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“The CBGB’s of contemporary New York comedy”
The Village Voice
“…performing arts venue that has become a hub for New York City’s independent comedy scene…”
The Comic’s Comic
Word of mouth has been kind, and the Creek and the Cave has become a known stop on the stand-up and improv circuits.
Featured in New York Times
…the Creek offers a multitude of ways for comedians to get involved
Time Out New York
Rising star Donald Glover — recently listed by Rolling Stone among the hottest comics under 30 — honed his skills as a regular at The Creek and The Cave.
Featured in NY Daily News
by Rebecca Trent, owner

The Creek and The Cave is proud to have paved the way for comedy in Long Island City. After all, we are the funniest neighborhood in Queens! We grew from a sprawling dive bar that was open 6 days a week to come to be named “The gem of the Queens comedy scene” by Time Out New York.”

On January 5th, 2005, I was meeting a man about a play and stumbled into this amazing oasis for creativity. I hadn’t so much as poured a pint of beer or served a plate of food before I came to The Creek and The Cave, and yet eighteen months later I became its proprietress.

The Creek and The Cave quickly evolved into a development space for some of the best comedians that New York City has to offer. Louis C.K. dropped in awhile back, Colin Quinn developed his internationally touring one man show Unconstitutional here, James Adomian continues to be a regular on Comedy Bang Bang and Donald Glover (NBC’s Community, Childish Gambino), an original Creek comedian says, “I had a lot of firsts here. I did my first stand up here. My first live concert was here. The Creek changed my life. I wouldn’t be here without you and your influence.”

Creek performers continue to bring laughs to our stage in Queens, while also debuting in your living room. Sean Patton and Jay Larson are currently filming Esquire Network’s Best Bars of America (which featured The Creek and The Cave in it’s New York episode), Seaton Smith will be on Fox’s Mulaney, and Michelle Wolf, Nick Turner, Michael Che, Lucas Brothers, Michael Lawrence, Mike Recine and many more Creek regulars have recently enjoyed Late Night spots. The Creek also showcases talent for the Montreal Just for Laughs, SXSW, Cape Fear Comedy, Accidental Comedy, Hell Yes, New York Comedy, and Northside Festivals.

The Creek is now open 7 days a week and offers 150+ live events a month (including the award wining Week at the Creek), boasts 8 pinball machines, is host to a podcast network (cavecomedyradio.com) of over 20 weekly shows, regularly tours the country as CreekCaveLive and is home to culinary treats such as Churros Ice Cream Sandwiches, Praline Bacon and some of the tastiest California Style Mexican this side of the Mississippi. Come Eat Drink Play and Laugh with us! As Andrew W.K. said, “It’s all going down at one of the best bars in Long Island City, The Creek and The Cave, which has rightly earned its nickname “the CBGB’s of comedy.”

Check Out Rebecca’s appearance on “The Comedy Nerds” podcast to hear more discussion about the Creek

The Creek Awards

Each summer, the Creek and the Cave hosts the Creek Awards, a convivial gathering of the scene to review the year prior and hand out awards. The highlight is a keynote, given by a distinguished comedian each year. In 2014, we were fortunate enough to have Ted Alexandro deliver it. In 2013, Mike Lawrence delivered it, and you can read his remarks here