Fun night out at the Laughter Lounge

DUBLIN has always been a good city to go out in and
have some fun but for an actual full on, side-splitting belly laugh try the
Laughter Lounge before a night out.

It had been a while since we had been at a comedy
club, an oversight that was corrected during a great night out for a well
overdue Christmas party recently.

It was a reminder of how much craic can be had in a
venue where it’s somebody’s job to make you laugh while all you have to do is
sit there, drink some beer and try not to be singled out for some good natured
slagging.

The lounge is nice and dark with great beers and finger
foods so we were well looked after in that department. The place was fairly
busy on a Friday night with ourselves forming just one of a number office
parties there as well as the token stag group. But don’t worry if you go along
with a couple of mates or even on a date as the stags usually have the tables
turned on them by the eagle eyed professional funny men who invariably give
them a bit of a ribbing.

We were in the capable hands of our MC for the night,
Keith Farnan, who got us all nice and relaxed with his particularly laid back
brand of comedy in between introducing each of the acts.

The former solicitor has performed as a stand-up all
over the world and is instantly recognisable from his regular appearances on
television including the ‘Michael McIntyre Comedy Roadshow’ on BBC1 as well as

‘Liffey Laughs’ on RTE.

Now that it has been up and running for a number of
years down on the quays the Laughter Lounge can afford to pitch a few new
up-and-coming acts alongside more established talent and many rising stars of
the comedy world including Colm McDonnell, Eric Lalor and Jarlath Regan all got
their big break there.

Our headliner on the night was Willa White, who found
fame in 2005 when he appeared on the TV programme

‘Joy In The Hood’ that
focused on comedian Des Bishop’s stand-up workshops in some of the most
impoverished areas of Ireland, including the Ballymun where White is from.

Having not seen the Northsider before it was a riot of
fun to watch his irreverent brand of humour that, to be honest, was far too,
let’s say earthy to be repeated in a family newspaper but if you get the chance
to catch this guy, he will remind you exactly why some Dubliners are so natural
at taking the proverbial.

All this week there is a Father Ted Special, on March
15, 16 and 17, featuring Joe Rooney (Father Damo) and Patrick McDonnell (Eoin
McLove). Beware though as hecklers have finally met their match, the show vows.
You have been warned – do not sit in the front row!

Tickets are

?¬26. See www.laughterlounge.com

The Laughter Lounge, 8 Eden Quay, O’Connell Bridge,
Dublin 1. For bookings tel 01-8783003.