Yuk Yuk’s International Stand Up Comedy

It’s about time I got around to reviewing Yuk Yuk’s. I was lucky enough to get free tickets via Unilocal (thanks Shannon), and my friend and I were happy to go since we had never been.
The place is quite small and I find the seating arrangements awkward, at least those that are with a table. The food options are limited and prices are ridiculous in my opinion so we opted not to get food, but go out afterwards. My friend got a drink from the bar and since I was driving, I had a glass of pop — which was ¾ ice in a small glass, and cost way more than it should have ($ 4 if I remember correctly).
The MC was hilarious, I would have loved to hear him go on all day, not just in between acts. I am glad I didn’t sit in the front though because he picked on people, which I would have hated haha The five acts were all quite different, some were clearly seasoned, while others, not so much. I did laugh a bit but not as much as I thought I would. The acts were part of the local homegrown show.
I don’t think I would go to Yuk-Yuk’s again unless I get free tickets again, or if the act is someone well known that I really want to pay money to see.

Well, as Shannon has preached, time and time again.
It pays to be a Unilocal Elite!
Make your reviews count, and chip in where you can. you will only be rewarded further.
My first Unilocal freebie is a bit of a bucket list check off for me. see a comedy show from the first few rows. Admittedly a little cheap of me to use this opportunity to do so. as Halifax’s premier comedy club is an intimate spot to begin with. Not a bad seat in the house, and our third row seats were no different.
The local talent that we were privy to were all great (sadly I can’t find the names anywhere, a bit of a ball dropping by the comedy fest and Yuk Yuks). Proving that Halifax is a funny city after all!
The biggest knock against the club is definitely the prices. Popcorn is the cheapest option at almost 5 dollars. A drink each for the girlfriend and I cost us almost 15 dollars.
Go to see the laughs. not to eat the food.

Went there Saturday night (April 19^th) with a few friends. It’s a small place but big enough for the comedy scene.
Very tiny stand-​up spot for the comedy but I guess you don’t need that much room.
Lighting is perfect for such a venue; dark throughout with perfect lighting for the stage area. Corner has a brick look with the Yuk Yuk’s sign on one side. Looks like it’s something you would see on TV.
The only problem I have with this place is that the bar is too close to the last few rows of seating. So basically if you are sitting in the back on the left side you are hearing not only the comedy but the people behind the bar, the people ordering drinks. Not good.
It was difficult to listen.
Not sure if the people that matter read this but if they do, then you should move the bar in the opposite corner of the stage, put up a half wall in front and put up plexi-​glass or something that would be a sound barrier.
We will probably go back again but I would suggest sitting more up front rather than in the back.
Hope this review helps others.

My first visit to Yuk Yuk’s after many a year of meaning to go here. Better late than never!
The venue is tiny. Much tinier than I was expecting. It could seat perhaps 100 people? If that? They have their own bar so you don’t have to slip out to the Westin proper for a drink, which is great. They don’t make shaken drinks as they would interfere with the comics, so no cosmo. The bartender made me a cranberry & vodka instead (pretty much the same thing). It was very sweet and very good.
We each had a tiny table in front of our chairs. Their menu is extremely limited, even for drinks. Food is incredibly overpriced, so eat beforehand.
The stage itself is the tiniest thing I’ve ever seen. It’s a little wedge in the corner, maybe three feet long. The comics themselves that night? Overall, not that great. The MC told jokes, plus two opening acts before the headliner. While it was interesting to hear jokes about Halifax rather than American politicians, only the headliner (a sort-​of-​known comedian) was truly funny. I wouldn’t return without ensuring I’m familiar with the acts so I get my money’s worth.
Shows run about ninety minutes. Overall it was a pretty good time.

Nice to have a place in Halifax to jostle the funny bone now and then. Nothing like a couple hours of good hearty laughing to blow away the «is Winter ever going to end blues».
Price is reasonable and they have student and military discounts. Of course how good the performers are will determine if you think you got good value for your money. On our last visit, we felt we did get a great show.
Having said that, why is it some people find vulgarity funny? I just don’t get it. I’m not talking about the occasional use of the «F» word, I mean a stream of vulgar words and gross imagery. The funniest comedians I’ve seen have never had to resort to this type of comedy. I’m no prude but it limits the people you would want to attend a comedy show with because you never know what will come out. Trust me, sitting next to your boss during one of these bits is not a good time.
The venue itself is okay. On Saturday night only the first few rows of seats got a small table on which to set drinks & food (they have a nice snack menu). The rest of the seats are stadium style. I’d rather a lounge type set up with tables and chairs but that would likely limit the number of people the room will hold. And the seats themselves get a pretty uncomfortable coming into the second hour of the show.
Being the only comedy club in town that I know of, I’m sure we’ll be back.

