JIMMY KIMMEL COMEDY CLUB – Laughter with a Pedigree

The latest celebrity stand-up venue is cool, contemporary, and filled with cutting-edge humor.

Call me negligent in my duties, but my Vegas Unfiltered column has waited way too long to visit Jimmy Kimmel’s Comedy Club. Now that I’ve been there, it’s obvious that we’ve missed out on a lot of fun. Don’t make the same mistake.

Jimmy Kimmel’s Comedy Club is the latest in Vegas to be created, endorsed, financed, or fronted by a major celebrity. Until now, Brad Garrett’s space at MGM Grand has been the grand-daddy, pulling in top names for several years. It’s even expanded to a larger venue, and its namesake is anything but an absentee landlord. Garrett seems to genuinely love Las Vegas and its community, so he’s here quite a lot.

That leaves some pretty big shoes for Mr. Kimmel to fill. The nighttime television show host, who calls Las Vegas his hometown, is fresh off a third hosting stint for the Academy Awards. Kimmel is a hands-on guy with decades of experience as a performer, writer, and producer. So, he knows a thing or two about pleasing audiences.

A manager told me that Kimmel personally researches, screens, and approves every comedian that performs and/or hosts. According to the show’s press, he wants the club to capture the spirit of Las Vegas. That means not just comedians, but a combination of impeccable service, creative cocktails, high-end casual cuisine, and memorabilia.

JK’s Comedy Club opened in mid-2019. It’s located along the Linq Promenade, across from Brooklyn Bowl and a short stroll from the High Roller observation wheel. Easy to access from a parking lot adjacent to the Caesars Forum Conference Center, JK’s club undoubtedly benefits from walk-by traffic, too.

The exterior’s design is reminiscent of a small NYC movie theater. Current and upcoming acts are posted right outside, and you can instantly purchase tickets by scanning the QR code from your smartphone. An automated kiosk within the entrance serves the same function.

The two-level club covers 8,000 square feet of entertainment space. The ground floor offers a mancave-style bar and lounge, packed with memorabilia. You can grab pre-show bites here or just stop in for an early dinner. The restaurant opens at 4 pm, depending on the performance schedule.

Daily happy hour runs from 5 pm to 7 pm, with $7 food specials, $5 shots, and $6 for selected beers, wines, and cocktails. You can access the Happy Hour list and regular dining menus by heading here.

Be sure to make a pit stop before the show, as the nearest restrooms are shared with other Linq businesses two doors away. Why the club doesn’t have its own is anyone’s guess, but I’m sure they aren’t too pleased with the layout, either.

Head to the upper level and you’ll discover the main showroom. It’s accessed by either stairs or elevators. The space is comfortable and can handle up to 300 guests. There are traditional rows of seats and long tables to accommodate larger groups. Food and beverage service is non-intrusive and available throughout the show.

There are whimsically-named cocktails that Kimmel fans will recognize, like “Cleto”, “Guillermo”, and “Aunt Chippy”. The price of $14 each (at the time of this writing) was especially agreeable for a Strip-side establishment. Non-alcoholic “mock-tails” are available for $2 less, and the club offers a good selection of wines, popular beers, and local IPA’s and ales.

I ordered two different types of sliders to enjoy during my most recent visit – Buffalo Chicken and Beef Brisket topped with coleslaw. Each arrived mere minutes are being requested, and both were hot and delicious. Kudos to server “Summer” who remembered me from a previous visit and was attentive throughout.

The line-up at any comedy club can change from day to day, week to week. You can rightly expect celebrity-branded venues to attract larger names, and Jimmy Kimmel’s is no exception. Former Vegas headliner John Caparulo, whose Mad Cap Comedy ran at Harrah’s for several years, just launched a weekly Tuesday 9:30 pm residency.

John is one of those comedians whose timing, facial expressions, and underdog charm ensure that nearly every joke lands the punch(line). Tickets start at only $25 (plus taxes/fees), making this one of the best entertainment bargains on the Strip.

John Caparulo greets fans after the first night of his new Tuesday residency

Other big hitters on tap in the coming weeks include Patrick Warburton (Family Guy, Seinfeld), Michael Yo, Vicki Barbolak (America’s Got Talent), Adam Corolla, and Chelsea Lately’s Josh Wolf. Hosts and opening acts differ by night, but you can count on repeat appearances from favorites like Luenell and Pablo Francisco. Weekends feature matinee performances and a Saturday 11:30 pm L8NIGHT show with tickets as low as $15.

As mentioned in my recent piece on WESTGATE COMEDY CABARET, many comedy clubs utilize the earlier hours to host all-ages magic and comedy residencies. At Jimmy Kimmel’s, the 4;30 pm slot goes to Farrell Dillon. An affable comedy magician who enjoyed eight seasons on CW’s MASTERS OF ILLUSION, Dillon performs Thursday through Monday. Tickets start at $20, and audience members should be eight years of age or older. Click here to reserve seats.

Farrell Dillon’s comedy-magic show is suitable for most ages

There are all types of comedy clubs throughout the Vegas valley. They offer varied price points and styles to appeal to a wide range of audiences. Some have open-mic amateur nights or feature new talent on a regular basis. Jimmy Kimmel’s Comedy Club presents only top-tier acts. As such, there is a no-heckling policy, and disrespectful patrons will be asked to leave.

So if you’re the type of fan who takes your jokes very seriously, head to The Linq for Jimmy Kimmel’s Comedy Club. Eat, drink, be merry, and laugh yourself silly.

JIMMY KIMMEL’S COMEDY CLUB is located at 3545 S. Las Vegas Boulevard, across from BROOKLYN BOWL in The Linq Promenade. Click here for hours, showtimes, and tickets. You can also phone them at 855.234.7469.