Comedy in Portland
Check out plenty of in-demand comedians in a classic format for sidesplitting humor — live and in person.
Eric Gold
From stand-up comedy to improv comedy to sketch comedy Portland has any kind of comedy you may be looking for. Portland is known as the place up-and-coming comedians can cut their teeth and boasts many stages to bring you fresh, and very funny comedians, with plentiful open mic nights across the city to choose from, along with hilarious annual comedy festivals. There’s always something funny happening in Portland. Read on to learn more about the city’s vibrant comedy scene, then check out our events calendar to discover even more things to do on your next trip to Portland.
Helium
In the Central Eastside district, Helium delivers big-name talent like Saturday Night Live alumni Kevin Nealon and Jon Lovitz, other comedians you’ve seen on TV like Whitney Cummings, Chelsea Peretti, Patton Oswalt, Marc Maron, Neal Brennan, Nicole Byer, and many others. The venue, which features two full bars in addition to the main showroom, is known for its intimate setting. (Spectators are no more than 60 feet from performers.) No wonder Helium cultivates a respectful audience that is often rewarded with post-show meet-and-greets with the comics.
More Fun & Laughs
Free Live Music and Comedy in Portland
Discover a new favorite comic or musician at Portland's free concerts and comedy nights, scattered across the city and scheduled throughout the week.
Live Wire Radio
Enjoy original comedy, local music and captivating interviews at live tapings of this weekly variety show.
Niche Live Music Venues in Portland
These hidden gems are havens for jazz, punk, bluegrass, funk and more.
Kickstand Comedy
Nonprofit Kickstand Comedy got its start in the basement of a bike shop, then spent some time tucked above the Siren Theater before taking over the former home of the Brody Theater in 2019. Recognized by Paste Magazine as one of the “Country’s Best Improv Theaters,” Kickstand produces all-ages, community-based shows, flagship weekend showcases, community events and comedy classes.
ComedySportz
Looking to participate? Head to ComedySportz in Northwest Portland, which has been a longtime favorite of local comedy-lovers.
Curious Comedy Theater
The not-for-profit, volunteer-managed Curious Comedy Theater in Northeast Portland hosts community events to “improve the lives of kids, adults and seniors through the art of comedy.”
Funhouse Lounge
Head to Southeast Portland and you’ll find Funhouse Lounge, where cocktails, comedy, theater and improv converge against a background of clown-themed decor.
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Upcoming Comedy Shows
Get your laugh on with these upcoming comedy acts in Portland.
Darcelle XV’s Weekend Drag Show
Darcelle XV and Company have been entertaining audiences from all walks of life for over 50 years with Las Vegas-style cabaret revues of Glitz, Glamour and Comedy. Stop by when you are in Portland and you will be glad that you did! We have traveled the United States presenting a show that you have to…
Christopher Titus
Christopher Titus is a prolific stand-up comedian, writer, actor, and producer. His stand-up work sees him playing to sell-out audiences at clubs and theaters nationwide. As a creator, Titus has sold scripts and ideas to NBC, ABC, FOX and Comedy Central. His multi-cam half-hour “Titus” premiered to critical and audience acclaim on Fox, earning the show…
The Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Show
America’s LARGEST interactive comedy murder mystery dinner show is now playing in Portland, Oregon. Solve a hilarious mystery while you feast on a fantastic dinner. Just beware! The culprit is hiding in plain sight somewhere in the room, and you may find yourself as a Prime Suspect before you know it.
Willow Pill
Willow Pill is spreading the good word across the world. RuPaul’s Drag Race winner is going on her first solo tour, and she’s ready to take you through the true (mostly) story of her religious childhood up to her modern-day stardom as a D-list celebrity. So, prepare yourself for a night of sacrilegious madness, wild…
Morgan Jay
Morgan Jay is a first generation American performer based out of Los Angeles. He’s appeared on NBC, CBS, Comedy Central, Funny or Die and is one of the newest cast members of MTV’s Wild’n’Out. With over a decade of performance experience, Morgan has managed to create a unique performance with both music and comedy that…
Jay Jurden
Jay is a comedian, actor and Emmy nominated writer. He is currently a staff writer for The Problem With Jon Stewart on Apple TV + and his standup has been featured everywhere from Comedy Central to NBC’s The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, CBS’ The Late Late Show with James Corden and The Drew Barrymore…
Comedy Darlings
Comedy Darlings is a FREE comedy show every Monday located in North Portland at Bar Salut Cherie hosted by Danelle Porter and Erica Figueroa with some of the funniest comedians around. Make sure to follow on Instagram and Facebook @comedydarlings to stay current on all upcoming lineups.
