We went to Bunjo's for the first time on Saturday to see Sammy Obeid. As instructed, we got there about 30 minutes early, and were the first one's there. And fifteen minutes later we were still the only ones there. Finally, a few more couples showed up, but the crowd maxed out at 9 people (not counting the comics/staff).
The owner/host John DeKoven was very apologetic, noting that the place had turned away people the night before for their comedy competition. But it made for kind of an awkward night -- there just wasn't enough critical mass for any of the comics to really get on a roll.
Besides Sammy Obeid (who had a funny set despite the tiny crowd), both my girlfriend and I were impressed by Colleen Watson. She had good stage presence and some very funny bits, and you got the feeling that with a bit more polish her career could really take off. Miles K. had some nice moments too, and the host John D. did a good job between acts.
Based on the crowd size and the time it took to get there from Fremont, $10 plus the 2 item minimum per person was a bit high, but live shows at small venues can be a crap-shoot that way. We certainly appreciated the effort of the performers, but if there's a next time we'd want to come on a more popular night (maybe Fridays are better?).
getting the obvious out of the way.....yes, this place is located inside a Chinese restaurant - but on the bright side, the drinks are mixed strong enough to overcome the ambiance.
The comedy however, is typically pretty darn good! Â If you're a comedy fan in the east Bay....this is a great spot to check out over the weekend. Â it sure beats a trip down to SJ or SF and is about half the cost of a night out at Tommy T's.
Had a great time at Bunjos last night! I disagree with the girl who posted the bad review. I think the comedians did a great job of handling a drunk brat who obviously needs attention. As the last reviewer pointed out these are people who are learning the craft. I will definitely be back! Thank you Bunjos!
Review Source:I LOVE Bunjo's Comedy Club! Â What a great way to spend an evening in town, grab a yummy meal, a few drinks and enjoy a night of belly laughter. Â
The Anti-Valentine's Day show was hilarious! Â My girlfriends and I laughed as each of the comedians entertained us with their witty humor, fabulous stories and more. Â It was perfect for us Single & Married women.
I HIGHLY recommend Bunjo's Comedy Club, it supports local talent and the community. Â I've been going to this club for OVER 2.5 years with my family and friends and I can always count on having a good time.
Thanks John D. for creating a fun, lively, humorous atmosphere. Â I'm looking forward to many more great times!
UPDATE 2/16 after recieving an email from the manager, i have edited a few things in my review to be more specific and accurate. My previous review gave 1 star, but the manager cleared a few things up for me and was also generous enough to refund my date and I for the night.
What a night! It was 28$ for me and my date, after fees and such for the Anti-Valentines day special event. Plus the cost of the two item minimum. Honestly, I had a fun night but it wasn't without its slip-ups.
The comedy area is set inside a really pretty asian resterant. It's a lounge, so its fairly small, there were about 12 tables with 4 chairs each; with only one server.
The food was awesome... until I found a hair in my sweet and sour soup. That was pretty gross. I let the server know, and he offered to bring me a new one. I declined. They didn't offer to bring something else, not even a drink! And they still charged us for the unfinished hair soup! The resteraunt is not affiliated with the lounge, other than location and the food that is served. However, since the two idem minimum means most people will be ordering food while at bunjos, it should be taken into concideration.
The set started half an hour later then posted, but the announcer was very apologetic and admitted that he made a mistake by telling the comedians the wrong time.
The preformers were funny up-and-comming comedians, and I really liked that. Unfortunatly; out of the four; two of them this beligerent drunken girl from the aqudience completely take over their set, and spent about a thid of their time up there ether arguing with her or letting her yell and complain and undermine them. The last comedian was clearly letting her get to him, and even called her a slut in front of her date! Her date didnt mind, but i found that to be unprofessional of him.! I would have liked to see them kick her out, because she was obstructing the entire show. I know that there are hecklers everywhere bu when it stopps being funny and starts to get out of hand then theres a problem. I won't give a bad rating because of a bad customer, but instead the way that they delt with her. Among other things. Â Also, they didn't stick to the anti-valentines day theme very well. It was mostly sex jokes, and personal-stories. Funny, but not what we came for.
While my date and I had a great time and lauphed our asses off, it was mostly because of the rediculousness of the night. Watching up-and-commers was fun and I love to support local buisnesses, but i wasn't happy with the food service or security. I will give them another shot in the future though, mostly because the manager clearly cares about the place and customer satisfaction.
Bunjo's Comedy Lounge is one of those great places that is right in your backyard and when you discover it you ask yourself how it is possible that you did no know about it before; it is right up your alley: affordable, clean, fun, friendly, everything you want in a local haunt.
My wife and I enjoyed an evening out here with another couple and had a really good time. John D. is a great host, he put on a fun show and made us feel very welcome. Â
As others have suggested it is a good idea to get there 20-30 min early and order food so you can dine during the show. Â The food is excellent Chinese food from the Willow Tree.
