UCB Theatre (Upright Citizens Brigade) Comedy Club

Hollywood, Los Angeles –

Packed to the gills every night with earthy hipsters and a smattering of Hollywood industry types, the UCB Theatre is one of the coolest places in LA to catch up-and-coming comedy stars.

Founded in 2005 by members of The Upright Citizens Brigade, which include Amy Poehler, the theater serves as a performance and writing school by day, but by night, its madcap students are set loose to entertain the public with a variety of improv, stand-up, and sketch shows.

Patrons willing to brave the long lines will be led through a photo-lined hallway and into a small black-box theater with a slightly raised platform stage, where comedy greats like Aziz Ansari, Flight of the Conchords, and Ed Helms have been known to still perform.

Seating is first-come first-served, so latecomers will be relegated to the folding chairs, but the place is so small that just about any seat is close to the stage, making audience members prime targets for the quick-witted jokesters who enjoy subjecting patrons’ Facebook pages to scathing ridicule.

The theater also hosts big-name comedy stars like politically incorrect veterans Sarah Silverman, David Cross, and Louis C.K., who are also known to turn their sights on unwary spectators.

Anyone who loves interactive comedy will appreciate the UCB Theatre – but since no one is safe from the performers’ jibes, patrons are warned to wear a thick skin under their vintage duds.