When they’re not making you laugh out loud, these comedians can be found enjoying a drink around Melbourne. Here are their picks.
Alex Ward’s dog has depression. “I promised him I’d do the funniest show I’ve ever done,” Alex says. This fact, along with tales of her recent trip to India and the Facebook page she inherited from her mum, is just one of the stories you can expect when you attend her show, Saving For A Jet Pack, during the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.
Originally from Queensland, you’ll find Alex on stages around Australia, on Have You Been Paying Attention or at one of her favourite bars in Northcote – “I moved to Melbourne to follow my dreams in comedy and having readier access to burrata”. She loves her new home, even though she’s now always cold. “I’ve been told despite this I bring a welcomed warmth to the stage,” Alex says. When she’s not at a bar in Northcote, Alex loves grabbing a spot and enjoying a pre-show Espresso Martini at Comedy Republic Bar. “Is this because that’s the bar at the venue where my show is? Of course! But it really is a nice bar,” she says. “A lot of comedy happens in pubs that are sticky and smell like yeast – Comedy Republic’s bar is neither. You can drink and be on time for my show – two of my favourite things,” she adds.
When her show wraps, she likes to head to the Music Room at Her. “It’s perfect for a post-show drink when you are so tired from laughing you just want to vibe to some tunes,” Alex says. “This place is very cool. Probably too cool for me, but that’s why I tell people to go there so I look like the sort of cool person who frequents it.”
As for Alex’s picks for other Comedy Fest gigs to check out: “Greg Larson, Bronwyn Kuss, or Tim Hewitt. If you go, tell them I sent you – this won’t get you a discount, it will just make me look good.”
Nath Valvo admits he’s bad at maths, science and basic life skills – so he became a comedian. He also likes to tease people who are winning in life and wants you to come and join in the fun at his Comedy Fest show, Hit Machine (A Best Of). “I’m cramming all my favourite bits from 12 years of doing shows into one. I’m already tired. But it’ll be all killer stuff I love doing – no deep meaning or some weird comedy lecture – just a lot of jokes so we can all have a nice time and be home by 10,” Nath says.
His pick for a pre-show drink is Cabinet on Swanston Street. “They do great cocktails and excellent cheap pizza.” As for his drink of choice, anything with a little drama, admits Nath. “Most places I go to I’ll ask if they do a Bloody Mary – I like dramatic drinks because I’m a raging homosexual and will judge them if it isn’t spicy enough,” he says.
As for other comedians, he suggests getting along to see Anne Edmonds, Mel Buttle, Nikki Britton and Geraldine Hickey. You’ll want to keep an eye out for Nath as you go – “If you see me around the Comedy Festival, buy me a drink and I’ll gossip with you about any comedian you want for hours!”
Her show is called Woo Hoo! so you know you’re in for a fun time. Lizzy explains that it’s about turning 40 this year, which feels very different to turning 30 – in a good way. “I was scared to turn 30 because I felt pressure to have everything worked out; I was so confused by life just before I turned 30, I moved to Mongolia, so it’s a bit about that as well.”
Lizzy’s pre-show drink is a Gatorade from 7-Eleven, leaving the bar-hopping to her audience. “I would suggest somewhere close to Town Hall so you can have a quick drink and then come to my show! Cabinet Bar and Balcony are both good options,” she says. As for her post-show ritual, Lizzy admits she’s normally pretty hungry and thirsty, so heads to Big Esso in Federation Square. “They’re Indigenous-owned and use lots of native Australian ingredients. Every time I go there, I love it.” While she’s there, she’ll order an Australian sparkling or a prosecco. “If you don’t want to drink, get a zero-alcohol beer – I know they sell Heaps Normal at the Comedy Republic bar,” she suggests.
Her top picks for other shows at the comedy festival include Australians Geraldine Hickey, Patrick Golamco and Alex Ward, plus Sheng Wang from the US and Joanne McNally flying in from Ireland. “Try and see a mix of old and new, international and local, to get the most out of it.”
“How would I describe my comedy? I open my mouth and funny things come out. I believe this is known as a comedian,” Jenny Tian explains. When she’s not making TikToks about watching The Grinch in your 20s, you’ll find Jenny “hobbling around various comedy clubs in Australia”.
As for her show in this year’s comedy fest, Picture This, Jenny says it’s basically a big, passionate rant about garlic bread. “There’s also jokes and stories, but I think the biggest takeaway is that I love garlic bread,” Jenny says. Speaking of garlic bread, she says her favourite pre-show drink (and meal) is 1800 Lasagne. “I love lasagne – and phone numbers.”
After the show, Jenny heads to Yakimono. “I’m sold on any place that does bubble tea cocktails – it also has all the best parts of a nightclub: pretty lights with none of the dancing or awkward social interaction,” she says. If she’s not enjoying a bubble tea cocktail her next drink of choice is a Vodka Sunrise.
Fiona Cox, He Huang and Patrick Golamco are all on Jenny’s must-see list. “Fiona is an undiscovered gem, it’s criminal how underrated she is. He continually sells out shows and for good reason, she’s the baddest bitch. And Patrick is one of the most likeable presences on (and off) stage, he’s delightfully cheeky and a brilliant storyteller.”
“I'm in my late 20s and on the cusp of either settling down or putting it all on red at the casino – or maybe both?” Bec Charlwood says. She’s a staunch reality TV fan, but also loves “your dad’s favourite bands” – Phil Collins, Fleetwood Mac, Journey – so Bec has layers. She co-hosts a podcast called Dude Cinema, where they review the ‘greatest’ films ever made. That said, her favourite film is Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle. “I also have bipolar, which you might have picked up from the last three sentences,” Bec says.
Bec has two shows in this year’s comedy festival. “Good Funny is an hour of stand-up, talking about all the things that have been happening in the last few years, getting into my late 20s, crying, sea lion facts, and a manic episode that centred around one of the best bass players of all time,” she explains. The second show, Toilet Seat Time Machine, is a bit of a “choose your own adventure” situation and involves trying to find the meaning of life in a nightclub in 2012. “Think live video game meets Dr Who with a soundtrack by Avicii,” she explains.
For a pre-show drink, Bec suggests Heartbreaker. “It’s great to get you hyped for a show – a grungy dive bar with cold beer,” she says. When the mic drops, she heads to Punch Lane Wine Bar. “They’re bloody legends! You’ll definitely find me there after a show. The staff are lovely, and they do a mad cheese board,” she says.
Her drink of choice differs, depending on the time of night. “I’ll have a beer before a show, a rosé after a show, or a Margarita after-after a show,” Bec says. So, who else is she excited to see during the festival? “Anthony Locasio, Ben Kochan, Chris Ryan, Freddie McManus, Steph Broadbridge and Suren Jayemanne – just to name a few.”
That’s it for this edition of Hot Takes, but we’ve got others. Find out the surprising food and drink pairings four of Australia’s top chefs think you should try and what’s going to be the next big thing in wine in the eyes of industry experts.
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