In the past, the Exford Hotel was considered a tough gig. Comedy held court every Monday in the public bar which attracted quite a few scary and over stimulated locals. Comedians quickly learned to adopt a combative approach to their act, lest they get eaten alive. Being located in the unsavory part of Russell Street in the CBD only added to to the room’s problems.
Things are quite different now. The current incarnation of Exford Comedy, Laugh Upstairs, is guided by Melbourne Comedy Stalwart Ged Cogley, takes place upstairs in the rather trendy Winter Garden Room and is populated by appreciative punters. Perhaps drunk people have trouble negotiating stairs? A strong security presence outside certainly helps keep undesirables away.
The Winter Garden Room is large space that is a stark contrast to the older bar area downstairs. Renovated a couple of years ago, it has a groovy décor with bare brick walls and white molded ceiling work. Plenty of seating is arranged before the stage in the form of low back leather couches with plenty of tables to rest your beverages on. If you prefer to witness the action from a distance, there are bar stools towards the back of the room to park your posterior on.
A large neon lit bar covers the majority of the side wall and it stocks a wide range of liquids with about a dozen beers on tap. Smokers craving a puff don’t have to go too far to indulge as a roof top smoking area is located just off the staircase. Several glass doors ensure that it is adequately isolated from the rest of the venue.
The evening is structured into the classic format of two brackets. The first features a mix of newbies and up and comers, three of whom perform five minutes or so of their stuff. The second half is composed of two higher profile acts each doing twenty to thirty minutes each, it’s almost like a double header of headliners.
If you’ve been apprehensive about visiting the Exford, now is the time the pay it a visit. If you can navigate the slightly unpleasant neighborhood and climb the stairs, you will be able to witness quality stand up in a comfortable atmosphere. A perfect way to start your weekend a day early!
Laugh Upstairs is held every Thursday at The Exford Hotel. The show starts at 8:30pm and entry is free. Befriend Ged Cogley on Facebook or MySpace to keep up to date with line ups.