Comedy / Features
Big laughs, small room: comedy at Bristol’s ‘wokest pub’
The People’s Comedy rolled into the Red Lion pub in Whitehall on a July evening as part of its regular monthly slot at what The New York Post once dubbed the ‘UK’s wokest pub’ for only serving ethical beer.
I’m not sure about ‘woke’, but I’ve certainly had some memorable nights here.
On a good night, patrons are chatty, and the vibe is relaxed.
As I was interviewing The People’s Comedy founder, Henry Palmer, the publican Lemmy, was wandering around offering people his new cider sorbet – from the same spoon.
Henry, founder of The People’s Comedy, auctioned off this ‘historical’ room divider for £50, with all the money going directly to the acts
Lemmy first approached Henry after seeing him run a comedy night at Turbo Island in 2019, a year after Henry set up the platform to champion a more egalitarian comedy scene. Lemmy offered up his pub as a venue. The first night drew just five people. Now? It’s standing room only, with 50 people packed into the back room, the neon People’s Comedy clenched fist glowing behind the mic.
“I wanted to make a space for underrepresented comedians, for progressive audiences, with no headliners; a place where people could perfect their craft, that wasn’t about ego – that was supportive of emerging artists and a way to build community,” Henry told me.
He’s succeeded. And that’s thanks in no small part to local venues like the Red Lion, which have a genuine ethos of community-building. Unlike places that try to cash in on ‘authenticity’, the Red Lion is authentic – full of local characters, unpredictable moments, and cheap beer. Henry summed it up as “anarchy done well.” It’s all about mutual support.
That vibe filters through to the performers too. “Intimate settings are great,” said Max McKenzie, one of the more established comedians on the line-up who’d travelled up from London. “They allow you to really have a dialogue with your audience. It’s like the difference between going to a club and going to a house party.”
Comedian Max McKenzie wasn’t shy about ripping into the Bristol audience’s hippyish, right-on ways
Bristol-based comedian and performance poet Ben Dali called it “a small venue, but a big night” – and a rare chance to get a paid gig. The People’s Comedy pays all acts equally, which is a radical move in a scene where many performers get nothing. With comedians languishing near the bottom of the arts funding table, initiatives like this – bringing community-minded venues together with alternative comedy – are the lifeblood of Bristol’s arts scene.
Ben Dali self-describes himself as a“former gameshow host, occasional magician, soon-to-be semi-retired teacher and comedy-cabaret performance poet on the precipice”
Plenty of audience members were regulars, which says a lot about the sense of community these nights foster.
Ziggy from Easton told me: “I’m 100% more likely to stay local and go to a night like this rather than head into town. I’ve already bumped into a few mates, which is such a nice feeling.
“Places in town are expensive and can be impersonal. This pub’s got a proper DIY spirit. Coming here makes me feel part of something.”
Diane, also from Easton, agreed: “We need a lot more laughter in the world right now,” she said. “I totally support everything The Lion stands for: unity, anarchy, challenging wrongs in society, and bringing people together.”
She wanted to give a huge shout-out to Lemmy: “Without people like him, things would be so much worse. Big up to Lemmy!”
I tried to track him down to get a few words, but he’d vanished. I sat down with my friend and was joined by someone who wanted to demonstrate his hypnosis skills.
Another friend popped up, a woman started kicking off, Henry was extremely excitable and tried to round up people to go to Cosie’s, and last orders were called.
On the walk home, it struck me: what makes Bristol’s comedy scene so special is how rooted it is in local, community-driven venues – not corporates. The Red Lion isn’t polished. But it’s real. If comedy’s a revolution, the Red Lion’s the pub you meet in before the uprising – just don’t ask for a Thatchers.
The People’s Comedy hosts regular events at the Red Lion
Kiran Dhami is reporting on St George as part of Bristol24/7’s Community Reporters programme, aiming to amplify marginalised voices and communities often overlooked by mainstream media.
This initiative is funded by our public, Better Business members and a grant from the Nisbets Trust.
Main photo: The People’s Comedy
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