If laughter truly is the best medicine, then the Punch Line comedy club should be a pharmacy for Sacramento State students.

Located in the Howe ‘Bout Arden Shopping Center, the Punch Line is a popular yet somewhat hidden hideaway for those looking to escape the monotony of school, work and everything in between. The first thing I noticed about the Punch Line was that its location was not obvious. The club is located up a set of stairs and down a hallway. Luckily, if you get lost you can simply follow the sound of laughter echoing from the club.

The club presents a very inviting and relaxing atmosphere. It is quite spacious and has plenty of tables and chairs for groups of all sizes. Upon entering, I noticed an entire wall covered with pictures of past comedians who have graced the stage at the Punch Line and at their second location in San Francisco also called the Punch Line. Dave Chappelle, Dane Cook, George Lopez, Wayne Brady, Dave Attell, Lewis Black, Wanda Sykes, Jim Brewer, and Damon Wayans are just a few of the famous comedians who have visited the Punch Line at some point in their careers.

Opposite the stage, the Punch Line has a rather large bar where the average cost of a beer is $5. A surprisingly full menu boasts everything from soups, salads, and sandwiches to pizzas, appetizers, and desserts. The average cost of a dinner item was about $8.

The stage itself is only accessible via the main floor. In other words, the comedian gets to the stage by walking through the crowd and onto the stage rather than coming in from behind a curtain. The club itself is dimly lit, but the stage attracts the eye’s attention even before any comedian is present. The wall behind the stage features a brightly colored mural of popular Sacramento buildings that caught my attention. All in all, I found the club to be aesthetically pleasing and calming.

“We have a dedication to comedy, a comfortable comedy-oriented atmosphere, and we have the highest level of comedians,” Nick Moss, assistant manager, said. “That sets us apart [from other comedy clubs].”

Not only is the Punch Line a great place to hang out if you’re 18 and over, says Moss, but it is also a great place for aspiring comedians to get some experience while simultaneously pursing a college degree. I went to the Punch Line on a Wednesday night, and not only were most of the guests college students, but so too were some of the comedians.

“[The crowds] are very diverse. It changes depending on the comics,” said general staff member Tracy Underwood.

Underwood, an employee at the Punch Line for 12 years, said that the club has seen some huge crowds, but some of its largest crowds have come when past winners of the NBC show “Last Comic Standing” have performed.

Even when the Punch Line isn’t showcasing some of their “A-list” talent, there is a lot of fun to be had. Some of the comedians I saw were amateurs while others were seasoned vets; the majority of them were very funny. Although I went to the Punch Line in a fairly bad mood, I left feeling much better after having laughed constantly for about two hours.

The crowd that night was supportive and no one was negative or disruptive. Chris Storin, a regular comedian at the Punch Line, said the crowds are one of the things he loves the most about performing there.

“I like response. You say ‘hey’ and they respond; they adapt to you,” Storin said.

Still, there are times when certain people in the crowd can get out of hand.

“It depends on how much liquor people drink. They might heckle the comedians,” said head doorman Jason Marquis, “They see people on TV so they think it’s OK.”

Drinking is definitely encouraged at the Punch Line. My biggest problem with the club is their two-drink minimum. On top of that, I paid with my debit card, which meant that I had to spend a minimum of $10. So, even though I bought two sodas, which totaled about $6, I had to give a $4 tip just to make the $10 minimum. I felt slightly better considering that their staff was very helpful and attentive.

If you’re looking for a cheap night out, Wednesday nights at the Punch Line are College Nights where all college students get 2-for-1 admission with their valid school I.D.

If your favorite comedian is not coming to the Punch Line anytime soon, I would recommend stopping by on a Wednesday. The comedians might not be as famous, but it’s still a lot of fun and it’s also a nice place to unwind.

The Punch Line in Sacramento has one show on Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday starting at 8:30 p.m. There are two shows on Friday and Saturday starting at 8:30 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.

Brandon Fleshman can be reached at [email protected]