic view of the stage, meaning no one misses any punchlines or comedic flair. Even for larger groups, the team at The Comedy Studio works hard to reserve sections that keep your party seated together comfortably. The friendly bartenders and staff add to the welcoming vibe by not only crafting excellent drinks but also guiding groups with great tasting recommendations and information on the night’s lineup. Although the venue does not serve food directly, guests are encouraged to bring in appetizers from the many surrounding restaurants, so you can enjoy snacks while laughing together. This blend of personalized service, excellent sightlines, and a relaxed, sociable environment makes it the perfect spot for friends or families looking for an engaging night out.
What makes the atmosphere and location special for hosting a meetup? Beyond the show itself, the surrounding neighborhood enhances the overall experience at The Comedy Studio. Situated in Union Square, Somerville, the venue is conveniently close to an abundance of vibrant restaurants, cafes, bars, and unique local shops. Your group can turn a night at the comedy club into an entire outing with dinner, drinks, or even a casual walk exploring the neighborhood’s colorful vibe both before and after the show. The space inside the Studio is cozy yet stylishly lit, providing a warm ambiance that encourages relaxation and connection while audiences enjoy the performances. Patrons consistently praise the attentiveness and friendliness of the staff, which adds a layer of comfort and hospitality rare in many entertainment venues. Accessibility is straightforward with options including on-street parking and discount deals in nearby garages, or easy public transportation connections, all helping to remove stress around arrival and departure for your group.
How does The Comedy Studio cater to groups and special events? The Studio is highly group-friendly, opening the door to seamless and memorable experiences for meetups of any size. Many past visitors note the ease of working with the staff to reserve sections for large parties, ensuring thatWhy rally at The Comedy Studio with your friends? Because laughter is one of the most powerful ways to bring people closer together, and The Comedy Studio offers the perfect setting to make those moments happen. With an outstanding 4.7-star rating based on over 244 reviews, it’s clear the club provides an experience that guests consistently enjoy and want to share. Whether you're hosting a casual night out, celebrating a birthday, or just looking for a fun way to unwind after a busy week, The Comedy Studio creates an intimate and welcoming atmosphere where friends can enjoy side-splitting comedy together. Located in the bustling and charming Union Square area of Somerville, near Harvard Square’s vibrant scene, it’s easy to combine your comedy night with dinner or a stroll around local shops and ice cream parlors. Friendly and knowledgeable bartenders add to the experience, offering excellent drink options and helpful recommendations to complement the night. The venue also goes out of its way to accommodate groups, making it easy to reserve seating and ensuring your party enjoys the show from prime spots. All of this makes The Comedy Studio a uniquely exciting choice for gathering with friends or family, where the combination of great comedy, tasty drinks, and a lively neighborhood create a memorable night out.
What activities can you enjoy at The Comedy Studio and why is it perfect for a group meetup? At its core, The Comedy Studio hosts stand-up comedy shows nearly every night, featuring a well-curated mix of rising stars and seasoned pros that keeps the atmosphere fresh and engaging. Different nights have different themes to suit your group's taste: “Wednesday’s Rising Stars”Why rally at The Comedy Studio with your friends? Because it delivers an unmatched blend of laughs, intimacy, and good vibes, making it the ideal venue to bond and create shared memories. Boasting an impressive 4.7 rating based on nearly 250 reviews, The Comedy Studio has positioned itself as a top-tier comedy club not only for its humor but for its welcoming atmosphere. If you want to enjoy a night where everyone leaves with aching sides from laughter, this is the place. Its location in Union Square, Somerville, near the energetic Harvard Square, means you can pair a comedy night with a stroll past eclectic shops, flavorful restaurants, or local bars. Guests also rave about the bartenders who are not just skilled but genuinely friendly and helpful, offering spot-on drink recommendations tailored to the mood of the evening. The Comedy Studio is attentive to group needs too—offering reserved seating to keep your party close-knit and comfortable. Altogether, it becomes the perfect destination to rally your friends for a fun, relaxed, laughter-filled evening where the social connection is as important as the comedy itself.
What kinds of activities does The Comedy Studio offer, and why is it great for groups? The Studio’s programming revolves around live stand-up comedy shows almost nightly, with a variety of distinct events to suit every sense of humor. For instance, “Wednesday’s Rising Stars” highlights the freshest comedic talent in an intimate setting, giving your group a chance to discover new voices and laugh at original material hot off the press. Thursday’s “Certified Fresh” show features professional comics with polished sets, ideal for those who want to see higher-profile acts in a cozy environment. Friday and Saturday nights bring “Comedy Gold” and “The Late Night Show” with a mix of seasoned comedians and inventive performers who deliver a range of comedic styles—perfect for groups seeking variety and energy. On Tuesdays, the open mic night invites locals and newbies alike to perform, providing a raw, unfiltered comedy experience that is both interactive and unpredictable. Because the venue is small, every show feels personal and immersive, enhancing shared reactions. The combination of regular, diverse shows and the option to book private events makes The Comedy Studio perfect for group meetups that want both quality entertainment and a flexible experience.
Why does The Comedy Studio make an excellent group meetup spot? The venue’s intimate size means everyone can see and hear the comedians clearly, creating a shared experience that a large arena or theater can’t replicate. Impressively, the layout ensures excellent sightlines from every seat, so no one in your group feels like they are watching from the back of the room. Staff members are regularly praised for their friendliness and accommodating nature, often assisting groups by reserving a good-size