February 2011 —
There’s no lack of outlets to get your comedy fix in New York City. In Manhattan alone, there is a multitude of traditional heavyweight comedy clubs—like Comic Strip Live and the Comedy Cellar—featuring high profile stars. By no means should you disregard these places as you search for an appropriate place to unleash your belly laugh.
However, if you’re looking to get away from the cover and two-drink minimum, Brooklyn might be your calling. Inside inconspicuous bars, halls and theaters you will find the growing alternative Brooklyn comedy scene that features cheap drinks, a neighborhood atmosphere and a level of comedy equivalent to that in Manhattan. Brooklyn is quickly taking over the comedy crown in a much more cost-effective and fun-loving way. As Brooklyn’s own Jay-Z once lyricized, “Manhattan keep on making it/Brooklyn keep on taking it.” Here are three weekly comedy shows in Park Slope and Williamsburg that shouldn’t be missed.
Hot Tub with Kurt & Kristen | Littlefield | 622 Degraw St. | littlefieldnyc.com | Take the N/R to Union St.
The mood is laid back and social as people wait, Brooklyn Lagers in hand, for that moment when the curtain goes up. Just before this happens, it is everyone for themselves in a mad dash for seats (seven rows of fold out chairs go very quickly) though there is also ample standing room. ‘Hot Tub’ has been running for six years at Littlefield, and Kurt Braunohler and Kristen Schaal bring an energetic improvisational style to hosting that keeps the audiences engaged and laughing, even showing some funny, stress-relieving short clips and movies in between performances. Tickets are $5 online and $8 at the door.
Comedy at the Knitting Factory hosted by Hannibal Buress | 361 Metropolitan Ave. | comedyattheknittingfactory | Take the L train to Lorimer
Hannibal Buress begins the night at 9pm, and like most good shows, it packs in an audience fast. Buress, the Chicago native who recently composed sketches for SNL and currently writes for ’30 Rock’, keeps the crowd in hysterics as he hosts and fills his stage with accomplished performers. (A DJ spins welcome-to-the-spotlight music for each new comedian.) Still, unbelievably, the show is free without any drink minimums. If you are looking for high quality comedy in a high energy atmosphere, with specials like $5 for a well shot plus a PBR, then say salutations to Hannibal Buress’s Kniting Factory show.
Pretty Good Friends, Hosted by Eugene Mirman | Union Hall | 702 Union St. | unionhallny.com | Take the N/R to Union Street
Union Hall dabbles in more than ha ha. From the library décor and warm fireplaces to the bocce ball courts and popular karaoke parties, this 5,000-square-foot Park Slope spot wears many hipster-calling hats. The comedy show downstairs, featuring the very talented Eugene Mirman and his pretty good friends. If you’re lucky, you might see neighborhood entertainer Kristen Schaal as a guest performer. Tickets are $7 at the door and are also available online.
Sarah Knapp is a Brooklyn based entrepreneur whose love for the outdoors and community building led her to the October 2013 creation of OutdoorFest. She has a BA in History, is a Wilderness First Responder and a NY state hiking, camp and boating guide. Her proudest achievement to date is reading the Aeneid in Latin. 
Allison was one of our first top writers and Chief Editor but is no longer working with offMetro. Allison is a native New Yorker, who has lived in Rome, Tuscany, Melbourne, Toronto and Los Angeles. She frequently contributed travel pieces to Family Travel Forum, using her own children as guinea pigs as they travel the globe. She never missed a chance to sample local delicacies, as her love for travel goes hand-in-hand with her love for food and wine. 
Josh Laskin is a freelance travel writer and photographer based in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. When he is not at work or on the road, you can find him in the mountains snowboarding, climbing, hiking, fly fishing, mountain biking, and eating bagel bites.
Annie is a travel writer, environmentalist, and surfer based in Venice, CA. She heads up our West Coast team, keeps our grammatical errors in check, and makes sure our California writers always have a plan for their next adventure. Follow Annie’s travels @annelisemcb.
Carly Pifer is a freelance writer who has been known to follow whims inspired by romantic movie scenes or colorful street style shots to India, Japan, Tunisia and Argentina. After stints living in Seoul, Boston, Paris and Los Angeles, writing and searching for something intangible, she landed somewhat steadily in Brooklyn and has begun to find inspiration in her more immediate surroundings. 
Kate E. O’Hara is a New York based freelance writer and photographer who loves all things food—especially the people who make it and market it. Her writing aims to capture the essence of the food experience; the stories that go well beyond a plate of ingredients. In addition to her love of food, Kate is also known to have a hankering for red wine and craft beer. You can also find Kate on Instagram