Comedy Venues in Wilmington, NC

Where to see live comedy in the Port City

Wilmington's Comedy Venues

One full-time comedy club, a handful of bars running free weekly mics, a brewery, a coffee lounge in the Cargo District and a performing-arts hall for the big touring names. Here is every room in the Port City scene, what runs there and when.

Dead Crow Comedy Room

Wilmington's only full-time comedy club and the centre of the scene. National touring headliners play Friday and Saturday with two shows a night, and the club gives the week back to locals: free improv on Wednesdays and the city's most club-like open mic on Thursdays, on a real stage with real lights.

Dead Crow Comedy Room

511 N. 3rd Street, Downtown

Open Mic: Thursdays 8:00 PM · FREE — sign-up sheet at 7:00 PM sharp, three minutes each

DareDevil Improv: Wednesdays 8:30 PM · FREE

Headliners: Fri 8:00 & 10:00 PM, Sat 7:00 & 9:30 PM · Ticketed

Website

Tavern Law 1832

Downtown's Monday stand-up mic, and the busiest night of the week for local comics. The list drops at 7:30 PM and the show starts promptly at 8:30. Free to watch and free to get up.

Tavern Law 1832

106 N 2nd Street, Downtown

Comedy Open Mic: Mondays 8:30 PM · FREE — list drops 7:30 PM

Facebook

Laws & Libations

A downtown craft-beer bar with a free open mic every Wednesday, hosted by a different local comic each week — which makes it a good room to see who is actually running things right now.

Laws & Libations

108 Grace Street, Downtown

Open Mic: Wednesdays 8:30 PM · FREE — rotating host

Facebook

Barzarre

Formerly the Juggling Gypsy, this “unusual bar” on Castle Street runs Wilmington's longest-running open mic. It is a genuine variety night — comedy, music, poetry and the occasional oddity — so it is a gentler first stage than a straight stand-up room.

Barzarre

1612 Castle Street

Open Mic: Mondays 8:00 PM · FREE — sign-ups after 7 PM, runs late

Website

Waterline Brewing

Home of the Gruff Goat Comedy Showcase, a free stand-up showcase running since 2017 under the Isabel Holmes Bridge. Hosted by Lew Morgante, twice a month.

Waterline Brewing

721 Surry Street

Gruff Goat Showcase: 1st & 3rd Wednesdays 7:30 PM · FREE

Lineups on Instagram

The Azalea Station

A coffee lounge and bar in the Cargo District, and the home of DareDevil Improv's Comedy Powder Keg — a sketch-and-improv showcase on select Saturdays. The one ticketed room on this list that is not the club.

The Azalea Station

1502 Castle Street, Cargo District

Comedy Powder Keg: select Saturdays 7:30 PM · Ticketed · 18+

Tickets & dates

Wilson Center

Cape Fear Community College's 1,500-seat hall, and where nationally touring comedians play when they come through Wilmington. Ticketed, and worth watching the calendar for.

Wilson Center

703 N 3rd Street

Touring comedians · Ticketed — check the season calendar

Season calendar

Rooms That Have Closed

This scene turns over fast, so for the record: Port City Cheesesteak (21 N Front St) closed in January 2026 and its Tuesday mic went with it — the address is now a retro arcade bar. Bottega became Avenue B in February, and Dram & Draught closed in July 2026, which is how the Monday mic ended up downtown at Tavern Law. If a listing elsewhere still sends you to one of those, it is out of date.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the comedy venues in Wilmington NC?
Wilmington has several comedy venues including Dead Crow Comedy Room (the city's only dedicated comedy club), Laws & Libations, Barzarre, Tavern Law 1832, Waterline Brewing, and the Wilson Center for major touring acts. Each venue offers a different vibe, from intimate club shows to casual bar open mics.
Which Wilmington venue has comedy every night?
No single venue has comedy every night, but between all of Wilmington's venues, you can find live comedy almost every night of the week. Dead Crow Comedy Room has the most shows, running Wednesday through Saturday. Open mics at other bars fill in Monday through Thursday.
Is there a comedy club in downtown Wilmington?
Yes, Dead Crow Comedy Room at 511 N. 3rd Street is located right in the heart of downtown Wilmington. It is the city's only full-time dedicated comedy club, featuring nationally touring headliners, improv shows, and open mic nights within walking distance of restaurants and bars.
Do Wilmington comedy venues serve food and drinks?
Most Wilmington comedy venues serve drinks, and some serve food. Dead Crow Comedy Room has a full bar with beer, wine, and cocktails. Barzarre, Tavern Law 1832, and Laws & Libations are bars with drink menus. Waterline Brewing offers craft beer.
Are comedy shows in Wilmington family-friendly?
It depends on the show. Dead Crow Comedy Room is generally 18+ for most shows and 21+ for late-night performances. Open mics at other venues vary in content. If you are looking for family-friendly comedy, check with the specific venue beforehand or look into DareDevil Improv shows, which tend to be more all-ages.

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