
NYC's History of Comedy Tour
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 22 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is NYC's History of Comedy Tour worth booking?
NYC's History of Comedy Tour is a 1.3-hour experience in New York, United States, from $30 per person. It scores 71 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 5/5 rating across 22 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 71 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (22)
- Duration
- 1.3 hours
- From
- $30 per person
Comedy History Tours NYC is New York City's Premier History of Comedy Tour. See the sites in Greenwich Village where modern-day stand-up comedy was born. Learn the history of these locations, as well as the history of comedy in New York City and popular culture at large. Our tour is done in cooperation with comedy shows across NYC, and our tour includes complimentary entrance to one or more stand-up comedy shows later that day/night, and throughout your NYC visit. Please note, show options may vary the day of, depending on availability. Your final show options and vouchers/confirmations for such will be given to you by your guide on the tour. An overview of each show will be provided by your guide so you can make your selection(s).
What you get
About this experience
Comedy History Tours NYC is New York City's Premier History of Comedy Tour. See the sites in Greenwich Village where modern-day stand-up comedy was born. Learn the history of these locations, as well as the history of comedy in New York City and popular culture at large. Our tour is done in cooperation with comedy shows across NYC, and our tour includes complimentary entrance to one or more stand-up comedy shows later that day/night, and throughout your NYC visit. Please note, show options may vary the day of, depending on availability. Your final show options and vouchers/confirmations for such will be given to you by your guide on the tour. An overview of each show will be provided by your guide so you can make your selection(s).
What's included
Included
- Free admission to one or more stand-up comedy shows.
What you'll see and do
Gay Street
Our tour starts on the famous intersection of Gay Street and Christopher Street where your guide will narrate, with pictures, the history of New York City comedy from the early 1900s vaudeville, through the dinner clubs and radio of the 1930s and 40s.
10 minutes here
The Duplex Piano Bar
Your guide will narrate, with photos, the comedy history of The Duplex, and the famous comedians who rose through this venue.
5 minutes here
Cafe Wha?
Your guide will narrate, with photos, the comedy history of The Cafe Wha, and the famous comedians who rose through this venue.
5 minutes here
Bitter End
Your guide will narrate, with photos, the comedy history of The Cafe Au Go Go, and The Bitter End. As well as note the famous comedians who rose through these venues.
10 minutes here
The Grisly Pear - Greenwich Village
At this stop, your guide will narrate, with pictures, the history of comedy regarding the rise of television in the 1960s, as well as the creation of Saturday Night Live, and famous African American contributions to comedy. Your guide will also note the most famous modern comedy clubs in New York City at this stop.
10 minutes here
Comedy Cellar
At this stop, your guide will narrate the history of The Comedy Cellar, and your guide will offer to take photos of you in front of the famous marquee.
7 minutes here
Village Underground
At this location, your guide will show you the second location of The Comedy Cellar, located at the Village Underground. Also at this stop, your guide will note a local stand-up comedy show that you are given free access to later that evening, as a benefit of attending this tour.
7 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
New York
We will meet in front of the Ad-Hoc Collective coffee shop. Located right at the intersection of Christopher Street and Gay Street.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
This tour ends at one of the Comedy Cellar locations at the Village Underground.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Comedy History Tours NYC
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 22 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
8 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
The guide
5 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Traveler reviews
22 verified traveler reviews for NYC's History of Comedy Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Recommend for a unique and memorable tour
Joe was very knowledgeable…and funny! He’s even in the industry and shares his insider info with guests
via Viator
Joe is great!!!
Joe was great. Highly recommended.
via Tripadvisor
Great comedy tour!
Joe was a great and fun guide. Very knowledgeable and accommodating to everyone in the group. If you love standup, don’t miss.
via Tripadvisor
Great tour
Really good and informative tour round Greenwich village, found out some fascinating history. Very nice and friendly tour guide. Really recommend this tour
via Viator
I must for history of comedy and show business lovers.
Joe was very friendly and very knowledgable about the history of show business and comedy in New York. He was very polite and didn’t mind that I was 15 minutes late. I highly recommend this tour to anyone interested in comedy or the history of business.
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 1.3 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 8
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Why this scores 71
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
NYC's History of Comedy Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for New York.
How much does NYC's History of Comedy Tour cost?
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Prices start at $30 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in New York usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does NYC's History of Comedy Tour take?
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Plan for about 1.3 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in New York is not rushed.
Is NYC's History of Comedy Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 71 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 22 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in New York, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule NYC's History of Comedy Tour?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is NYC's History of Comedy Tour suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 1.3-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book NYC's History of Comedy Tour?
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Around 8 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in New York can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in New York and add a light layer if any part of the 1.3-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does NYC's History of Comedy Tour start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central New York within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in New York?
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New York has more bookable experiences than any other city on Outty, and the quality spread is brutal. Observation decks are commoditised, so we score them on timed-entry reliability and sunset slots. Food tours and borough walks are where the ranking really separates operators, and the top scores in the city all come from small-group guides. On Outty we rank every New York experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include NYC Bus Tour of Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens: Art, Food & Sports, Half-Day Bus Tour of NYC Top Highlights, SoHo, Little Italy, and Chinatown Walking Tour in New York. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit New York?
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September to early November, and late April through June. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in New York?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in NYC's History of Comedy Tour?
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Included: Free admission to one or more stand-up comedy shows. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for NYC's History of Comedy Tour?
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We will meet in front of the Ad-Hoc Collective coffee shop. Located right at the intersection of Christopher Street and Gay Street. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is NYC's History of Comedy Tour offered in?
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It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for NYC's History of Comedy Tour?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is NYC's History of Comedy Tour wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Wheelchair accessible; Transportation options are wheelchair accessible; and All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to NYC's History of Comedy Tour if the weather is bad?
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It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in New York. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
What do travelers say about NYC's History of Comedy Tour?
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Across 22 reviews averaging 5.0 out of 5, recurring themes include knowledge and storytelling, the guide. Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
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