Downtown Jacksonville Comedy

Downtown is where Jacksonville's biggest comedy nights land. The Florida Theatre on Forsyth Street has been open since 1927 and books touring stand-up through the year. Down on Water Street by the river, the Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts holds two rooms, the large Moran Theater and the smaller Terry Theater. When a comic outgrows theaters, the show moves to VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in the Sports Complex. Across from the football stadium, the WJCT Soundstage goes the other way, with national names in a small studio.

For a looser night, The Albatross on East Bay Street mixes the odd comedy show into its music calendar. Just west of downtown in Brooklyn, the whiskey distillery Burlock and Barrel hosts a regular stand-up night.

Parking and Getting In

The Florida Theatre points its guests to the Yates garage, entered from behind 200 East Adams Street. The performing arts center lists the Water Street Garage at Water and Broad streets, and its circle drive off Pearl Street is often used for drop off. Arena parking runs through the lots and garages around the Sports Complex, and those lots take cards only. Big arena nights bring heavy traffic around the Sports Complex, so leave more time than you think you need.

Dinner First

The Florida Theatre sits in the middle of the Elbow, downtown's nightlife district, with more than 20 bars, restaurants and venues around it. Eating and drinking within a short walk of your seat is easy here.

West and south of downtown, Riverside and San Marco have their own smaller rooms, and the city's main comedy club is in Southside and Mandarin. For what is on tonight, see this week.