Comedy Nights This May In Melbourne

The people of Melbourne know how to have a good time, and they certainly know their comedy. From weekly nights to one-off specials, there’s always something to give you the giggles. Here’s some of the best comedy nights in Melbourne this May.

The Comic’s Lounge

At The Comic’s Lounge there are comedy nights running throughout the week, with regular events such as ‘Mad Mondays’ and Tuesday’s ‘Professional Comedians New Material’ nights. John Burgos and Doug Chappel host the ‘Mad Mondays’ event, where five guest comedians take part in live pranks with the help of a ‘Dare Guy’. Meanwhile, ‘Professional Comedians New Material’ on Tuesdays, sees the best and biggest names in Australian comedy grace the Comic’s Lounge stage to try out their new material. Join those in the audience to be the first to hear the latest jokes before they’re aired on television and radio. The show will give the opportunity to witness 10 comics each night, so there’s bound to be something in there to your taste.
26 Errol Street, North Melbourne
thecomicslounge.com.au

Russell Howard: Wonderbox

From 18th – 20th May, the UK’s Russell Howard will be in Melbourne performing his ‘Wonderbox’ stand up show as he embarks on his first ever Australian tour. At the Athenaeum Theatre on 18th and 19th, Russell will be bringing his style of comedy that has seen him shine in the spotlight in the UK, and, due to popular demand, a third Melbourne show has been announced for 20th May at Hamer Hall. The TV star promises to deliver his famous upbeat and razor sharp comedy, in what is his first major tour in nearly three years. Tickets are still available for his three nights in Melbourne, as well as on 16th & 17th May in Perth’s Regal Theatre, and 23rd May at the Enmore Theatre in Sydney.
Athenaeum Theatre, 188 Collins Street
Hamer Hall, Arts Centre Melbourne, 100 St Kilda Road
www.russell-howard.co.uk/splash

The Big Hoo-Haa!

If you’re a fan of improv comedy, then you should definitely be in the audience every Thursday from 8pm at The Big Hoo-Haa! Upstairs at the Portland Hotel, enjoy the best improv comedy in the state every week with a mix of improvised comedy, storytelling, singing and one-liners.
Originally put together by Sam Longley, the guru of improv comedy in Perth, moving to Melbourne, the night has grown in popularity and become a major event each week in comedy circles. Watch on as two teams battle it out to out-do each other with their on-the-spot material, taking inspiration from audience suggestions and props as they try to deliver the winning punchline. For $14pp, you get an evening of competitive comedy and you’re guaranteed to witness original material each time you visit.
Portland Hotel, Corner of Little Collins & Russell Streets
www.hoohaamelbourne.com.au

Open Mic Comedy at The Imperial

Enjoy watching newbies take to the stage or fancy doing it yourself? Open Mic Comedy at The Imperial is a laugh a minute from amateurs to experienced stand ups. Comedians sign up on the night and have just five minutes to make the crowd roar with laughter. Sign up begins at 8pm and the show kicks off just an hour later every Wednesday, including the welcome addition of Happy Hour drinks prices. Better yet, it’s all free, so come down and see what the budding Frankie Boyles or aspiring Jack Dees have to offer, then see whether you can compete, if you fancy it.
The Imperial Hotel, 2-8 Bourke Street
www.facebook.com/openmicimpy

Five Boroughs Comedy

Formerly known as ‘Softbelly Comedy’, Five Boroughs Comedy comes to the locals in Melbourne every Thursday night, bringing some of the finest acts in Australia. Thursdays at 8pm sees a host of Australia’s biggest comics such as Adam Hills, Wil Anderson, Charlie Pickering, Pete Helliar
and Claire Hooper, entertaining the Five Boroughs’ audience. More comics have been invited to the stage and the comedy night has grown in popularity in recent times. This is also a great venue for breakthrough acts, as it opens the stage to Melbourne’s newest faces in the comedy circuit, and you can enjoy a great meal from the seasonal tapas menu with a 1940 style cocktail before the night of fantastic comedy.
68 Hardware Lane
poprestaurant.com.au/upstairs-pop

Sugar Laughs

Tuesday night in the heart of Toorak is the go-to place for an evening of hilarious comedy. Sugar Lounge hosts the comedy night which is located in this prestigious suburb in Melbourne with Sugar Laughs, an evening of comedy that won’t cost you a cent! However, the last Tuesday of the month is a special showcase, when entry will cost $10, but well worth it we can assure you. Plus, you could be in luck to see some famous faces, when TV comedic personalities are invited to grace the Sugar Laughs’ stage. The comedy night runs during the bar’s Happy Hour from 7-9pm and $15
meal specials will fill you up during this evening of fun and debauchery.
8 Jackson Street, Toorak
www.acemelbourne.com.au/sugar

The Loading Dock Bar

This bar is bursting with activity and is located in a cool and trendy old garage. Entertaining local and international acts grace the stage at the free comedy nights on Tuesdays to make you cry with tears of laughter. For a euphoric atmosphere that’s full of flare, The Loading Dock is the perfect place to enjoy everyday witticism and clever pranks.
450 Elizabeth Street/117 Franklin Street, Melbourne
https://www.facebook.com/LoadingDock