Mondays at Mirthquake, an ongoing live comedy night in the Richmond, doors around 7pm with $5 drinks at the bar — check SFFuncheap for the current address, as the venue has moved before. Rush Hour Comedy Night at The Function bills SF's best Black and Asian comedians; show times vary, so confirm before you go. Golden Gate Comedy Night runs as SF's self-described most intimate club setup, meaning a small room, close seats, and nowhere to hide if your phone lights up.

What separates these three: Rush Hour is the showcase format, rotating lineup, crowd that shows up to be loud. Golden Gate is the sit-down-and-pay-attention room. Mirthquake is the neighborhood bar version — $5 drinks, a Monday, the kind of crowd that actually wants to be there on a weeknight. Each serves a different appetite.

Practical notes: Richmond parking is easier on Clement side streets than on Geary. For The Function, check the venue's Instagram the day of — lineups sometimes shift. BART to Civic Center or 16th/Mission depending on which show you're hitting; bus options vary by neighborhood.

If you've got two hours, pick based on energy level: want to sit and focus, go Golden Gate. Want a drink and a laugh without making it a whole thing, Mirthquake on a Monday is the move.