Life, food, events, and community in Albuquerque, NM

Missing good stand-up...

I just moved here from Denver and noticed the lack of stand-up comedy. Am I not looking in the right places or am I just going to have to start something here myself?

btw I dont mean your stand-up club comedy. Im looking for something with some sort of an edge, where gasps are as important as laughs.

Tags: comedy, stand, stand-up, up

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Permalink Reply by Dr Dan on December 19, 2008 at 5:42am: There is, (or was) a place called laff's

http://www.laffscomedy.com/; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Rodney on December 19, 2008 at 7:15am: Actually, our best stand-up comics hold public office, or is it our public officials are all clowns?. And I'm really not being (too) sarcastic. Former Albuquerque City Councilor and newly elected State Senator Eric Griego is as funny as the get.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by sophie on December 19, 2008 at 9:36am: The Pajama Men. It's improv, not standup, but I think you'll still be happy.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by FitzerMan on December 19, 2008 at 9:46am: Yeah, I don't think you're going to have much luck with this. As far as I can tell, the stand-up scene here is pretty blase.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by urthtone on December 19, 2008 at 10:13am: Forgive me for ranting...
I called laffs last week and talked to someone there about open mics. He told me that they have one Wednesdays (i think) and each comic MUST bring 5 friends in order to perform... I understand its a comedy club, but thats not funny at all. Its kinda sad actually. Its not the performers job to get people in the club, its the club owner's job. If they provide a place where people can polish their act, the crowds will follow. If you put pressure on the performer to bring their own crowd, the focus is taken off their craft and placed on being a promoter... If a comedian has to drag his own crowd in, it might as well be to a business that has no cover charge and cheap beer. I dont know about Laffs, but every comedy 'club' ive been in has a 2 drink (6-7 bucks a pop) minimum. When I pay that much for drinks, I usually have a nice pair of something bouncing around in front of me...
With that being said, any suggestions for dive bars in the UNM area that would be the right environment for some dirty, offensive, crude stand-up?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by FitzerMan on December 19, 2008 at 10:52am: Tricklock Theater used to put on a weekly variety show called "The Reptilian Lounge" that featured various kinds of comedy, including some fairly raunchy/off-beat stuff (actually, the Pajama Men got started there). Does anybody know if that's still going on? I checked out their website and didn't see any mention of it.

Oh, and re: Laff's. Sadly, I think that kind of stuff is par for the course around here. I've heard some crazy stories about some of the "big names" in Albuquerque comedy that would probably put you off trying to integrate with the local scene altogether.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by sophie on December 19, 2008 at 11:05am: The Lounge is usually a part of Tricklock's Revolutions International Theatre Festival.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by FitzerMan on December 19, 2008 at 11:15am: Ah, there it is. Weekly through January.
Probably worth a call, anyway.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Duane W Bargar on December 19, 2008 at 7:16pm: I'm not into stand up at all, but my take is that the Casinos tend to get the big names who are usually packaged together and the result of this is that clubs that could get big names with a good draw on some nights don't and thus can't really support much in the way of local talent.

Another thing that you might find disappointing is that there really aren't any university area dive bars.... really, i've lived here 12 years and still think its the weirdest thing. You might have a better luck finding local stand up at some of the dive-ish bars in the heights - i've seen some pretty wild karaoke at a few places up that way.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Barney Lopez on June 25, 2009 at 10:46pm: Yeah, the stand up scene isn't great here.
If you're still looking for a good laugh, you can check out the Improv comedy scene at The Box Performance Space on Lomas and 11th. Generally they have improv shows on Friday and Saturday nights. They're mostly kids theatre during the day though, but they have some really funny people that trained with Second City and Improv Olympic in Chicago.
theboxabq.com; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Laura on June 26, 2009 at 7:05am: I'll second The Box Performance Space. It's not stand-up, but they've got fun--and funny-- improv.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by JC on June 26, 2009 at 9:08am: I love Denver! Why did you leave? You will be missing more than just stand-up comedy. While Albuquerque has great weather and outdoor activities the city is definately lacking in most other areas. The restaurant scene is just ok, and the shopping options are pretty awful. The entertainment scene is getting better but still not great. Good luck!; ▶ Reply to This