The best stand-up comedy to see in Philadelphia in 2025
Deon Cole, Nate Bargatze, Kathy Griffin, Colin Jost, Rachel Scanlon, and Asif Ali, to name a few.
Philadelphia is a city that knows how to take — and deliver — a punchline. From the biting wit of Bill Burr’s infamous 2006 roast, dubbed the “Philadelphia Incident,” to the comedic brilliance of hometown heroes like Kevin Hart, Tina Fey, and the late Bob Saget, the City of Brotherly Love has long been a hub for laughter.
While touring comedians regularly stop by, the local comedy scene thrives with weekly stand-up nights featuring up-and-coming talent. Whether you’re looking for a casual open mic or a polished performance, Philly has you covered.
For weekly stand-up comedy shows look no farther than Next In Line Comedy, the city’s hottest up-and-coming spot for any local comedian worth their salt. Despite its relaxed vibe, it’s no hole-in-the-wall open mic, with notable comics like Saturday Night Live’s Devon Walker and Todd Glass having appeared at the club.
There’s also the burgeoning Case Comedy in West Philadelphia, whose weekly presence got them award nods from local publications.
While not homegrown, Don’t Tell Comedy introduces some of the best touring stand-up comics to cities worldwide at locations only revealed the day of the show, including in Philly where Next In Line Comedy is one of its “secret” locations.
Plenty of big names are heading to Philadelphia, including your favorite stand-up comic’s favorite performers, cast members from Saturday Night Live, and rising stars making waves in the comedy world.
Deon Cole
For the past 30 years, Deon Cole has been writing and performing some of the best jokes on television, from his work as a staff writer for The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien to starring in the hit network comedy Black-ish and quipping through Old Spice commercials. See his “Amazing Birthday Extravaganza” at Helium Comedy Club on Jan. 12 (Jan. 10-11 shows are sold out).
🕒 Jan. 12, 💵 $42,📍2031 Sansom St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19103, 🌐 philadelphia.heliumcomedy.com
Che Guerrero
Philly’s own Che Guerrero recounts his childhood leaving the Dominican Republic and growing up undocumented as a Philadelphian in his 2019 comedy album, recorded at Punch Line Philly. Energetic, personal, and with sharp humor, Guerrero always delivers a special performance. See him at Punch Line Philly for one night on Jan. 18.
🕒 Jan. 18, 💵 $27,📍33 E. Laurel St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19123, 🌐 punchlinephilly.com
Andrew Santino
Host of one of the country’s most popular comedy podcasts, Bad Friends, and a costar on Cheltenham native David Burd’s (a.k.a. “Lil Dicky”) FX show Dave, Andrew Santino is a bold and fiery voice in comedy. Catch him at the Met Philadelphia for one night on Jan. 24.
🕒 Jan. 24, 💵 $41,📍858 N. Broad St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19130, 🌐 themetphilly.com
Dusty Slay
Dusty Slay’s Alabaman accent twangs through blue-collar jokes from silly semantics over electric company bills to milking the time left at a job on two weeks' notice. He cohosts the Nateland podcast alongside top-selling comedian Nate Bargatze. See him for one night only on his “Night Shift Tour” at Miller Theater on Feb. 1.
🕒 Feb. 1, 💵 $36,📍250 S. Broad St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19102, 🌐 ensembleartsphilly.org
Rachel Scanlon
From being raised in a religious Minnesotan family, to watching lesbians getting married during quarantine while “straights” were breaking up, and coming out during the Bush administration, Rachel Scanlon has enough stories to last the night. Catch her for one night at Helium Comedy Club on Feb. 2.
🕒 Feb. 2, 💵 $27,📍2031 Sansom St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19103, 🌐 philadelphia.heliumcomedy.com
Rhys Darby
Rhys Darby’s Kiwi accent and unmistakable delivery, whether portraying the band manager in Flight of the Conchords or the leader of a werewolf pack in What We Do in the Shadows, bring wit, silliness, and self-deprecation to his stand-up comedy. Bask in Darby’s comedy for two nights at Helium Comedy Club Feb. 25 and 26.
🕒 Feb. 25-26, 💵 $32,📍2031 Sansom St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19103, 🌐 philadelphia.heliumcomedy.com
Sarah Keyworth
English stand-up comedian Sarah Keyworth is a must-see act from across the pond. Nominated as a best newcomer at the 2018 Edinburgh Comedy Awards, they explore dating, gender, and the small squabbles in life like “which side of the bed do you sleep on?” Watch Keyworth live for one night only at Helium Comedy Club on March 12.
🕒 March 12, 💵 $32,📍2031 Sansom St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19103, 🌐 philadelphia.heliumcomedy.com
‘Saturday Night Live’ comedians in Philly
SNL, currently in its 50th season, is a revolving door for stand-up comics, improvisers, impressionists, and joke writers. Some recent SNL cast members are touring in Philly soon.
