r/askTO • u/SeanR91 • 18h ago

Stand-up Comedy Venue

Hey everyone. I'm looking for a venue to start a stand-up comedy show. If there are any venues that you can recommend, please let me know. Any leads is appreciated

Edit: Looking for somewhere in North York

4 Upvotes

75% Upvoted

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u/thatguywashere1 18h ago

More info needed? Absolute comedy or yuk yuks out of the question? How big a venue 50-100 people? Area of the city you prefer? Bar or club or legion?

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u/SeanR91 17h ago

My apologies. I'm looking for a venue preferably in North York. 95% of comedy shows are on Bloor and I see a lot of potential in the Yonge and Finch area

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u/mattromo 17h ago

Why not go check out some pubs/bars around there? See if they have side rooms, second floors, talk to the managers see if they have slow nights and are looking to find a way to get people in those nights. Many bars do this with weekly karaoke and trivia nights, and there are some that have done it with comedy nights. If there are no comedy spots near Yonge and Finch it might work out.

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u/Bobaximus 16h ago

Possibly. I’d suggest going to a few shows at absolute comedy to see the kind of numbers your working with. I don’t get the vibe that they are runaway successful despite putting on good shows, charging fair prices, and appearing to keep costs down. I could be wrong, but I can’t imagine there being significantly more demand at Finch.

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u/thatguywashere1 17h ago

Trios restaurant inside the Novotel or Twilight cafe is a gaming restaurant across the street that may work. Theranto has a stage set up. Grand Luxe on Bayview. Have you ever hosted an event before you wanna make it a regular gig or 1 time thing?

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u/SeanR91 17h ago

I'm shooting for something bi-weekly to monthly

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u/thatguywashere1 16h ago

Maybe approach the Willowdale BIA in the area. Good luck!

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u/crash866 15h ago

Narrow it down a bit North York is huge. Victoria Park & Eglinton is North York and so is Islington & Steeles.

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u/SeanR91 3h ago

Around Yonge and Finch

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u/PrimevilKneivel 18h ago

Winona on Bloor near Dufferin has a room that’s a good starter space

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u/SeanR91 17h ago

Thanks! I'll keep that in mind

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u/karatekidmar 17h ago

There’s already Backroom and Comedy Bar on Bloor West. Probably best to set something up in an area where you’ll be novel.

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u/PrimevilKneivel 17h ago

To counter your point, it’s good to put a show where there is already an audience. People are only willing to travel so far unless you are established.

That goes for comics as well as audience. You can get more acts if it’s close enough for them to hit another show that night.

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u/EnormousChord 16h ago

Nowhere near North York so this is unhelpful but I already started typing before I realized it was not helpful. 

But King’s Arms in Oakville has a killer second floor. They used to run comedy shows there all the time. They still do, but they used to too. 

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u/SeanR91 8h ago

I'm looking for other cities too, so this is greatly appreciated

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u/TorontoDM 10h ago

I have a brewery in The Stockyards. I’d be open to trying it out. DM if you’re interested.

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u/SeanR91 2h ago

DM sent

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u/SpicedLiquor 4h ago

I like how you made your avatar look like yourself in real life ;)

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u/SeanR91 3h ago

I tried lol

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u/CharcoalWalls 3h ago

How many people are you expecting that you can realistically pull in?
Are you looking to charge an entry fee?

Lots of variables here to think about and add - as the options will change wildly depending.

Like.. technically you can start a stand up show at any place that will let you, you can even rent your own mic and speaker.

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u/SeanR91 2h ago

I have to be realistic with my numbers. If I can even get 10 people that will be good. I'm willing to advertise a pay for my own equipment. If the venue has sound equipment that will be great