This blog is one in a series aimed to help you have a comedy show at your bar, restaurant, corporate event, or bris.
One of the biggest misconceptions there is about being a stand-up comedian, is that we always perform at comedy clubs.
This is not the case.
We perform anywhere and everywhere that will book a comedian.
Corporate events, comedy clubs, coffee shops, theaters (if you’re lucky), microbreweries, and, yes, bars.
Want to skip the read? Just go over to my corporate page.
Comedy at a bar can be amazing, but it can also be dicey.
Here are a list of questions for any bar owner interested in comedy:
- Will you turn off the televisions?
- Will you charge a cover?
- Do you have a stage, and lights?
- (If not, is there an area (or corner) of the room that can be used without complication?)
- Do you have a PA system?
- Will you promote the show?
- Are your regulars on board with such shenanigans?
This is by no means a comprehensive list, but it is a good starting point.
Let’s go over them one by one.
Will you turn off the televisions?
This is more important that some people think. In many cases, bar owners, even though they’ve scheduled a comedy show, want to leave the TVs on, “For the customers not interested in comedy.”
This is a problem, because distractions kill a show.
Even if people aren’t actively watching the television, even if it’s muted, the flashing lights are noticeable. They draw the eye away from the stage, and the performer.
So, that said, televisions should be off.
“But what about customers that aren’t interested in comedy?”
I hear you, but you can’t always cater to everyone, at all times. If you have regulars that aren’t interested in a comedy night, sadly, maybe they should just stay home.
There is a notion that “the customer is always right.”
Having worked in the service industry, I’m here to tell you that that is absolutely not the case.
Anyone that’s going to raise a stink because they don’t get to watch whatever it is they want to watch because you’re offering live entertainment… Well, that person shouldn’t be there in the first place.
You want an invested audience; people that are looking for something different to do, because your town doesn’t have a dedicated comedy club. What you’re offering them is special.
And you know what? If they’re not into it, that’s OK. They can sit this one out.
But they shouldn’t be catered to or pandered to.
If you are having a comedy show, that should be your focus for the evening.
Watch a one-hour special of mine.
This actually leads to the next question: Will you charge a cover?
More often than you’d think, a bar thinks that offering the show for free automatically means they’ll get a bigger crowd.
That’s a maybe, at best.
But even if it does mean “more people,” it doesn’t mean “better comedy. show.”
For a show to be valuable, people have to be invested in it. That means, they have to have reached into their wallet, pulled out a couple bucks, and put their hard-earned money on the line.
A free show means people don’t take what they’re seeing seriously.
(An odd comment, yes, given that we’re talking about comedy.)
When you give something away for free, possibly under the guise of, “I’ll make my money selling drinks,” you devalue it.
Remember what The Joker said, “If you’re good at something, never do it for free.”
*JOKER PIC*
(Side note: that’s not always true. Full disclosure, in my mind, I actually do perform for free. I take a fee for the time and effort spent traveling to a gig, but the performance itself? That’s free, because of the other saying, “Do what you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life.”
True.
The “work” in comedy is all the behind-the-scenes effort. Basically, getting work. You’d think comedy would be a merit-based industry, but it’s not. Laughter and originality get you nowhere. But I digress.)
Point is, you want to charge something.
Make it an amount that’s worth your while.
$3? That makes no sense.
$5? More acceptable.
$10? That’s pretty good.
If you get 50 people in your door at $10 a pop, that’s $500, and should cover the cost of your comedian.
Anything above that, and, well, you’re running the risk of people staying home and watching Netflix. If you think you can charge $25 for a comedy night, you’re probably mistaken.
Next Question: Are you going to promote the show?
This is a big one.
In my career as a professional joke-slinger, I’ve seen more comedy clubs go under, simply because they didn’t promote themselves.
They thought being the only comedy club in town would be enough to be successful, or that having a sandwich board out front that read, “Comedy!” was a selling point.
Comedy is a rough business, and you have to get the word out.
