What is the Comedy Balloon?
The Comedy Balloon is Manchester's official underground comedy club.
It is also the oldest FREE comedy venue in this great city of ours and is dedicated to developing new comedy talent
through the medium of open mic spots.
The friendly atmosphere of the Balloon encourages new acts to try their hand, or more experienced acts to work out new material. There are typically seven acts in a night, each doing ten minute spots, plus a fifteen minute headline spot, each introduced by a different weekly compere.
The Balloon is inflated every Wednesday evening at The Ape & Apple on John Dalton St in the centre of town (see Where Is It? for details of location). The show kicks off at 8:45pm or thereabouts (Comedy Balloon FM will start at 7:45pm and last an hour), to allow plenty of drinking time. Drinking before the show is positively encouraged.
Who is on at the Balloon next?
Listings of which comics will be playing the Balloon can be found on the What's On page. Listings are updated as and when acts are booked.
How do I get a gig at the Comedy Balloon?
If you wish to dazzle the population with your sense of humour then contact Neil Smith by email spider@comedyballoon.co.uk. Remember, the night is free to get in, there is no money in it for the comics, but it's an easy way to get stage time and try out new material in front of an appreciative crowd.
If you have any comments or suggestions about this website, then send them to spider@comedyballoon.co.uk