So you’ve heard about the NYC South Asian Comedy Festival. Maybe a friend sent you the lineup. Maybe you Googled “desi comedy NYC October” and ended up here. Either way — welcome. Here’s everything you need to know before you buy your tickets.
The Short Version
Three nights. Five shows. Three Manhattan venues. 40+ South Asian comedians from across the US and beyond. October 16–18, 2026. New York City’s first dedicated South Asian comedy festival.
Now the longer version.
The Shows, Night by Night
Friday, October 16 — Best of NYC
7:00 PM | Lofte 23, 22 West 23rd St, Manhattan
The festival opens with the Best of NYC show — a showcase of the sharpest South Asian comedians working the New York circuit right now. This is the room where you’ll see comedians who’ve been grinding the city’s open mics and club stages and are ready to be seen at full power. If you want to discover your next favorite comedian, start here.
Saturday, October 17 — Brown Unhinged + Roast Battle
7:00 PM & 9:00 PM | Broadway Comedy Club, 318 W 53rd St, Manhattan
Saturday is a double-header at Broadway Comedy Club — one of Manhattan’s most storied comedy rooms. The 7 PM show, Brown Unhinged, is exactly what it sounds like: a no-filter, fully unleashed South Asian comedy showcase for an adult audience. Expect material that would make your parents uncomfortable in the best possible way.
At 9 PM, the Roast Battle begins. India vs Pakistan vs Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka — four countries, four comedians, one stage, and whatever the South Asian equivalent of trash talk is. (It’s basically the same. Maybe with more aunties referenced.) This show has its own energy and honestly sells itself.
Sunday, October 18 — Family Friendly + Desi Women Takeover
7:00 PM & 9:00 PM | Top Secret Comedy Club, Manhattan
Sunday closes the festival with two shows at Top Secret Comedy Club. The 7 PM Family Friendly Comedy Show is the one you can actually bring your parents, your kids, and your in-laws to — clean material, big laughs, no explaining to do on the way home. The 9 PM Desi Women Takeover is an all-women South Asian lineup that is long overdue and genuinely exciting. South Asian women in comedy have been doing remarkable work for years; this show gives them the full stage.
The Venues
All three venues are in Manhattan and easily accessible by subway. Broadway Comedy Club (53rd St) and Top Secret Comedy Club are both in or near Midtown. Lofte 23 (West 23rd St) is in Chelsea. None of these require a car. All three have bars.
Who Is This Festival For?
Honestly? Everyone. The South Asian diaspora in New York — Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Sri Lankan, Nepali, Afghan communities — will feel the most immediate pull of recognition. But great comedy is great comedy, and these shows are built for anyone who wants a night out at a comedy club that doesn’t feel like the same show you’ve seen a hundred times.
The Family Friendly show is genuinely all-ages. The other four shows are for adults. If you’re bringing people who aren’t South Asian, they will be fine — and they’ll probably text you afterward about how good it was.
Tips for First-Timers
- Buy tickets in advance. These shows will sell. Broadway Comedy Club rooms fill up fast.
- Arrive 15–20 minutes early. Comedy club seating is usually first-come.
- The two-drink minimum is real at most of these venues. Budget accordingly. The drinks are fine.
- Phones down during the show. These comedians have earned your full attention.
- Saturday is the busiest night. If you want a slightly less crowded experience, Friday’s Best of NYC show is the move.
Questions?
Check our FAQ page — we’ve answered the common ones. For everything else, reach out through the contact form on the site.