You’ve just ended a gruelling 44-hour workweek, plagued with nothing but an ever-piling in-tray that has by now earned a permanent spot at the back of your mind. All you can dream of now is to rally a few buddies, and hit up your favourite watering holes downtown, or perhaps, call the babysitter, while you enjoy a much-needed date night with the spouse.
You know exactly what you need to do to blow off some steam – it has even become a routine of sorts. But instead of sticking to the usual stuff, why not add to the night a live comedy show that’s sure to spice things up? That’s right. It’s time to get down to business – funny business.
Whether you fancy pushing the envelope with raunchy jokes, getting third-degree burns from a personal roast, or a good old-fashioned slapstick set, these joints and comedians have everything you need. You could even mosey up on stage yourself during open-mic sessions, and check a thing or two off your bucket list. Even though comedy nights haven’t quite reached official ubiquitous status yet in this tiny red dot, here are a few choice spots to turn to for a jolly good time.
Canvas Singapore
(Photo: Asia-City.com)
An art gallery by day that transforms into a nightclub when the sun goes down, Canvas Singapore (formerly known as Home Club) has been attracting the trendiest of crowds ever since its inception. The versatile space, which regularly hosts local DJs and bands, has become a stomping ground for the cool and creative. And the icing on the cake? It comes in the form of Singapore’s most celebrated drag queen Kumar with her show, “Comedy at Canvas with Kumar”, every Tuesday night. This brazen stand-up legend does not shy away from risqué topics, political quips, and all things inappropriate. You’ll be rolling on the floor when she’s done with you.
When: Every Tuesday at 8.30pm
Where: 20 Upper Circular Road, #B1-01 The Riverwalk
Admission: $26.88 – $40.20
TICM Gelato Cocktail Bar + Dining
(Photo: The Comedy Club Asia)
Introducing the new kid on the comedy block, “The Ha Ha Comedy Show”, is The Ice Cream Man (TICM) Gelato Cocktail Bar + Dining, a six-year-old restaurant and bar specialising in the sweet frozen dessert. Hosted by Sam See, a burgeoning master of repartee in Singapore, the inaugural weekly show starts on 21 July with Jacky Ng and Stephanie “Dogfoot” Chan as its first headlining acts. Like the show, Jacky is young. But he is not to be underestimated, having toured all over Asia for his comedy at the mere age of 22. As for Stephanie, the winner of the 2010 Singapore Slam Championships, she’s basically the queen of spoken word poetry. You won’t regret giving this newbie of a comedy night a chance.
When: Every Thursday at 8.30pm
Where: 500 Jalan Sultan, #01-11 Hotel Boss
Admission: $15
Blu Jaz Café
(Photo: The Culture Trip)
Hidden behind Haji Lane is a funky-looking shophouse with a bright blue facade covered in graffiti, where a slight buzz of music and chatter emanates constantly from its walls. Welcome to Blu Jaz Cafe, a go-to haunt for locals and expats alike. This is the place to be if you’re looking for a good chuckle in the middle of the week. Founded by Australian wisecracker Jonathan Atherton, The Comedy Club Asia hosts “Talk Cock Comedy”, a regular open-mic event at Blu Jaz Cafe that serves as the perfect avenue for novices to take a whack at tickling a crowd.
When: Every Wednesday and Thursday at 8.30pm
Where: 11 Bali Lane, Historic Kampong Glam
Admission: $10
Hero’s
(Photo: Drinksomewhere)
As long as it’s a Tuesday night, where people are knocking back mugs of beer, while a man/woman is standing on stage at music and sports bar Hero’s, sides will be split, thighs will be slapped, and ribs will be tickled. Comedy Masala, the brainchild of Pakistani stand-up artist Umar Rana, has been hosting comedy nights since 2010. No stranger to local and regional comedians, most of whom have graced its stage at one point in their careers, the platform acts almost like a rite of passage for many entertainers like Rishi Budhrani, Fakkah Fuzz, and Jinx Yeo. While it has switched venues a few times over the years from The Vault to Home Club, these days it resides at Hero’s.
When: Every Tuesday at 8pm
Where: 69 Circular Road, #01-01
Admission: $10, $13, $15
Post Bar
(Photo: Scott Michell/Facebook)
Swing by Post Bar at The Fullerton Hotel after hours for “First Class Comedy”, a monthly affair that boasts an international line-up of humorists. Here, the gags are as shameless as the setting is sophisticated. Emceed by Scott Mitchell, who also runs the Singapore comedy circuit as a stand-up act, the next show on 23 July features Comedy Masala’s Umar Rana, and Daniel McGrath. The following month sees Malaysia’s grouchiest funnyman, Kavin Jay, and Australian comic Simon Taylor, who has written for NBC’s The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Look forward to witty double entendres and endless satire to kickstart the weekend.
When: 23 July at 8pm (Followed by 20 August at 8pm next month)
Where: 1 Fullerton Square, The Fullerton Hotel
Admission: $35 (Includes one complimentary drink)
With a diversity of comedy night options to choose from for some leisurely laughs, you’ll be more than equipped to start the week in high spirits and resume the daily grind with renewed energy.
(Featured Photo: metros.events)
