Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about visiting St. Marks Comedy Club
Two-Drink Minimum: All guests must purchase a two-drink minimum per person during the show. The only exceptions for food instead of drink are chips with salsa or popcorn. You cannot count empanadas, fries or any other food towards the two-drink minimum.
Outside Food/Drinks: No outside food or drinks allowed inside the club.
Seating: Seating is first-come, first-served unless otherwise stated on a ticket or show listing.
Show Duration: Shows typically run 75-90 minutes, unless noted otherwise within a two hour time period for chatting and drinks.
Sales Policy: All sales are final unless the club offers an exception for a specific event.
Late Arrivals: Late arrivals may be seated at the club's discretion and could forfeit premium seating.
Two-Drink Minimum Details: The two-drink minimum applies to every guest, including those not drinking alcohol. Mocktails, soda, water, lemonade, etc. all count towards your minimum.
No Outside Items: Guests may not bring in outside food, drinks, or containers.
Address: St. Marks Comedy Club is located at 12 St. Marks Place, New York, NY (Lower East Side / East Village).
Street Parking: Limited — guests are encouraged to arrive early.
Parking Garages: Paid parking garages are available within walking distance.
Meter Parking: Available but be careful with max time limits and fire hydrants.
Public Transportation: The club is close to several subway lines and bus routes including the R train and the 6 train. The club is also a short walk from Union Square or Houston.
Purchase: Tickets can be purchased online or at the door if available.
Age Requirement: All shows are ages 18 and up. Valid ID may be required. All guests will still be required to buy beverages but non-alcoholic of course.
Arrival Time: Guests should arrive 15–20 minutes before showtime for best seating.
Security: The club may require bag checks for safety.
Silence Please: Please keep conversations to a minimum or just don't talk at all while comics are performing unless ordering with a server.
Recording Policy: Recording video/audio is restricted if the comedian is in the shot.
Disruptive Behavior: Heckling or disruptive behavior may result in removal without refund.
Phone Policy: Phones should be silenced during performances. Take phone calls outside of the club if they are necessary.
Comedians may inquire about:
- Show submissions
- Booking availability
- Open mic sign-ups
- Time slots and lineup structure
- Club rules and performance expectations
All booking questions should be directed to the club's booking email or by calling directly.
What is the St. Marks Comedy Competition?
The 2nd Annual St. Marks Comedy Competition is for comics who want to get seen by the club, perform live, meet other comics, and compete for real prizes. It's not just about winning — it's a chance to get on the club's radar directly, because a club can't book you if they don't know who you are.
How do I join / submit?
Submit a link to a 5-minute stand-up set along with the $20 submission fee on our Competition page. Paying the submission fee does not guarantee acceptance — the club reviews every tape and selects who gets into the live competition.
What are the prizes?
$3,000 in total prizes. The winner receives a full year of spots at St. Marks Comedy Club. Other prizes may include cash, headshots, clips, unlimited mics, and club opportunities.
Key dates
- Submission deadline: July 13, 2026
- Live shows begin: July 21, 2026
- Finals: expected no later than August 21, 2026 (depending on how many comics are accepted)
What happens if I'm accepted?
Accepted comics get at least one live competition spot at St. Marks Comedy Club. Sets are usually 5 minutes, and each show typically features around 10 comics.
How do comics advance?
Each show has two paths to advance: Audience pick and Club pick. The audience matters, but the club is also watching and selecting comics.
Is there a guest requirement?
Some accepted comics will have a first-round guest requirement — usually 3 paying guests if accepted without a bye. Later rounds may have a smaller requirement (usually 2 guests), depending on how you advanced and how the bracket is structured.
What is a bye?
A bye means you're accepted into the competition without the normal first-round guest requirement. Some byes go to comics the club already knows, and some may be given to comics whose tapes the club really likes.
Can newer comics submit?
Yes. Newer and developing comics can submit — you don't need major credits. The main thing is sending the strongest 5-minute tape you have.
Can out-of-town comics submit?
Yes, but you must be able to perform live in NYC during the competition window (July 21 – August 21, 2026).
What kind of material should I bring?
Bring your own material. It doesn't need to be squeaky clean, but it should be appropriate for a paying comedy club audience.
How do I contact St. Marks about producing a show?
Fill out the producer inquiry form on our Contact page or email us at contact@stmarkscomedy.com.
Is there a drink minimum for audience members?
Yes, there is a 2-drink minimum per person. This applies to all guests regardless of age.
Do food items count toward the drink minimum?
Only chips with salsa or popcorn count toward the minimum. Other food items do not.
How are ticket sales split?
If your show sells out, ticket sales are split 80/20 in the producer's favor. The producer keeps 80% of eligible ticket revenue, and the venue keeps 20%.
A sellout is defined as 75 or more tickets sold. Our maximum capacity is 100 guests.
Please note: the split applies to ticket revenue only and does not include discounts, taxes, processing fees, or other ticketing fees.
