The Comedy Store – La Jolla

It’s your standard comedy club-​2 drink min. dark, long lines for the restrooms, etc. Went for a fundraiser where the comedians donated their time-​laughed a ton. Parked in the Vons parking lot.

This place has the worst service ever. The door guy was such an ass to my boyfriend who was trying to be nice and have a casual conversation with him while he checked our ID’s. He also told my aunt to be quiet when we stepped into the lobby area. We weren’t intoxicated or obnoxious either.
Our waitress was beyond awful. It took over half an hour to get our first drinks and she forgot our water twice. She asked us if we were done two times. I guess she forgot she asked us… Other tables around us kept asking where their drinks were and that they wanted their check too.
Parking is terrible, and the building is pretty worn down.
I only gave it two stars because of the entertainment. I enjoyed the comics. Plus I bought tickets to benefit Second Chance Dog Rescue as monies raised for that night went to the rescue. If it wasn’t for that event, I wouldn’t have attended.
Kind of a bummer. I love stand up and have been to all the local clubs. This one gets

We’ve been coming to shows here for many years and I’m afraid the shows have really deteriorated like last night’s show. First, the Comedy Store staff cranked up the volume by 300% when the headliner, Dat Phan, came on stage. Initially he was funny, but it became boringly repetitive with screaming his mothers exclamations over and over again. So the screaming really increased the intensity of the volume increase. You could tell the audience was getting bored with the repetition when an audience member in front told Phan he was waiting for the act to be over so he could go to the bathroom (probably because Phan heckled two audience members who left from the front to go to the bathroom). Another audience member in the front asked Phan a question regarding his comedy and Phan got indignent about being asked a question which apparently knocked him off his act.
When my husband kept checking his watch, I knew it was time to go. I motioned that I was ready too and, as we walked out prior to the end Phan’s performance. He was still heckling the other audience members who walked out with us at the same time.
So, Comedy Store owners, please change up your New Year’s performers and we might come back if your comics bring you new material. Some of the comics there last night were fresh and in a bit of a learning curve but worked to get our applause. Phan, not so much!

Had a good evening here on Saturday, four good stand-​ups from the warm up to the main act.
The club is quite intimate, tip, don’t sit up front if you ate shy.
The tickets were cheap, but the two drink minimum makes it a pricey couple of hours.

The comedians were excellent! The crowd was laughing the whole time. We went to see Quinn Dahle. There is no parking. Don’t park at Vons or you will be towed. We parked on the street. Unlike other reviewers, I actually liked the setup of the place, but I did not like the prices! A bland Soda (which is more ice than soda) $ 4.50. A bottle of water $ 4.50. A small bag of stale unflavored popcorn $ 4.00. No thanks! The waitresses were fairly rude and ignored us until about the end of the show when we were forced to get our second drinks. I will not be returning.

like most reviewers– 5* for the acts, 2* for the service.
the service here sucks, flat out. how are we supposed to get to our two drink minimum when you guys suck at taking orders? honestly we weren’t served our first drink until probably 30 mins into the show, and i had to hunt down a drink menu because there wasnt one on the table, and we were sitting in the front row!
you’re better off going to american comedy co. this place blows.

Always a great time and I’ve seen some big names here! Sign up for the email list to keep updated on guest artists and lots of free tickets opportunity! 2 drink minimum!

Ok, so I have been coming here for years, and cant really base this on the comedians themselves sooooo…
Drinks are about what you would expect from any comedy club, wait staff is always busy and hustlin, the seating inside again pretty standard.
The place is a bit worn down, but its been here forever. The staff is always friendly, ticket guy, door guy.
The parking here however is horrible, especially Friday /​Saturday night when the restaurants around are packed, and do not park at Vons or you will come back to no car!

Great times, great laughs, with great friends!