We thought this was super great. Being there once before the other night, I was impressed by their student pricing and friendly staff… as well as the pretty great comedy. However, this last visit made me super happy and want to return a lot.
We went on a Wednesday– mostly because we are saving money and it was only $ 5! Yes it was amateur night, but wow it was so worth my $ 5 bones. For starters, there were like 10 comedians and the host. That’s a bang for your buck. And the show ran about 1 hour and 40 mins. I really felt like I got my moneys worth. And I cant forget the talent. I mean some was mediocre, and a couple were plain flat… however most were amazing! Like Side splitting laughter ensued. I don’t know how these people don’t have their own show. Their were a couple amateurs, Bryan and Struen in particular, that i would have paid $ 40 to see a whole show of them. Such fantastic work. And the variety of comic was great– all with different styles and material.
What I liked most was the seating, all arranged at the stage with small tables in front of you. The food list looked promising, but the drink list was not. Being in the Westin, I assumed better selection, however, it falls short at Keiths, Rickards, Bud, and Coors. And no fancy cocktail list, even though they did have a full bar. They really could have made more money from me if cocktails were an option.
I would highly suggest this for a fun cheap night or when friends are visiting from out of town. Great night!

I’d been to Yuk Yuk’s several years back as part of a birthday celebration; the main act was Nikki Payne and our group had a great time. I must admit, though, that it’s easy to forget that Halifax has its own comedy club (hence the large gap between visits). Now I ask myself this:
Why did I wait so damn long?!
Reasonable prices for two hours of laughter and vulgarity! Fresh, new, and sometimes even local talent! Yay! My partner and I had a fantastic time. We’d never heard of any of the 4 comedians who performed, but we were, at the very least, satisfied with each one’s set. We did not order food or alcohol and had a gift certificate to get us in, so the entirety of the night’s entertainment cost us… well, basically nothing. Who can argue with that?
As an aside, I would like to point out that weekend shows do get very busy. It is in your best interest to make a reservation and to show up shortly after the doors open. The staff were putting people on the waiting list when we arrived at 7:15, and that little room was pretty darn near full by the time 8:00 rolled around.
Worthwhile! We will be back!

Yuk Yuks is fun for a night out; or good for a few laughs before an even better night out.
I don’t find it too expensive. But, I guess that depends on the act of the night. Some nights can certainly be better than others or more worth the money. They do have specials on certain nights for students (Thursday) or military (Friday); and you get in free on your birthday (or the week of!).
You can get a bucket of six Molson for $ 24.00!

Halifax Comedy Fest drug our carcasses out to the Yuk Yuk comedy club. I often drove by the Westin but never realized what a tiny and neat little venue the Yuk Yuk’s are held in.
Aside from the comedy itself (which was mucho hilarious) the service wasn’t quite up to snuff. I ordered a caesar– which might not be a staple at Yuk Yuk’s? It was terrible. Like trying to tell a bartender in Boston I wanted a caesar– terrible. My friends got buckets of beer I believe, of which no one can complain about. They also ordered some nachos which looked delicious.
The room itself isnt very big but I take this as a good thing because it’s more intimate. Comedy alone could rack up 5 stars for me but the venue itself just gets the 3.

Having never been to Yuk Yuks I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. I mean, I had the general gist of what the night would entail but the specific ins and outs I had no idea.
Off I went to meet friends for an evening out. I arrived just ahead of them and was lucky enough to be able to grab a table for us since they’re assigned on a first come first serve basis. While the tables are small it was nice to have somewhere to put our drinks and our munchies. There are some rows without tables, however, if having more leg room is more important to you. The table-​less rows also eliminate the need for you having to get up to allow the people on the inside of your row to get out. There is no moving room to be had otherwise.
While the food, obviously, isn’t the main focus of the evening, let’s be honest and say it is important. We opted for a round of nachos and wings. The wings were crispy and hot, and there was a good amount of them. The nachos were the same and came with healthy size portions of sour cream and salsa.
A word of advice: if you decide to go pick your company wisely. If you have a friend who is easily offended, this likely isn’t a great option for them. While I can’t speak for others, the headline comedian we saw clearly knew no boundaries. While I found him hilarious you could easily tell some of the people in the room weren’t happy /​were offended. And if you don’t want to be picked on/​called out don’t sit in the front row — there was a bachelorette party there with the bride in a tiara and sash sitting upfront and center. Yeah, she fell into the «this probably isn’t a great option for her» category.
If you are looking for something fun to do that doesn’t involve a movie theater or an over crowded bar this is may just been a good option. I’ll definitely go back!

