Geelong Comedy Festival taps into the existing venue network to foster a full-fleshed festival experience.
Considering our relaxed surf meets suburbs meets the country lifestyle of Geelong, it’s shocking that our town doesn’t have a designated comedy lounge. Pivotonian’s love a good hearty laugh – one that starts deep down in the pit of your stomach and comes out as a boisterous belt of ha’s. So where do we go when we want to get our giggle on? This is where our local bars, breweries and venues step up to the plate becoming the banner carries of comedy events in our community.
It’s these spaces that are the backbone to Geelong Comedy Festival.
Geelong Comedy Festival is a four-day showcase of the best comedy acts from all corners of the globe. The diverse program includes a concoction of comedy highlights. There the high-profile names of Geraldine Hickey, Brett Blake and Damian Callinan set to deliver their biggest laughs to the region, there’s rising stars, there’s musical moments and there is quick-fire festival fun with some special group shows.
Geelong Comedy Festival
- When: Thursday 31 October – Sunday 3 November 2024
- Where: Various venues in Geelong CBD
Stay up to date with what’s happening within the region’s art scene here.
View this post on Instagram
The central hospitality hub of Geelong, Little Malop Street and its adjoining laneways are acting as the anchor of Geelong Comedy Festival, filtering the funny between the foot traffic of eight prime venues. Between Thursday 31 October and Sunday 3 November, The Brewery, No. 10 James, Astray, Beav’s Bar Main Room, Beav’s Bar Franco Cozzo Room, Manhattan Bar, Medusa Bar, The Arborist Rooftop and Anabela’s will be activated as comedy hubs for the funniest festival in town.
The festival model of engaging local venues allows for Geelong Comedy Festival to foster the comedy community for the duration of the festival, with all venues in close quarters to encourage attendees to view multiple shows at different venues in one night. Adding to the allure is the fact that ticket prices are entirely affordable for the calibre of comedic artistry represented. Let there be no one and done with show viewing – this is festival experience after all! It’s also a showcase of our brilliant hospitality hotspot – nibble on our best burgers and enjoy award-winning cocktails between catching your breath.
To help you plan your rounds, the Geelong Comedy Festival have just released their venue timetables and by gosh is it chockers!
The Brewery
The Brewery has long been a champion of the local comedy circuit, hosting weekly comedy nights as presented by the same team behind Geelong Comedy Festival, Anything Goes Entertainment. Geelong Comedy Festival sees them serve up their regular local lineup of class clowns alongside renowned Australian comics including Brett Blake, Oliver Coleman and Bronwyn Kuss. Showcasing their range, The Brewery will also be hosting special events Laughs On Tap, where they pair four comedians with four of their signature Bells Beach Brewery beers.
No. 10 James Street
A café with some of the best sandwiches in town by day, No. 10 James Street will open its doors to eager comedy enthusiasts with stand-up shows. The venue will host shows from professional comedians such as Jeremy Dooley who is about to take the world by storm!
Beav’s Bar
Sandwiched between No. 10 James Street and The Brewery sits Beav’s Bar who will transform two of their spaces across the four days. Each evening will be sent off in style with The Pizza Party – a house variety show, showing off the best up-and-coming comics.
View this post on Instagram
Manhattan Bar
Taking crowds into the dusty dives of New York City by name only and not by nature is Manhattan Bar. Known for their elevated cocktails, the comedy pairing comes in double doses for the billed acts including Daniel Holt, Keiran Butler, Imogen Whittaker and Jon Walpol.
Astray Bar
A newbie on the hospitality scene but no less integral to the festival is Astray Bar. The lovingly cat-themed bar, will become a diving board for the best up-and-coming acts on the Australian circuit. Their program across the four days ranges from cabaret to classic standup including the must-see Motion Sickness from Rachel Tunaley.
Anabela’s
Also new on the hospitality circuit is Anabela’s. This glorious wedding and event wedding will host some of the hottest names in comedy across the festival period including Geraldine Hickey, Lizzy Hoo, Llyod Langford, and festival big-gun Tom Ballard. With shows already sold out for Langford and Hickey, you’ll need to get in quick to see the award-winning artists in their element.
Medusa Bar
Medusa Bar is the home for heavier music in Geelong thanks to their live music nights and winning records that they spin. They will join the Geelong Comedy Festival for the Friday and Saturday evening, hosting seven events for the festival. Chris Ryan will be site to deliver her show Good-O to an already sold out audience!
The Arborist
The final venue on the Geelong Comedy Festival program is The Arborist Rooftop. The fine dining and wining experience in the Little Malop Street hospitality precinct will double as a comedy hub for the festival run, showcasing talent such as Ty Gray and Gabby Anderson.
Tickets to the funniest festival in our waterfront town, Geelong Comedy Festival, are one sale now. You can pick them up here. Plan your festival experience at Geelong Comedy Festival here.
