Vinopolis launches comedy night

London wine museum Vinopolis is to launch a monthly comedy night.

The Laughter Lounge will run on the last Friday of every month, and will feature two main acts and a compere.

Managing director Rupert Ellwood said there was nothing in the comedy line in that part of London.

‘We realised there isn’t a comedy club for miles, and certainly nothing in the London Bridge area. We wanted to fill that gap.’

Vinopolis hopes to target comedy lovers with the aim of converting them into wine lovers rather than vice versa.

‘Comedy is a new area for us and we will have to create a new following, but I think we will have the most interest from comedy lovers keen to seek out a new venue’, Ellwood said.

‘Our night will be different to mainstream comedy. The venue, with its impressive backdrop, will have more of an up-market lounge feel than most comedy clubs, hence the name. But at £10 a ticket, it is still affordable.’

Acts confirmed include Brendan Dempsey, Quincy, Henry Parker, Sean Welsh and Paul Tonkinson.

While none are household names, some performed at the recent Edinburgh Festival.

Ellwood is optimistic about the event’s future. ‘We’ve already sold 40 tickets in the past few days, which is heartening. If things really take off then we’ll host the night once a week.’

The comedy will not be wine-themed, although there are plans for a one-off wine comedy night.

Written by Lucy Shaw