Comedy in Grand Rapids: Where to Catch Stand-Up, Improv & Open Mics
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Your Guide to Clubs, Open Mics, and Big Name Acts for Comedy in Grand Rapids
We list where to find comedy in Grand Rapids from touring comedy shows to local comedy venues like the Comedy Project, Dr. Grins at the BOB, Laughfest, River City Improv and more.
in this article
Big Name Comedians in Grand Rapids
Big names rolling through town? You’ll usually catch them at one of Grand Rapids’ biggest stages:
DeVos Performance Hall
The go-to for theater tours, A-list stand-up comics, and arena-sized comedy shows without the full arena feel.
Van Andel Arena
When the tour is massive, this is where they land. Think stadium-level comics and comedy mega-events with thousands of seats and a big-show vibe.
GLC Live at 20 Monroe
Somewhere between club and arena, this downtown venue hosts national headliners who want an up-close crowd but still pack the room.
headliner comedy in grand rapids
Comedy Clubs & Stand-Up Venues
Dr. Grins Comedy Club
What is it: a comedy club showcasing stand-up acts from local favorites to nationally known headliners.
GR’s OG laugh lab. Dr. Grins has been serving up punchlines since 1997, hosting big-name comics and rising stars every Thursday through Saturday. It’s part of The B.O.B., so you can grab dinner, sip a local brew, and roll right into the show.
Comedy, cocktails, and a killer night out, all under one roof.
upcoming comedy at dr.grins
Improv & Sketch Comedy
If you’re into quick wit, audience shout-outs, and the kind of comedy where even the performers don’t know what’s coming next, Grand Rapids has a solid lineup of improv shows that bring off-the-cuff laughs.
You’ll find short-form games, long-form storytelling, and everything in between at The Comedy Project on the West Side, where their house teams, Battle Bots shows, and special events keep the improv scene fresh and fast-paced. For clean, family-friendly comedy with a decades-long track record, River City Improv delivers sharp, interactive shows with a wholesome twist. And Pop Scholars is your go-to for “real smart, stupid funny” improv, mixing clever setups with off-the-cuff humor.
The Comedy Project
What is it: a comedy theater/improv company with moonshine cocktail bar bringing the laughs on Grand Rapids’ West Side.
540 Leonard St NW Grand Rapids, MI 49504
West Michigan’s only full-time professional improv and sketch comedy theater in Grand Rapids. They offers shows every Friday and Saturday, and comedy classes. Expect a fun lineup of cocktails, moonshine flights, and snacks like soft pretzels and cookies. Also home to a comedy training center and private event rentals.
upcoming comedy project
River City Improv
What is it: Grand Rapids’ longest-running improv comedy troupe; clean comedy
plays various West MI locations
River City Improv may have started in a coffee shop basement, but for over 31 years they’ve been turning audience suggestions into unscripted scenes that feel like a live, interactive comedy in Grand Rapids movie. From the delightfully wacky to the everyday oddball, their all-local cast spins your ideas into family-friendly laughs that everyone can enjoy.
They also offer 35 to 45 minute private performances with at least three seasoned improvisers, perfect for team events, birthday parties, or any gathering that appreciates clean comedy entertainment that everyone can enjoy.
Pop Scholars
What is it: traveling improv company based in Grand Rapids
plays various West MI locations
An improv comedy team that’s fast-paced, edge-of-your-seat hilarious. Self-described as “Real Smart & Stupid Funny.”
Pop Scholars regularly play Wealthy Theatre in Grand Rapids and pop up at events like Gilda’s LaughFest and Kalamazoo Improv Fest.
Weekly Comedy & Open Mikes
Sunday Night Funnies
What is it: a long-running comedy night at a local sports bar/bowling complex
Free stand-up, good eats, and plenty of laughs at Sunday Night Funnies every week in Wyoming. Woody’s Press Box inside Spectrum Entertainment Complex in Wyoming.
Hosted by local comedian Brian B., this long-running show features a rotating lineup of Midwest comics, plus the occasional contest or special event.
Doors open around 7 PM, and admission is free. Grab a burger, wings, or a drink while you catch the show, then stick around for bowling or arcade games if you’re feeling lucky.
Sunday Night Heat Stand Up Comedy
What is it: Stand Up Comedy Open Mic
Mulligan’s Pub – 1518 Wealthy St SE
Looking to grab the mic or just want to end your weekend on a high note? Sunday Night Heat is Mulligan’s long-running stand-up open mic, hosted by local comic Donte Lillard and a rotating crew of funny folks who know how to keep things spicy.
Doors open at 8 PM, show kicks off at 9 PM and usually wraps around 11. No cover, 21+ only (it is Mulligan’s, after all). All are welcome – go test out seven tight minutes of material or just ready to sit back and enjoy the chaos – have fun!
Tip Top Tuesday Comedy
What it is: Long-running, no-cover stand-up night on Grand Rapids’ west side
Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill – 760 Butterworth St SW
If you’re hunting for the local spot where comics want to be and the laughs come easy, this is your Tuesday plan. Tip Top Tuesday Comedy packs the house week after week with a mix of local, regional, and touring stand-ups, all playing to a lively, close-up crowd in the cozy bar’s backroom. Most every Every Tuesday at 9 PM.
Comedy Pop-Ups
Don’t Tell Comedy
What is it: a pop-up comedy company that keeps event details secret til day of
various locations
If secret pop-up comedy shows sound like your kind of thing, Don’t Tell Comedy is the underground scene you’ve been looking for. No lineup. No location. And you have no clue who’s performing until the day of the show.
You book your ticket blind, then get the scoop on where to show up by 8 AM that morning. (Secret venue details are emailed.) Most nights are BYOB, and the venues can range from apartments to outdoor spots to other non-traditional places around Grand Rapids.
Shows run about 70 to 90 minutes and feature 5 to 7 comics, often including up-and-coming talent testing new material. It feels more like you scored an invite to a friend’s house party than a night at a traditional club.
secret comedy shows
Midtown GR
What is it: a live music venue that occasionally hosts comedy acts
second floor of 123 Ionia
Midtown GR may be known as a live music hotspot, but every now and then they hand the mic to the comics. Think Pop Scholars, River City Improv, and other crowd-favorite acts bringing the funny in an up-close, intimate space where you can literally read the setlist (or the punchline) from your seat.
Located on the second floor of 123 Ionia downtown near Celebration Cinema, Midtown has a vibe that feels more like an underground club than mega venue.
upcoming comedy at midtowngr
The Pyramid Scheme
What is it: iconic GR spot for live music, strong drinks, serious pinball and the occasional comedy show.
68 Commerce Dr. SW, Grand Rapids MI 49503
Tucked into downtown on Commerce Ave, this small place blends bar, venue, and arcade into one buzzing hub of counter-culture energy. It’s where you go to hear banger indie shows, unexpected comedy sets, and the kind of nights that turn into stories.
upcoming pyramid scheme comedy
West MI Comedy Calendar
There you have it! a quick guide to where comedy lives in Grand Rapids.
rom household-name comedians dropping by to local improv wizards conjuring laughs from thin air to brave souls testing material at weekly open mics – we’ve got laughs on tap all across the city.
Just hit up our comedy calendar to see who’s bringing the funny this weekend.
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