Jongleurs - It's A Laugh A Minute.
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Recommendation added: 11/04/2006 12:42
By: BAW123 (YSUK rating +42)BAW123 has been thanked 13 times for this contribution
"If you are considering a night out in Portsmouth, the choice of clubs, bars and entertainment venues can sometimes be overwhelming, as there are so many to choose from. Living in the area, I have tried a large number of different venues, but by far one of the most enjoyable nights out is Jongleurs Comedy Club in Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth.
Jongleurs is a well established chain of comedy clubs that began in London, and has helped a large number of comedians become big names in the business.
The Portsmouth venue opened just a few years back, but has proved a huge success with residents of the area and visitors alike.
There are regular shows on Friday and Saturday nights throughout the year, and there are often additional shows on Thursday nights. Whilst there may be tickets available on the door, tickets should ideally be booked in advance, either by calling the ticket order hotline on 0870 7870707, or by visiting their website at www.jongleurs.com.
A typical Jongleurs evening would normally start arriving at Gunwharf Quays around 7pm. Gunwharf Quays is a "Shopping and Leisure Complex", situated overlooking Portsmout Harbour, and consists of a large number of shops (which are open late in the summer), Bowling Alley, 14 Screen Cinema, Resturants, Bars and it's latest attraction, "The Spinnaker Tower".
Getting to Gunwharf Quays is very easy - by Road follow the M275 into Portsmouth and follow the signs to Gunwharf Quays, by rail to Portsmouth Harbour or one of several regular buses.
Upon arriving, you can enjoy a drink or two in the comfortable and spacious "Bar Risa" - this is located on the waterfront side, and the entrance to the comedy club is inside this bar.
At around 7:30, an announcement is made over the tannoy saying that the comedy club is now seating. Upon hearing this, you progress upstairs into the club.
You will be shown to your table, and will then have about an hour to relax with a drink, and can also order food.
The food is very reasonable, and is normally served in a basket. The menu varies throughout the year, with special menus available at Christmas. The drinks too are fairly reasonable when compared to standard club prices - a pint of lager will cost around £2.80, whilst a bottle of alcopop will set you back about £3.50. You can save yourself some money (and trips to the bar !) by pre-ordering drinks with your tickets, and during the interval. You can also order four-pint pitchers of beer, and buckets of five bottles of beer, which will also save you some money.
As the show starts, the lights die down, the strobe lights come on and Robbie Williams's "Let Me Entertain You" plays through the speakers.
The show would normally consist of a compare and three comedy acts, lasting until around 10.30pm.
Although the acts are named in advance, many of the comedians are relatively unknown, but this should not put you off - they are of a very high standard, and very funny.
It is at this point that I should warn you of a few things - firstly, it is not a good idea to heckle the comedians, as they are professionals and well versed in reacting to hecklers. I can guarantee that it would not be them who end up looking stupid ! Secondly, avoid going to the toilets or the bar during the show. The comedians are often on the lookout for "targets", and by standing up whilst they are on stage, you may as well pain a bullseye on your top ! There is an interval after the first two acts, so it's better to wait for that before leaving you seat. Along the same lines as this is that the tables nearest the stage can often provide the comics with "victims" for their humour. Whilst this is good natured, it can be very embarrasing if you do not like being the focus of a joke, but you can request "a table not near the stage" when you book your tickets.
As soon as the show ends, there is a transformation of the club, and the tables and chairs are quickly removed to make way for the disco that follows immediately afterwards. Seeing this transformation is amazing - staff appear from everywhere, removing all the tables and chairs within a few minutes.
As the disco lights come on, and the music starts you again realise that this is different from so many other venues. Rather than the normal "club music", Jongleurs appeals to a slightly older age group, with a large proportion of the music from the 80's era. It really is fantastic, and on my last visit (a party I'd arranged for my work colleagues), a large number who said "I don't dance" ended up on the dance floor almost all night !
Jongleurs want everyone to have a great time, and as part of this they employ their own door staff who are firm but fair. If it looks as though someone could spoil the atmosphere, they will offer a warning. Further problems will result in the individual or party being removed from the venue. This helps those who are there for a genuine good time to feel more secure and free to enjoy themselves.
Jongleurs really do provide everything essential for a fantastic night out - humour, music, food and drink. All you need to do is take your friends or colleagues and the mixture is complete."
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