The Bay Area has given rise to some of today’s most celebrated comedians, such as Dana Carvey, Ali Wong and Margaret Cho. One of the most iconic comedians to find his voice here was the late, great Robin Willams. While Williams was Chicago born, in the late ’60s he moved with his parents to Larkspur, north of San Francisco, and attended Marin High School and later Marin College, where he began his journey on stage.
Bay Area’s rich and extensive comedic heritage dates as far back as the early 1950s, with such icons as Lord Buckley, Mort Sahl and the inimitable Lenny Bruce, who graced numerous stages throughout the city, most notably at the renowned Hungry I nightclub. While their enduring influence remains, a new generation of comedians is emerging, poised to carve their own path as the next legendary figures from this region.
Stand-up comedy thrives here, encompassing everything from open-mic nights at San Francisco venues like The Neck of the Woods, Off the Hook and my personal favorite, Edinburgh Castle Pub, to established comedy clubs such as The Punchline, Comedy Cobbs and Cheaper Than Therapy.
“You have to want to do it because it’s rough, and I’ve only been doing it for about two years,” said Brett Jennings. “You have to be okay with constant rejection.”
A 26-year-old comedian from Berkeley, Jennings has graced the stages of San Jose Improv, Punchline and Cheaper than Therapy, both as a host and as a regular performer.
“You’re going up every night, or even multiple times a night, and you have to bomb to get better,” Jennings said. “I was really nervous and shaking. I’d get so nauseous before going up, but I kept doing it.”`
Aspiring local comedians eager to venture into the world of stand-up often turn to the Bay Area Comedy Network. The Comedy Network is a resource for booking, finding shows and staying up to date on developments in the comedy community. It consists of a meticulously curated, constantly updated Google spreadsheet that serves as a repository for all available open-mic opportunities in the Bay Area.
The running document serves as a lifeline to those seeking to kick-start their comedic journeys, providing an extensive list of venues and dates where they can practice their craft and connect with the local comedy scene. BACN not only offers a practical roadmap for newcomers, it also fosters a sense of community, enabling comedians to navigate the vibrant and ever-evolving comedy landscape of the Bay Area with ease and enthusiasm.
“I was actually surprised by how supportive other people can be,” said Emma Brennan, a Bay Area comic who’s been performing for almost two years. “This is a very individualized art, and it shocked me how much people will help you out and give each other opportunities. That’s how comedy should be.”
Originally from Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania, Brennan spent her formative years in Brentwood. She’s hosted the Mutiny Radio Comedy Festival and Catwalk Comedy, and she regularly performs at venues including Milk Bar, the Mission Cannabis Club and the Alameda Comedy Club.
“Doing stand-up in Austin—at Mothership—versus the Bay Area couldn’t be more different,” Brennan said. “The Bay Area provides a lot of opportunities for new comics, and it’s definitely a different scene in Austin.”
Another notable comedian making waves locally is Iain Langlands. Hailing from Redwood City, Langlands is now in his third year pursuing a career in comedy. He performs across the Bay Area, from Iron Axe in Santa Rosa to Speakeasy in North Beach.
“From what I hear about out-of-towners, the Bay is probably one of the most underrated scenes in terms of crowds,” Langlands said. “There’s a big stand-up culture here.”
The Bay Area’s strong comedy voice often gets overshadowed by L.A. and New York. But it’s a dynamic and diverse comedy scene that offers both opportunities and challenges for comedians. It also serves as a comedic incubator, a place where aspiring comedians find their voices, collaborate with peers and develop their skills.
“You see Bay Area comics everywhere,” Langlands said. “Especially when you look at Just For Laughs, Comedy Central or any of the big festivals—there’s always going to be a Bay comic there.”
