Joe Rogan’s Comedy Mothership is one of the most talked-about comedy clubs in the United States — a world-class venue built inside Austin’s historic Ritz Theater at 320 E 6th Street. Since opening on March 7, 2023, it has become the beating heart of Austin’s comedy scene, drawing A-list comedians, a devoted local crowd, and visitors flying in specifically to catch a show.
This guide covers everything you need to know: the rooms, the shows, Kill Tony, how to buy tickets, what to expect on the night, parking, and the best hotels within walking distance of the venue.
What Is the Comedy Mothership?
The Comedy Mothership is Joe Rogan’s comedy club in downtown Austin, Texas. Rogan purchased the historic Ritz Theater — a 1929 Art Deco venue on East 6th Street — in 2022 and spent over a year transforming it into what he described as his vision of the perfect comedy club.
The club is consciously modelled after LA’s legendary Comedy Store, where Rogan spent formative years as a comedian. He brought key staff from The Comedy Store to Austin, and named the venue’s bar Mitzi’s — after Mitzi Shore, the founder of The Comedy Store who is widely regarded as the godmother of stand-up comedy. The result is a club that feels both deeply connected to comedy history and entirely its own thing.
The venue has a spaceship-inspired aesthetic with high-end lighting, cabaret-style seating with table service, and an atmosphere that treats comedy as a serious art form rather than a tourist attraction. Shows regularly sell out within minutes. It’s become one of the hardest tickets in Austin.
The Two Rooms: Fat Man and Little Boy
The Comedy Mothership has two performance spaces, each with a distinct character.
Fat Man Room
The main stage seats approximately 240 guests in a classic comedy club configuration — intimate enough that you’re never far from the action, big enough to accommodate major headliner shows. This is where Joe Rogan performs when he’s in town, where Kill Tony films every Monday night, and where the club’s flagship shows are held. The production quality is exceptional: professional lighting, clean sound, full table service throughout.
Little Boy Room
The smaller room holds around 100 guests and hosts the Comedy Mothership Showcase — a late-night show curated by Adam Eget featuring local Austin comedians alongside national touring acts. If you want to see up-and-coming talent in an intimate setting, this is the room. Shows typically start around 10:30 PM on showcase nights. The vibe is looser, more spontaneous, and often where you’ll catch future stars before they make it big.
Kill Tony: The Monday Night Live Podcast
Kill Tony is the Comedy Mothership’s most popular recurring show — a live podcast hosted by comedian Tony Hinchcliffe with co-host Brian Redban that films every Monday night at 8 PM in the Fat Man room.
The format is unlike anything else in comedy: aspiring stand-up comedians draw from a bucket for a chance to perform a 60-second set in front of the live audience and podcast hosts, who then interview and roast them. Celebrity guests frequently appear as co-hosts. The show has built one of the largest comedy podcast audiences in the world, and recording nights at the Mothership have a festival-level energy — fans travel from across the country specifically to attend.
Kill Tony tickets are booked through comedymothership.com/killtony and sell out quickly. Monday nights are consistently one of the most popular nights at the venue, so book well in advance if Kill Tony is your primary reason for visiting.
Comedy Mothership Shows and How to Get Tickets
All Comedy Mothership tickets are sold exclusively through the official website: comedymothership.com/shows.
Important: the Comedy Mothership does not authorise third-party resellers. Tickets purchased from Ticketmaster, Vivid Seats, SeatGeek, StubHub, Craigslist, or any other secondary market will not be honoured at the door. This is strictly enforced. Always buy direct from the official site.
Shows — especially Joe Rogan and Friends nights and Kill Tony tapings — sell out within minutes of going on sale. If a specific show is on your radar, check the website regularly and be ready to book as soon as tickets drop. The Comedy Mothership Showcase in the Little Boy room tends to have more availability if you’re visiting last-minute.
What to Expect When You Arrive
A few things worth knowing before you show up:
- 21+ only. No exceptions. A valid, physical government-issued ID is required for entry. Digital IDs are not accepted.
- Two-drink minimum. All guests are required to purchase at least two drinks. This is standard for serious comedy clubs and enforced throughout the show.
- Phone lockup. Phones and smartwatches are placed in locked fabric pouches at the door (similar to the Yondr system used at other venues). You keep the pouch with you and unlock it yourself after the show. This is non-negotiable and applies to all guests.
- Facial scan at entry. The venue uses biometric check-in as part of its security process. This replaces the need to show your ticket repeatedly.
- Arrive early. Doors open one hour before showtime. The venue fills up fast, and early arrival means better seat selection and time to settle in at Mitzi’s before the show starts.
Mitzi’s Bar
Mitzi’s is the Comedy Mothership’s speakeasy-style cocktail bar, open Tuesday through Saturday from 6 PM. It’s named after Mitzi Shore — the founder of The Comedy Store in Los Angeles and the person Rogan credits as one of the most important figures in the history of stand-up comedy.
The bar serves hand-crafted cocktails using fresh ingredients. It’s worth arriving early to have a drink at Mitzi’s before heading into the show — the atmosphere captures the same reverent-but-irreverent energy as the club itself. Pre-show at Mitzi’s is part of the full Comedy Mothership experience.
