Comedy Cellar — Restaurant in New York

-When I attempted to explain I am not in a group with the two women behind me he continued to place the phones in the envelope anyway.

-When the waitress arrived we asked to be put on separate bills for a tab. The waitress refused. I explained again we are not together and I did not want to be placed on the same tab as we are strangers

-I explained I was not with them and he reiterated about phones not being allowed even after I stated I asked not to have my phone placed in their envelope because we are not together.

On March 28th I entered the wait list for the Ronnie Cheng headliner show at 8pm that evening. I was very excited being an avid watcher of the daily show and his routine comedy skits. After entering the wait list I went next door to a bar and enjoyed a few drinks while waiting for the show to begin. While at the bar two visitors to the Manhattan area from Florida sat next to me and began to talk about signing up for the show. I decided to be kind and offered to help them navigate the process while learning they were seeking to attend the same show I was. As we went up to the security holding the wait list I waved them up to me so they could also ask if they were ready for seating as I confirmed I was called off the wait list to be seated.

As we approached the attendant inside the entrance, he stated he needed all of our phones. When I attempted to explain I am not in a group with the two women behind me he continued to place the phones in the envelope anyway. I looked at the two women and asked if it was ok if we sat together and not stir a fuss. We all agreed and went in to be seated.

We were sat at a table with another group from Michigan. One of the members across the table recently relocated to NYC for a job so they decided to come out to the club for the night. When the waitress arrived we asked to be put on separate bills for a tab. The waitress refused. I explained again we are not together and I did not want to be placed on the same tab as we are strangers that only met an hour prior. I didn't want to have to split the tab unnecessarily. The waitress refused and again not to make a fuss I asked if they would be amenable to using Venmo. They agreed. We continued through the show and I went to the bathroom some time after the second comic, upon returning there was tension at the table. The members across the table were shooting unpleasant looks. At one point the waitress came over and asked the 3 of us to be quiet, but I was quite unsure why because we were just laughing and having some minor small talk at a reasonable volume.

At the second pass of a darting look from our waitress, the girls decided to leave. at this time they attempted to take their phones and leave me with mine. As they removed the phones the waitress walked by and let out a large sigh quickly returning with another staff member who asked the girls to leave. They confirmed they were already leaving and they quickly left. As they walked out the male staff member again returned and asked me to leave as well and pay the tab. I explained I was not with them and he reiterated about phones not being allowed even after I stated I asked not to have my phone placed in their envelope because we are not together. I paid my tab and left a very unhappy customer who was not able to see Ronnie perform.

I sent an email and I believe her name was Lauren who replied and asked me to clarify my concerns. I wrote a detailed letter much like this review. No reply. I again reached out to see if she may have lost my email in the shuffle of other things. No reply.

So I will not be returning to Comedy Cellar, I will also be moving away now a month later, so there is no real rectifying the situation, not that I think they have any intent on doing so based on their actions. Its sad as a patron of this club for a year, going well out of my way to attend, I can no longer say positive things to friends who will be traveling to NYC. I tell them this story and they typically have the same disgruntled look of dismay that a business would act...

I rarely leave negative reviews, but this experience left me no choice. We had a reservation for two people and hoped to get a third seat as a walk-in. We arrived at 6:30 for the 7:30 show (second in line for walk-ins) and were told to wait for a text, with no guarantees (which we completely understood). We even made it clear that we’d give up our reserved seats if we couldn’t all go in together.

We never received any text. When we returned at 7:20, there was a confusing line with no signage. Staff were calling out names, but the line wasn’t moving. We asked if this was the line for walk-ins or reservations and were rudely told by one staff member, “Get away, can’t talk to you now.” We tried another person, who also dismissed us and gave unclear directions, sending us to wait in the wrong area.

Fortunately, the third staff member who had initially taken our name recognized us and realized we should have been called already. Apparently, they had announced our first name but with the wrong last name. When we asked the staff calling names to double-check, he snapped, “If that’s not your last name, don’t waste my time.” Only after checking the list and seeing there was only one person with our first name did they admit the mistake and apologize.

At that point, we were told only the two people with reservations were being allowed in. We declined, reiterating that we only wanted to attend if all three of us could. Eventually, they let us all in, but we had to sit separately, which we didn’t mind at all.

What I did mind was the seating. I was stuck at a corner chair with no legroom, knees literally pressed against the person in front of me. Others who had been behind us in the walk-in line ended up with much better seats, which was frustrating to be honest.

The show itself was okay, but the disorganized check-in process and rude treatment from staff completely ruined the experience. I can’t recommend this place to anyone. The only reason I went in the first place was because a friend had raved about it but I definitely won’t...

The Comedy Cellar is a legendary New York City institution and an absolute must-visit for comedy lovers. Located in Greenwich Village, it’s known worldwide for its intimate atmosphere, incredible lineups, and surprise drop-ins from some of the biggest names in comedy. The moment you step inside, you feel the history and energy of a venue where countless famous comedians have performed.

The experience is unique because of how close the audience is to the stage. The small, basement-style setup creates an electric vibe that makes every performance feel personal and interactive. There’s truly no bad seat in the house, and the comedians feed off the audience’s energy, making each show one of a kind.

Lineups at the Comedy Cellar are consistently top-notch. You can expect to see both rising stars and well-known comedians, and on any given night, huge names like Chris Rock, Dave Chappelle, or Amy Schumer might drop in unannounced. The talent, pacing, and variety of acts ensure non-stop laughter from start to finish.

The staff is friendly and efficient, helping to make the experience smooth despite the high demand. The drink and food options are solid for a comedy club, and service is quick so you can focus on the show. The cover charge and two-item minimum are reasonable for the level of talent you get to see in such an iconic venue.

Another highlight is its location. Situated in the heart of Greenwich Village, there are plenty of restaurants and bars nearby to enjoy before or after the show. The Comedy Cellar is surrounded by history and culture, which makes the entire outing feel like a true New York experience.

Overall, the Comedy Cellar is a world-class comedy club that lives up to its reputation. Whether you’re a local or visiting NYC for the first time, catching a show here is unforgettable. The intimate setting, legendary comedians, and vibrant atmosphere make it one of the best live entertainment experiences the city...