HEAD AWAY FROM THE BIG CASINOS TO FIND THE NEXT BIG (FUNNY) THING

Everyone loves a good laugh, right? Vegas has its share – you’ve got legends like Jerry Seinfeld at Caesars Palace and the Aces of Comedy series regularly features the likes of Jay Leno and George Lopez.

But if you’re looking for fresh standup, you should explore the low-key spots where the next generation of Very Funny People are plying their hilarious craft.

Putting the ‘D’ in ‘Downtown’

Downtown Las Vegas is known for its loose slots, hipster bars and vintage vibe. But it’s only recently that the standup scene has found a foothold in the city’s urban core. Jokesters Comedy Club, located inside The D (as in “Detroit,” not any other “D” you’re thinking of), features comics seven nights a week at 10 p.m. Jokesters bills itself as “racy, raunchy and definitely dirty,” but a little blue humor never hurt anyone. For more belly-laughs downtown, head to the WE Funny Comedy Show at Inspire Theatre has showcased both local talent and visiting guests like Justin Rupple, Teddy Tutson and Steven Briggs.

Late night laughs

Named “Best Place to Catch Rising Comics” by Las Vegas Weekly, the Dirty at 12:30 is a free stand-up comedy show that takes residence every Friday at midnight inside the Grandview Lounge at the South Point Hotel and Casino. Sure, South Point has a Las Vegas Boulevard address, but don’t be fooled: It’s so far south, the hotel is practically closer to L.A. than it is to the Strip. However, that doesn’t diminish the talent-drawing power of this unlikely comedic hot bed: Past guests include Chris Porter from Last Comic Standing; Chris Guerra from Gabriel Iglesias’ Stand-Up Revolution; and Joey Medina from Latin Kings of Comedy.

Have mic, will funny

Open-mic nights abound in the Vegas Valley. Sure, you’re as likely to find the next Demetri Martin as you are an abandoned jackpot under your liquor-soaked bar stool, but for the low cover price of zero dollars, the yucks-to-bucks ratio is likely to tilt in your favor. Besides, hitting a dive bar for open-mic stand-up might be one of the best ways to experience Vegas the way the locals do: Or at least the way local drunks do.

PJ Perez is a longtime Las Vegas resident who has been writing about his adopted hometown for a variety of travel guides, websites and magazines since the 1990s, which isn’t possible, because he’s not that old.