Laugh Basement
Laugh Basement is back at The Goodfoot on Monday with an epic lineup of hilarious comics. Every Monday, Laugh Basement is hosted by comedian Hewitt Pagenstecher, accompanied by his friend and DJ, BHOLT, at The Goodfoot in SE Portland. Doors open at 7 p.m., and comedy starts around 7:30 $10 cash at the door.
Whose Live Anyway?
he current cast members of the Emmy-nominated TV show Whose Line Is It Anyway? are proud to present their new improv tour: WHOSE LIVE ANYWAY? WHOSE LIVE ANYWAY? is 90 minutes of hilarious improvised comedy and song all based on audience suggestions. Cast members Ryan Stiles, Greg Proops, Jeff B. Davis, and Joel Murray will…
Bangerz Comedy
Portland comics Bjorn RG and Eliza Butler host this weekly show at Neighbors Taproom with curated lineups of local and nationally touring comedians. 21+
Goodness the Comedy Show
Goodness is a show that brings the best stand-up comedy in Portland to the incredible Laurelhurst Club. Tickets are only $10, with even more affordable drinks. (21+)
Ashland by Isabel Estelle
After a young woman is unexpectedly diagnosed with a terminal illness and chooses to pursue Death with Dignity, she and her new partner must navigate the beginning and end of their relationship simultaneously. As the young woman’s health rapidly declines, her partner and her two siblings grapple with the absurdity and hilarity of death, what…
Love, Shakespeare
Witness the Magic of Unscripted Shakespeare. Step into the offbeat world of Love, Shakespeare, where seasoned Portland comedians attempt something audacious: performing a fully improvised Elizabethan based on your suggestions. Each show is an unpredictable tribute to Shakespeare's comedy, filled with ridiculous twists and spontaneous delights. Follow a merry band of players — former buddies of…
Qabaret Quesa
Join Fuse every First Friday at 10 p.m. for Qabaret Quesa — a monthly live musical drag cabaret featuring and hosted by the cheesy, breezy, bleutiful Quesa D’Mondays. Enjoy the Back Door Theatre’s newly renovated living room space as Quesa serenades and slays with 70-musical minutes of show tunes, parodies, comedy, and more. Sit back, enjoy…
ANATOMICA: A Comedy About Meat, Bones, & The Skin You’re In
International Comedian and Weird-Lil’-Gremlin Amica Hunter (they/them) gets under your skin and crushes your funnybone in this hilarious, captivating, and sometimes unsettling comedy about skeletal systems and the horrors of living in a body. ANATOMICA is an intimate, unpredictable exploration of pain, zoology, and collective imagination. Every animal has a skeleton — but which biological…
Pretty Kitty Glitter Party
Come party with the Pretty Kitties in their brand-new, delightfully bizarre sketch comedy show. Directed by Morgan Lee, Pretty Kitty Glitter Party takes you on a journey through a heartwarmingly dark parade of can’t-miss characters, daring music, surreal worlds, and yes — glitter. Running only three nights, come see the hottest, pinkest show of 2024….
Alingon Mitra
Alingon Mitra was one of only 100 comedians invited to perform on the remake of NBC's "Last Comic Standing" and went on to be the winner of the show's comic comeback contest. Chosen as the fan favorite in the semifinal round, Alingon won the public vote five weeks in a row to perform in the…
Tom Segura
Actor/Comedian/Writer Tom Segura is one of the biggest names in the comedy business. He recently toured the world with over 300 shows on his I’M COMING EVERYWHERE WORLD TOUR and is bringing his highly-anticipated new hour of comedy to over 40 cities with the first leg of the COME TOGETHER tour. Segura is best known…
Closet Cases
A Queer Comedy Storytelling Showcase. Comedians take the stage and share personal stories that don't fit into a classic tight fives. Come laugh, cry, cringe, and cheer with these funny and often heartwarming stories from within the LGBTQ+ community
Chiasm Cabaret
Science meets seduction in a titillating fusion of burlesque, comedy, and unabashed nerdiness. Join Al Dante’s in Portland; whether you’re already attending SciTalk 2024 or simply seeking an unforgettable night out, this show promises to entertain you while perhaps secretly teaching you something new.
Nick Mullen
Nick Mullen is an American stand-up comedian, podcaster, producer, actor and comedy writer. Active since 2005, he is best known as the creator and co-host of the comedy podcast Cum Town and its successor The Adam Friedland Show. He released his first comedy special, The Year of the Dragon, in December 2023.
