Last month I was invited to The Glee Club, Cardiff to review their stand up comedy shows. I have to admit I am a big fan of The Glee as it has a great selection of stand-ups, the organising is spot on and you can almost always guarantee a good night. Did I say how cheap it was too? On certain nights tickets are only £9.50 and with headliners going from £15 it's great value and Christmas party nights are from only £14.




Over the next few weeks, they have some great shows on.

Firstly they throw some great Christmas parties and have been doing so for almost 20 years. If you are looking for somewhere different for a work do, or just a group of family and friends The Glee Club is great for a fun night out.

The Christmas party nights come complete with a two-course meal including turkey, beef or roast butternut squash with all the lovely trimmings and a choice of desserts including fruit salad, cheese and crackers or mini chocolate desserts. Of course with the Christmas food comes a knock out selection of all the best in new and established stand up talent. Bar service is quick and efficient and last time I went they even came around with ice cream in the interval, a fab addition I thought.

Then there is the New Year party celebrations. At £25 for advance booking, it certainly is a bargain for this time of the year. 

You get

4 premier comedians
The chance to pre-order food and drink
Disco and bar open late
Reserved seats
and the all important midnight countdown

Why don't you combine it with a stay in a Cardiff hotel? 

The line up for this New Year's Eve at Cardiff consists of two stand-ups I have seen before Mark Olver and Mike Bubbins. Mike Bubbins intercedes his stand up with being an Elvis impersonator. You know he will make you laugh but don't step on his blue suede shoes or he won't love you tender. Sorry, it had to be done! Mark Olver is a well-known compare on the circuit, always guaranteed a laugh, this is one show you won't want to miss.

Of course, The Glee Club has other venues besides Cardiff - They also have venues in Birmingham, Nottingham and Oxford.

I'm going to The Glee Club next week to see Tom Stade. This Canadian comedian has been a smash hit at The Edinburgh Festival and is a regular on Live At The Apollo. Check out his appearance here on YouTube. I think it will be a great night!



Have you been to any comedy nights at The Glee Club? Would you visit at Christmas or New Year? Who is your favourite comedian?

* I have been given tickets to The Glee Club for an honest review

Recently stand-up has been going through a resurgence. Comedy stars like Micky Flanagan, Russell Brand and Michael McIntyre have been playing to sold out venues around the country. I guess stand up comedians are almost today's rock stars!

I adore stand-up, one of my favourite trips last year was to the Edinburgh festival. I went with my son and had an amazing time, we saw Tim Vine, Marcus Brigstocke and many more.

I am a fan of the local stand up circuit too and I have been to The Glee Club in Cardiff on numerous occasions. One of my favourite visits was when I was lucky enough to see Michael Macintyre there,  I was in touching distance and he was great, playing to a crowd that were so pleased that he was trying out new gags for a completely new show. I couldn't stop myself commenting to my husband what a bargain we had paying only £10 to see him there, as often his shows  sell out in big arenas and go for £50 plus a ticket. Imagine our laughter when one of his first comments was "Hands up, who told their friends that you were going to see Michael Macintyre and IT WAS ONLY £10?!". 

That's what I like about the Glee Club. You never know who you will see practising for the Edinburgh festival or a new arena show. Often you will see a comedian that you think will be a star in the making and then you will be smug in the knowledge you saw them before anyone else!

So last Friday I went to see the latest offering from The Glee Club in Cardiff, which is perfectly situated in Cardiff Bay.  Surrounded by some great bars and restaurants it is easy to go for a drink or meal before the show with the club on your doorstep.

So onto the club. The Glee is a well oiled machine, the organisation is spot on every time I go there. Firstly The Glee Club has a ticketless booking system which means you just give your name on the door, no faffing around with printing off emails and the like. The lady greeter at the door was very cheery which is great to see as so often staff couldn't care about their customers. Then we were taken to our table by a member of staff who asked if we had been before and explained how it all worked. So far so good. It was quiet for a Friday night when we arrived but it had only just opened. and as time went on the place filled up nicely. Another plus point for the Glee Club Cardiff is that they had plenty of bar staff on, drinks were reasonably priced and food is also available.

The line up for October the 11th was a great mix. 





First off was Bethany Black, there is no mistaking Bethany as an emo-styled lesbian comic. In fact her show embraces all the differences she has and the important part - was she funny - hell yes! So often female comedians have a rough ride but she was great getting the audience warmed up, and her cracking set whilst certainly not for the those without an open mind, was a great laugh.

The first act Jimmy Mchghie was my favourite. Jimmy's comedy pokes fun at the middle classes. Jokes about Iphones, mix with adult humour and observational comedy where the audience is the star. Luckily although we were close to the front, Jimmy's wit avoided us, instead a body builder in a suitable shade of orange took his jokes well and gave us many laughs throughout the routine. 

Tanya Lee-Davis came on next. Tanya is 3ft 6inches but packs many a punch a 6ft comedian could not. Her show emphasises her sexuality and made even that 6ft body builder blush. Thoroughly enjoyable another female comedian that pushes the boundaries but also makes you laugh. 

We rounded the show off with Charlie Baker. A good natured comedian his quick easy wit and cheeky gags mixed with the odd jazz number makes for an entertaining set.  Charlie has appeared on "Never Mind The Buzzcocks", and "Rob Brydon's Christmas Special" and is a warm up for "Mock The Week". 

An eclectic mix of comedians certainly but that's what I like about the Glee Club you never know what you're going to get! 

If you fancy a trip soon they have some great Christmas Party Nights with most dates including a disco and some food in with the price of the ticket. You can follow The Glee Club Cardiff on Facebook and Twitter too to keep in touch for the latest info and sneak previews of up and coming shows.




Besides the Glee Club, Cardiff  there are also Glee Clubs in Nottingham, Oxford and Birmingham, and I forgot to tell you they also have live music too.

So if conclusion, If you like stand up comedy, why don't you take a chance on the Glee Club, it's a great night out - go on your know you want to!

*I was given tickets to the show for an honest review.