As we all know, laughter is the best medicine. But it doesn’t have to be a costly prescription.
Vegas has long been a destination market for the top names in stand-up, boasting a sizable array of comedy clubs.
But there’s also a vibrant comedy underground throughout the city, where up-and-coming touring acts and homegrown talent hone their craft at indie showcases and open mics with little to no cover charge.
Here are 10 low-dough comedy shows to check out, all of which are free unless otherwise noted.
The Dirty at 12:30
12:30 a.m. on Fridays
Grandview Lounge, South Point
Go blue without parting with any green at this popular late-night (technically early Saturday morning) comedy series, which has been dealing out the raunchy, sharp-tongued humor for over a decade now. Get there early for the pregame party, which starts around 10:30 p.m., to secure a seat and flock with your fellow dirty birds.
Big Laughs at Big Dog’s
9:06 p.m. on the third Saturday of the month
The Tap Room at Big Dog’s Brewing Company, 4543 N. Rancho Drive
Laughs and delicious Wisconsin cheese curds — both are on the menu at this barn-shaped brewery. Come here on the third Saturday of every month to pair a Leglifter Light or two with consistently well-curated lineups of local stand-ups hosted by Vegas comedy staple Steve McInelly.
Just F’in Comedy Open Mic
7:30 p.m. on Sundays
The Dive Bar, 4110 S. Maryland Parkway
Former Las Vegan Doug Stanhope, one of the very best comedians ever to call this city home, performed a special small-hall show at The Dive a decade ago, a nod to his days of playing local holes-in-the-wall in the early ’90s. As righteously gritty as Stanhope’s repertoire, The Dive continues to incubate some of Vegas’ most promising up-and-comers. There’s a reason this is the city’s longest-running non-casino comedy show.
Kill Bomb!
8 p.m. on Sundays
Mom’s Basement Theatre, 3441 W. Sahara Ave.
If there’s a home base for Vegas comedy, Mom’s Basement Theatre would certainly qualify. There are improv classes and competitions, a regular slate of stand-up shows under $20 and you can even learn how to be a clown here. Sundays are all about the Kill Bomb! open mic series, where “you either kill or you bomb, and we love you all the same!” Admission is $10.
Soundz & Laughs Comedy Open Mic
6 p.m. on Sundays
Seafood Soundz & Bar, 4300 Spring Mountain Road
Laugh, belt out “Muskrat Love,” maybe try the Cajun tamarind green mussels. Ms. Dee Happiness hosts this novel weekly event, “where happiness meets funny.”
Laughstop
9:30 p.m. on Mondays
Backstop Sports Pub, 533 Avenue B, Boulder City
As if hanging with all the bighorn sheep who come within arm’s length of visitors at Hemenway Park wasn’t reason enough to make the trek to Boulder City, this consistently entertaining mix of local and out-of-town comedians seals the deal, hosted and produced by Manfred Hein and Caitlin Daisy B.
Public Display
8:30 p.m. on Mondays
The Bonfire, 610 E. Naples Drive
The “dominatrix of comedy” Mistress K hosts this wide-ranging talent showcase featuring a variety of acts, including comedians, followed by an open mic. Crack a whip and get on down there.
Lex Las Vegas Comedy Open Mic Nights
9 p.m. on Tuesdays, Hola Habibi, 1115 S. Casino Center Blvd., and 10:30 p.m. on Wednesdays, The Beach House, 790 Coronado Center Drive
One of the city’s harder-working funnymen, Lex Las Vegas hosts weekly back-to-back open mic nights, first at downtown taproom/hookah lounge Hola Habibi on Tuesdays and then the Hawaiian-themed Beach House in Henderson on Wednesdays.
Comedy showcase
8 p.m. on Wednesdays
The Pork Belly Room at Rick’s Rollin’ Smoke BBQ, 725 Las Vegas Blvd. South
If you pass on a comedy show featuring a fellow named Skippy Sprinkles who bills himself as “the No. 1 traumatic brain injury comedian,” you need to start re-evaluating your decision-making. Sprinkles teams up with Bill TC to host this weekly showcase of traveling and local comedians.
Open mic
7 p.m. on Wednesdays
Wiseguys, 6593 Las Vegas Blvd. South, Town Square
The walls can’t actually talk at Wiseguys, but they still have plenty to say: Framed photos of comedy greats like Dave Attell, Norm McDonald and Louis C.K. underscore all the big names that have performed at this small yet bustling comedy club chain, which has three locations in Utah as well. Wiseguys also showcases some of the best local talent with a highly in-demand open mic night on Wednesdays, booked in advance at wiseguys.com. There’s a $5 cover; performers get in free.
Contact Jason Bracelin at [email protected] or 702-383-0476. Follow @jasonbracelin76 on Instagram.