Detroit's comedy scene runs on defiance. The city that everyone wrote off kept its stages lit anyway. Corktown rooms draw crowds who stayed when others left—they laugh harder because they chose to be here. Midtown hosts the young energy, artists and students building something from the wreckage. The open mic circuit here rewards authenticity over polish. Eastern Market and Mexicantown book the diverse crowds. Hamtramck brings the immigrant energy. What Detroit offers is permission: to be raw, to be angry, to be funny about things that aren't supposed to be funny.