Our comedy roots

We've come a long way since we opened the doors of Adelaide’s first genuine comedy room known as "The Comedy Cafe"  at the rear of the then "Fantasia Hotel" at the bottom end of Gouger St which was based on the original and very successful venue in Melbourne.

In those days comics were forced to change in a broom cupboard and relieve themselves in a sink! They were heady ground breaking days when comedy was fast becoming “ THE NEW” form of entertainment and comedy teams like “Los Trios Rinbarkus” and

The Doug Anthony All Stars set attendance  records in what were normally empty hotel rooms  

Comedy history with Rod Quantock

But "The Comedy Café" quickly outgrew it’s first home and in 1982 established itself in the most unlikely location of Victoria Square. Unlikely it may have been but audiences loved it and it quickly became one of the most profound venues Adelaide had experienced.  "Fly Trap" as it was affectionately known opened to full houses two sessions a night at 9.30pm and 1.30am.  Adelaide audiences lined up in droves to see the brand  new comedy stars like Rodney Rude, Graham Pugh, Trevor Marmalade, Vince Sorrentti, George Smilovici, Rick (The “King”) Carter Elliot Goblet, Dave Flanagan, Austen Tayshus and many many more…The "Fly Trap" was one of the most popular all night venues in Adelaide. Opening its doors most days at 7pm in the evening and closing at 7am the next morning, which made it a very exciting place to be part of. International artist and rock bands who were staying at The Hilton Hotel (which was almost next door) would always call in after their gigs and could not believe the vibe in the place so many of them just stayed and jammed in the bar till daylight. We reckon there are still quiet a few players out there who can remember getting zapped by the morning sunlight as they attempted to navigate their way home…(sober of course) 

The “Fly Trap” remained a special part of Adelaide’s nightlife for about 6 years. Then, in 1988 comedy moved to The "Comedy Works" in Melbourne St Nth Adelaide, a very unique venue with it’s hydraulic stage and amazing lighting affects allowed it to feature ground breaking shows like “The Tibaldi Brothers” (Simon Palomares is and George Kapinaris) who later staged the whole “Wogs out of Work” phenomenon and went on to create the Hit TV comedy series “Acropolis Now” many other Great Comedy Acts trod the boards of "The Comedy Works" but in 1989 it became famous for customer Improv and participation.( all sober of course)

 "The Comedy Cellar" opened and like all our other comedy venues it became an instant success with Adelaide comedy fans. The development of true Stand Up Comedy at the Cellar was a key factor to its success. Comedy Workshops were held every Thursday, which in turn lead to the unique establishment of  "The Adelaide Comedy School". 

The Comedy Cellar Workshops and School are without a doubt one of the main reasons that the Adelaide comedy culture is so healthy today. For 20 years they have been instrumental in the discovery and nurturing of many great Australian comics. 

In recent years, smaller comedy rooms like “BOLTS” which was opened by Canadian Jack Smith enjoyed success on Thursday nights. These rooms allowed young comics opportunities to try out new material away from the more structured Comedy Cellar. PJ O’Brien’s opened when “Bolts” closed and the Rhino Room has become a distinct feature of the Adelaide Comedy Scene and many of the great young performers started their comedy journey at The Adelaide Comedy School 

The Adelaide Comedy Cellar is one the oldest comedy clubs in Australia It has been nominated for a record ten years straight as best entertainment venue and won in 2006 and 2008 it was also nominated twice nationally

But it greatest achievement is the talent that has been discovered and nurtured over the years many of any of Adelaide’s finest comedians took their first steps towards their comedy careers on stage at The Comedy Cellar, the list is long but so has been the commitment of the Comedy Cellar to keep producing great Australian comedians like :

Paul Soul, Wayne Anthony,  Craig Egan, Jason Vice, Rohan Harry, Gary Bradbury Mickey D, Mark Trenwith, Dave Williams, Cam Knight, Nick the Hippy  Emm O’Loughlin, Jerry “O”,  Fiona O'Loughlin, Paddy Fields, Mike Klimzak,  Jason Chong,  Steve Gee,  Alex Collins,  Roger Teece,  Rich Naberhood,  Tracey Crisp, Adam Vincent, Jarrod Fitch, Trevor Crook,  Alex Collins,  Pete Monaghan,  Tori Hodgeman, Craig (“The Nugget”) Terrence, JJ Harding, Jamie Hill, Brad Downes, Hans, Kate Burr, Raymond Crow, The "D", Jack Smith, Jamie Nicholie, Tamsine Moore,  Grant Aplin, Julie Reynolds, Steve Copley, Tiny White, , Paul Redding, Anthony Lammond, Leila  Henderson, Michelle Tracey, Scoot, Rod Gregory,  Motaz tony roberts, James James,  and many, many more…Great Comedy Artists have featured over the years,  stars like,  Adam Hills,  Steady Eddy, Carl Baron, Stevie Star, Vince Sorrentti, Mat King Graham Pugh Rick Carter, Dave Flanagan, Vince Sorrentti, Trevor Crook , Fiona O’Loughlin, Raymond Crow, Kym Hope, Chris Wainhouse, Hung Le, Simon Palomaris, Lehmo, Kevin Kopfstein, Blind Boy Billy Polkinghorn Chris Franklin, George Kapiniaris and Anh Do, Chris Grant, Akmal Saleh,  Bruno Lucia, Dave Grant just to name a few.

And we look forward to creating more comedy history as time goes by …cheers