It was also nice to see a show that had more artful humor rather than the base, filthy, lewdness so prevalent in some acts. Â I'm not a prude and don't mind some adult content, which there was and is to be expected but the comics we saw did not rely on filth for the substance of their performance.
Our crowd was almost exclusively couples, which may or may not be the norm but it seemed like a good place for a date. Â There is a friendly comfortable atmosphere here.
Overall I look forward to my next visit, and would highly recommend Bunjo's to anyone else!
My girlfriend and I went on a cold rainy night and had a blast. Â This is a small, intimate venure and they get top notch talent. Â The one thing I would suggest is giving the bar some stools for early arrivals and let people mingle after the show instead of packing up the joint so quickly. Â John the MC is great!
Review Source:I had high hopes after reading raving reviews about Bunjo's Comedy Lounge. Â I went with my husband and a couple friends on Friday night for Open Mic night. Â Maybe that was our mistake. Â The host was funny, but the four other comics were not. Â It started late and ended early. The $5 cover was cheap, but then you are required to order two items each. Â If I go again I'd try it on a Saturday.
Review Source:This review is based on two experiences at Bunjo's: Â (1) Three For One Comedy with Jeff Applebaum, Anthony Hill and Michael Slack in September and (2) Bunjo's Comedy All Star Show with Phil Johnson in October.
If a comic makes an effort to be funny, throws in locally-relevant jokes and does NOT phone it in even though it is a small venue, I have got to give credit where credit is due. Â If you have an open mind and love comedy, you will dig Bunjo's. Â Please note: You need to be the type of non-pretentious person who finds it hilarious to find yourself sitting in a Dublin Chinese restaurant that doubles as a comedy club.
My rule about comedy is that it can be controversial, awkward, uncomfortable and obscene but it cannot be unfunny. Â I don't care whether it is Louis C.K. or some unknown guy, as long as they BRING THE LAUGHS. Â That being said, I had a great time at Bunjo's on both occasions. I give it a 8 out of 10. Â
The three for one Comedy show was a hit. Â All three comics were on point. Â As for the All-Star Show with Phil Johnson, I am okay with the fact that they are using the term "all-star" somewhat loosely. Â I am also ok with the comics blaming the Dublin audience when the joke bombs, by saying something like, "Ohhh..right this isn't San Francisco, its Dublin, so you guys aren't getting it", etc. Â That's fine with me, I figure that's what I signed up for and I am not offended. But there were 4 comics and they all seemed to use that response when a joke didn't get laughs, and since they are all watching each other's set, maybe switch it up a little more. Â A great comeback to a bad joke can totally save the moment.
I am not going to review all the acts themselves - it would take all day and probably we all have different taste in comedy. Â Kudos to John the host for being a sarcastic delight...his writing is funny but his delivery sells it. Â It was also interesting to see comics at different stages in their careers. Â The Phil Johnson show had a new comic (named "Whoadi the Shotcaller) doing the opening act". I can 100% respect someone who decides to go into standup...It takes balls. Â She is probably the funniest person in her family. Â But some of the jokes did need a little fine-tuning. Â She did have her star moments though. Â Her best joke was about wanting the audience to remember her name in case she is ever in trouble and facing a jury. Â That one was gold, Whoadi...Wanda Sykes would be lucky to have that joke. I also think the bit about disciplining kids is almost perfect..funny stuff...Keep writing!
Actually, one of the same weekends I decided to go to Bunjo's, the Diceman was playing at Tommy T's but you know what, I am glad I went to Bunjos. Â I got like 3 vodka tonics plus admission for under 40 bucks plus I laughed hysterically...so it was totally worth it. Â The second time I went, I didn't drink any alcohol and it was still funny. Â Try it if you are a comedy fan.
My husband and I--and even our 20yo son--have been to Bunjo's many times, and we always have a good time. While the comedy can be hit-and-miss, it's still a terrific value. For your $10 admission you usually see at least 4 or 5 comedians, and sometimes even more. Some are young comics just getting started in the business, some are at the other end of their careers, and some are just guys or gals with day jobs that want to make you laugh. In general, we find the writing is fresher and more original than what you get on late-night TV these days. And, unlike what we usually experience at Tommy T's, the shows are generally pretty clean. Don't get me wrong, it's adult comedy and I wouldn't bring young children, but the comics don't rely on the F-word to sell every other joke.
John D. the host always makes you feel welcome and comfortable, even when it's a small crowd and could be very awkward. You just get the sense that he's working hard to support the craft of comedy, and that he cares about his performers as much as his paying customers.
Like other reviewers have pointed out, service can be a problem because there's usually only one waitress working the whole room. Our solution is to get there about 20 minutes before the show starts so we can order without talking over the comedians, and then the food usually arrives just as the show starts.
