Most large metropolitan cities are home to a number of local comedy clubs. There are a few well known comedy clubs located in famous cities such as Hollywood, but there's nothing like a quaint comedy nightclub atmosphere in any city or town wherein jokes, drinks, and laughter fill the air. These local area comedy clubs provide venues to up and coming comedians. In the early 1960s and throughout the free-spirited 70s, local comedy clubs flourished, catering to rising comedians seeking venues to rehearse their comedic routines. Some of the amateurs of that time are famous comedians of today who got their start in local area comedy clubs. During this time, comedy clubs were a way for rising stand-up comedians to improve their skills engaging in humorous, improvisational acting that has amused generations of captive audiences. Humor is therapeutic. Laughter has positive health effects. Laughter increases endorphins and neurotransmitters, hormones that promote physical and emotional feelings of well being. Laughter is contagious and can tickle a person to wonderful tears of joy. The social interaction experienced in local comedy club atmospheres is beneficial. It allows guests to step back from reality, listen to comedians express life situations in humorous ways, and laugh, laugh, laugh. Mark Twain once said that humor is the great thing, the saving thing. The minute it crops up, all our irritation and resentments slip away, and a sunny spirit takes their place.
