Comedy & Variety Shows in Las Vegas
From raunchy big-top spectacle to a dragon with a chihuahua to a no-name stand-up club where tomorrow's headliner is working out new material tonight — the laughs in this town come in every shape.
Updated June 2026
Las Vegas built its name on showrooms, and comedy and variety are where the city is at its loosest and most fun. There's the uniquely Vegas hybrid — circus, burlesque and filthy jokes stitched into one ninety-minute fever dream — and there's the timeless pleasure of a comic with a microphone and a bad week to talk about. You can spend a fortune on a marquee spectacle or fifteen-ish bucks plus a drink minimum on a club bill, and both can be the best night of the trip.
This is a guide for anyone who'd rather laugh than gamble. We'll point you to the big variety hits, the stand-up rooms with rotating headliners, and the family-friendly options that don't make grandma blush. For the strictly grown-up end of the spectrum, see our adult shows & nightlife guide; for the full picture of everything playing in town, start at our main Las Vegas shows hub. Showrooms cluster densely along the Strip, so you're rarely more than a walk or a short rideshare from a curtain.
Spectacle with a punchline
Vegas's signature genre: part circus, part comedy, all attitude. Lineups and venues shift, so always confirm what's playing before you book.
A mic and a rotating bill
The comedy-club circuit is where headliners rotate weekly and ticket prices stay friendly. Who's on changes constantly, so check each club's calendar for the week you're in town.
A perfect comedy night
One evening, two laughs, and not a slot machine in sight.
- Book your headliner early — the marquee variety shows like Absinthe sell out, so lock seats before you arrive in town.
- Start with an early dinner and a drink on the Strip, then walk to the LINQ Promenade for an early stand-up set at Jimmy Kimmel's Comedy Club.
- Catch a late variety show — the spiegeltent acts often run an 8pm and a 10pm, so a second-show ticket pairs neatly with an early club set.
- If you want grittier laughs, swap in a multi-comic bill at the Comedy Cellar at the Rio, a short rideshare off-Strip.
- Nightcap on the way back, and browse our things to do guide for whatever fills the rest of the trip.
Where to go next
Comedy is one slice of the showroom city. Here's where to look next.
Las Vegas Shows
The full lineup — production spectacles, magic, headliners and residencies, all in one place.
Adult Shows & Nightlife
The 21-plus side of the night: burlesque, topless revues, clubs and lounges.
The Strip
Where most of the showrooms live — our guide to the resorts, neighborhoods and walk between them.
Things to Do
Everything beyond the showroom — attractions, day trips and the rest of your Vegas itinerary.
Find comedy & variety tickets
Common questions
What are the best comedy and variety shows in Las Vegas?
The headline variety acts are Spiegelworld's adults-only spiegeltent shows — Absinthe at Caesars Palace and the Old West-themed Atomic Saloon Show at The Venetian — along with comedy-magic acts like Piff the Magic Dragon and prop comic Carrot Top. For stand-up, the strongest clubs include Jimmy Kimmel's Comedy Club at the LINQ, Brad Garrett's Comedy Club at MGM Grand, and the Comedy Cellar at the Rio. Lineups change often, so confirm what's playing for your dates.
Are Las Vegas comedy shows family-friendly?
Some are, but many are not. The big spiegeltent shows (Absinthe, Atomic Saloon) are adults-only and very raunchy, and most stand-up sets are aimed at grown-ups. For clean, all-ages laughs, look to the silent mime act Tape Face, comedy-magic shows like Mat Franco, and the broadly accessible humor of Carrot Top. Always check the age policy on the specific ticket before bringing kids.
How much do comedy show tickets cost in Las Vegas?
Prices vary widely. Marquee variety shows like Absinthe sit at the higher end, while comedy-club tickets are usually far more affordable, sometimes with a drink minimum on top. We don't quote exact prices because they shift constantly by night, seat and demand — check the box office or a ticketing site for current rates.
Where are the comedy clubs in Las Vegas?
Most cluster on or just off the Strip. Jimmy Kimmel's Comedy Club is at the LINQ Promenade, Brad Garrett's is at MGM Grand, Tape Face plays at MGM Grand, Carrot Top is at the Luxor, and the LA Comedy Club is at The STRAT on the north end. The Comedy Cellar sits at the Rio, just west of the Strip, a short rideshare away.
Do I need to book comedy shows in advance?
For the popular variety shows, yes — Absinthe and other marquee acts frequently sell out, so reserve before your trip. Stand-up clubs have more flexibility and often have same-week availability, but booking ahead still locks in better seats and dates. Always verify the show is currently running and check its venue, since Las Vegas lineups and rooms change frequently.
What's the difference between a variety show and stand-up in Las Vegas?
A variety show blends multiple acts — comedy, circus, magic, burlesque, music — into one staged production, often with a recurring cast, like Absinthe or Atomic Saloon. Stand-up is a comic (or several) at a microphone, with the bill rotating weekly at clubs like the Comedy Cellar or Jimmy Kimmel's. Variety shows tend to cost more and run on a fixed schedule; clubs are cheaper and change acts constantly.