Club History:
The Capitol City Comedy Club has proudly carried the comedy torch in Austin for nearly 30 years. Although the name of the club changed from Laff Stop to Capitol City Comedy Club in 1996, the building at 8120 Research Boulevard has presented world-class comedians since its inception in March of 1986.
Originally launched as The Laff Stop by Howard and Sandy Marcus from Houston, TX, this venerable comedy club served as a second home to legendary, groundbreaking Texas comics Bill Hicks and Sam Kinison, and a few years later, future Blue Collar Comedy star Ron White, among many other noted funny folks.
Indeed, the club served as such an inspiring second home for Bill Hicks that a vast majority of the late comic's audio and video catalog was recorded within the walls of Cap City Comedy. Over the years, a number of other well-known comedians have made Cap City Comedy a favored stop of their tour itinerary, including Ellen DeGeneres, DL Hughley, Dave Attell, and Joe Rogan.
Cap City Comedy is also home to the nationally admired "Funniest Person in Austin" contest, which plays a significant role in fostering comedy regionally and beyond. 2013 will mark the 28th Annual FPIA competition, which is expected to draw over 200 local Austin comedian contestants during a two-month span. The contest has developed such an impressive reputation that it also attracts talent coordinators from major comedy festivals as well as television networks and shows, who fly in to scout the contestants.
In addition, many notable, national touring comedians call Austin home, which keeps the Austin community fully stocked with A+ talent on our doorstep. In 2012, Cap City Comedy functioned as a key sponsor and talent booker for the premiere edition of an ambitious new Austin comedy festival--The Moontower Comedy & Oddity Festival, produced by The Paramount Theatre and Austin Theatre Alliance.
Wednesday through Saturday nights our headliners - whether drawn from the local talent pool or top-notch comics who've traveled to the club--are quite simply the best stand-up comedians in the country. A hugely popular weekly Austin comedy show called "PUNCH!" happens on Tuesdays, while Sunday nights are reserved for a comedy club staple, Open Mic Night.