Address, Getting There, and Parking
Comedy Mothership address: 320 E 6th Street, Austin, TX 78701
The venue is right in the middle of downtown Austin’s East 6th Street corridor — within easy walking distance of dozens of bars, restaurants, and hotels. The location is both a feature and a logistical consideration: parking in this part of downtown is tight, especially on weekends.
Rideshare is the easiest option. Uber and Lyft drop-off is straightforward on 6th Street, and the volume of activity in the area means pickups are quick after shows. If you’re staying at a downtown hotel (see below), you can walk.
Street parking is metered and free after 6 PM on some days — check the individual meter as hours vary by block. Several paid lots operate within a 2–3 minute walk of the venue; SpotHero and BestParking both allow advance booking for lots in the area. Arriving more than 30 minutes before your showtime gives you the best chance of finding street parking.
Hotels Near the Comedy Mothership
The Comedy Mothership’s location on East 6th Street is one of its best features for visitors: it sits in the heart of downtown Austin, surrounded by excellent hotels. If you’re coming from out of town — or simply want to make a night of it — staying within walking distance means no parking headaches and no surge pricing after the show.
The closest options are concentrated on and around Congress Avenue and the 6th Street corridor, all within a 5–10 minute walk of the venue:
- Hyatt Centric Congress Avenue — Steps from the Mothership, this 4-star hotel is one of the most convenient options for a comedy night. Congress Avenue location means you’re also close to everything else downtown.
- Tommie Austin – JDV by Hyatt — One of the highest-rated hotels near 6th Street, with a boutique feel and excellent reviews. Walking distance to the Mothership.
- Hilton Austin — Large, reliably comfortable, and genuinely close to the 6th Street nightlife strip. Good for groups.
- JW Marriott Austin — Premium option on Congress Avenue, about a 10-minute walk. The rooftop bar is a natural pre-show stop.
- Stephen F. Austin Royal Sonesta — Historic hotel on Congress Avenue with a beautiful bar. The location puts you equidistant from the Mothership and everything else downtown Austin has to offer.
For a full breakdown of downtown options at every price point, our guide to downtown Austin hotels near 6th Street covers the best choices within walking distance of the Comedy Mothership. If you’re planning a full Austin weekend around a show, our complete guide to where to stay in Austin helps you match your hotel to the rest of your itinerary.
Comedy Mothership FAQ
What is the Comedy Mothership?
The Comedy Mothership is Joe Rogan’s comedy club in Austin, Texas, located in the historic 1929 Ritz Theater at 320 E 6th Street. It opened on March 7, 2023 and features two performance rooms (Fat Man and Little Boy), a cocktail bar called Mitzi’s, and a regular schedule of stand-up shows and the live podcast Kill Tony.
Where is the Comedy Mothership in Austin?
The Comedy Mothership is at 320 E 6th Street, Austin, TX 78701 — in the heart of downtown Austin’s East 6th Street entertainment district. It’s within walking distance of dozens of hotels, bars, and restaurants.
How do I get Comedy Mothership tickets?
Tickets are sold exclusively through the official website at comedymothership.com/shows. Third-party resellers are not authorised and tickets purchased from Ticketmaster, StubHub, Vivid Seats, or similar sites will not be accepted at the door. Popular shows sell out quickly — check the website often and book as soon as tickets become available.
What is Kill Tony?
Kill Tony is a live stand-up comedy podcast hosted by Tony Hinchcliffe that films every Monday night at 8 PM in the Comedy Mothership’s Fat Man room. Aspiring comedians draw from a bucket for the chance to perform a 60-second set, after which the hosts interview and provide feedback. Celebrity guest co-hosts appear regularly. It’s one of the most popular comedy podcasts in the world and a must-see Austin experience. Tickets at comedymothership.com/killtony.
What is the age limit for Comedy Mothership?
The Comedy Mothership is 21+ only with no exceptions. A valid, physical government-issued ID is required for entry. Digital IDs are not accepted.
Can I take my phone into the Comedy Mothership?
No. Phones and smartwatches are placed in locked fabric pouches at the door before entry. You keep the pouch with you throughout the show and unlock it yourself once the performance ends. This is mandatory for all guests and applies to every show.
What are the best hotels near the Comedy Mothership?
The Comedy Mothership’s downtown location means dozens of hotels are within walking distance. The closest options include the Hyatt Centric Congress Avenue, Tommie Austin (JDV by Hyatt), Hilton Austin, and the JW Marriott Austin. See our downtown Austin hotels guide for a full breakdown with prices and recommendations.
More Austin Comedy & Entertainment Venues
- Cap City Comedy Club — Austin’s 40-year-old premier stand-up venue at The Domain, booking nationally recognised headliners weekly
- Esther’s Follies — Political satire, magic, and musical comedy on 6th Street since 1977; Austin’s most beloved live variety show
- The Creek and The Cave — Red River district comedy club with free local showcases and ticketed touring acts nearly every night
- Vulcan Gas Company — The legendary 1967–70 psychedelic rock venue on Congress Avenue that started Austin’s music culture