Stand-Up Comedy in Manila: The Weekly Shows, Open Mics and Who's Touring

The weekly shows

Comedy Manila at The KoolPals Bar at Cellar is where Comedy Manila puts on most of its shows. The collective, founded by GB Labrador, puts on themed nights here several times a week: in a typical week that means a Monday show, a Tuesday lineup, a Thursday show, a quiz night on Friday and a Saturday show. Many sets are in Taglish (a mix of Tagalog and English), so expect some jokes to land harder if you speak both. Century Park Hotel, 599 P. Ocampo Street, Malate, Manila. Shows usually start at 8pm or 8:30pm. Most tickets are ₱500 to ₱750 on HangHut. Tip: book ahead. For the 20 October show, The KoolPals list ₱650 online against ₱800 at the door.

Comedy Manila at Vault in Greenhills is the second home of the same crew, with solo hours and improvised sets from comics such as Joseph Montecillo and Red Ollero. It is an easier trip for anyone living in San Juan, Pasig or Quezon City. G/F OSquare 2, Greenhills Shopping Center, Ortigas Avenue, San Juan. Shows at 8pm or 8:30pm. ₱500 to ₱750 on HangHut.

Coming up from Comedy Manila: Haha-Lloweenies on Friday 30 October (₱600) and Flood Conlol on Saturday 31 October (₱750), both at Cellar, and the Grand Year-Ender Showcase on Sunday 22 November at Century Park Hotel, with shows at 2pm and 7pm for ₱2,000.

Never on Sunday is Comedy Manila's online show, held over Zoom. It is a cheap way to try the comics before you go out to see them, and the link is sent to you after you book. Online. Sunday 18 October at 8:30pm. ₱300 on HangHut.

For an English-language night in Makati

Conyo Manila is a joint project of Comedy Manila, The KoolPals and Comedy Cebu, built around one big monthly Thursday show in Legazpi Village, usually with a touring international headliner. The format is English and Taglish, with a pre-party at 7:30pm and dancing after the show. Legazpi Village, Makati. Thursdays, doors at 8pm. ₱1,500.

The next headliners listed are Dwayne Perkins from Los Angeles on Thursday 19 November and Australia's Sam McCool on Thursday 17 December, followed by Tim Young (21 January), Paul Ogata (25 February) and Myq Kaplan (18 March). Tickets for these shows are marked "coming soon", so check the site before you plan around them.

Open mics: where to watch, or try it yourself

The Comedy Crew open mics are where comics test new material in front of a real crowd. The same group puts on Alex Calleja's theatre shows, so you may see a known name working on jokes in a small room. If you want to try it yourself, register through their open mic page. Every Monday at 9pm, Pioneer Highlands Tower 2, Mandaluyong. Every Wednesday at 9pm, Sapphire Road, Ortigas Center, Pasig.

International comedians in Manila

The bigger touring comics play theatres rather than bars, and the cheaper seats go first. Here is who has come through recently and who is confirmed next.

Atsuko Okatsuka: The Big Bowl Tour is the next big one, on Sunday 15 November at the New Frontier Theater in Cubao, presented by Insignia Presents. Her specials The Intruder (HBO) and Father (Hulu) are good homework. New Frontier Theater, Araneta City, Cubao. 7pm. Orchestra A ₱6,000 and Orchestra B ₱5,000; Loge, Balcony A and Balcony B are sold out. Tickets on TicketNet.

Recently in town:

• Morgan Jay: Goofy Guy Tour: 13 October at the New Frontier Theater and 14 October at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, presented by Insignia Presents.
• Alex Calleja: Happy 4 All!: five birthday shows from 2 to 10 October across Greenhills, Alabang, Pasay and BGC, with The Comedy Crew, recorded for a special.
• Nurse John: The Short-Staffed Tour: 29 May at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, presented by Insignia Presents.
• Kumar: Fifty:50: 18 April at the Newport Performing Arts Theatre, presented by LOL Asia.

Promoters such as Insignia Presents announce international comedy months ahead, so follow them if you want a seat for the next one.

Tips for a good night

• Book online. Comedy Manila and The KoolPals price walk-in tickets higher than online ones, and the small rooms fill up.
• Sit where you are comfortable with crowd work. The front tables are where comics talk to the audience.
• If you are bringing a teenager, check the age rule on the ticket page first; some shows set one.
• Eat first or plan to order at the venue. For a late meal after the show, see Late Night Food in Manila.

Questions people ask

Where can I watch stand-up comedy in Manila? Comedy Manila runs shows most nights at The KoolPals Bar at Cellar in Century Park Hotel, Malate, and at Vault in Greenhills. Conyo Manila holds a monthly Thursday show in Legazpi Village, Makati.

How much are comedy show tickets in Manila? Most Comedy Manila shows cost ₱500 to ₱750 online. Conyo Manila is ₱1,500. Theatre shows by touring comedians cost more; Atsuko Okatsuka's remaining seats are ₱5,000 and ₱6,000.

Are the shows in English? Many local sets are in Taglish, a mix of Tagalog and English. Conyo Manila is built for an English and Taglish crowd, and the international headliners perform in English.

Is there a free comedy open mic in Manila? The Comedy Crew lists open mics every Monday in Mandaluyong and every Wednesday in Ortigas. Their page does not list an entry price, so ask the venue before you go.

When is Atsuko Okatsuka in Manila? Sunday 15 November 2026 at 7pm at the New Frontier Theater in Cubao. Only Orchestra A and Orchestra B seats were left when we checked.