2 stars for the building, service, staff, etc.
5 stars for the Comedians.
Parking is horrible. Don’t park at the Vons behind the store, they will tow. The building is so gracious to warn you about that, RIGHT before the Comedians go on. A sign out front before you get to the door would be helpful. Maybe a suggestion of where to park when you buy tickets. Just a thought.
The instructions/​information was wrong. There is no details or signage out front. It would have been nice to know about no outside food, two drink minimum, no cameras, no cell phones, etc.
We went on a Tuesday for showcase. We were told the show started at 8pm, and doors at 7pm. We came down from Anaheim, CA got there early, and ate around the corner (La Jolla Brewing Company — check the review). We wanted to get good seats, and stood outside for 20 minutes for the doors to open. When they opened, the doorman threw the ashtray outside, threw the bench outside, and started yelling information. We were standing right by him and couldn’t make out what he said. I think it was «Turn phones off». He checked everyone’s IDs. I walked in with my leftovers bag, stood by the window while my hubby checked us in. The doorman notices my bag and says I can’t have it inside. I was already inside… So… Yeah. I got there early for no reason.
The place smells. Doesn’t serve food. Sodas are $ 4.50. Popcorn is $ 4.50 and stale. The drinks at the bar don’t count toward two drink minimum. The guys at the window seemed confused. The servers seemed bored and didn’t have personality. They pack everyone in like sardines. The chairs are flat and painful. Everytime someone walked by my chair, I could feel the floor moving. The sound guy isn’t paying attention. Some comedians were hard to hear and some were ear piercing.
The ask for credit card or ID to keep tab open. And take their sweet time to bring your check and ID. We waited 18 minutes after the show for her to come back around to the table.
I’ll be back because of the comedians, but I wish they could take the money to update the place and boost employee moral.

It’s hard to review a comedy venue without reviewing the comics. This place was nice, it’s a room with a stage and some seating, pretty much what you’d expect out of a comedy club.
The comics were great. They really related to us as an audience and meshed well with the la Jolla crowd. They made fun of this guy with a man bun all night which was awesome.
The service was good, we got drinks and a bill. No issues there.
Location is so great. La Jolla is so much fun to hang out in because it’s such a mix of different worlds with a Ferrari dealership next to a supercuts and a huge state university influence nearby.

Me and the old Lady have been here twice. Laughed our a$$es off both times. Friendly staff and generally good comedians.

This place has had the same décor– with no freshening up since the 80’s. They need some new management, and to shake it up here. With a bit of fresh blood this place could rock. Right now, it doesn’t.

Just like the other poster, the doorman and staff at the front door are the rudest people I’ve met. I used to come here every month with wife and would bring other couples. Tonight I stopped by to see if I could get tickets for me father and myself. The front door man was a rude, belligerent prick and slammed the door in my face when I asked if I could buy 2 tix. I just saw Pauly shore the other week. Sorry guys, but your family can count me out. Poor service reflects on poor management. Stay away from here! This will go for all my friends too.

Very good comedy venue! Loved the local comedians! Only gripe would be is there is no snacks! Think that would be a great add!

We went here last week. 5 stars to the comedians they were great. Really enjoyed it. Had a lemon drop matini that was delicious and rum and coke. They have a good seletion of alcoholic drinks. They also sell popcorn. They don’t have kitchen wish they did. Finding parking was a bummer. Also, I wouldn’t like to come here when it’s packed. Because it is not a large venue, they place 4 chairs to a small round table (who knows who you will get stuck with). We asked to move because the couple we were sharing the table with kept talking, rude. Luckily there were a couple of empty seats in the back where we were able to move to and not feel crammed. We will be back.

Cool intimate venue. I will be keeping my eye out for more well known comedians.