We also like that you don't have to buy tickets in advance (except for the really big shows like their annual "Killer Laughs Comedy Competition"), so it can be a spur of the moment choice over another Friday night at the movie theater.
I came here on a Saturday night not knowing what to expect since it was my first time at a comedy lounge.
Price was $10 plus 2 item minimum per person, which was affordable. The comedy was funny, but not pee-in-your-pants funny. But they had me laughing/chuckling throughout the show. I went on a night where they also had some hilarious guy do magic tricks and juggling. It was a good sized crowd when I went, which is definitely a plus at this comedy lounge since I imagine it would be very awkward if you were the only party there.
Overall, it was a good show and will come again. Would recommend if you need a good laugh or have nothing else to do in Dublin.
How do you review a comedy club? Is it based on the ambiance? (a word not really associated with comedy). Â Whether you enjoyed all of the comics on the night you went? (that's like blaming McWend-In-A-Box for getting food poisoning - no wait, that's a bad example). Maybe its size of the brick wall (as television has taught us, if there's no brick wall, its not really comedy). Â Well, if you're looking for Jerry Seinfeld at Caesars (in the library with a candlestick) then you've come to the wrong place. BUT - if you're looking to see that guy or girl who may well be the NEXT Jerry (Geri) Seinfeld, then Bunjo's is your place. Â Tons of show with tons of comics sliced every different way, i've never been to a night at Bunjo's where I didn't find myself laughing really hard at at-least -one- of the performers (and only -one- is rare). Â John has a great eye and ear for comedy and keeps things fresh with a combination of raw local talent and national headliners. Â Yes, it's a Chinese restaurant that looks like it was an old Waffle House, but the food is very good and the staff is very accommodating. Â And, yes, sometimes it feels like you're watching your nephew do his 'little comedy routine' after his Bar Mitzvah, in the reception hall (with a candleshtick) - But if your nephew was a young Jerry Seinfeld, you'd have quite a story to tell. Â The crowd is friendly, the food is good, the price is right, and you get a chance to laugh at the end of a long week. Â That feels like 5-stars to me.
Review Source:Wow! Â So excited to find this place! Â Close to home, great price, and great food and drinks, right before the show. Great emcee, great crowd and the bar/wait staff were very attentive. Screwdrivers were tasty! :-) Â Great value! Friday night is usually open mic, I think, then Saturday is the more experienced acts. Â We really enjoyed both, although I preferred Saturdays. First time we went, we ate elsewhere, as, although we knew it was inside the same building as the Chinese restaurant, we didn't know they served us food and drinks from their full menu! Â We went back, and are glad we did! Wish they had a disco after the comedy acts! Â lol
Review Source:Great deal and close to home.
Small, intimate room which is great if you have a comic that likes to interact with the crowd.
Two item minimum per person. Â We didn't know that there was a full food service so we ate at the competitor across the parking lot (Outback). Â Next time we're going to eat there and enjoy our show without rushing through dinner.
The comedians we saw on Friday we pretty good. Â The first two I didn't connect with but the last two were really great in tickling my funny bone.
Still chuckling about some of the jokes they told during their sets. Â
Kind of weird going to a Chinese restaurant and being shepharded into the 'club' but once the waiters learn to not speak in a loud voice during sets and the word gets out, this place will be so much better than the higher price Tommy T's. Â
Comedy club of choice for our group for sure.
I have never started a review before having gotten home. Yes, I'm writing this in the car.
Where do I start? This "comedy lounge" is located inside a Chinese restaurant with no visible sign. Had I not known that we would have been looking for hours. Come to think of it, we would probably have left and had a better night.
Once we found the place we were shown to the room with a few tables. It was ridiculously cold. Freezing, actually. Heat! Ever heard of it???
Then the worst part began - the people started performing. It was the least funny, almost unbearable show. I've don't my share of Rooster T Feathers, Punchlines and Second Cities - I love good comedy. But this... This wasn't comedy. It was.. It was.. There are no words to describe it.
My husband and I agreed to leave if the next comic wasn't funny. Then Wes came out and I actually smiled, maybe even laughed. Damn Wes, wish he would have been as awful as the rest and we would have made good on our deal. Instead he gave us false hope that there was a chance. Â And so it went on, from bad to worst and bad to horrible.
I'm pissed I wasted a rare night out with my husband. If you are planning on coming here please stay home instead. Clip your toe nails. Scrub the floor. Get down and dirty with that toilet.
PS I really appreciate that Bunjo's contacted me after I posted the review. They even offered our money back! Â While I won't be taking them up on that offer, they do earn some good brownie points for communicating and responding to the review in a polite email. Â Thank you!
This comedy club is a room off of a Chinese restaurant so I didn't know what to expect but was pleasantly surprised. I didn't eat the food but everyone said it was really good (the beef w/ broccoli that someone ordered at table near mine sure was calling my name).