I’ve been to Yuk Yuk’s a handful of times for fundraisers and corporate events since they opened their doors and have always had a pretty good time. I really like that our city is able to sustain (I hope?) a comedy club and love the additional way to spend a night out. Ticket prices are usually quite reasonable, they do a lot of work with community groups, and generally speaking Yuk Yuk’s seems intent on playing a healthy role in our city.
The space is pretty small but they manage to give it the right feel once you’re inside. Low lights and a suitably sparse décor keep the focus on the main stage (which admittedly is one step above a tower of milk crates in size) and the performers that have been brought out to entertain.
Occasionally for special events the rows of seats are swapped out for banquet-​style dinner tables, other times it’s your typical set-​up, but both make for a really intimate night with only up to about 80 other people if I had to guess numbers. Bottom line: do not sit near the front unless you have only the thickest of skin. You *will* be singled out for the show and it will *probably* have something to do with masturbation.
Which leads me to my next point: between the dozen of acts I’ve seen at Yuk Yuk’s, there has not been a single one that I would deem appropriate enough for televised broadcast. Meaning, if you and your folks sit around and enjoy the occasional Comedy Now, don’t take that to mean that you’re ready for Yuk Yuk’s. Clearly producers edit out all the still-​shocking vulgarity that makes its way in front of live audiences.
That’s not to say it doesn’t usually get a laugh out of me… it’s just that you’re going to want to pick your company appropriately. I remember being mortified when a newish couple brought their in-​laws along for an entire set about awful slang names for female reproductive parts…

I’m going to start things off by saying the comedians that performed while I was there were hysterical. If Yuk Yuk’s were to be rated on the comedy alone, they’d get five stars. I haven’t laughed like that in a long time. My sides hurt, I had tears in my eyes, and I was doing the uncontrollable obnoxious laugh I told myself I wouldn’t do. Top notch talent, and I’d go back again to see more.
However, everything else about the place could use an upgrade. As this was my first visit at a live comedy club, I was a little shocked at the size of the stage. Maybe I’m a little spoiled because most of the comics I see are performing on HBO or Comedy on large stages meant for theatre productions. That’s why I was surprised that the Yuk Yuks stage was as large as an RV-​camper sized stand-​up shower; even the comedian commented on its lack of space. There is enough room for a comedian, a stool, and a microphone; take two steps in either direction and you’re on top of the front row.
While the whole space in general is small, it is nicely set up. A few rows have tables for those interested in some food, other rows have none to allow for leg room. That said, the chairs need an upgrade. They look like standard folding chairs, which were fine for the first bit, but by the second half I wasn’t laughing as much at the jokes because I was fidgeting in my seat. After the show, others also commented on their tail bone-​grinding seats.
The other thing that needs a change is their price list. I’m not a big drinker, but if I were, I wouldn’t be able to get much for my buck here. Almost $ 6 a bottle of Keith’s beer? $ 7 for a watery run and coke? These prices seem a little high, even for Halifax’s high bar prices.
I’ll definitely go again, because it was a lot of fun and you can’t fault the comedians for the space they have to perform in, but I really think that maybe the space needs a more comfortable makeover.