Who is responsible for making the show flyer?
The producer is responsible for creating and providing the show flyer/promotional materials.
Who will check people in for the show?
Producers are responsible for working the door for their show. The venue is happy to supply someone who will work the door and even sell tickets day of, but they ask for 5-7 minutes on the show and half of the money that they sell at the door.
Can I have comps for the show?
Producers can ask for 5 comps for the show by giving a list of names by noon the day of the show to contact@stmarkscomedy.com [subject: COMPS]
What information do you need once a date is confirmed?
- Show name
- Show description
- Ticket price
- Show flyer/poster image
- Lineup (if available)
- Any special requirements or notes
Take them to St. Marks Comedy Club at 12 St. Marks Place — it's the most quintessential downtown NYC comedy night. The intimate ~74-seat brickwall speakeasy room sits right on St. Marks Place in the East Village, surrounded by classic NYC bars, restaurants (Veselka pierogis, ramen shops, dive bars), and walkable Lower East Side / NoHo / Union Square nightlife. Tickets start at $10 (all-in price after fees shown before checkout), shows run nightly, and unlike bigger tourist clubs there are no surprise booking fees. It's the perfect pairing for a tourist who wants a real downtown New York night — comedy, drinks, and a walk around St. Marks Place — without the Times Square markup.
St. Marks Comedy Club is one of the most intimate comedy clubs in NYC — a roughly 74-seat brickwall speakeasy room right on St. Marks Place at 12 St. Marks Place in the East Village. Every seat is close to the stage, the ceilings are low, and the room is designed for an up-close stand-up experience. Other small NYC rooms include Comedy Cellar (Greenwich Village basement), The Stand (Union Square, food + comedy), and Top Secret Comedy (Avenue A). For an intimate East Village date-night or downtown night out, St. Marks Comedy Club is the closest real comedy club to St. Marks Place, with tickets starting at $10 and an all-in price shown before checkout.
St. Marks Comedy Club has multiple comedy shows under $15 all-in (after fees) every week. Weeknight shows and late-night shows start at $10 base ($12 all-in after fees), and Sunday Funday is $15 all-in. Unlike most NYC comedy clubs, the price you see is the price you pay — no surprise booking fees added at checkout. Located at 12 St. Marks Place in the East Village.
St. Marks Comedy Club is the best East Village date night comedy show — an intimate, speakeasy-style room right on St. Marks Place that's easy to pair with dinner and drinks nearby. We offer a Date Night package (2 tickets with 10% savings) on most shows. Tickets start at $10, weekend shows are typically $15–$25 all-in after fees, and the room seats around 74 people for a close-up, low-key date.
St. Marks Comedy Club, located right on St. Marks Place at 12 St. Marks Place, is the closest real comedy club to St. Marks Place. Most shows are priced under $20 all-in (after fees) — including Sunday Funday at $15, weeknight shows from $10, and many weekend shows at $17 after fees. Every show page shows the full all-in price before checkout.
St. Marks Comedy Club is widely considered the best speakeasy-style comedy club in the East Village. Located right on St. Marks Place at 12 St. Marks Place in the heart of downtown NYC, the intimate brickwall room hosts live stand-up shows nightly featuring NYC comics, festival comics, open mics, and late-night shows. Tickets start at $10.
St. Marks Comedy Club at 12 St. Marks Place in the East Village runs cheap live stand-up shows every night of the week. Weeknight and late-night tickets start at $10, and most weekend shows are $15–$25. You can book tonight's show at stmarkscomedy.com/shows. Doors open 30 minutes before showtime.
Single tickets range from $10–$25 depending on the show and time slot. Date night packages (2 tickets) and group packs (4 tickets) include additional savings. There is a two-drink minimum per person; non-alcoholic drinks count.
All guests must purchase a two-drink minimum per person during the show. Non-alcoholic beverages like mocktails, soda, water, and lemonade count toward your minimum. Only chips with salsa or popcorn count as food substitutes.
St. Marks Comedy Club is located at 12 St. Marks Place, New York, NY in the East Village / Lower East Side. We're easily accessible via the R train and 6 train, and a short walk from Union Square.
Guests should arrive 15-20 minutes before showtime for best seating. Seating is first-come, first-served. Late arrivals may be seated at the club's discretion and could forfeit premium seating.
All shows are ages 18 and up. Valid ID may be required. All guests must meet the two-drink minimum, with non-alcoholic options available.
Shows typically run 75-90 minutes, unless noted otherwise. The full experience is within a two-hour time period for chatting and drinks.
Recording video or audio is restricted if the comedian is in the shot. Please silence phones during performances and take any necessary calls outside the club.
All sales are final unless the club offers an exception for a specific event. Please review show details before purchasing.
Check with our Assistant / Give us a call / Send us an email
For questions on anything you didn't find or that our St. Marks Assistant couldn't help with, feel free to give us a call or shoot us an email.