Perhaps you’ve been lured in by the lackey handing out fliers for a free present, or possibly you’ve been a follower of Underground Comedy since its inception greater than a decade in the past. However for brand new and longtime space followers, Hotbed has been the head of D.C.’s comedy group for the reason that pandemic ruptured the scene.
It took over Songbyrd Music Home’s outdated Adams Morgan house in 2022, courtesy of Sean Joyce — a comic book and the native comedy scene’s unofficial mayor, who hosted greater than 4,000 reveals on the Huge Hunt earlier than the pandemic closed down the beloved (and notorious) dive turned comedy membership. There, headliners included Patton Oswalt, Michelle Wolf and Hannibal Buress, however within the troupe’s new (and first official) venue, Joyce says he’s targeted on incubating native expertise (a hotbed, if you’ll — get it?).
It’s becoming that Underground Comedy would discover a everlasting house beneath road degree. The primary ground of Hotbed has a slim bar not not like the others that line 18th Avenue NW, the place patrons whereas away time earlier than doorways open for the reveals. The stage is on the decrease degree, an area Joyce says was made by a comic book with comics in thoughts: a basic brick wall, quick stage, low ceilings, tightly packed chairs and one other full bar, all softly lit in a crimson glow. “Hotbed is a re-creation of Huge Hunt, however a nicer model that was made for comedy as an alternative of an unintended comedy membership that grew within a bar,” Joyce says.
About six days per week, Hotbed provides a free lineup of native comedians that begins at 8 p.m. on weeknights and 11:30 or midnight on weekends. On Fridays and Saturdays, it hosts 5 $25 “showcase” reveals, curated by Joyce and Hotbed workers, that includes 15 of the town’s greatest skills and the occasional touring artist. For those who can’t rating a ticket on-line, there will likely be some accessible on the door, and standing room is obtainable as soon as seats are full. There aren’t any merchandise buying necessities, however each bars supply specials like ardour fruit whiskey sours and strawberry vodka fizz on faucet.
Tip: If Hotbed is selling a secret present, you may anticipate a go to from a sure “Saturday Evening Reside” Weekend Replace host whose identify may rhyme with “you don’t say.”
