Sydney's top 10 comedy venues
Sure, we all like to laugh - but sometimes you want something more specific. Established acts? Up-and-comers? Open mic? Let us direct you where you wanna go.
By Andrew P Street
Andrew P Street finds something to cater to every comedic taste. All you have to do is complete the following sentence: "I wanna see me some... "
1 "...quality open mic!"
Friend In Hand
The Mic In Hand is a Glebe comedy institution for its welcoming, give-it-a-good-shot attitude and its impressive strike rate of high quality funny. Not only does it bring the funny from eight of Sydney's best up-and-comers every Thursday night, it's also the place of choice for high profile comics to try out their new material - so you're likely to get a preview of one of next year's biggest comedy shows.
2 "...international stars!"
Comedy Store
The Sydney Comedy Store offers up the cream of the touring comics. Century Venues (who also run the Metro, the Enmore Theatre and Factory Theatre – all of whom also host their share of comedians) have taken over the old girl and have been delivering surperb comedy since November 2008. They're also the folks behind the Sydney Comedy Festival, so expect to see many of the stars on the Store's bill.
3 "...comedy with a gladitorial element!"
Roxbury Hotel
The Rox has loads of comedy and cabaret, but their absolute don't-miss is the regular Red Card Comedy nights. Up to a dozen comedians get up with their best three minutes but – and here's where the cards come in – they have to win over the three judges from the audience, each of whom has a red card to hold up if they're not impressed. Two cards go up – one comedian leaves the stage. As a showcase of local comedy it's brilliant, but as an insight into human nature it's downright harrowing.
4 "...improvised comedy and theatresports!"
Puppy Fight Social Club
With their mix of on-the-fly improv comedy,
regular guest slots from touring comics and hilarious hip hop beats,
PFSC have swiftly become Sydney's favourite improv night out.
5 "...no-nonsense stand up!"
The Laugh Garage, Sydney
The Laugh Garage in the city has been set up in the spirit of the classic comedy clubs around the world: a stage, a red curtain, and a mic. As befits a venue founded by Darren Sanders (a man who's certainly done the hard yards as a touring stand-up) it's unfussy, unpretentious, and concentrates almost entirely on good old-fashioned stand-up comedy in the classic mould.
6 "...comedy in chi-chi surrounds!"
Marble Bar
It's not just one of Sydney's most historically interesting venues, or one of the CBD's most gorgeous bars – these days it's also Tuesday night's home of stand-up. MC Dave Smeidt keep the funny going with a range of good locals and occasional touring artists.
7 "...comedy performed in a rock'n'roll environment!"
The Gaelic
Sure, you've attended the Gaelic Theatre primarily for kick-ass rock gigs - but they've recently expanded the brief to include damn near everything: dance parties, burlesque nights, and - best of all, for our purposes - quality comedy from big-name locals, touring acts and their monthly Off the Cuff improvisational comedy night.
8 "...comedy performed in a competitive, gladiatorial spirit!"
Star Bar
Each year 35 comedians go head to head across ten weeks of competition at the former Planet Hollywood, with one of them walking away with $3,000 in cash and prizes. And you have complete control over their fate, since the whole thing is determined by audience votes. You'll be like some sort of comedy god, meting out humour-specific judgement. It happens every Friday night from 8pm, so rock up and get voting.
9 "...comedy while I enjoy a meal!"
The Fringe Bar
While dinner and a show is hardly a unique concept, the Fringe Bar serve up fine dining in Greenwich Village-esque surrounds – perfect for the sort of urbane comedians that they throw up for your entertainment every Monday night. It also boasts a decent wine list – which enhances the comedy, obviously.
10 "...bingo!"
Sandringham Hotel
On the last(ish) Monday of every month the Sando holds its bingo night, with a hearty serving of comedy thrown in. It's free to observe the open mic downstairs, but it'll cost you $10 to compete upstairs on the field of bingo. Start preparing your witty "legs-eleven"-style rejoinders now, would-be comic bingoers and bingettes!
