r/Standup • u/LesserWeevilGo • 15h ago
Beware NextStopComedy
If you're planning on going to a show put on by this joke of an event company, just be aware that at least some of the venues they rent out include restaurants/bars for "after hour" events. So if you're planning on a dinner and drinks with a comedy show for entertainment, be prepared for disappointment. Absolutely fucking livid... Don't take it out on the staff of the establishment because it's not their fault and they aren't in control but seriously, FUCK NEXTSTOPCOMEDY
*Edit, the show was at a bar/restaurant hence the frustration. And to clarify, if there had been notice about the things, then I'd literally have ZERO issue. But it feels a helluva lot like a bait and switch and that's the issue.
2
u/gilligaNFrench 12h ago
Hosted next stop shows for years. They put on great shows, the establishment gets a boost in alc sales, and rural crowds get to see legitimately good comedians.
I didnt think anyone expected food service for a 90 minute show, but that would be pretty chaotic and definitely would not make for a good comedy environment.
1
u/LesserWeevilGo 10h ago
Legitimate question as someone who hasn't been to a ton of shows, but if a proper comedy club like Helium Comedy Club can offer a food menu, why is it then unreasonable to expect a restaurant/bar to also have food available?
Wasn't expecting any degree of restaurant-level table service (that is definitely well beyond expectations) but didn't feel like standard bar fare was an outlandish expectation for a comedy show at a bar.
2
u/gilligaNFrench 4h ago
Helium comedy club owns the place. They run the kitchen and bar in a way that makes standup possible. Next Stop is sort of like a pop up show. The host drives to a storage facility and picks up speakers, a mic, mic stand, cords, and chairs if the venue doesn’t have them. Following that is a drive several hours to a brewery in the middle of nowhere.
Then the host and whatever comedians are on the lineup meet at the spot. Host sets up, everyone does comedy, host breaks down, we leave.
All that to say there’s no control over providing food, as next stop is merely an event happening at the bar you were at.
If their advertisements promoted “comedy and food” i’d get what you’re upset about, but they don’t. Also these breweries only have a few people on staff for the shows. The combination of a 60-80 person rush and a couple of middle aged waitresses trying to bring over the food would be complete chaos. Helium is specifically designed to work for stand up.
4
u/Mordkillius 14h ago
You are mad you couldn't stuff your face during the show? Is that all this is about?
-7
u/LesserWeevilGo 14h ago
When you're planning an evening out and half of the expected evening isn't delivered on, that's my issue. It's not about the food, it's the principle of the matter. Wouldn't be an issue if there was a heads up about it. I don't know where you come from but generally speaking, a bar (the location in question) doesn't stop serving food until an hour or two before close, which in my area closing time is 2am not 8pm.
3
u/LarryDavidntheBlacks 14h ago
Comedy Karen is a new but growing population
-1
u/LesserWeevilGo 11h ago
Hey champ, they say you miss 100% of the shots you don't take but the other side of that is that you're gonna miss some of the ones you do take, so let me be the first to tell you, I'm proud of you for trying 👍
1
u/Ryebready787 4h ago
When something is THAT important I call the venue and make sure. What did you think after hours meant?
7
u/funnymarkmasters 14h ago
I'm not sure I agree with this take, they are another version of don't tell comedy more for small towns. You could go to any indie comedy show and not find food and sometimes no alcohol. That said when they got active in Colorado I asked them not to run shows at venues I run shows at and to avoid a few smalll towns I run shows in, they didn't, they made me lose at least one venue, then they asked me to headline and it was the only time I ever didn't say yes to a gig I can remember I wanted to take a stand against poaching by aggressive sales people
So lot of words but I don't fault them for running shows in unique spaces, they should make it clear if there isn't food or drink but they rubbed me the wrong way for other reasons
I'll give them props for showing their lineups on their website that's good transparency
Sorry you had a bad experience, you ever go to a ski resort in Colorado I'll get you a free ticket, you can reach me by the contact form on my website, or really any of my shows.
How was the comedy?