We, too lazy to head into the city, decided to experience a local comedy night at the Monroe Center recently. Supporting local comedians while exploring Hoboken at the same time was appealing to us. Plus, at only $15 and BYOB – what could be better? I called a few days in advance to “reserve” a spot for 3 people, as instructed in the email I received. I spoke to a gentleman that was very pleasant and accommodating, which made me more excited for the outing. When I arrived at the Monroe Center, around 8:35, I was greeted by a large cold, open concrete space – not exactly what I was expecting. After one of my girlfriends arrived, we headed upstairs a few minutes early to be seated.
As we headed into the large open space, which looked like an empty dance studio, I realized that there was no need for a reservation, as there was just a young man taking money at the door. No list of names in sight. Seating was first come first serve and consisted of a handful of high bar-top tables towards the back of the room, long folding tables closer to the stage and random seats filled in between. Arriving earlier was key, as we got to choose a bar-top table near the back. However the room was not full until about 9:30 (a half hour after the show was supposed to start). My girlfriends and I brought two bottles of wine, thinking that would be enough. We were by far the least prepared in the room. Other groups brought handles of vodka and mixers, 32 packs of beer, pretzels, chips, and cheese and crackers. Just in case there were some who did not bring alcohol, there were a few opened bottles of alcohol on the table at the entrance. For a small “donation” you could divulge in the spirits. Personally, I was very wary of that and luckily had brought some liquid fun of my own.
The show began around 8:45 with the host Jimmy Q doing a short set to get the crowd warmed up and in between each comedian. His Irish accent in itself was quite funny. That is, until it disappeared later on in the night and he divulged that he was actually American. A little strange. Two comedians preceded the headliner – Rich Shultis and Sarah Guartafierro. Each was funny in his/her own way. Shultis’ set consisted mainly of sexual jokes and racial observations – slightly uncomfortable at times but all in all entertaining. Sarah Guartafierro, the only woman in the show, used this to her advantage and filled her set with anecdotal jokes about her lackluster fashion sense and longterm relationship woes all while successfully embarrassing an audience member who thought he should have been on stage instead.
Headliner Yannis Pappas, who is most famous for being on Comedy Central and contributing to VH1’s “Best Week Ever,” provided the best performance of the night. Pappas’ comedy touched on a variety of topics from our state’s claim to fame as of late, “Jersey Shore,” to drunken bar fights.
During the sets, many audience members chimed in and were included in the show – both annoying and funny at times. If you prefer not to be part of the show then sit in the back because if you are even relatively close to the front (as with any comedy show, I suppose) you will be picked on. At the end of the show, two gift certificates for a local Hoboken Salon, The Beauty Parlor, were given away and lucky me, I won one! All in all, I would call the experience interesting. Although some aspects of the night were a little strange, the crowd was a little rambunctious at times (what else can you expect with BYOB?) and the venue wasn’t as classy as the Ritz, it turned out that the comedy was decent, the BYOB was economical and I got to spend the night with great friends. Will my girlfriends and I be going back? Sure, but probably after a few month hiatus. Maybe that will give them time to work out some kinks.
Side notes:
Don’t forget cups and corkscrew if you plan to bring wine!
Sit in the back if you don’t want to be singled out.
Remember, it is BYOB – there will be some obnoxious people at times.
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