The Stress Factory on Church Street is a stand-up comedy club founded by comedian Vinnie Brand in 1991 and one of the best-known clubs on the New York-Philadelphia circuit. The line-up runs Thursday through Sunday and regularly draws names you might catch at a much larger New York venue — Jim Norton, Bobby Collins, Patrice O'Neal in earlier days — at much lower prices.
The space is a classic small comedy club: maybe 250 seats, tight tables, a two-drink minimum. Late shows on Saturday are reliably busy. Reserve online in advance; the bar food is reasonable for a club but most people eat first.