How can you beat this place? I mean unless Jimmy Fallon stops in it can’t really get better. I bought a «special» $ 10 2-​for-​1 entry from a dude at the OB Street Fair (good to know it was legit!). Made our reservation and headed out. There is a 2 drink minimum and a bottle of wine counts as 4 drinks, which is what we did. The place itself is old and kinda run down but when you’re laughing who really cares? The earlier comics were pretty funny for being opening acts and the headliner had us rolling. It was a great time and we are definitely going to come back for more laughs! Fun girls night out or it would be a cool date!

Great place to take a date or just with a group of friends for some drinks and some laughs. $ 20 buck to get in and a two drink minimum makes it a bit expensive but i think its worth it. They get some really funny people coming through town on the weekends. I would recommend not arriving when the doors open unless you want to sit in front and become part of the show. Just be prepared to get rousted if you are close to the stage.

5 star review to the comedians who performed the other night. We saw Dat Phan and his tour comedy mates give an awesome two hour show. It was well worth the ticket price.
I’ve lived in SD for some time now but have never been to The Comedy Store. I remember this place being THE place b/​c Pauly Shore’s mom owned it. At least that’s what we thought when we were younger and under 21 (and Pauly Shore was super cool & popular). I believe his mom still owns this place.
There’s no parking so you have to find street spots. Do NOT park at the Vons lot behind this place as you will be towed (according to everyone.
There IS a two drink min and you MUST be 21+ to get in. There is indeed a bouncer who checks your ID at entry and the guy, that night, was a bit terse. He dryly asked for ID then he even dryer-​ly (I think I just made up a word) listed the rules for the house (2 drink min, no cell phone, no HECKLING or you will be booted). I kinda chuckled about the heckling comment but then I STFU when I realized he might boot me right then and there for chuckling. No matter. I’m sure he was doing his job so it’s fine.
There is NO food other than popcorn for $ 4/​bag. The nice man making and selling the popcorn was super nice and charming. He and bouncer should have a drink together after the show.
Speaking of drinks, they do have a nice variety of beers, cocktails, wine, and boozey coffee you can choose from. The waitress will come to your table/​seat and take your 2 drink min. They DO require your ID or a credit card to hold during the show in order for you to get your drinks. I found the drinks to be expensive. My $ 9 glass of red tasted fine but I think you can buy that bottle of wine for less than the $ 9 I paid for the glass (of wine that night). But my $ 12 mule, served in an awesome copper mule cup, was amazing. One friend didn’t drink alcohol but he was still required to order two non-​alcoholic drinks (they have soft drinks I think). Our server was efficient and alright. I do wish they had available water for self service as it was warm inside the venue and it was difficult asking for refills on water.
So keep in mind that even if your ticket price was $ 15, you’re still going to spend around $ 20 for drinks inside
The layout of the space is cozy and I liked it. There’s a small table with four chairs around it. They faced all the chairs to the front where the stage is. My only complaint was that our table & seats were kinda in the main pathway to the bathroom and bar (where waitresses would walk to constantly to get the drinks). So we often had to pull back our legs or feet so others wouldn’t trip.
I’d come back again if the write show was on. Dat Phan is performing again I think this Sunday so I might come back with more friends as I really liked the show.

I went here for the first time last Thursday and had an enjoyable experience. Unilocal has a deal for Wednesday and Thursday where you check in and get entry for 2 people. There is a 2 drink minimum and drinks were tasty. Price was decent to support this venue and comedians. For the most part the lineup was good except for one woman that had morbid jokes that weren’t funny.
I plan to visit again.
Mal killed it!

It looked like this place has nice history which is cool, but customer service is not very good and the sound seemed too loud, kind of hurting my years.

