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Comedy in Melbourne

2007 Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Photo by Jim Lee

Melbourne is a great supporter of comedy, boasting many fantastic venues and events, such as the annual Melbourne International Comedy Festival, where established and budding comedians take to the mike.

Founded in 1987, the Melbourne International Comedy Festival is Australia's most popular and dynamic annual arts festival, featuring a high profile line up of cabaret, theatre, stand-up, live radio broadcasts, television, music, comedy film screenings, free outdoor entertainment and visual art exhibitions. The festival joins Montreal and Edinburgh as one of the three largest comedy festivals in the world. Look out for the festival if you’re in Melbourne in March and April.

Listed below are just some of the places to catch great live comedy in Melbourne all year round. Check the weekly street press Beat for a guide to all things funny.

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The Esplanade Hotel (Sundays)

Come along to this Melbourne institution where the likes of David Hughes cut his teeth and catch Melbourne's emerging comedic talent in action.
11 The Esplanade, St Kilda
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The Comic's Lounge

Head north of the city to see emerging and established artists seven nights of the week.
26 Errol Street, North Melbourne

The Melbourne Comedy Club

A home of great local and international acts, the popular comedy club is in the heart of Carlton's Lygon Street.
380 Lygon Street, Carlton

The Storeroom

An award-winning independent theatre and comedy venue, The Storeroom is a great place to catch fresh comedy acts.
Parkview Hotel, Corner St Georges Road and Scotchmer Street, North Fitzroy

Further Links
Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2008
Beat Magazine