Wanna laugh? Come out to a Toledo comedy night
In our sleepy little town, people can forget that we have a lot in common with bigger cities. We have a wonderful art museum, several entertainment districts and a growing comedy scene. One can see comedy almost every night in Toledo, from seasoned comedy vets to newcomers telling corny jokes.
The events, either showcases (with a group of established comedians) or open mic nights (where anyone can sign up and tell jokes), are listed on Facebook, where line-ups and sign-ups are most likely to be found.
Looking for a funny time in Toledo? Give these spots a try…
Home Slice Comedy Night
Every Thursday at 8pm, beginning in September.
28 S. St. Clair St. | 419-724-7437
facebook.com/HomeSliceComedyNight
Coming up on it’s second anniversary, Home Slice Comedy Night is Toledo’s longest-running show above a pizza joint. Hosted by three of Toledo’s favorite local comics, Keith Bergman, Jenson Strock, and Jon Ruggiero (me), the show took a summer hiatus, but will continue with a show on Thursday, August 22. In September, the performances resume to showcase the best comics in Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana.
Bier Stube Comedy Showcase
First Monday of every month.
5333 Monroe St. | 419-841-7999
facebook.com/ToledoBierStube
Regional comedy king Dave Crumbley wants to show you his funny friends from around the area on the first Monday of every month when he hosts a comedy showcase at the Bier Stube. Touring comics, and big names from Detroit, Columbus and Cleveland, have stopped by to entertain an audience that knows how to start out the week right.
Comedy Night at The Ottawa Tavern
Every Monday at 7:30pm.
1815 Adams St. | 419-725-5483
facebook.com/ot.toledo
This show is the newest addition to the growing comedy scene, inside one of Toledo’s cherished watering holes. Hosted by a smile turned into a human, Ryan Chernick, this open mic is like a gym for jokes, giving budding comedians plenty of exercise to try out new material every week. If you’re looking to give stand-up a shot, this is a great place to start.
Hensville Rooftop Comedy
Thursdays, August 15 and 29 at 8pm.
419-725-4367 | Hensvilletoledo.com
If you like your comedy with a scenic view, there’s no better spot than the roof of Fleetwood’s in Hensville. During the summer, local comedy godfather Keith Bergman currates a fantastic list of touring and local comedy vets, who put on a show as the sun sets over our fair city. This season’s great run of shows ends in August, with Gwen Sunkel at Holy Toledo Tavern on August 15 and Dennis Piper at Fleetwood’s Tap Room on August 29.
The Kool Comedy Lounge at the Peacock Cafe
Every first Thursday | Doors at 8pm | Show at 9pm.
2007 Monroe St. | 419-241-8004
Purchase tickets at eventbrite.com
You’ve got to hit up the Peacock Cafe’s Kool Comedy Lounge, not only for their excellent standup lineups, but for the food and music they provide. Who doesn’t want to chow down on nachos and lemon lime pound cake while being entertained by comedians like Kool Keith, Calvon Brown, and Detroit Red? You never know who’s going to show up at this venue, but make sure to book your tickets quickly, as seats for the shows fill up quickly. Oh, important detail— these comedy nights are free!
Up and Amped Live Comedy Showcase
Dates announced each month.
619 Monroe St. | 419-214-1500
Blackcloister.com
Downtown’s Black Cloister Brewing Company hosts the Up and Amped series, which gives local comedians and songwriters an outlet for their craft. Each month has two Up and Amped shows: a songwriter showcase and a comedy showcase. Comedian Lorenzo Melchor and musician Jake Pilewski put together the line-ups, which are per
Not Toledo, But Not Far
Grumpy Dave’s
Every Tuesday at 9:30pm(ish).
104 S. Main St., Bowling Green | 419-353-0988
Grumpydavespub.com
Though the name is deceiving, this dive bar above Main Street in Bowling Green hosts a fun Tuesday open mic where anyone can sign up to test their jokes in front of a college-and-townie-mixed audience.
Toledo Funny Bone
Shows every weekend.
6140 Levis Commons Blvd.,
419-931-3474 | Toledo.funnybone.com
This true comedy club is in Levis Commons, sharing space with Fat Fish Blue, regularly bringing incredible national headliners to town. Coming up: Tacarra Williams (August 16-18), Tony Rock (August 23-25), John Morgan (August 30-September 1), and DeRay Davis (September 6-8). For Tickets and showtimes, visit Toledo.Funnybone.com
Catawba Island Brewing Company
Thursday, August 15, September 19 and October 17
2330 E. Harbor Rd., Port Clinton | 419-960-7764 facebook.com/CatawbaIslandBrewingCo
An hour drive brings you to a wonderful monthly comedy show in a brewery, showcasing the best of Northern Ohio comedy and suds.
Find out more about these venues and shows, including details on how to sign up and showtimes, by visiting their pages on Facebook.
