The spiritual home of stand up comedy in Adelaide, PJ O’Brien’s plays host to the Poster Comedy Night every Tuesday. The best comedians from South Australia share the stage with comedians from across the country and around the world.
It is also the breeding ground for Adelaide’s newest comedians staging the State finals of Raw Comedy each February.
PJ’s is everyone’s “local” in the heart of Adelaide’s east end. According to the sign above the bar it has been serving Guiness since 1759, some 127 years before South Australia was founded. This would explain what Colonel William Light was famously pointing at when he located the site for Adelaide. He had found place that sold a good brew.
I guess stand up comedy was different back then because the massive wooden pillars that are spaced throughout the venue can block punters views of the stage.
Regularly getting over 100 members in the audience it is worth getting there early for a good seat. Sit as close to the front as possible. There is little chance of being attacked by the comedians, you are in Adelaide after all. The comedian’s by and large do their job (making with the jokes) and the audience does theirs (making with the laughs).
A good seat is not only important for seeing the stage but also for hearing it. PJ’s is a big venue with people at the back often feeling put out by the comedians interrupting their couple of cold ones with their mates
That said, it does have a great “pub rock” feel to it. Craig Egan who manages the show does a great job balancing the line up and does manage to attract some big names to Adelaide. Tonight I saw a line up boasting Justin Hamilton, Mickey D and Kim Hope with Tom Gleeson. Coming up; Kent Valentine, Fiona O’Loughlin, Damian Callinan and Lawrence Mooney.
The meals are cheap and of good quality.
Admission: $10 or free before 8pm, Time: 9pm, Tuesdays, Address: 14 East Terrace, Adelaide, Website: www.adelaidecomedy.com