Laugh Factory   

From humble beginnings in 1979 to a stage where comics from throughout the world dream of playing, the Laugh Factory is truly a place of Hollywood legend. Still owned and operated by Jamie Masada, who has been a huge mentor to countless superstars of comedy over the years, it has showcased nearly every major star of its time, with Jerry Seinfeld, Jim Carrey, Robin Williams, Jay Leno, David Letterman, Tim Allen, Drew Carey, Adam Sandler and literally dozens of other big names having played before (and often after) they hit the big time. Seating capacity is 280 and the joint is usually full most nights, so advance reservations are always a good idea. Throughout the week, they offer various themed evenings of comedy, with open mike nights, Latino and African-American showcases among the most popular ones. Weekends are usually devoted to the bigger names, with around four to eight comics each night. Perhaps some of the magic comes from the building itself, which once hosted Groucho Marx's film offices, but whatever the reason, this is one of the few sure bets in a crowded comedy field for top-notch laughs.