Polit Bar

Andrew Bensley has been pottering about the Canberra comedy scene for a year and a half, delivering half-baked premises and awkward punchlines with aplomb. Come hang out and watch him fumble through 30 minutes stand up and then buy him a beer please, he's very hard up for cash at the moment. Supported by the men in the mirror Riley Bell, Danny Bensley and Tanya Losanno with MC Harris Stuckey. Tickets $5 ($10 at the door)

A staple of the Canberra comedy scene for the past four years, Simon Bower is the annoying little brother you never had. He giggles at his own jokes, he's bad at girls and he's writing this bio in third-person like a pretentious ass. But he's also disarmingly honest and willing to tell very embarrassing stories about himself in order to make strangers laugh, even having done so in sellout shows at the Canberra Comedy Festival, Melbourne International Comedy Festival and…

Join Anthony for his first ever headline set as he explores humanity from a variety of angles, none of them straight on. If you’re after an emotional rollercoaster that only a passive-aggressive, self-deprecating captain can steer; Anthony also drives for Über.

You might just know them as local comedians but come March, these small fry are off to tackle the big smoke as the 5:30 Show, about to begin their 4th successful run at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival as Canberra's primary comedy export. One night only! Featuring the Knights in White Satin: Harris Stuckey, Andrew Bensley, Shahed Sharify, Josh Glass, Anthony Tomic, Danny Bensley, and James McMahon. 'Not afraid to tackle taboo and absurd topics...naturally funny' Herald Sun 2014 'Consistently…

Ian Worst is not a comedian as he is more a 'New Millennial Word Artist.' His jokes are not jokes but rather splashes of paint across the canvas of the human condition. That is of course in a universe where the human condition consists entirely of eating Arnott's Cheddar Shapes and smoking rolled cigarettes outside the Phoenix. Since exploding onto the Canberra comedy scene ten months ago Worst has received no critical reception whatsoever and has performed to sold audiences…

It's not every day that Canberra's best comedians write steamy and sexually explicit stories about your favourite characters and national treasures doing steamy and sexually explicit things. But by George that day is going to be the 16th of June, 2016. Featuring Harris Stuckey, Vanessa Conlin, Riley Bell, Anthony Tomic and more.

Back by popular demand, it's COMPETITIVE EROTIC FAN FICTION! With brand new story tellers and brand new childhood idols to randomly pluck out of a hat and make do the nasty. It's the cheapest, dirtiest and safest show in town where you can't actually get in trouble from your spouse if they find out you came. Hosted by the masterminds behind the hit podcast, Extravaganza Show, James McMahon and Harris Stuckey. And featuring the juicy comedy minds of Shahed Sharify,…

Codie Bell is a comedian and social media tragic who has been offending sensitive men in comedy rooms across Canberra since the beginning of the year. She has been a feature artist at Slamboree, Canberra’s best monthly scout-themed slam poetry night, as well as organising and hosting the ANU Women’s Department ‘Unattainable Standards’ comedy night, which saw a host of aspiring women comics take the stage for the first time. Active in both the Canberra comedy and feminist scenes, she…

Having become a regular of the Canberra Comedy scene for the past 18 months, Phill Carruthers is ready to take the mic for longer than usual as he headlines at this months LolPol. Phill has been described as a thoughtful, witty and an impressively self-effacing comic. When you're done laughing at his jokes, you'll probably want to be his friend. Sweet Chilly Philly will be supported by awesome locals: Maddy Weeks, Andrew Bensley and Danny Bensley MC Anthony Tomic.

  Anthony Tomic returns for the November edition of LolPol! Join him for an evening of one-sided conversation on topics and themes on which he’s aching to share his perspective on. (It’s better this than ranting on the street, which he might still do to be honest). His January LolPol show sold out, so be sure to buy your tickets online! Anthony will be supported by local dreamboats Ellie Windred, Simon Bower and Betsy Bailetti. MC Greg Kimball.

“I gotta lot of problems with you people, and know, you're gonna hear about it!!” - Costanza, Frank (Festivus, 1997) 2016 is (nearly) in the book! Come and join a motley bunch of local Canberra comics – a ragtag bunch of atheists, agnostics, and at least one Catholic who finds tinsel ‘distracting’ – as they lament their issues with the year gone by, most of it self-inflicted. Festivusities include: Admiring an Aluminium Pole; Airing of Grievances; Feats of Strength Featuring…

Danny Bensley is a Canberra comedian with a tendency to overthink the mundane things in life. He is public servant (just like you!) by day and an off duty public servant by night, so he has plenty of time to get down to the nitty gritty of the pointless. He has been part of sold out comedy shows in both the Canberra and Melbourne comedy festivals and supported some comedy greats like Jeff Green, Adam Rozenbachs and Dilruk Jayasinha. Featuring…

This month's headliner is local legend Shahed Sharify. His dry wit and natural style has seen him perform all over the country, sometimes more than once! Join Shahed for a Summer evening of thought-provoking and intelligent social commentary that stops short of being preachy because it's inherently laced with apathy and a (barely) lukewarm desire to be liked! Shahed will be supported by James McMahon, Laura Campbell and Phill Carruthers. MC Anthony Tomic.

