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VENUES

DTC VENUES

Finding great locations for shows is a skill every City Producer should have. You'll be surprised at what kind of amazing places you'll transform into a Don't Tell Comedy show.

We've done shows on rooftops, barber shops, beachfronts, boats, gyms and other unconventional places for comedy.

As a producer, it will be your responsibility to find and secure spaces for shows.

IDEAL VENUES ARE...

A unique and unexpected place to see comedy.
A private location (not open to the public).
Able to hold a capacity of at least 40 people.
Able to accommodate BYOB or sell drinks.

FINDING VENUES

Arguably, the most adventurous part of running a DTC show is finding ideal venues. We're here to try and make that easy for you! Here are some methods of seeking out unique locations.

Visit a business or venue

A lot of our shows have happened simply by visiting locations and telling managers or owners about what we do. Some of these places you may already frequent. Gyms, shops, and art galleries have been some popular places we've secured for shows in this fashion.

Use Google maps or yelp

One way to discover possible locations is to pull up a map and scan around your city for places that sound interesting. You may find museums, venues, galleries and other places that would be fun for a show. Try and find any submission forms or an email on the websites of these spaces so you can connect with them.

Follow Sofar Sounds

SoFar Sounds does what we do but for live music. They get all their venues for free so this will give us the highest chance of also getting the space free of charge. Follow their FB and IG stories and pages to see their revealed locations and see if you can find a tag for the location.

Use a national brand

We have worked with many national brands across multiple cities including WeWork, Industrious, F45 Training, Common Grounds and Spaces. Reaching out to some of these previously used national brands in your area could win you a space for a show.

Peerspace & Airbnb

Peerspace.com and Airbnb.com have some awesome spaces available for rent. These would require a venue fee, so be sure to find something that would be within budget.

CHECKLIST

Seating

Get an idea of how many seats you can fit into the space. Ensure that the stage would be in clear view. Check to see if the venue has any seating available for you to use. This might be helpful so you won't have to bring extra chairs.

Lighting

Can all the lights turn off? Some places often have lights that can't shut off or they may have emergency lights that will need 24 hour notice to have shut off.

Ensure that lighting won't affect the enjoyability of the show.

Bathroom

Will guests and comics have convenient access to a bathroom? Try and have the stage in a place that doesn't require guests to walk through the performance area.

Acoustics

Ceiling height, floor material and empty wall space can all affect the acoustics of the show. Shows sound best in spaces with lower ceilings. Higher ceilings or bare walls may produce a reverb effect.

Power

Are there enough power outlets (need at least 3) to power the show? Do we need to bring extension cords for anything?

Temperature

What is the temperature of the room? Shows that are too cold or too hot can be an inconvenience to the audience and comics. Also be mindful of any heaters or fans that might be noisy.

VENUE EXAMPLES

Gyms & Yoga Studios

Art Galleries

Shared Workspaces

Clothing stores

Historic Locations

Furniture Stores

Rooftops or Outdoor Gardens

Coffee Shops - After Hours

Book Stores

Community Theaters

Backyard Show

Photo & Film Studios

VENUE FEES

There are many spaces that will hold our show for free but sometimes, you may find venues that require a fee.

This venue fee will be an expense from a show's revenue so it's best to consider the following when considering a paid venue:

The venue space is unique and enjoyable
The venue's capacity can hold 60 or more guests.
The venue is in a part of town that can likely draw an audience.
The venue's cost is reasonable.

Preferred Venue Fee Range

Capacity of 50 - 60
- $50 - $100
Capacity of 60 - 100
- $100 - $300
Capacity of 100 - 150
- $300 - $500

If you have a venue asking for a fee more than $500, or if you have any questions, reach out to Drew or Jared.

Paying Venue Fees

Cash/Check

Any venues that need to be paid out by cash or check will need to be paid out by the producer. A producer can submit a show reimbursement for this before or after they pay the venue out.

Venmo/PayPal

DTC does not use Venmo and PayPal to pay out venues directly so these payments may need to be made between the producer and the venue. If a venue is to be paid by Venmo, PayPal, CashApp, etc., you will need to submit a show reimbursement before or after you pay them out.

We do have the ability to send payment via Zelle if that's preferred.

Credit Card

If you receive an invoice, or another means of billing, email jared@donttellcomedy.com with the details and any attachments. We're happy to pay invoices that can be paid by credit card directly.

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