
Punch Line
444 Battery Street
(415) 397-7573
Cover:
varies
National headliners like Sue Murphy, Paul Mooney and George
Lopez make up the bulk of the bookings here; on Sundays,
"SF Comedy Showcase" features two hours of established
and up-and-coming comics, and is known as an excellent launch
pad for many a comedy career, as well as a great place for
comics to network and bond with fellow comedians. Monday nights
feature the Comedynet Internet Showcase, broadcast live over the
World Wide Web. "The Punch" has a big wooden bar in
the back of the room, tables in the center, and a backdrop of
the city against the stage wall, and it's located on the second
floor of the Embarcadero Center near the Financial District.
It's usually packed, so call for an advance reservation.
Josie's
3583 16th Street
(415) 861-7933
Cover: varies
This intimate, stylish cabaret and cafe caters to the gay and
lesbian community, but many of the performers here are so good
-- such as humorist Marga Gomez and New York drag sensation
Lypsinka -- that their appeal cuts across counterculture lines.
Lypsinka took his show nation-wide, to critical acclaim. The
club offers comedy, performance art, cabaret, lounge singing,
drag shows and traditional theater on a small stage, and is
adorned with an ever-changing exhibit of local art, too. There's
food if you want it: Josie's serves a variety of freshly
prepared vegetarian fare, including orange French toast for
breakfast and hearty sandwiches and salads (tempeh burgers,
avocado sandwiches) for lunch, dinner and snacks. Seating for
the shows is first-come, first-served, but if you come for
dinner they'll let you reserve seats for the show. That's a
worthwhile precaution to take for hot-ticket nights.
The Marsh's Mock Café
1074 Valencia Street
(415)
641-0235
Cover: varies
The Mock Café describes itself as a
"creative cauldron into which writers, actors, dancers,
choreographers, musicians, composers, and designers throw their
collective talents." It's more storefront performance space
than café -- they don't serve latte, for example -- but what
they do have on tap is some of the city's best alternative
entertainment. It's an open-mike venue for stand-up, satire,
spoken word, and multi-media, and the cover charge is usually
around $5. Recent acts on the schedule include "Yank
Me!", a comedic solo performance by Harmon Leon, and
"No Y Chromosome: Women's Comedy Showcase."
One World Café
1799 McCallister Street
(415) 775-9358
Cover: free
Friday nights, One World hosts a popular comedy event emceed
by Leo Gilreath. Comics include Colin Mahin, Bill Santiago, John
Hoogasian, Jane Barbone and others, in a high-energy atmosphere
made even more so by the copious amounts of espresso and caffe
mocha that patrons like to get wired on. A big plus: no cover
charge.
Cobb's Comedy Club At The Cannery
2801 Leavenworth Street
(415) 928-4320
Cover: varies
One of the city's top comedy rooms, Cobb's has hosted stars
like Margaret Cho, Janeane Garofalo, Jake Johannsen, Comedy
Central's Greg Proops and Will Durst. Sure, it's jammed with
tourists -- especially on the weekends -- but that can be an
atmosphere particularly conducive to comedy. There is a
restaurant attached to the club called the Belle Roux, where you
can make sure of a space at Cobb's by making a reservation for
dinner in advance. For a bargain, check out the All-pro comedy
showcase every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. These shows start
at 8 PM and the admission is only $5.
The Luggage Store
1007 Market Street
(415) 255-5971
Cover: free
Tuesday nights, Tony Sparks hosts an open-mic comedy workshop
in this alcohol-free gallery supported by the Cultural Arts
Center of San Francisco. Admission is free, although donations
are accepted as they go to maintaining the Cultural Arts Center.
Although there's no actual luggage here per se, organizers claim
that some comics bring their own emotional baggage. "The
Luggage Store is not a cafe," said an event organizer.
"However, feel free to bring dog biscuits, catnip,
birdseed, or any snack of your choosing to nibble on during the
show. Please wear a bib if you have no table manners; the
Luggage Store is an artist's gallery and not a restaurant."