Late-night LOLs transforming Melbourne

Melbourne International Comedy Festival Director Susan Provan remembers the moment she fell in love with comedy. It was the 80s and she was working at one of Australia’s premiere comedy venues, The Last Laugh, the centre of the city’s booming comedy scene.

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Melbourne International Comedy Festival Director Susan Provan remembers the moment she fell in love with comedy. It was the 80s and she was working at one of Australia’s premiere comedy venues, The Last Laugh, the centre of the city’s booming comedy scene.

“There must have been something in the water in Melbourne” says Ms Provan, about the city’s formative comedy years. “For whatever reason in the early 80s there were a number of amazing comedians who came up through the Melbourne comedy scene.”

She’s talking names like Wendy Harmer, Jane Turner, Richard Stubbs and Rod Quantock.

“Extraordinary people grew up through these amazing venues”.

Drawn to the buzz

There were rooms in Fitzroy, Fitzroy North and Collingwood dedicated to giving comedians a shot. Creative people were drawn to the city, giving it an incredible buzz bound to draw yet more creatives in.

It was on this backdrop that the city launched its International Comedy Festival, 33 years ago. It’s now one of the top three comedy festivals in the world, which last year welcomed some 800,000 people over three and a half weeks.

They come from every corner of the globe, for more than 615 shows (and 7700 individual performances) across at least 115 venues including pop-ups in bars, restaurants, museums, parks and theatres. Everywhere and anywhere can evolve into a place to showcase comedy.

At 11:30pm on any given festival night you’ll find some of the world’s top entertainers just hanging out and having a laugh themselves. The Festival Club is open late, and here you’ll find some unscripted laughs where anything can happen - and you might even be able to have a chat with some of the people you’ve just seen on stage.

Ms Provan says the best thing about visiting Melbourne during the festival is having the chance to see so many different performers - some of who might not be known now, but could soon be household names. Over the years the festival has helped launch the careers for some of Australia’s top comedians; Hannah Gadsby, Josh Thomas, Celia Pacquola, and Ronny Chieng all got their start there.

It’s all about discovery

“Open the program, pick five things you’ve never heard of, and go,” she says.

“You might find someone at the start of their career and follow them for years to come.”

She adds that because the city draws comedians in from all around the world, audiences have a chance to discover talent they’re unlikely to happen upon elsewhere. In particular, she’s excited about the boom of comedy coming from South Asia, with many artists coming to Melbourne to further establish their careers.

“They know they’ve got an opportunity to find a great audience - and they immerse themselves in comedy. If you’re starting out Melbourne is the best place to start to build an audience. There’s a lot of people around who can make a huge difference to your career.”

But it’s not only new comedians looking to build an audience who make up the huge festival line-up. High profile names come back year after year, and Ms Provan is convinced that’s because of the incredible atmosphere in the city during the comedy festival.

“People who’ve been around for a long time come because they feel like it’s home - they come for fun. They go and see shows themselves as well as performing their own gig. They have a great sense of loyalty to the festival.”

She says part of her job is taking comedians out after their shows, meaning she’s discovered an eclectic mix of late night eateries and bars that are perfect for after your show, no matter which venue you’ve been to.

Where to find your favourites

“During the festival, in the CBD one of my favourites is the European - which is an institution. They’re open late at night.”

She also suggests walking up and down Little Bourke Street in Chinatown, or Lupino on Little Collins for those who want to grab a bite and soak in the atmosphere after seeing shows in the city. And if you’re looking for something a bit more upmarket than a kebab shop for a late night stop, Ms Provan suggests The Gin Palace.

“It’s great for a late night beverage and a delicious chicken sandwich!”

Of course, there are scores of other options. Peaches in Swanston St is open until 3am and great for cocktails, while Heroes on Bourke St has a rooftop bar and great karaoke to keep the night kicking on.

If you’re basing yourself in St Kilda (where the recently reopened ‘Espy’ - also known as the Hotel Esplanade - is hosting Raw Comedy heats) Ms Provan suggests Babu Ji or Cicciolina.

Brunswick also has a lot of great venues and a distinct late-night culture of its own. If you’re in the neighbourhood, check out hotspots like Bar Romantica, Alasya and Joey Smalls.

Of course, not everyone can get to Melbourne during the festival - but that’s where the city’s roots as Australia’s home of comedy pays off.

The country’s premiere permanent comedy venues feature top comedians year round. Venues such as The Comic’s Lounge in North Melbourne feature big names and up and comers six nights a week.

The Spleen Bar is another favourite among big name comics who often come and work on their material in a low key setting before taking their show to next year’s festival. People such as Wil Anderson, Adam Hills, Tom Gleeson, and Dave O’Neil have popped in recently to craft their show.

In St Kilda East every Monday head down to the Local Taphouse for their regular comedy night, Local Laughs. This small room supports a huge number of comedians and you’ll often see up to five people perform in one night.

Ms Provan says the city has an open invitation for anyone wanting a great laugh.

“Melbourne has great comedy audiences who care about and appreciate good comedy. For a month of the year anyone who is a comedy fan this is the place to be and it’s just a great celebration.”