Luckily, in today’s day and age, you can use technology to target your audience.
All we hear about is how social media platforms are stealing our data, but think of how valuable that is for both parties?
You can use social media to target specific areas. Not just physical location, advertising within a certain zip code or radius around your business, but interests and hashtags.
You can target people who say they are interested in comedy, and who live near your business.
Instead of spending thousands of dollars on hit-and-miss blanket advertising on television, you can spend tens of dollars (literally, only ten dollars, if you choose) creating an ad that will be seen by a very specific demographic.
You know fifteen-year-old teenagers aren’t allowed in your business, so you can exclude them from your advertising parameters.
You know (most) seventy-to-ninety-year-olds won’t be dropping by, so you can place them outside your advertising circle.
You can have your comedy ad seen by exactly who needs to see it.
Will they respond?
Well, that’s another question.
But you won’t be swinging blindly, and that’s important.
The final couple questions are pretty similar: do you have a stage, lights, and PA system?
If you don’t, some comedians will bring them.
Yes, there’s usually an added fee, but it’s easier to rent from them than from a local music store.
(It’s probably cheaper, too.)
ARE YOU STILL READING? WELL, I’VE GOT A SECRET FOR YOU…
I’ve been doing some research, and apparently if you drop a TON of blogs at the same time, about the same topic, it’s gonna boost your webpage.
So that’s what I’m doing here.
I’m churning out a massive word salad in the hopes of gaining a few Google hits.
But, here’s the thing: I’ve been a comedian for quite a while now.
I’ve performed at A-list comedy clubs, dingy one-night bars, for American troops stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan…
I’ve performed for more corporate events than you can shake a stick at, and for high school after proms.
I’ve released eight albums, one of which made it into the iTunes top 20 on their comedy chart, gained over 280,000 followers across social media, over 100,000,000 views on YouTube, and have written four books.
I’ve got a Disney Clean act (about 20 minutes), a PG act (45 minutes to an hour), PG-13, (hour and 15 minutes) and then a no-holds barred act that can go for two hours.
What comedy show do I pitch to most corporate clients?
The 30-minute act.
And guess what?
I take less money for that one.
Yup, you read that right: I push my least expensive package.
Why?
Because corporate events are about socialization.
You have dinner, a few drinks, maybe a giveaway or awards presentation, and then comedy becomes a nice cherry atop the sundae that is your event.
I’ve no problem performing for an hour, but I’ve found that 30-minutes is fairly Goldilocks: not too long, not too short, just right.
Yes, I’m shooting myself in the foot financially by offering less time for less money, but making you the happiest client you can be is my main goal.
What do I pitch most bars that are interested in a comedy show?
About an hour.
If corporate events are about visiting, bar events are about keeping the customer focused, and happy.
And, yes, drinking.
Because alcohol makes people happy (not really. It’s a depressant that elevates the happy if you’re already in a happy mood), and alcohol sales help the bottom line.
(Sometimes, they are the bottom line. Alcohol keeps businesses in the black, and that’s a good thing. Unless you’re a daycare.)
Anyway, because algorithms like 2,200-word essays (blogs), I’m gonna keep writing, but from here on out there’s a lot (and I mean a lot) of redundancy.
For some reason, Google thinks longer is better.
I looked up some example blogs, and wow…
They’re awful.
Like, as bad as the one you’re (probably not) reading right now, but without the personality.
AI probably wrote those other blogs. Meanwhile, I’m watching Archer and trying to milk a few hundred words out of a tired premise.
Maybe Google is reacting to TikTok, and the whole ‘Short Attention Span Theater’ spell the world is under.
Since the world is going in one direction, Google is going in the other direction.
If you’d like to pull the trigger and book me, or shoot me a message and ask a few questions, just open up your email and type in comedian.nathan.timmel (at symbol) gmail.com, and fire off your inquiry.
(Sorry, I can’t make it an active email/link, because those ever-present bots get to spamming, and no one likes an inbox filled with junk.)
Anyway, thanks for making it this far!
