Stand-up Comedy in Las Vegas

Headliners play Vegas on an irregular schedule but usually at the same venue.

Jerry Seinfeld-Caesars
Jay Leno-Mirage
Dana Carvey-Orleans
Ray Romano-Mirage
Howie Mandel-MGM
David Spade-Venetian

The box office prices for big name comedy acts start from about $49 to a high end of $150 for Seinfeld. When scalped, prices have recently been around 2 to 2.5X the box office price. For example, the highest Dana Carvey box office ticket is $115 with scalpers offering in the low-mid $200 range.

There is usually an additional handling or service charge that varies from a few dollars to over $10. Sometimes the LET (Live Entertainment Tax) is not included. For a Fire Marshal rated capacity of under 7,500 LET will add 10% to the price. It is 5% for over 7,500. Most venues are under 7,500.

Vegas' Top resident stand-ups:

Carrot Top-Luxor
Rita Rudner-Harrah's
Vinnie Favorito-Flamingo
George Wallace-Flamingo
Amazing Jonathan-Planet Hollywood
Louie Anderson-Excalibur

Ticket prices start from $39.95 for the 2 Flamingo based comics up to VIP tickets for Louie Anderson that top out at $79. These acts are often discounted substantially or are comped to active gamblers. There are 2 seat filling organizations in Vegas that help fill out crowds and if you know a Vegas local, they may bring you as a guest.

Although most of these comedians have toured or done enough national TV to be recognized, Vinnie Favoritio a Don Rickles like comedian is a true undiscovered gem with a quick wit. Carrot Top is the prop comic with a tight show and excellent verbal humor that you may not expect that places him at the top of the list.

Top Vegas Impressionists are:

Gordie Brown-Golden Nugget
Terry Fator-Hilton

Although impressionists have very high levels of talent, their acts can have generation gaps where their humor appeals to either older or younger audience members at times. Terry Fator is the ventriloquist who won America's Got Talent and Gordie Brown was the opening act for Celine Dion's tour.

Gordie Brown pricing starts at $43.95 to $99.95 with Fator's pricing in his new venue at Mirage from $59 to $129.

Comedy Clubs:

Bonkerz-Palace Station
Comedy Stop-Tropicana
The Improv-Harrah's
LA Comedy Club-4 Queens
Riviera Comedy Club-Riviera

Quality of comedy varies with the lineup of acts. There will be at least 2 comics and rarely 4 with some of them still developing so you can see some great comics on their best nights or some not-so-great comedians on their less-than best night. It depends.

Ticket prices are reasonable at under $40 with frequent discounts to the under $20 range available from half price ticket booths to coupons in flyers or promo magazines. Often the best value, the comedy clubs are unfortunately also hit or miss.