  The Canberra Comedy Festival is in the rear-view mirror but do not despair! LolPol is back in April with local folk hero Josh Glass! Josh has been honing his impressive storytelling and observational style, complete with always astute (and often ridiculous) observations. Join Josh for what promises to be a fun-filled evening! He will make you think, laugh, and enjoy yourself (or variations of that order). Josh will be supported by Bill Makin, Nick Smith and Betsy Bailetti. MC…

Joining us this month at LolPol is the one-time Canberra local but still-time funny man Andrew Bensley!   If you love stories, if you love self-deprecation, if you love slick social commentary, if you love hearing truth (or lies that blow up), Drew’s going to go there. We’re never sure of the exact ratio, but a lot of stuff is going to transpire on the third Thursday in May and it’s going to be great!   Andrew will be supported…

  This June at LolPol we are joined by everyone’s favourite cheeky thespian, Riley Bell!   Riley has unparalleled energy, absurdity and an acute desire to entertain, pretty much all of the time. If there’s something happening on a stage, or there’s a microphone around, odds are you’ll find him there. Join him this month at Polit Bar as he dazzles us with his incredible range, versatility and amazing humour.   Riley will be supported by Charlie King, Shahed Sharify,…

This month’s Polit headliner is Ian McCarthy!   Originally a Canberra boy, Melbourne has been his home for the past few months where he has been honing his powers of observation, aiming to eat at least twice per day, and making the rent (to varying success).   Join us as Ian takes us on a wildly entertaining journey of storytelling and jokes that belie his youth. This show is not to be missed!   Ian will be supported by very…

  Back by popular(ish) demand!   Join Canberra’s finest comedians as they awkwardly create smutty but humorous stories based on randomly drawn pop culture topics.   It’s going to be hilarious, filthy, and certainly memorable.   Featuring Josh Glass, Liv Sparrow, Frances McNair, Danny Bensley, Cy Fahey and more!

  This month at Polit we will be entertained by the great Harris Stuckey (the great)! Harris is great, and he has done it all - and due to having a strong bias for routine - is happy enough to do the same venues again!   He’s performed all around the country, he’s performed in a bunch of comedy festivals, he’s straight-up slayed wherever he’s gone. So join him for a fun night of laughter, gags, n’ goofs!   This…

This month at Polit we will be entertained by the amazing Ellie Windred! She's been smashing the local comedy scene for a while now, sometimes as an act!   She's performed in the Canberra Comedy Festival, the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, and a lot of shady places as well. Like in a van in Braddon.   If you like stories, lit commentary, and scathing attacks on things that are dumb (the targets, not the attacks), you need to make it…

This month LolPol will be headlined by Anthony Tomic!   Having performed in the past two Melbourne International Comedy Festivals as well as this year’s Canberra Comedy Festival, he’s really excited to put together a feature-length set instead of this incredibly awkward write-up.   This is his third time at Polit, past shows have sold out. If you want to join Anthony for a night of story-telling, anecdotes, observations and affable neuroses (is that a thing? Let’s find out!)… purchase…

The first headliner of 2018 is Frances McNair!   Franky tore up the local scene over the past year and LolPol is thrilled to host her first feature-length set!   Come and join for what will be a fun night of hilarious observations, story-telling, brutal honesty, and a load of charm.   This show will be hosted by the amazing Emma Holland, a top 2 prop comic, with support sets from awesome locals Harris Stuckey, Phill Carruthers and Ellie Windred.…

  This month’s LolPol headliner is Bill Makin!   Bill’s been tearing it up in the local comedy scene and is pumped to be bringing his first feature set to the bright lights of Manuka!   If you love story-telling, act-outs, zingers, and on-point social commentary in the form of scathing impersonations of Politicians, you don’t want to miss this!   This show will be hosted by Anthony Tomic, with support from dreamboats Taylor Coughtrie, Laura Campbell and Sparrow Folk!…

LolPol is back this May with a huge show to fill your comedy needs! Your headliner this month is the very talented and always engaging Josh Glass.   Josh is a Canberra comic who has been smashing it out of the park (whenever he's in a park, it's pretty violent) and has a very impressive comedic arsenal at his disposal. He's honest without being preachy, inventive without being scientific, original without being cryptic, and compelling without being a Ted Talk.…

Joining us at LolPol this month is the amazing Maddy Weeks!   Maddy is making her LolPol headline debut! She’s been a busy bee leading up to this, the greatest moment of her fledgling life, by tearing it up at this year’s Canberra Comedy and Melbourne International Comedy Festivals!   Join us as she brings her warm, zany, electric presence to the bright lights of Manuka, where we will all bask in and be warmer for it.   This show…