The show was hysterical. It was "Chicks w/ Schticks" all female comedians. You never know what to expect w/ start up comedians & all of these women were really funny. The headliner was the best but the others weren't too far behind. I couldn't believe the price was only $10. I plan on coming back as this place is a kick!
Random spot, but once you get over the face that you are in a chinese restaurant, it's good times. Â I used to go here for dim sum with my family. I love the vibe here. Everyone is just open and friendly. Also I can tell they really support comedians even if they are newer they still show love.
Had a good time! i'll be back again!
Where else can you get some good chinese food along with some laughs oo and a strong drink? B U N J O Â and Bunjo was his name o!
A local comedy club. Â What a wonderful find. Â Very affordable. Â The guy at the front door is always very nice. Â Â The laughs are always good. Â
This place brings in a wonderful crowed and we always make new friends here.
This club is located in the Willow Tree Restaurant. Â
Check it out.
After suffering in bed over a year with cancer - I got up and went to Bunjo's - did a little stand up and haven't had a better time anywhere else but there. Â Wonderful food - great people - funny comics - etc. Â The owner and staff are welcoming - they know my name :) - and I am never disappointed. Â I travel there from Marin County so you know I love it!!
Review Source:Compared to the expensive Tommy T's I would pick this place hands down. In a strange location off of a chinese food restaurant, but neverthe less it works.
Good laughs at a affordable cost. Local Comedians that talk about real life and are not all cocky about their reputation. They are there to make you laugh and just enjoy yourself. I have never been to amateur comedy night cause that is not my thing, but I love the special comedy nights they have all the time.
I do enjoy the food (Chinese lover) but the service could be a little better. Once the show starts the waiters basically dissapear. Order 2 drinks before the show otherwise you'll run dry!!!
Mediocre comedy from amateurs, but the price is right on Friday nights. Â I sometimes think the amateur comedians are a little underrated and get unjustified hecklers here. 4 stars for the value of entertainment on Friday nights.
Service is piss poor by the restaurant staff. Â Been here a few times, and wouldn't go back, all thanks to the female server who wouldn't serve me after asking her numerous times for a drink (after I had already ordered a lot of food). Â I had to physically get up in the middle of the show and walk over to the bartender and ask him to serve me. Minus 2 stars for service.
Had a wonderful time at Bunjo's. Â The venue is small so all seats are good. Â The host and his staff are welcoming. Â It was a fun watching the seating process as the comedians. Â The price could not be beat.
I would recommend getting dinner before going to the show as the Willow Tree can be crowded and the food service may be slow. Â The tables are great for for cocktails but not really large enough for everyone in to have a plate of food.
Performed an open mic here this past Friday. Great crowd (for me @ least) and very receptive to me and my jokes. I like the set up. Very basic but professional none the less. I really enjoyed my time here and even bought some food.
Waiters are nice also. I wanted duck but they didn't have anymore and served me chicken. As an African American I frequently eat chicken and wanted something different so I was bummed out. That's like McDonald running out of burgers or Wal-Mart outta cheap stuff. Shouldn't happen.
If you're looking for good solid laughs at an affordable price, I highly recommend Bunjo's. The venue is, shall I say interesting? It's located inside the Willow Tree Restaurant (Chinese Food). I've been to the club on a few occasions and had a great time. The Friday night Open Mic Pro/Am night is the best. There's a nominal cover charge and 2 item minimum, so all in I think it cost $12 and I laughed and laughed. If you're in the area and looking for something fun to do on a Friday night, I highly recommend it.
Review Source:Have you ever laughed so hard that you were practically in tears? I recently visited Bunjo's Comedy Club on a Saturday night to watch nationally recognized comedian Johnny Steele perform and was laughing hysterically within the first minute of his show.
Bunjo's is a brand new comedy club located in Downtown Dublin at the Willow Tree Restaurant offering Friday open mic nights, Saturday night stand-up with nationally recognized comedians, and special events like fundraisers, roasts, and parties. Bunjo's is the place to catch up and coming local comics like Sam Wilcke and Drew Pulte.
Bunjo's offers great laughs, good food, and fond memories.
The 5 best restaurants in the 2015 Denver Restaurant Week
3,611 Views | Category: Denver
The complete list of 2015 Denver Restaurant Week businesses
1,972 Views | Category: Denver
The tourists' guide to Portillos: 5 must have dishes
3,318 Views | Category: Chicago
Pho = Pronounced "fuh" not "foe" for pho-king sake
2,915 Views | Category: Denver
Indulgery selected to exhibit at Collision Conference
2,987 Views | Category: Press Releases
Not Logged In
BUSINESSES
Local Businesses
Near Me
My Favorites
SOCIAL
Blog & News
MY ACCOUNT
Login
Register
Contact Us
Add Your Business