Emil Wakim: Biting social commentary through a twinkling smile. Current cast member (‘24-present). 🕒 Feb. 5, 💵 $27,📍Helium Comedy Club, 🌐 philadelphia.heliumcomedy.com
Alex Moffat: Original impressions, improvisation, and observational comedy. Former cast member (‘16-’22). 🕒 Feb. 7-8, 💵 $32,📍Punch Line Philly, 🌐 punchlinephilly.com
Molly Kearny: Blunt, goofy, and personal humor. Former cast member (‘22-’24). 🕒 Feb. 14, 💵 $35,📍Punch Line Philly, 🌐 punchlinephilly.com
Colin Jost: Wit, charm, and self-deprecation. Current cast member, staff writer, and former head writer. (‘05-present). 🕒 March 14-15, 💵 $35,📍Parx Casino, 🌐 parxcasino.com/bensalem
Sheng Wang
Sheng Wang’s punchlines come out of nowhere with his unassuming delivery and smooth buildup to jokes, delivering insight into the mundanity of life, like too-ripe avocados, or critiques of modern capitalism, like celebrating hospital bills in January to get the deductible out of the way early. See him live on March 7 at the Miller Theater.
🕒 March 7, 💵 $40,📍250 S. Broad St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19102, 🌐 ensembleartsphilly.org
Kathy Griffin
After nearly seven years off the comedy stage, the Grammy and Emmy Award-winning and controversial Kathy Griffin is making a comeback on a nationwide tour. See her for one night only at the Met Philadelphia on March 15.
🕒 March 15, 💵 $76,📍858 N. Broad St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19130, 🌐 themetphilly.com
Adam Ray
Adam Ray has been on your social media timeline, and you may not even know it. The stand-up comedian and actor has a penchant for impersonating famous TV personality Dr. Phil, along with others, and his work has garnered millions of views. He was even at Philly’s Miller Theater this past October as Dr. Phil for a live show. He’ll be at Punch Line Philly for five shows from March 20-22.
🕒 March 20-22, 💵 $32,📍33 E. Laurel St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19123, punchlinephilly.com
Bruce Bruce
Bruce Bruce has been a consistent name in the country’s comedy scene for the last 30 years, featuring on television, in movies, and even as the spokesperson for Popeyes. His observational, mostly clean comedy is perfect for any audience. Watch him at Punch Line Philly March 28-30.
🕒 March 28-30, 💵 $43,📍33 E. Laurel St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19123, 🌐 punchlinephilly.com
T. Murph
T. Murph’s charisma and charm are undeniable whether he’s acting in Hulu’s Woke or coming to life on stage. His stand-up will have audiences hypothesizing what a “sneakerhead” zombie would do to avoid scuffing his Off-White Jordans to hearing Murph’s own experience getting catcalled in his gym sweats. See him live at City Winery Philadelphia, located in the Fashion District, on April 6.
🕒 April 6, 💵 $31,📍990 Filbert St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19107, 🌐 citywinery.com/philadelphia
Jordan Jensen
Jordan Jensen is a New York comedy scene regular, having been the first female comedian crowned “NY’s Funniest” in 2021 at the New York Comedy Festival. When she’s not touring the country with her set, she can be seen at New York’s famous Comedy Cellar. She’ll be at the Helium Comedy Club April 10-12
🕒 April 10-12, 💵 $26,📍2031 Sansom St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19103, 🌐 philadelphia.heliumcomedy.com
Asif Ali
Asif Ali’s hilarious and stinging humor, which got him a spot on Variety’s list of must-watch comics in 2024, delivers sidesplitting laughs, whether discussing the U.S. becoming a “sugar daddy” for foreign war, or needing a GPA to get into heaven. He’s also racked up credits in major television shows like Marvel’s Wandavision and Netflix’s BoJack Horseman. See him at Punch Line Philly May 1-3.
🕒 May 1-3, 💵 $32,📍33 E. Laurel St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19123, 🌐 punchlinephilly.com
Sarah Millican
A very popular English stand-up comedian and television host, Sarah Millican has been making people laugh for more than 20 years. In her stand-up, she tackles everyday life, those friends who say “it’s five o’clock somewhere,” and is a pro at working the crowd for more jokes. She’ll be at the Met Philadelphia on June 8.
🕒 June 8, 💵 $54,📍858 N. Broad St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19130, 🌐 themetphilly.com
Nate Bargatze
When asking a comedy fan who is the most popular stand-up comedian in the country, Nate Bargatze would be at the top of the list — by some accounts, he has had the top-grossing comedy tour in the past year. With a slow Southern drawl and an affinity for self-deprecation and observational comedy, Bargatze is a solid choice for all adult audiences. He’ll be at the Wells Fargo Center Aug. 7-8.
🕒 Aug. 7-8, 💵 $44,📍3601 S. Broad St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19148, 🌐 wellsfargocenterphilly.com