Founded in 1974, "The Improv" on Melrose (more formally known as "The Improvisation") may well be the biggest comedy club in L.A.  Just about every big name in town has played the Improv, including Steve Martin, Richard Pryor, Woody Allen, Robin Williams, Jerry Seinfeld, David Letterman, Bill Cosby, Chevy Chase, Milton Berle, Dudley Moore, Lily Tomlin, Jay Leno,
	Billy Crystal, Dana Carvey, Drew Carey, Joan Rivers, David Steinberg, the Smothers Bros., George Carlin, Steve Allen, Redd Foxx, David Brenner, Richard Lewis, Dick Cavett, Freddy Prinze, Rodney Dangerfield, Robert Klein, Phyllis Diller, Marty Feldman, Martin Mull, David Spade... even Liza Minnelli.

Jim Carrey actually bombed here on his first appearance! Unlike the other L.A. clubs, it boasts a thriving restaurant (called "Hell's Kitchen") and bar, featuring Italian entrees named after comedy stars, such as "Billy Crystal's Gnocchi Alla Bolognese" and "Tim Allen's Eggplant Parmigiana."

In fact, before getting their big breaks, actresses Debra Winger and Karen Black actually worked as waitresses here.

In August of 2002, the Improv celebrated its 40th anniversary, and the comedy stars who showed up included Jay Leno, Ray Romano, Arsenio Hall, D.L. Hughley, Tim Allen, Lily Tomlin and Adam Sandler.

(Cover varies.)

The Improv even has its own comedy traffic school!

 Getting there: The Improv is located on the south side of Melrose Avenue, two blocks west of Crescent Heights, (between Fairfax & La Cienega) near Fred Segal.