Live Wire with Luke Burbank
Join Emmy award-winning host Luke Burbank for the taping of Live Wire, the fastest-growing entertainment show on public radio. With a late-night stride, an Oscar Wilde wit, and the charisma of Ferris Bueller grand marshaling a parade. Music, comedy, and conversation live and packed with surprises.
Anne Zander is MOTHER
From the mind that created the “painfully funny” smash-hit JUICEBOX (Official Selection 2020 HBO’s Women in Comedy Festival) and the body that birthed twins two years ago comes Anne Zander is MOTHER. This brand-new solo show will make you laugh until you pee a little (we won’t judge your pelvic floor strength here). Imbued with…
Tina Fey & Amy Poehler
As a duo and apart, Amy Poehler and Tina Fey have been responsible for some of the best comedies of the past two decades. From the wit and whimsy of Fey's back catalog (including Mean Girls, 30 Rock and The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt) to Poehler's championing of women and girls (and, of course, the unforgettable…
Bianca Del Rio
Everyone's favorite "clown in a gown", Bianca Del Rio, is returning to the stage with a new comedy show, aptly titled "Dead Inside". This will be the seasoned comic's sixth, worldwide stand-up comedy tour. Bianca will be entertaining the masses with her iconic lightning-fast wit and razor-sharp tongue. Her new show will cover politics, pop…
Ladies and Tangents
Family by chance, co-dependent co-hosts by choice. Jeri and Ciara are cousins and best friends who have spent 30 years in comedic conversation. In 2019, they started the highly addictive and relatable podcast Ladies & Tangents. In 2021, the duo started to gain popularity quickly thanks to viral excerpts of episodes shared on the social…
Howler Comedy Hour at Gol
Live Comedy at a local bar in an intimate environment with regional headliners and local comics. Gol is a Portland Timbers-centric bar for the fútbol enthusiast, showing the MLS, Champions League and international soccer matches. Located in inner-SE Portland, a unique soccer bar with a European feel and Portland's home to the World Cup.
Talk of the Town: Improv Show
Talk of the Town – improvised comedy inspired by Portland’s movers and shakers. Looking for cool things to do around Portland? Curious Comedy has your back. Every third weekend of the month at 7:30 in the Annex Theatre, Talk of the Town invites special guests to tell everyone about the amazing things they are up…
Drag Brunch at The Pharmacy
Join hostess Devlin Lynn Phoenixx and her cast of talented queens for a Sunday brunch experience you won’t soon forget. Your ticket includes admission to the show, your meal, AND your first mimosa. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options are available. So grab your friends and get down to The Pharmacy for a spectacularly fun time.
Magic Tea Party
In this live Dungeons & Dragons show, comedians and performers take to the stage to play some theatre games, share some jokes, and play some D&D.
Anna Akana
After a stalking incident forced Anna into retirement for 6 years, she's back — and armed with a restraining order and a plethora of new stories to tell. Anna Akana is a comedian, actress and writer. As an actress, she can be seen in Marvel's Ant-Man, Comedy Central's Corporate, Netflix's Jupiter's Legacy and the Emmy-nominated…
Jordan Jensen
Jordan Jensen started comedy in upstate NY before moving to Nashville TN, where she spent a year working for clubs and taking her comedy on the road in her pickup truck. Jordan now co hosts the podcast "Bein' Ian with Jordan" with comedian Ian Fidance and her first half hour special, presented by GaS Digital…
Ralph Barbosa
One of the shyest attention hogs to ever do comedy, Ralph Barbosa’s disarming and laid-back style has made him a stand-out on stage, on TV and online. On October 31, Ralph premiered his first worldwide Netflix stand-up special, Ralph Barbosa: Cowabunga. The hour-long special was shot in August 2023 at The Kessler Theater in Ralph’s…
No Filter Improv
Fuse Theater's New Year's Resolution for 2024 is to DO MORE IMPROV. What's yours? Join No Filter at the Back Door Theater every fourth Saturday of the month for some late-night laughs featuring rotating themes and cast members. Have requests? Just @ us on the socials. Big thanks to Fuse Theatre Ensemble for ensuring no Resolution…
Jamie Lissow
Actor and comedian Jamie Lissow is currently a regular weekly guest on the #1 rated late-night talk show, Gutfeld! on Fox. Jamie is best known for his starring role in two seasons of the Netflix Original Series “Real Rob”, alongside SNL alums Rob Schneider, Adam Sandler, Norm MacDonald and David Spade; a show Jamie co-wrote…
Rip City Comedy Festival
A 3-day celebration in support of the vibrant and diverse Portland comedy scene. Featuring national headliners, including Steve Agee, Natalie Palamides, AJ Wilkerson and more. Please visit the website for links to tickets, schedules, and updated performance listings.