This month’s LolPol headliner is Greg Kimball!   He’s been bringing the thunder all over Canberra for the past few years and is rightly one of Canberra’s favourite sons, winning over audiences with his affable and natural storytelling style.   If you didn’t catch him in his sold out Comedy Festival show (or even if you did) now is your chance to catch him at LolPol Manuka!   This show will be hosted by Melbourne lad Ian McCarthy, with support…

Joining us at LolPol this August is the delightful Tim Noon!   Tim is a legend of the Canberra comedy scene who will absolutely rock out with his razor sharp wit, charisma, and off-the-wall observations. Seeing him in full flight is a real treat and LolPol is so excited to be hosting his feature-length set.   This show will be MCed by Josh Glass, with awesome support acts from hilarious locals Juliet Moody, Chris Marlton and Laura Campbell.    …

Joining us this September, for his feature-length debut, is Nick Schuller!   While Nick is relatively new to the scene, he has been smashing it out of the park with his laid-back yet super sharp observational style.   With a firm grasp on every topic he nimbly turns his attention to, you’ll be amazed at how much humour he ably exposes for our laughter and enjoyment. This is definitely not a show to miss!   This show will be hosted…

Starring at LolPol this month is the amazing Laura Campbell!   Laura has been a staple of the Canberra scene over the past couple years, blowing crowds away with her slick observations and, if necessary, classy takedowns of whatever she damn well pleases!   A natural story-teller, she impeccably and effortlessly uncovers the hilarious from the wildest of sources and situations. If you’re looking for a fun way to fill your third Thursday, this is it.   This show will…

This month’s headliner is Tom Gibson!   There is very little Tom has not achieved over the past decade, headlining across Australia and leaving no stone unturned in his pursuit of leaving crowds in hysterics.   The energy and pace at which he delivers his stories and observations is without parallel. It is a real boon that he calls Canberra home, as he will bring the heat on the third Thursday in November!   This show will be hosted by…

"It's made from aluminium. Very high strength-to-weight ratio." - Costanza, F. (1997) 2018 has flown by (a festivus miracle?) so come along to Polit bar on the 20th of December and enjoy a line-up of Canberra's finest comics. Festivusities include: Admiring an Aluminium Pole Airing of Grievances Festivus Miracles Festivus Feast Feats of Strength Wrestling (no wrestling please) So if you're sick of any other occassions that are on around about this time, come to the show!* *(This will be a…

The first headliner at LolPol this year is the awesome Benny Eggmolesse!   Originally from Sydney, Benny now calls Canberra home, and will be bringing his effortless charm and story-telling chops to the big dance that is a bar up some stairs in Manuka.   Benny has taken the Canberra comedy scene by the scruff of its neck, smashing it with his hilarious and honest takes on all things from the personal to the every day. Nothing escapes his gaze…

Your LolPol headliner this month is Chris Ryan!   As we approach the comedy festival season, one of Canberra’s finest will be treating us to a feature-length set. If you want stories, unique takes, honest appraisals – without taking itself too seriously – this will be right up you alley.   Chris is easily one of the most astute and polished performers that call this Territory home, so plan accordingly.   Show will be hosted by Anthony Tomic, with support…

2 time Moosehead grant recipient (2005 and 2019) Tanya has written and performed 5 solo shows (Tanya Losanno is a Rebelle, Tanya Losanno is a Trophy Wife, Tanya Losanno in Risotto Sans Frontiere, Tanya Losanno in The Passenger and Tanya Losanno in The Good, The Bad and the Elderly) as part of numerous festivals throughout Australia.   After 20 years of performing in Melbourne she is now back in Canberra bringing her comedy and storytelling stylings to the audiences of…

  Making his LolPol headline debut this month is Chris Marlton!   Get ready to go on a comedic adventure, as Chris brings characters to life, and life to characters. There will be stories, there will be laughter, possibly a few calls for revolution… or at least a friendly reminder to sign an online petition for climate change.   2019 has seen Chris perform in sold out shows at the Canberra Comedy Festival, followed by a successful run at the…

2019 has come and nearly gone (and how!)   If you’re still in Canberra on Thursday December 19, come enjoy a showcase of Canberra’s finest remaining comedians.   It will be an amazing display of local talent, and is a perfect antidote to the mandatory Public Service xmas parties we all (or at least a statistically significant proportion of Canberrans) have to go to.   If you hate lawn bowls, kris kringle, and Joan from HR, none of these things…

Making his LolPol headline debut and ringing in the new year is Jeffrey Charles! Jeffrey is the nicest, most beta member of the 1% you will ever come across. He somehow comes off second best in every single thing he's ever done, even when he's alone, yet he remains optimistic and genuinely delightful in his own non-threatening, non-confrontational way. Where some people enter a room and have boundless presence, Jeffrey enters a room and, while he's physically there, he emanates…