Why Comedy Shows Are an Underrated Night Out
Ask a group of adults what they want to do on Friday night and there is a decent chance the answer will be, “I don’t know. Drinks?”
Which is fine. I support drinks. I just think we’ve overlooked a pretty obvious upgrade: sitting down while someone who is supposed to be funny handles the entertainment.
I work with comedian Brad Kofman, so yes, I have a stake in this argument. I also think it’s a pretty easy argument to make.
Comedy shows deserve a much more regular spot in the group chat.
Someone else has already planned the entertainment
A comedy show solves one of the most exhausting parts of going out: figuring out what the actual plan is.
You pick a show, buy tickets, and have somewhere to be at a specific time. Get dinner beforehand if you want. Grab something afterward if the night is going well. Either way, the main event is handled.
Nobody has to spend forty-five minutes suggesting places to a group of people who are “down for anything” but somehow dislike every suggestion.
There’s also something appealing about being entertained while sitting in a chair. Some nights I want to dance. Other nights, a designated seat sounds like an excellent benefit.
You get to actually laugh out loud
Watching a funny clip on your phone can involve a lot of silent appreciation. Maybe you exhale through your nose. Maybe you send it to a friend with “I’m crying,” despite being completely dry-eyed.
At a live show, you hear the people around you lose it. Sometimes their laugh becomes part of what’s making you laugh.
There is research behind that social element. In a 2019 UCL-led study published in Current Biology, people rated recorded dad jokes as funnier when laughter was added. Spontaneous laughter had a bigger effect than posed laughter.
To me, that makes the room part of the appeal. The comedian brings the material, and everyone gets to enjoy the reaction together.
Also, researchers managed to improve dad jokes. I feel like we should give the rest of comedy a chance.
A clip gives you a sample of the show
Clips are great for discovering someone. But a full set gives the comedian time to build a story, take a detour, and bring something back later when you’ve almost forgotten about it.
You get to see how they handle the room, too. A reaction or an unexpected moment can become part of the performance. That is a good reason to show up even if you’ve already watched some of their videos.
And your phone can stay in your pocket for a while. The next video will still be there. It has shown a remarkable commitment to being there.
It gives you something to talk about afterward
Comedy is a good option for a date because it gives the evening a shared experience. You can get to know each other over dinner, then let someone else carry the conversation for a bit.
With friends, it gives you fresh material beyond the usual updates about work and whatever situation everyone has already analyzed to death.
You can disagree about the best joke. Bring up the one that caught you off guard. Discover that the friend with the very serious job has an absolutely ridiculous laugh.
That sounds like a pretty good use of a night out to me.
Make the first visit easy
You don’t have to wait until a comedian you already follow comes to town. Watch a clip or two from someone on a local lineup and see whether their humor appeals to you. Finding someone new is part of the fun.
Check the ticket price and any food or drink minimum before you book, along with the venue’s age requirement and arrival time. A little planning here saves confusion at the door.
For example, Zanies Chicago has a two-item minimum per person, which can include food or drinks. The beverages don’t have to be alcoholic.
If you’re looking for a Chicago comedy show to put on the calendar, Brad Kofman is headlining Zanies on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at 7 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m. The club is at 1548 N. Wells Street, and guests must be 21+ with photo ID.
Next time the group chat asks what everyone wants to do, send a show link.
You can still get drinks. This time, one of the funny people is scheduled to be there.