• Stand-up comedy pits comedians against an audience.microphone image by MLProject from Fotolia.com
  
  Ontario must be a funny place. The province has nurtured some of the biggest names in comedy for decades, including John Candy, Dan Akroyd, Mike Myers, Jim Carey and Andrea Martin. Also hailing from this Canadian province are TV comedy king Lorne Michaels, executive producer of Saturday Night Live. One of the primary reasons Ontario plays such a massive role in the development of comedians lies in the province's network of excellent comedy clubs.
  
  

The House of Comedy

• There's more to Niagara Falls than tacky souvenir shops and wax museums; there is also an excellent comedy club. The House of Comedy primarily features traditional stand-up comedy, with shows featuring at least three comedians and a host. Other comedy acts such as hypnotists, improvisational groups and sketch acts are also presented regularly. A popular dinner package combines a meal with your club admission and must be booked in advance. The House of Comedy features performances every weekend and sporadically through the week. Check the website for performance dates and times.
  
  The House of Comedy
  4189 Stanley Avenue
  Niagara Falls ON L2H 1H4
  905-357-7469
  thehouseofcomedy.com
  
  

Absolute Comedy

• As if there isn't enough to laugh at in the nation's capital, Absolute Comedy steps in to add some stand-up comedy to the mix. Located only a short walk from Parliament Hill, it features comedy performances seven days a week. Thursday through Sunday you can catch marquee talent each night, with two shows offered on weekends. On Monday. a popular open mic night brings new talent to the stage, while on Wednesdays, new talent is paired with a seasoned professional in a pro-am format. The show takes to the road on Tuesdays, when the comedy club travels to Tailgator's Restaurant on Merrivale Road in the city's West End. Toronto residents can also visit Absolute Comedy's Yonge-Eglinton location.
  
  Absolute Comedy
  412 Preston St.
  Ottawa, ON K1S4M9
  613-233-8000
  absolutecomedy.ca
  
  

The Second City

• Few comedy clubs are as revered as Second City. The sketch comedy club in Toronto has launched such famous comedians as Gilda Radner, Eugene Levy, Bill Murray and Mike Myers. The troupe develops several shows each year, each featuring sketches that poke fun at world events. A popular dinner theater package is available, combining show tickets with dinner at Wayne Gretzky's Restaurant, located right next door to the club.
  
  The Second City
  51 Mercer St.
  Toronto, ON M5V9G9
  416-343-0011
  secondcity.com
  
  

Yuk Yuk's

• Yuk Yuk's is a national comedy network based out of Toronto. The organization, which is owned by former comedian Mark Breslin, has been hosting comedy cabaret shows since 1976. Yuk Yuk's has hosted comedians such as Russell Peters, Norm Macdonald, Howie Mandel and Jim Carrey. Part of the reason for Yuk Yuk's success is its ability to nurture talent across its network of 15 comedy clubs across the country. The size of the organization also enables it to book some of the biggest names in stand-up. Shows are presented Tuesday through Sunday, with two shows on Friday and Saturday evenings. Ontario residents can also visit a Yuk Yuk's in Hamilton, Kitchener, London, Mississauga, Niagara Falls, Oakville and Ottawa.
  
  Yuk Yuk's
  224 Richmond St W
  Toronto, ON M5V 1V6
  416-967-6425
  yukyuks.com