“I think Perth's got a better scene than the rest of Australia,” tells Comedy Lounge owner/operator John McAllister on the eve of its opening. Perth has finally scored its very first purpose-built comedy venue, designed for “the ultimate comedy experience”.
The intimate 200-capacity space has a low stage, bar to the side and table seating, tiered from low tables at the front to high bar tables at the back.
“The low stage height gives you great eye contact with the comedians and the bar at the back can be curtained off so its open during shows but not distracting for the performers or audience,” he explains.
“When it’s vibing it’s like the very best comedy clubs in London or New York - the kind you might picture from having watched episodes of Seinfeld.”
The inspiration behind Comedy Lounge largely comes from the aforementioned talent McAllister mentioned. “The Perth scene I think is so much more diverse and with the tyranny of distance comes a freedom to be original,” he tells.
“My wife, Jane, and I travelled to some of the best comedy clubs around Australia and the world to make sure we got ours right and what was comforting was realising not just how well Perth comedians measure up but actually how much funnier some of our home-grown favourites are.
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“If the new Comedy Lounge has a role to play other than entertaining the people of Perth (and its visitors) with the best comics from Australia and the world, it’s providing a place to hone their craft for the next generation of household names.”
Comedy Lounge Perth will host a range of comedy offerings several nights per week, all year round, with their early evening show on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Six In The City, catering to the after-work crowd and showcasing six comedians, while the 8pm show the same nights, Live Laughs, will be feature longer sets and include visiting guest comedian.
There’ll also be late night drag shows, cabaret variety, sketch and improve and more. “There's a huge amount of scope and potential really, based on what Perth tell us is its current appetite for laughter,” he tells. “We think they're pretty hungry for it.
“Ultimately, it’s a place comedians want to perform at and audiences can have plenty of fun at, several nights a week.”
Head to the Comedy Lounge website for more info and a list of upcoming shows.
