St. Louis comedy shows make a lot of sense right now, and the World Series is part of the reason. It starts Friday, and it’s the Milwaukee Brewers against the Tampa Bay Rays. Neither team has ever won a title, so the country is excited about a brand new champion. If it goes seven games, Game 7 lands on Halloween night.
St. Louis is not quite as excited. The Brewers are a division rival, so watching them play for a championship is a lot to ask of Cardinals fans. You don’t have to root for Milwaukee. You don’t even have to watch. You can go to a comedy show and let the room laugh at the stuff that’s bothering you.
St. Louis is ready for festival season
The big local comedy news is the Flyover Comedy Festival. It’s back for its ninth year and moving to the Delmar Loop from November 11 to 15. That means close to 150 comedians spread across The Pageant, Delmar Hall, Blueberry Hill’s Duck Room, and more, with David Cross, Dropout Improv, Roy Wood Jr., and Yakov Smirnoff among the headliners. Several of those shows are listed below.
The weather is finally acting normal, too. Last week St. Louis was on track for a 95-degree October record, which is not what anybody wants while carving pumpkins. Now it’s cooling off, so a warm theater with good comedy sounds a lot better than sitting on a patio. Go out for toasted ravioli, then go laugh.
Upcoming St. Louis comedy shows
Every date below comes from structured ComedyCalendar.com event data, and every button goes to a ComedyCalendar.com event page. No guessed dates, no mystery listings.
Maria Bamford
Friday, October 23 at 7:30 PM CT
The Sheldon Concert Hall in St. Louis
Maria Bamford at The Sheldon is the weird, brilliant, completely original pick, in one of the prettiest rooms in town. If you’ve never seen her live, this is the one I’d circle first.
Josh Johnson
Saturday, October 31 at 8:30 PM CT
The Factory in Chesterfield
Josh Johnson’s Comedy Band Camp at The Factory lands on Halloween night, which also happens to be a possible World Series Game 7. You can stay home and watch the Brewers, or you can go laugh. I know which one I’d pick.
Daniel Sloss
Friday, November 6 at 7:00 PM CT
The Pageant in Saint Louis
Daniel Sloss at The Pageant is for people who like their comedy sharp and a little dark. Perfect for the friend who says nothing offends them. Bring them and find out.
Casey Rocket
Wednesday, November 11 at 7:00 PM CT
Delmar Hall in Saint Louis
Casey Rocket kicks off Flyover week at Delmar Hall, high energy and quick. Good way to start your festival week before your calendar fills up.
David Cross
Thursday, November 12 at 7:00 PM CT
The Pageant in Saint Louis
David Cross at The Pageant is one of the big Flyover Comedy Festival headliners. Smart, angry, and very funny. Get this one early because festival week books up fast.
An Idiot’s Guide to Wine
Friday, November 13 at 8:30 PM CT
Casa Loma Ballroom in St. Louis
An Idiot’s Guide to Wine at Casa Loma Ballroom is the date-night and friend-night curveball. Funny, social, and nobody has to pretend they know what tannins are.
Yakov Smirnoff
Friday, November 13 at 7:00 PM CT
Delmar Hall in Saint Louis
Yakov Smirnoff at Delmar Hall is a Flyover pick with a lot of nostalgia. Bring your parents. Bring your uncle who still does the ‘in Soviet Russia’ bit. He finally gets to see the original.
Dropout Improv
Saturday, November 14 at 7:00 PM CT
Stifel Theatre in Saint Louis
Dropout Improv at Stifel Theatre closes out Flyover’s big weekend, and it’s the show your younger cousins will be most jealous of. Fully improvised, so no two nights are the same.
Atsuko Okatsuka
Thursday, December 10 at 7:00 PM CT
The Pageant in Saint Louis
Atsuko Okatsuka at The Pageant is playful, odd in the best way, and one of the most original voices on tour right now. A great December pick before the holidays get busy.
Preacher Lawson
Friday, December 11 at 7:00 PM CT
Helium Comedy Club in Richmond Heights
Preacher Lawson at Helium Comedy Club is pure energy in a proper comedy club setting. He brings it every time. A great Friday night before holiday party season takes over.
Pick your show before Flyover week sells out
Between the World Series, Halloween, and festival week, the next few weeks in St. Louis are going to be busy. Pick a show now, send it to the group chat, and get it on the calendar. The Arch isn’t going anywhere, but these dates won’t last forever.
