Best comedy club
Every Thursday night at the Cantab Lounge, Central Square's multifarious dive, the Tribe holds court. Started in 2003 as an artists' collaborative, the Tribe seeks to support creativity and generate audiences, making a name for itself and its artists on the local and national arts-community stages. And it seems to be succeeding: last year the Tribe won in our readers' poll as best-kept secret. This year it gets the nod for best comedy in Cambridge. Its weekly showcase at the Cantab, "The Tribe Presents," includes four half-hour slots filled with some of the funniest, fringiest comedy you'll find. There are improv-comedy ensembles, stand-up comics, and sketch-comedy teams. And occasionally you'll see a short film or a music group. "Gather 'round," goes the tagline, and it appears folks are doing just that.

The Cantab's Tribe is still in the up-and-coming stage, but across the river in Boston, the Comedy Connection caters to the already up-and-come. Connection alumni are a who's who of funny: Chris Rock, Dave Chappelle, Kevin Nealon, and Steve Sweeney have all performed here. And Phoenix readers aren't the only ones laughing: USA Today voted the Connection the best comedy club in the country. The Quincy Market joint boasts that it's the only comedy club in Boston with reserved seating; that there's not a bad seat in the house; that there's never any waiting outside in the cold; and that there are local and national acts every night of the week.

The Tribe at the Cantab Lounge, 738 Mass Ave, Cambridge, (617) 354-2685; Comedy Connection, 245 Quincy Market, Faneuil Hall, Boston, (617) 248-9700, www.comedyconnection.com.