Magner’s Singapore International Comedy Festival season is upon us again this Mar 19-21. With tons of venues lined up around the Singapore River, here’s where to catch the local and standout acts this year.
Boomarang
Usually a hangout for arden sports fans, with its classic bar bites and good deal on beer, this relaxed, modern bar on Circular Road is hosting Hong Kong’s Vivek Mahbubani (10:30pm every night). He may not look it, but the man is bilingual in Chinese and English and often jokes in both languages.
Koi Brunch + Beats
This grungy industrial watering den serves satisfying Japanese-inspired comfort food like chirashi dons and Orion draft beer, among other tipples like cocktails and house pours. For the festival, they’re hosting one of the few women comics: local lady Joanna Sio (8:15pm every night) takes wicked jabs at obscure personal problems. If you think you’ve seen her before, it’s probably because you’ve caught her with her comedy troupe, The Latecomers.
Molly Malone’s
The true blue Irish pub trades the live music for stand up comedy acts. With its cozy dark wooden interiors, comfort nosh and, of course, lots of Guinness, this is a great place to unwind to some laughs. Catch Canadia-born Hong Kong-based Sean Hebert (9:15pm every night), who has hosted gigs for the likes of Dave Chappelle and Barry Hilton. Aside from that, he’s been a finalist for the Hong Kong International Comedy Competition.
Hero’s
This Wild West saloon-style bar is a modern take on cowboy glamor, with pour-it-yourself beer tables and the Tex-Mex food. This weekend, it’s hosting Shazia Mirza (10:45pm every night) makes her only pit stop in Singapore. The British comedienne mainly pokes fun at culture and racesfrom the viewpoint of a woman.
For the full line-up and how to score tickets, head here.
