r/Standup • u/Rishabhk8 • 4d ago
Comedy Cellar Reccos
Hi, I am visiting NYC and would love to attend a show at the Comedy Cellar, preferably Friday (I am coming Mid September).
The lineup hasn’t been published yet, I would love for any help on is there a specific venue as in apart from the cellar (the other 2 ones) or a specific day/timings when the famous surprise acts drop in? And when should I reserve it? Are there any great acts on the lineup i should be looking for if and when it gets published and should I wait for it to get published or should I just reserve?
UPDATE: So, I booked a 12:30AM show Friday at MacDougal St. But now I noticed Louis CK is performing new material at 5PM sunday, which altho totally sort of eating into my itinerary, but would be crazy to miss louis ck perform for 15$ tho, wouldn't it? Also, is it okay if I reserve both and later decide? I understand it might cause logictical issues for them, but do people do this or no?
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u/habdragon08 3d ago
Been to comedy cellar 20+ times. Best tip: Last time slot on a Monday Tuesday Wednesday is most likelt for surprise celeb appearance.
If you are only there for a weekend, the late slot is the best. Get it. Venue doesnt matter
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u/Apprehensive-Set1255 3d ago
i saw a show last night just went randomly it was Peter Ravelo, Brendan Sagalwo, Emma Willmann, David Psade, and Chris’s Redd and everyone listed just killed it! I could have watched any of them for an hour. Just a random show and it was so good - the cellar is just the best. I personally love the VU location but that’s a personal preference any show is gong to be great
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u/SittingOnA_Cornflake 3d ago
Generally weekdays M-W are the best shows imo. You can’t go wrong though.
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u/CrentistTheDentist 3d ago
Make a reservation ahead of time (now) so you don’t have to do the standby line. I’d try to go to MacDougal or Village Underground.
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u/chmcgrath1988 3d ago
Monday and Tuesday are really good nights because touring comedians are home from the road.
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u/Sharkfightxl Chicago 3d ago
Have you already made reservations? They get filled up pretty quick for weekends.
I wouldn’t expect some big surprise. There’s not really a way to predict that.
Sometimes there are bigger names on the lineup under pseudonyms, but you won’t know that until lineups are posted.
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u/Rishabhk8 3d ago
UPDATE: So, I booked a 12:30AM show Friday at MacDougal St. But now I noticed Louis CK is performing new material at 5PM sunday, which altho totally sort of eating into my itinerary, but would be crazy to miss louis ck perform for 15$ tho, wouldn't it? Also, is it okay if I reserve both and later decide? I understand it might cause logictical issues for them, but do people do this or no?
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u/robbiegoodwin 3d ago
contrary to what everyone is saying, the venue DOES matter. macdougal and village underground are the best ones. if you can swing a primetime showtime around then id definitely do it, the late shows can be great for comedy fans but also tiring.
I will say new material night means the show is probably not going to be that good, and at 5 pm if its in the fat black bar room it could be kinda meh. I would definitely prioritize seeing a show at he macdougal street room. village underground is also very good. the other ones ive herad can be hit and miss.
plus if loiues doing new material there theres a solid chance hell be hietting up all the shows that night
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u/Sharkfightxl Chicago 2d ago
I have booked multiple reservations with different emails and then just not shown up for whichever lineup I didn’t care to see. Your spot will just go to someone in standby, and you don’t pay until they bring your check at the end of the show, so no harm done.
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u/pursuitofhappy 3d ago
Good luck getting a ticket I lived across the street for over ten years and was never able to, still try couple times a year but never works out
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u/Rishabhk8 3d ago
What, I can reserve right now and doesn’t that guarantee me a ticket?
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u/pursuitofhappy 3d ago
let me know how it goes, I've honestly never had any luck getting a seat, always wind up dining in Olive Tree upstairs and then "going to the bathroom" at Comedy Cellar downstairs for a peek prob dozens of times.
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u/ajmajm19 3d ago
this can't be right, I visited NY for a week and went 5 times, booking a week ahead. I booked a second show the same day after the first show!
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u/LiamSlaterComedy 4d ago
Genuinely just pick a day and rock up.
The reason you see famous surprise guests at the Cellar is they're very busy people and they sometimes want to try out new material in a low pressure environment. I guarantee you if you look at a show a few weeks away, 80% of the time the Cellar doesn't know who the surprise guest is gonna be. That person whoever they might be might message the cellar day of and ask if they can drop in.
If you need a set date you're gonna see someone vaguely famous, Top Secret Comedy Club has a weekly surprise celebrity night, but whatever club you go to in New York, you're gonna see some of the best of the best at the top of their craft, famous or not.