America’s #1 Comedy Club Guide
America’s #1 Comedy Club Guide
Oregon’s comedy scene is a vibrant blend of creativity, inclusivity, and grassroots energy. From Portland’s packed comedy clubs and indie showcases to intimate open mics in Eugene and Bend, the state offers a diverse platform for both emerging and established comedians.
Oregon’s culture embraces experimental humor, political satire, and storytelling, drawing from the region’s artistic and progressive spirit. You’ll find everything from polished stand-up acts to offbeat improv troupes and sketch groups, often performing in nontraditional venues like breweries, bookstores, and art spaces.
The scene thrives on local talent while regularly hosting touring comics, creating a dynamic environment where fresh voices and seasoned performers share the stage. With a strong community feel and an audience that values originality, Oregon is a haven for comedy lovers and performers alike. Whether you’re in a big city or a small town, you’re never far from a night of smart, bold, and memorable laughs.
Portland’s comedy scene is rich, eclectic, and bursting with experimentation. There’s a strong split between polished stand‑up shows, experimental sketch and improv, and grassroots community‑driven events. Helium Comedy Club brings in national touring acts for classic stand‑up nights, while places like Kickstand Comedy offer a more local, DIY vibe—long‑form improv, weird sketch, and affordable classes and shows.
Curious Comedy Theater and ComedySportz add in layers: improv jams, improv‐vs‑improv games, youth and adult programming, and sketch nights that let emerging groups find their voice. Open mics and pop up shows are everywhere—from neighborhood bars to themed variety nights—and they form the lifeblood of the city’s creative energy.
Venues like Funhouse Lounge thrive on mixing theater, improv, stand‑up, and oddball performances under one roof. The annual sketch festival offers a showcase for both local troupes and visiting groups, helping Portland stay plugged into broader comedy trends. Overall, the scene blends structure and chaos, offering something for lovers of refined punchlines and lovers of comedy that pushes boundaries.
Helium Comedy Club in Portland offers a refreshing blend of big-city talent and intimate stage energy. This modern venue seats around 275, ensuring that every audience member is just 60 feet away from the spotlight in its tiered, theater-style layout.
Shows run about 100 minutes and typically feature an opener, a feature act, and a nationally acclaimed headliner—bringing headline-worthy performances within reach of local crowds. The club boasts a full menu of thoughtfully crafted appetizers, entrees, desserts, and inventive cocktails, all served in a cozy, non-smoking environment.
Beyond the laughs, Helium doubles as an event-ready space with meeting rooms, full AV systems, and tailored group event support—making it ideal for private gatherings or corporate functions. Whether you’re catching a touring comedian or joining a community event, Helium Comedy Club delivers a memorable, high-quality comedy night in Portland.
Address: 1510 SE 9th Ave, Portland, OR 97214
Phone: (503) 583-8464
Website: Helium Comedy Club
Hours: Contact the club to confirm.
Eugene’s improv and sketch comedy scene is growing with heart, daring, and a close-knit community vibe. Local troupes—such as No Script Society—mix short‑form games, long‑form scenes, storytelling, and sketch to form unpredictable, audience‑driven performances that aren’t afraid to get weird.
Regular improv jams and open‑mic nights happen often, giving newcomers chances to experiment in low‑stakes settings, whether they want to warm up with silly games or try narrative work. The recent arrival of a dedicated comedy club downtown adds polish and structure, making it easier for performers to find consistent stages and for locals to catch stand‑up alongside sketch or improv events.
Youth and all‑ages workshops help widen participation, while themed shows—like improv with a Dungeons & Dragons twist—offer fresh, theatrical takes. Across Eugene, you’ll find comedy that balances scrappy experimentation with a growing professional backbone, all rooted in inclusivity and warm collaboration.
Located in downtown Eugene, Olsen Run Comedy Club & Lounge is Eugene’s only dedicated stand‑up comedy venue, offering a vibrant mix of live performances and good times. Its intimate yet engaging atmosphere hosts nationally touring comedians alongside emerging local talent.
In addition to stand‑up shows, the venue features live music, dancing, themed performance nights, and even dueling pianos and tribute acts—making it more than just a comedy club, but a full evening‑out destination. Guests can expect a well‑curated menu of food and cocktails, adding a culinary edge to the entertainment.
Perfect for group nights, date outings, or solo adventures, Olsen Run delivers an immersive experience where laughter, music, and a warm social vibe come together—making every visit memorable and every show a highlight of Eugene’s nightlife.
Address: 44 E 7th Ave, Eugene, OR 97401
Phone: (541) 242-2371
Website: Olsen Run
Hours: Contact the club to confirm.
Oregon’s improv and sketch comedy scene is flourishing, distinctive, and rich with variety—especially in and around Portland, but also bubbling over into smaller cities. Spaces like Kickstand provide inclusive, nonprofit platforms where improv, weird sketch, and stand‑up intersect; they run generous stage time and affordable classes so people of all backgrounds can participate.
Venues such as The Siren Theater and Curious Comedy are sketch hubs, with troupes regularly debuting new shows, experimental vignettes, and themed revues. There’s a strong educational backbone: workshops, multi‑week improv classes, and labs dedicated to sketch writing build depth in the community.
In places like Bend and Eugene, shorter improv groups like The Roundabouts or No Script Society offer lively performances and play with genre mashups—improvised narratives, audience participation, even role‑playing comedy. A major characteristic across Oregon is the blending of short‑form and long‑form improv, sketch and stand‑up crossovers, and a community that prizes innovation, collaboration, and welcoming newcomers.
