The Comedy Competition: Audience Choice | BYOB

The Gimmick Comedy House and Art Studio is hosting The Comedy Competition on Thursday, October 22, at its 2213 East 6th Avenue spot in Tampa. The premise is straightforward: twelve comics go up on stage, and the audience decides who takes it home. The winner walks away with a paid spot on the venue's Dirty Show, which The Gimmick describes as world-famous. If you've been around the local scene for a while, you know the Dirty Show is one of the house's mainstays, so there's a real prize on the line here.

Because the audience votes, you're more than just a face in the crowd. You'll hear twelve different sets throughout the night, and your reaction helps determine who gets the spot. It's a competitive format, which usually means the comics bring their tightest material rather than just messing around with new bits. By the time the night wraps, one person will have earned their way onto the Dirty Show lineup.

The whole thing is run as a BYOB session, so you can bring your own drinks along. It's an 18-and-over show, and there's free parking available, which makes it an easy one to get to without worrying about the usual downtown Tampa scramble. The night runs for about an hour and a half, so it's a solid stretch of comedy without dragging on too long.

Doors open at 7:50 PM, and the show starts at 8:00 PM. Tickets are $12 at the door.