How To Make a Bar Show Work Best

​If there's one type of show that can go off the rails quickly, it's a bar show. Bar shows vary in their execution, but I'm specifically referring to a show where people come to a bar, and despite the venue advertising in the public bathroom, the audience is sort of held hostage by the show. In your early days you'll do a lot of these. After your "bringer days" dry up in year one or two you'll start asking for spots at bar shows just to fill out your calendar. While many comics try to avoid bar shows, I would argue if you are getting paid, they are the best place to stretch your comedy stage presence and work on your act in an unstable environment. So here's a few things to work on and be aware of when doing a bar show - if only to save the show and your sanity. 

Not All Bar Shows Are the Same Bar Shows 
A big mistake comics make is thinking the same types of people or management or staff will be making up the bar show environment. Some bar shows are in the wide open space, meaning everyone (those purposely there and those unwilling) will see them. Sometimes it's an isolated back room. And sometimes its a weirdly spaced out bar where most of the crowd is near the stage and the other patrons are behind a half wall unseen but their rowdiness is totally felt and heard. 

Then there's the staff and management. Sometimes the staff is excited because they'll get a free show, and sometimes they're dreading the show because they know the crowds get restless and tips decrease as people leave early. As a general rule, I would suggest you don't make fun of the bar or the waitstaff. Don't mention how the bathroom looks like a murder scene or how the waitresses have low cut clothing. No one wants their workplace or outfit the topic of conversation. 

As for the crowds - it's feast and famine. It's always a mixture of local bar flies, comic's guests, and strangers wandering in from "barkers" begging people to attend the show. Some crowds are game for the night's festivities while others are clearly upset they've been dragged into a comedy night no one but the comics wanted.

Regardless of the types of crowds and staff, always approach with a clean slate and open mind. The last vibe isn't always this current one.

You Can Only Control What You Can Control
As you see the show unfold, keep in mind, other comic's sets are not the same fate as yours. Maybe a comic bombs hard up front. Maybe a heckler takes control early on. Maybe there are TV's blasting in the background. Maybe the mic and amp echo. Maybe the waitstaff and bartender are talking loudly. There's only so much you can manage in your limited capacity.

If comics are struggling, take note if they're just plowing through material or being present with the vibe of the room. If they are just acting like it doesn't matter if the crowd is there or not, you can change that vibe by doing some crowd work up front with funny loaded questions. 
"Who came out because they knew it was comedy night?" When no one answers you make a joke like "Good see my social media presence is doing great!" 

When a couple people raise their hand, you say, "Who'd you come to see?" When they say one comic you can go, "Let's hear if for [Comic] dragging his friends here! Man, that car ride home is going to be awkward." 

You can still acknowledge the awkwardness without trashing the venue. 

And by being present and in the moment, the bar flies might take notice and admire you're not just telling jokes to a dead room. Too many comics try to tell as many jokes as possible - if its working then great, but it is confusing the crowd when clearly no one is laughing. 

Bring the Energy and Talk Fast 
One great trick in a tough bar room is to bring the energy and get them to pay attention. This isn't the little room at Flappers or The Ice House. This is sink or swim, and if your room doesn't have the natural ambience of a club room with a manager to throw out hecklers, be the force of nature they can't deny. You'd be surprised how a little more energy out of you can get them to shut up. In theory, you need to be more entertaining than what's happening in the room. You need to be more interesting than a sports game on TV or a pretty bartender. Acting too cool for school won't do it. 

There's different energies for different rooms. When the crowd comes to a club show, they are expecting comedy. They want to listen. Theatre shows have a built in maturity. The audiences know their place. Bar shows don't inherently demand that type of dedication. Talking faster than a heckler who can beat you to the punchline is a way to maintain control of the room. By matching the chaos you end up controlling the chaos. A laid back style might be the death of you in a show dominated by blenders screeching, waiters yelling, and the sounds of outdoor shenanigans.

Don't Be Afraid to Play the Front Row Only
If you see other comics try high energy and fail, go small. Back in 2016 I was at 200 person bar show in San Luis Obispo. The crowd turned on the opening comic, and I was told if I didn't get the crowd into the show, they weren't going to let the last two sets perform. So instead of trying to go big, I went small. I got the first two rows laughing. Eventually, the rest of bar got quiet when they heard the crowd work generate laughs. Soon, the whole room was in my control. By creating an intimacy between me and a few guests, the others got jealous. The show ended up being a success, and I got paid an extra $50 for saving it. I used the same trick in 2021 at a bar show coming out of the pandemic. It's a bit of a Hail Mary move, but when you see the crowd is out of it, you need to get a few on your side, so the rest will follow. 

Final Thoughts 
Bar shows can be low paying (or non-paying) and annoying. They lack the controlled environment of a club or theatre show, and often they have little or no advancement opportunities. But they do one thing the safety net of club bringer shows don't - they make you a stronger comic. You learn techniques you wouldn't otherwise. And when you start getting paid casino room or bar room shows, you'll need that experience. Last year I played 20 casino shows and around 100 bar shows. So when I had 1,000 seat theatre shows, the ability to handle a lot of energy was already self taught. So don't see them as a night off - instead see them as a night to step up.