–What do you get if you cross a canary with a tiger?
–I don’t know, but if it sings you’d better listen…
*Baddum-​dum– CHING!*
Okay, okay, so I may never make it as a stand-​up comedian (*sigh*, another dream dies…), but since a lack of funny jokes and a little thing known as crippling stage fright ensure that I’LL never be on stage, there’s no reason not to check this fun little club out.
I’ve only been to their amateur nights ($ 5 per person. Yeah, I’m poor. Or cheap. Haven’t quite figured that one out yet…), but I’ve always had a great time. It can be a bit cringeworthy when a joke bombs, but thankfully that hasn’t happened too often the times I’ve been.
The club itself is on the small side, so you might want to get to the show early to make sure you’re able to score some good seats, and not end up in the front row, aka the «pick on me, pick on me» section. Unless you like that sort of thing. And to be fair, it’s not always bad, though I have seen people get torn apart by comics trying to be «mean funny» but not really succeeding with the funny part.
The staff are always friendly and upbeat, and the service fairly quick. They have a three course dinner menu, and also offer a number of basic pub and snack food items (nachos, pizza, wings, even popcorn), including several vegetarian options.
I’ve only ever eaten the nachos, but they are surprisingly tasty, loaded with cheese and other toppings and served nice and hot.
So if you’re looking to share a few laughs, and a fun laid-​back night out, with some peeps give Yuk Yuk’s a try. The jokes can’t be any worse than mine. Or can they? Guess you’ll just have to go to find out…

Turn that frown upside-​down, and take a trip to Yuk Yuk’s for some stand-​up entertainment. This centrally located venue is a Hollis Street main attraction, and the ideal spot to unwind with some quality comedy.
There are always shows happening here. Whether its well known comedians on tour, local hooligans, or amateur night, Yuk Yuk’s houses the good vibes. I’ve traveled in a few times with friends, and whether the comedian is hot or cold, its just a nice night out with a change of pace. (Although I usually do get lots of laughs in)
There are loads of deals to look into as well. Call in advance for a group rate. Get in for free if its your birthday. (But give one week’s notice) Students and military folk get discounts. Late night Saturday show’s allows a 50% discount on your date’s cover. And lets face it, nothing eases the awkward tension of an early-​on date like a couple of crude jokes at somebody else’s expense.
I was surprised to discover an appetizing menu here as well. Spinach salad, Atlantic seafood chowder, Atlantic salmon, rubbarb cobbler… these are some dishes to suit my palate! And if you’re not feeling a full-​out meal, munchies and appetizers are an option as well. (Panini platters, veggie platters, various desserts, etc) The Yuk Yuks menu is no joke!
Its a break from the everyday, and a good way to enjoy a night out. Haligonians can laugh their way through a good time, all while enjoying some yummy grub and humorous atmospheric effects.

I went to Yuk Yuk’s on a first date once. It was a great time. I love stand up comedy. I can not remember the act, but they were good.
It was a fun night, probably one of the best dates I was on. It was better than most dates, it also gave me a good idea of his humour.
I choose not to sit in the front, that is like putting a bulls-​eye on yourself, be prepared to take the hits if you are that brave.
This is a fun night out, no matter who you are with and the comedians are pretty good.

For a fun night I would suggest Yuk Yuks. This was a surprise for me one Saturday night when the BF took me out for a night on the town.
This is something that I love to go to but normally don’t as my laugh is one of those laughs that will make you laugh. Well it was on! I did just that it was awesome I honestly did not think that it would be that good. Sitting home and walking some of the bigger ones on TV and then going to yuk Yuks but that was not the case.
Check it out if anything it is good for a laugh.

I enjoy standup, so much so that I spent two of my six evenings in New York City recently at comedy clubs.
Yuk Yuk’s doesn’t quite have the ambiance of a NYC nightclub, but hey, it tries. There are a lot of really good local comedians (must be something in the water) and the club gets comedians from the standup circuit every week.
It’s expensive, though, especially if it’s not amateur night, and unfortunately it prices itself out of the market for me on most weekends.
Seating isn’t reserved, so if it’s a good show, you’ll want to get there early. I’m short, so I’m picky about where I sit, but so far I’ve never gotten stuck at the front. That’s strictly for standup-​newbies. And I can’t take the abuse.

Heading to Yuk Yuk’s can make for a pretty great night, especially if you are trying to break the mold of heading to the movies/​bars on your weekends.
Yuk Yuk’s offers one show on Thursday and Friday nights starting at 8pm. On Saturday there are two shows, one at 8pm and one at 10pm.
If you’re thinking that this would be a great family idea, be prepared: The comedians at Yuk Yuk’s will give Grandma just as hard of a time as that loud 20 year old heckling near the front. Seriously, do not attend a show at Yuk Yuk’s with someone you think might offend easily. These comedians are ruthless!
Admission at Yuk Yuk’s is free if it’s your birthday, which can make for a great start out to your night. Overall, check the website and see who’s in town and performing. The headliners on weekends are professional comedians so you’re pretty much guaranteed a laugh!