Worst customer service EVER from server named «Kim»!!! Will never come here again! She gave me and my friend attitude from the moment we sat down at our table. I ordered my two drink minimum from her and asked if it applied to my friend as well who does not drink alcohol (first time here so not aware that they also serve non alcoholic drinks as well) «Kim» responded rudely «it’s a two drink min. Regardless» ok, fine no prob. Then she asked to «hold» my credit card not explaining why? She never asked how I wanted to pay for my drinks or why she wanted to hold my credit card. And charged my credit card without my authorization when I wanted to pay cash !! Then refused to give me my credit card back. Wtf !!! Who hires people like this ??? I never gave her authorization to charge my card she said «hold» not charge. She should of explained herself and asked me how I wanted to pay for my drinks instead of demanding my credit card and charging it without my permission, I asked to speak with the manager Ryan Hayes who supposedly was unavailable at the time. When I asked the bar manager what the name of my server was she told me «Kim «but when she thought I wasn’t listening she addressed her by another name ??? This place is shady !!!
I will be calling this establishment first thing in the morning to share my bad experience. The laughs are ok but the service and level of professionalism is not worth it.
DONT GO HERE !!

Great drinks and a fun show! There’s a live band to keep you entertained as the room fills up with spectators and the comics were all funny! Imagine that. No food (well popcorn) and get here early to get a decent seat. The only downfall is uncomfortable seating/​small theater. This place could easily fill a room twice the size with more cozy chairs.

I’ve been here 2 times now and both times were good. First time was with more well know comedians and I felt that they were much funnier than the second time I went. But to be fair the second time was more of an open mike style.
Drinks are a bit pricy but not horrible. And they are quite tasty. Try the gummy bear and the hot Italian! (I got the hot Italian with hot chocolate instead of coffee BC I don’t like coffee)
It could definitely use an update, especially the bathrooms (seriously just change the broken tile floor. That can’t be sanitary!) but the main room is typical to a comedy club.
Enjoyed my experience. I would have given them a 3/3.5 but I won free tickets the first time I went from their Facebook page so I gave a bonus mark.
Will be back. Great date place!

Went here on a Friday night for the 7pm show. I had purchased tickets for 2 from someone on the street corner at a farmers market (good to know it was legit!) It was $ 10 for 2 with the requirement of a 2 drink purchase per person. Drinks range from about $ 4-​$ 12 so not a bad night out on the town. There is no parking besides street parking so give yourself extra time to find something.
We were greeted by the doorman, friendly guy who started up a convo with me while my friend ran back the car because he forgot his wallet. You have to show your ID at the door before they let you in. Upon entering we stopped at the box office for the tickets and then we were promptly seated at a table in the front. My friend was nervous about being seated in the front and requested to move. We were allowed to pick any seats we wanted to move to without any problems. The staff and waitresses were all friendly and no complaints here about the service.
The place is a bit dingy and out dated. The bathrooms are small, but not unclean. The chairs are a little too close together for comfort, I had to sit sort of sideways to avoid constantly brushing shoulders with my neighbor who I was not there with. The lighting over the stage could also be better, I was seated on the side and had to avoid looking in certain directions or I would be blinded. Make sure you come on a full stomach as they do not serve food, only a bag of popcorn for $ 4.
The comedians were great! Myself as well as the audience laughed at the openers and headliner. If the review was for the comedians only I would have given 5 stars. I have definitely been to better comedy clubs on the east coast (more comfortable seating, serve food, more updated building, etc) but I wouldn’t count this place out. I will definitely be back here in the future.

Came to the Comedy Store to start the New Year off with a few laughs… So glad we did!
The lineup was killer (see photo of the comedians), purchasing tickets online was a breeze, wait staff was friendly, beer was cold… What more could you ask for?
If you’re hungry, don’t expect anything to eat here! They only serve popcorn. If you’re coming here the assumption is that you’re coming for the comedy… As it should be.
Seating is a bit cramped though… We were sitting to the side of the stage and the tables/​lighting could have been 1,000 times more comfortable/​better, but whatever.
All in all, a great night out!

