Central Oregonians are a happy bunch, and that shines through in our love of comedy. In recent years, local venues have fostered a thriving stand-up and improvisational scene. Volcanic Theatre Pub, one of the area’s busiest live music venues, is also first in Bendites’ minds for Where to GO! for a night of yuks.

Let’s not beat around the bush: This is an odd result. Five years in, Volcanic Theatre Pub has become indispensable to the local art scene thanks to near-nightly events featuring live music, film or theater. The occasional comedian on a bill at VTP isn’t unheard of, but not particularly common. That said, acts such as Okilly Dokilly, Metalachi and Mac Sabbath, as well as owner Derek Sitter’s theatrical productions (in particular his raunchy takes on David Sedaris’ “Santaland Diaries”) have brought some (often twisted) levity to the stage over the years.

Contact: 70 SW Century Drive, Bend; 541-323-1881

No. 2: Bend Comedy/SEVEN Restaurant and Nightclub

No. 3: Tower Theatre

Honorable mention: 2nd Street Theater