Opened:

1981

Location:

New York, New York

Overview:

Billing itself as "America's Premier Comedy Nightclub," Carolines on Broadway (more commonly referred to simply as Carolines) has been offering live stand-up comedy since 1981. Carolines is also somewhat unique in that it offers live stand-up 365 days a year. Comedians who have appeared on the Carolines stage include Chris Rock, Janeane Garofalo, Margaret Cho, Dane Cook and Lewis Black, among others.

History:

Carolines was originally opened as a cabaret nightclub in Chelsea, New York in 1981. Owner Caroline Hirsch began booking comedians to appear at the club (including Jerry Seinfeld and Rosie O'Donnell) and, before long, Carolines was a full-time comedy club. It quickly became one of the biggest and most popular comedy clubs in New York during the stand-up boom of the '80s. The club was so successful that a new space was needed.

New Digs:

By the late 1980s and early '90s, Carolines needed a larger room. A new location opened at New York's South Street Seaport, where the club continued to thrive and grow. The A&E cable network began broadcasting Caroline's Comedy Hour from the Seaport location. And, as the club became bigger than ever, a larger space -- and the club's third move -- became necessary.

Next Stop, Broadway:

Carolines finally settled into its third and final location in Times Square in 1992. The new 300-seat club received the American Institute of Architecture Award for Best Interior Club Design.

A&E's popular Caroline's Comedy Hour continued to broadcast from the new location, and eventually won a Cable ACE Award for Best Stand-up Comedy Series.

New Talent at Carolines:

In 1993, Carolines introduced its New Talent Night, which provides new comedians a chance to perform on the Carolines stage and gain industry exposure. Comics performing at New Talent Night are considered for spots at the New York Comedy Festival, as well as the Montreal Comedy Festival, the Aspen Comedy Festival and the NBC show Last Comic Standing. Comedians who first appeared at New Talent Night include Jim Gaffigan, Greg Giraldo.

Looking Ahead:

In 2008, Carolines announced it would be introducing a new feature called "Carolines on Broadband." The site will include original programming and exclusive web content. Visitors to the site will also be able to upload their own jokes and videos, similar to sites like YouTube or FunnyorDie.

Check Carolines Official Website or the MySpace page for updates and information about upcoming shows.

Additional Facts:

• Comedians Bill Hicks and Mitch Hedberg both performed their last shows at Carolines before passing away.