Had so much fun. It has been about a year since I was last there. I was very excited to plan an evening of laughs with my girls. We arrived, parking around on the streets or take the chance and park in the huge Vons lot. Showed ID’s (21 and up) and there was someone waiting to set us. It’s still dark and divey but that’s part of the appeal. They have a 2 drink minimum, and here’s a tip. If you get a drink AT the bar, it does not count towards your two. Another tip, a bottled water, hot tea or sodas do count. They have decent wines to choose from and also a nice list of Martinis and cocktails. Reasonably priced. $ 8+. The intro Comedian was weak and thank God it got better. The next guy was good, Steve
Garza. Then Argus Hamilton came on, an older guy who has obviously been around the scene for a while. He actually kept having moments of forgetting what he was about to say. I think it is age. I loved his sense of humor. Very intelligent humor but at the same time, hilarious. Said what people want to say! Hollywood humor, he was smart and incorporated a lot of local LJ jokes into his act.
I would definitely go see him again. The Headliner was Kirk Fox. Funny, but all his talking about wanting to stay single and kid less got old pretty fast. Especially since a lot of the audience was coupled up. We weren’t and it still got old. Kind of misogynistic. He had some great jokes and all in all, the three together made for a fun night. Quick one though. They were all done by 8:30 and started a little after 7.

Came for the Frosted Faces Benefit show. Great organization. Great cause. My negative review has zero to do with this non-​profit that helps senior dogs find homes. In fact, everyone should really take time out of their day to look up Frosted Faces and support them. This review also doesn’t have anything to do with 3 of the 4 comedians I saw that night. The headliner, opener, and lone comedienne all did fantastic jobs! They deserve five stars for keeping it funny and fresh.
My problem is only with one act. A comedian who was introduced as either the owner or some kind of staff member of this establishment had one of the most awful sets I’d ever seen. The performance was meh for the first half, but the second half was extremely racist.
It was basically a show of him, a white man, doing his impressions of Asian accents via the «Asian Speekee Engrish» trope. Don’t get me wrong. Race-​based comedy can be clever, thought-​provoking, and cutting edge (see Dave Chappelle). Race-​based comedy can also be completely funny in a benign way (see the opener for this event and his Chinese man named «Japan» joke). But then there’s just plain old fashion racism and xenophobia (see Mike’s act).
Most people are wise enough to avoid this Dead Horse Trope because they realize it carries an insidious history and is a harmful, grotesque caricature that has no place in 2014. After all, it’s basically the verbal equivalent of a child pulling back his eyelids to make «slant eyes.» Too bad this type of racism still has a place at The Comedy Store.
Ignorant and disgusting.

I’ve had this place bookmarked for months… so I finally dragged my girlfriend here yesterday for a «Best of San Diego» show, and although we did laugh here and there… I was very disappointed.
First, I couldn’t really find parking except near VONS, which will tow you if you park there for the show, so I parked down the street at the place we ate dinner at?
Second, the Unilocal check-​in deal went pretty smooth with no issues. Obviously, there is the 2 drink minimum per person. Here’s what we ordered, rounded up to the nearest dollar.
— 2 Crystal Geyser water bottles — $ 4 each
— Mai Tai — $ 9
— White Gummy Bear — $ 9
— Something Lemon Drop Martini — $ 11
The Mai Tai and Martini were pretty strong… so definitely can’t complain too much because it helped when the awkward jokes were rolling. The Gummy wear was extremely delicious, but not as strong as the previous two drinks.
It’s a little tough to explain… but I thought comedians are supposed to get funnier as they get closer to the headliner? I felt like 3 or 4 out of the 12-​ish comedians that went on were actually funny.
As a stand up comedian, I think you have all of the time in the world to rehearse and plan your jokes and punch lines… a lot of the people on stage just started winging a few jokes for the first time, and they even admitted it in the middle of their set… very, very awkward.
My girlfriend seemed to like a few more of the people who went on, but even after 2 ½ drinks, I caught myself finding my Facebook news feed more interesting.
If you want a real laugh, look up «National Comedy Theater» in San Diego… that’s definitely a blast and will have you «ROFLMAO» all over the place.