Now, back to the pitch, with the final 600 words having been written by ChatGPT.
Because I’m tired, and my brain hurts.
(Note: I just looked it over, and yeah… It’s pretty sterile. And fill with quite a few errors. I’ve corrected a couple, but I’m letting the rest stand. Just to show the world that AI won’t be taking over any time soon.)
Why A Live Stand-Up Comedy Show Is Good for You
Few experiences match the thrill of live stand-up comedy. It’s one thing to watch a comedy special from the comfort of your couch, but being in a room where laughter spreads like wildfire is an entirely different vibe. Attending a live stand-up show offers more than just entertainment; it actually has a few scientifically-backed benefits for both your mind and body.
Laughter: The Best Medicine
The old adage “laughter is the best medicine” has scientific grounding. When you laugh, your brain releases endorphins, those “feel-good” hormones that boost your mood and reduce stress. A study published by the Mayo Clinic explains that laughter can stimulate your organs, improve your immune system, and even relieve pain temporarily in a comedy club surrounded by others chuckling and clapping reinforces this effect, making you feel happier and more relaxed, even after the show is over.
Comedy as Stress Relief
Daily life can be stressful, and a night out at a comedy club provides an instant getaway. According to research, laughter reduces levels of the stress hormone cortisol. Just by attending a live comedy show, you’re effectively lowering your stress levels and taking a mental break from whatever worries you might have left at the door. Plus, laughter can shift your perspective. When comedians poke fun at life’s struggles, it reminds you not to take things too seriously and shows you a humorous side to otherwise challenging situations.
Building Connections and Community
Comedy shows are typically social affairs, offering a great opportunity to bond with friends or meet new people. Shared laughter fosters a sense of camaraderie and connection. In fact, psychologists have found that laughing together strengthens relationships and can even increase the attractiveness of potential partners, according to a study published in the journal Evolution and Human Behavior, When strangers laugh together, there’s an unspoken connection. You leave the venue with more than just fond memories; you’ve also participated in a small but meaningful experience of togetherness.
Cognitive Benefits: Thinking on Your Feet
Comedy requires quick wit and mental agility, and the experience of watching live comedy can keep you mentally sharp. Comedians often interact with the audience, adjusting their jokes or improvising based on crowd reactions. As an audience member, you’re actively processing these quips, twists, and punchlines, keeping your brain engaged and responsive. Research has shown that humor and cognitive flexibility are linked, meaning that your brain benefits from the spontaneity and quick wit of live comedy. Plus, trying to guess the punchline or understanding a complex joke can stimulate the brain, much like solving a puzzle.
Getting Out of Your Comfort Zone
Watching live stand-up often means you’re in for a few surprises. The spontaneity of live performances, with potential hecklers or unexpected audience interactions, keeps you on your toes and outside your comfort zone. This can be a fun way to build resilience in social settings, learning to go with the flow and adapt when things don’t follow a set script. For those who shy away from the spotlight, just being in the audience of a lively show can help build comfort in social scenarios and encourage openness to new experiences.
Humor is Contagious
Live comedy is a full-body experience. When the people around you are laughing, it’s hard not to join in. This contagious nature of laughter can lift your spirits, even if you walked into the show feeling a bit down. The vibe of a comedy club, especially as comedians pick up on audience energy, creates a feedback loop that heightens the experience for everyone. Studies have shown that laughter, even when forced, can lead to genuine feelings of happiness, so even if you’re not in the mood for jokes initially, a night at a comedy club is likely to lift your spirits.
Conclusion
Attending a live stand-up comedy show is much more than a night of laughter. It has real benefits, from reducing stress and boosting your mood to building connections with others. Whether you’re laughing at the ridiculousness of everyday life or bonding over shared humor with strangers, live comedy offers a blend of fun and wellness. So next time you’re wondering what to do on a Friday night, consider hitting up a comedy club—you’ll leave with a lighter heart and maybe even a new perspective on life.
Image by Cornelia Schneider-Frank, from Pixabay