Comedy Clubs in Minneapolis

For 25-40 year old who have lost zeal for Texas Hold 'em and Karaoke clubs in Minneapolis, comedy clubs are making a comeback. In these trying times jokes, especially those that find a lighter side to the current state of affairs, are providing wholesale release and therapy for the workday -and lack of workday-status quo.

Among the comedy clubs that are gaining in popularity in the Minnesota Twin Cities area is Bloomington's year-old Joke Joint. In addition to hilarious comedians like Wayne Burfeind and Diane Ford, the Joke Joint showcases much local jokester talent three to four nights per week. And best of all the shows are affordable. They rarely cost more than $15.

And speaking of affordable, you can't get much more affordable than free. One of the best-liked Minneapolis comedy clubs has free comedy. Acme Comedy Club lets you laugh at no charge, and they don't stop there. They also offer open mic nights where you can be the jester. Better still, you can also include dinner without having to plan ahead and find a nearby restaurant. Acme Comedy Club is still called by some locals by their former name, Sticks Restaurant. So which is better the food or the jokes? You'll have to be the judge.

If you're taking a mixed group out for comedy that ranges from the young to the old or the conservative to the liberal, a modern day version of Lenny Bruce might not be the best choice. But just because you need something rated in the G range doesn't mean you have no options among the Minneapolis comedy clubs. On the contrary, Comedy Sports Twin Cities boasts the slogan, "Fun enough for a bachelor party and clean enough for your Grandma." On Thursdays and Fridays at 8 pm and Saturdays at 8 and 10:30 pm, two teams of actors compete for laughs and follow the audience's suggestions.

The Brave New Workshop reminds us that not all comedy is restricted to stand-up. This week's theatrical performance is titled "How to Make Love Like A Minnesotan II: Love Is In Bloomington." Like other Minneapolis comedy clubs, this one features theatrical comedies. Other clubs have musical comedies, Vaudeville acts, and dinner theater. And comedy isn't confined only to so-called comedy clubs in the Twin Cities. The Plymouth Playhouse in Plymouth and the Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul offer a wide variety of entertainment that often includes comedic acts.

It's one thing to make a general statement about how Minneapolis comedy clubs are great, but it's another thing entirely to back that statement up with a statistic. The greater Twin Cities area has the second most theaters in the U.S. With all these venues there is still no shortage of comics from the pros to those moonlighting. Year round, weekend and weekday, there are plenty of good laughs to be had.

The Minnesota comedy clubs mentioned here are but a small minority of the venues available in the Twin Cities. Whether you're a tourist interested in experiencing the local nightlife or a long-time resident in need of a laugh, you owe it to yourself to check out the comedy outlets.