Cobb's Comedy Club - San Francisco, California

Dat N.

White Elephant (Read the end)

I got tickets to see JR De Guzman for Secret Santa from DC Lo in Xmas 2024, a Filipino comedian here at the club and I had never been to Cobb's before. Let me tell you what you need to know and save you the research I spent a good chunk of time doing heading in.

PARKING
There is some residential parking available within half a mile but you will have to hunt. The real parking is Taylor St. or North Beach Garage which is a quarter to half mile walk away. Not bad but will cost you $15 - $25.

ARRIVAL
If you are at the early 7PM show, get in line by 5:30 to be near first in line. The doors open 1 hour before the show at 6PM and if you are first, you get to see them do the setup with the metal detectors, security detail, and the rhythm of how they open up shop at the front door before letting everyone in.

SEATING
2We were first in line and got seated in the middle of the floor, aisle. The reason we did not get the front was because front half of the room is by reservation which you have to pay for. There is also perimeter and upstairs seating. The main tables are round and seat 4 so if you are behind the table, the 2 people in the front of the table could obscure your view. If you are ap party of 2 or less you will be seated with strangers sharing the table. If you are shorter I recommend you have them seat you in the front of the set and not in the back.

DRINKS
Yes, there is a 2 drink per person minimum. They will take your card to start and then charge you once you hit your required purchase. Yes, opinions are mixed on this and my research tells me that this is a standard practice in most notable comedy clubs across the nation. Cheapest thing you can do is Liquid Death (water) for $6 and doubles do count as 2 drinks. I did a Margarita and it was strong, the wife did a mocktail where she loved the first but the second had too much sours so the consistency was not even. I walked out the door with a hot chocolate and it was not notable. I think they should make the hot chocolate great and let it be a thing where you can make your last drink a hot chocolate to take you on a walk to your car. That would be dope.

FOOD
Yes, they have food. They bring it to your table. We only had the Lava cake and it was GOOOOOD. They take orders when you seat and throughout the show.

SERVICE
The people were nice and they seemed professional and nice to everyone. They are casual when you first arrive and there are not many people but by the end they are run ragged so be nice. They are trying their best.

CONCLUSION
This place is great. The main act had 2 openers and the main was really good. The environment is nice and professionally run. Do it. Be aware of the logistics and don't come uneducated about the experience to avoid surprises.

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And since you're still here - The White Elephant.

It is a gift that is expensive to maintain or one that you need to pay into. Maybe one you don't want. Originating from the custom of a historical Thai Monarch who would gift white Elephants to neighboring countries rulers. Why is this relevant? Upon doing my research to use this Secret Santa gift of 2 tickets to see a comedy show at Cobb's, it seemed as though I would have to shell significant cash just to make use of the gift. The end total for the night was:

$25 parking
$22 Dinner (this is quite reasonable for a light dinner for 2 nowadays)
$102 to the club (4 drinks and a dessert)
TOTAL $149 to use the 'gift'

NGL, considered just letting it go. Wife wanted to see JR. I have NO REGRETS. Thanks DCLo. Tremendous gift!

Hilda L.

We came here for a show and the minimum was two drinks. There wasn’t many choices. The waitress was pretty nice, but she did rush us a little bit. It’s also kind of annoying when the show is going on and she kept asking us for ordering drinks. I understand that the bar will be closing, but it just doesn’t feel nice when you pay for a ticket and your show experience kept getting interrupted. Their drinks were OK but not the best cocktail I had before and also overpriced. I would recommend ordering water or soda just to get away with the two drinks minimum.

April S.

We had a blast at Cobb’s comedy club. The preferred seating was really incredible. So I suggest that if you have a choice. We got there for the doors opening and had time to enjoy some drinks and My Wife and I shared the delicious loaded nachos.

Rachel Scanlon was incredible!

Anna M.

We were front row and center for a show on Valentine's Day! It was a fun time. Drinks are a little pricey but they are delicious

Alon K.

I'm a very big fan of stand up comedy. But I didn't enjoy today's lineup much, it felt dry and impersonal.

Moreover the two-drink minimum added fifteen dollars to the price of the show for each of us. The waiter was somewhat aggressive taking our orders and it just took away from the fun.

If you find a smaller comedy club you may enjoy yourself much more

Emilie S.

One of the best spots in SF for live comedy. Came with a friend to see touring comedian connor wood. We arrive shortly before the show so we were seated upstairs. Would definitely try and get there earlier next time as the people who arrived after us had obstructed views. Non alcoholic drinks contribute to the 2 drink minimum. Staff was friendly and quick with orders.

Sia A.

Been there twice. I like the location and atmosphere. Not a fan of minimum required 2 drinks though. It puts pressure on you. The second time, it smelled like garlic which was probably from the food, but also shows poor air circulation. I loved the shows both times. Staff is nice.

Gracie M.

Went for the Sam Jones (she was weak) show. The waitress gave us the menu, it was very small. There were 4 drink options besides beer/wine. My ONE drink the waitress said was a double & it was $24. So I thought that meant it was covered by the 2 drink min. One of my friends had a soda because she didn’t have her ID. Another friend ordered a drink that was $16. Insane pricing for a hole in the wall. We didn’t even have a table. 10 min into the show we are told it’s time for last call. We had JUST gotten our first round. I also ordered food. I told the waitress I was driving & she said 2 drink minimum & she wouldn’t budge. I asked her if the drink I ordered for $24 (not a top shelf drink either) she said was a double covered that? She said no & stood there bent over in my face. Now people are shhhing us & the guy in front of us is making rude comments. I’ll never come back here again. If you are going to force a 2 drink policy then have some BETTER options. $8-10 drinks to choose from. Plus when someone says they are the driver I’d lay off. All 3 of us agreed we wouldn’t come back, the shabby sitting arrangement, the pushy waitresses, and the crappy performers. And we drove from out of town. SMH. Never again.