America’s #1 Comedy Club Guide
America’s #1 Comedy Club Guide
Find comedy clubs near you in Delaware in our comedy club directory and find all the information you need to know where the best comedy shows near you are happening.
Choose the best comedy clubs based on your preferred type of comedy with options including stand-up comedy, open mic comedy, improv comedy and sketch comedy.
Delaware’s comedy scene is modest but lively, shaped by a mix of standalone shows, non‑profit ensembles, and seasonal festivals. In cities like Wilmington, Rehoboth Beach and Bear, you’ll find regular stand‑up nights featuring touring headliners alongside local comics, often in bars, theaters and multipurpose arts venues.
There are also improv and sketch collectives, particularly in the Rehoboth / Lewes area, staging shows that depend heavily on audience interaction, audacious sketches, and spontaneous humor. One of the strengths in the Delaware comedy ecosystem is its accessible entry points: open‑mic nights, community theater performances, and comedy festivals bring people together and give newer performers space to try material.
Venues like historic theaters double as both stage for polished acts and incubator for grassroots shows. Audiences tend to be welcoming and diverse in tastes—some nights you get big mainstream humor; others you’re laughing at sharp local observations or experimental sketch/improv. Overall, Delaware’s comedy scene balances intimacy and ambition, with plenty of room to grow.
Bear, Delaware offers a small but engaging comedy ecosystem, where local venues, recurring shows, and community flair combine to offer laughs. Comedy nights are often hosted at spots like Cool J’s AfterDARK, which blends comedy with music, drinks, and food to create a lively atmosphere. Open mics and stand‑up showcases are regularly scheduled, giving new comedians chances to try material in front of supportive, mixed‑audience crowds.
Beyond the bars, events pop up at breweries, theaters, and even libraries, so there’s quite a bit of variety. Audience tastes range from mainstream stand‑up and guest acts to more niche, theme‑driven laughter.
Although Bear doesn’t have a large number of full‑time comedy clubs, the shows that are happening are well‑attended, fun, and community‑centered. For both locals and visitors wanting a night of humor, Bear tends to deliver comfortably – not overproduced, but earnest and charming.
Cool J’s AfterDARK is a vibrant nightlife and live entertainment venue in Bear, Delaware, known for blending stand-up comedy with a fun, social atmosphere. It offers a mix of comedy showcases, open-mic nights, and performances by both local talent and guest headliners.
The venue creates a casual, welcoming space where audiences can enjoy laughs over food and drinks, making it a go-to spot for a laid-back but lively night out. Beyond comedy, Cool J’s AfterDARK regularly features karaoke, live music, and themed events, keeping its calendar diverse and engaging.
The crowd tends to be energetic and supportive, creating a community vibe that encourages new performers and keeps regulars coming back. Whether you’re there to catch a rising comic, jump into an open mic, or just enjoy the entertainment with friends, Cool J’s stands out as one of Bear’s most dynamic and entertaining destinations after dark.
Address: 1857 Pulaski Hwy, Bear, DE 19701
Phone: (302) 404-1189
Website: Cool J’s After Dark
Hours: Contact the club to confirm.
Delaware’s improv and sketch scene is spirited and contains both student‑groups and community companies, with welcoming spaces for both beginners and seasoned improvisers. In Wilmington, the City Theater Company’s Fearless Improv troupe gives regular monthly shows and classes, performing short‑form and long‑form improv in intimate settings.
The University of Delaware has the Rubber Chickens, a student‑run improv group that puts on sketch and improv shows during the academic year. In the Lewes/Rehoboth/Dewey Beach region, Delaware Comedy Theatre offers both performance and improv training, often for community members.
There are occasional festivals and sketch/improv showcases (student‑led or locally‑organized) that bring together different troupes and styles. Workshops and classes are fairly available, including intro improv, helping people get comfortable with unscripted stage work.
Overall the scene is warm, experimental, and growing: improvisers often wear many hats, supporting each other, mixing sketch with improv, and adapting to what theaters, community spaces or universities provide.
