What to do on a Friday night?
You could go to a bar and get drunk on obscenely priced cocktails. (Nah.)
You could go to a movie. (Eh, there's nothing good out.)
Or you could go to a comedy show. (Go on...)
There are several traditional stand-up and improv places out there, including DC Improv, The Capitol Steps (political humor), Riot Act, and The Comedy Zone. It is important to note, however, that these places have a two drink/item minimum. Which means that you'll be paying for your ticket as well as two ridiculously overpriced drinks per person. Sometimes these places will be on the coupon sites.
There is a place, however, that does improv but has no minimum. It is called The Comedy Spot in Ballston, Virginia. They have two shows: Comedy Sportz (family friendly) and the Blue Show (not... family friendly).
The show is similar to the TV show "Whose Line Is It Anyway?", with actors on stage getting suggestions and guidance from the audience to shape the skits.
Tickets are only $15, and buy-one-get-one-free for college students. A little more than a movie ticket (though really not by much), and you get a live show!
How to get there:
Driving- It is in the Ballston Mall, so park in the garage (it'll only be a couple dollars) and go to the top floor by the movie theater.
Metro- It is off of the Ballston metro stop on the orange line. After you walk up the escalator keep walking through the glass doors. Go up a skinny escalator. Keep walking straight. You'll go over a couple covered walkways. Seriously just keep going straight/look for signs to the mall. You'll get there. Once in the mall go up the escalator one more floor, do a U-ie and you're right there.
The Blue Show starts after most of the mall has closed, but there are still a few restaurants open on the bottom floor. And Cold Stone Creamery.