Roy Wood Jr.
Whether or not the name and music of Redwood Son has yet hit the big radar, this year's "Best New Artist" of the Portland Music Awards is on the rise. Their 20 Song double-disc debut, The Lion's Inside, boasts a dynamic versatility that crosses the borders of their West Coast Americana with hook-laden roots-rock and…
Ben Schwartz
Ben can be seen starring in the Universal Pictures’ upcoming horror comedy RENFIELD, set for release in April. You can also catch him starring opposite Kevin Hart and John Cena in DIE HART 2: DIE HARTER, the second season of Roku’s hit action comedy. Ben has leading roles in Lord & Miller’s AppleTV+ miniseries THE…
Matt Rife
Matthew Steven Rife is an American comedian and actor. Rife is best known for his self-produced comedy specials, Only Fans, Matthew Steven Rife and Walking Red Flag, as well as his 2023 Netflix special Natural Selection and previous recurring role on the sketch improv comedy and rap show Wild 'n Out.
Michelle Wolf
Wolf has quickly become one of the most influential voices in the comedy landscape, with the Village Voice calling her “the voice comedy needs right now” and The Daily Beast declaring, “Michelle Wolf is the future of stand-up comedy.” Her most recent Netflix special, MICHELLE WOLF: JOKE SHOW, received high praise and her first hour-long…
Brad Upton
Brad Upton is Dry Bar Comedy’s most popular act with over 160 million views. He used to tour with the late, great Joan Rivers and is a past winner of the Las Vegas Comedy Festival. Don’t miss this show!!!
Martin Amini
Martin Amini is a stand-up comic based in Los Angeles, California, born and raised in Silver Spring, Maryland. Martin’s stand-up material touches on what its like growing up mixed in America coming from a Bolivian and Iranian background. After making his tv debut on Laff Tracks on TruTv, Martin filmed his stand up special “Son…
Josh Wolf
Josh Wolf is a comedian, actor, and NY Times Bestselling author best known for his work as a round table guest and writer on E!’s “Chelsea Lately” and “After Lately.” Throughout 2013-2014, Wolf hosted “Shark After Dark” which aired during the ultra-popular “Shark Week” on The Discovery Channel. Josh was then cast as the host…
Leanne Morgan
After discovering her passion for stand-up comedy later in life and finding the time and confidence to pursue her dream, Leanne Morgan has cemented herself as a must-watch comedian. Leanne was feeling the lure of Hollywood after graduating high school, yet the idea of moving there was unheard of and too daunting for a country…
Therapy Gecko
After embarking on a sold-out world tour last year, multi-platform internet sensation Lyle Forever brings his beloved Therapy Gecko live show on the road again in 2024. Fans will get to converse with Lyle live on stage as they share their hopes, dreams, and anything else in the recesses of their mind with the internet's…
Beyond The Blinds
Beyond The Blinds is the love child of two pop culture lovers, Troy and Kelli. The two take you beyond the "celebrity blinds" and dive deeper into the dark side of Hollywood. This podcast is full of scandal, intrigue, and gossip surrounding your favorite celebrities. Beyond The Blinds is consistently in the top 10 under…
Ronny Chieng
Ronny Chieng is a stand up comedian, actor and Correspondent on the Daily Show with Trevor Noah. He was also one of the stars of the worldwide hit movie Crazy Rich Asians and has appeared on the Late Show with Stephen Colbert, the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, the New York Times, and GQ. Ronny…
Rafi Bastos
Rafi Bastos is a 6’7” tall Jewish-Brazilian comedian with an accent like Dracula and a rapidly growing social media presence of stand-up clips in English, mostly filmed from the prestigious Comedy Cellar in New York. In his home country of Brazil, Rafi is a trailblazer in comedy and is one of the first comedians to…
Sebastian Maniscalco
A native of Chicago, Sebastian grew up with comedy in his blood. After earning a degree in Corporate Organizational Communications from Northern Illinois University, he realized his passion for stand-up comedy and immediately headed out to Los Angeles. While working as a waiter at a Four Seasons in Beverly Hills, Sebastian spent every free night…
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