Riviera Comedy Club

They say foot-in-mouth comedy is a rarity outside of New York. Well whoever coined that divine observational phrase clearly hadn't reckoned on a night at the Riviera Comedy Club, where the proverbial one-liners flow as freely as the tipple and improv is an art-form. With a recurring rotation of top-billing comedians, coupled with the regular insertion of stand-up TV talent, the Riviera keeps it's showcase fresh, raw and edgier than a comedian's attire – mostly!

Studded with a smattering of neon lights, the tiered comedy theater at the Riviera is a far cry from the modest brick interiors of it's contemporaries. Famed for it's overstated décor and opulent marble hallways, the Riviera's architects continued the sumptuous luxury within the comedy theater, adding the trademark plush red velvet to seating and strip lighting to the aisles. It's refined yet cozy; statement, yet reserved enough to pass as a modern comedy lair. Regulars might reckon they couldn't give two dimes about the theater, but they reckon the seating beats a modest wooden bar stool hands down. If you're going to be stock still for ninety minutes, every little helps!

“Sandy Hackett's Rat Pack Show” is a regular filler of the adjacent Mardi Gras Theater, however when Hackett's not stepping into his Joey Bishop alter ego (whom happens also to be renowned for his self-deprecating humor) he's conjuring a different kind of old Vegas magic on the “Comedy Club” stage. Sandy edged himself into the hearts of Las Vegas show-goers with regular appearances at the Casbar, within the now defunct Sahara Hotel Resort as a twenty-something graduate. Unbeknown to him, his brand of observational and often Vegas-specific humor would lead to his working with the real Frank, Sammy and Dean for Hal Needham's illegal race movie “The Cannonball Run II” (1984.) Occasionally, he'll reminisce back to those ironic days with hilarious quotes or tales of his exploits, linking his audience to an era many wish they'd been a part of. While many come to see Hackett first and foremost, he plays down his role as a headliner, labeling himself as a “deliverer of acts” and the “warm-up” for even greater mischief.

If Sandy Hackett is the relatively clean-cut intro, Tom Simmons is the primer for possible shock value to come. A self-confessed “likable misanthrope”, he brands himself “a contrarian who believes we are doing it all wrong” - evident from his ability to strip dignity from even the most mundane of professions, and rip apart the political dummies out for themselves. In terms of shock value, the two time winner of Boston's Comedy Festival is actually quite tame, unless you drive a yellow hummer or work at Wendy's! Star of “The Good Life” John Caponera on the other hand, has been known to broach the subject of racism from an old-man perspective, but he's relaying the opinionated grandfather generation – namely his own!

Cozy and uncomplicated, the Riviera Comedy Club promises a refined evening of raucous laughter and loosened inhibitions – to the extent you'll find yourself a willing volunteer for comedy hypnosis or magic. While rare, it's not unheard of for Scott Lewis or the enigmatic Marc Savard to grace the Riv with their presence as guest entertainment. Whether it's Bob Coutreau, Ryan Sperry or laughter factory Willie Ferrell, a night in their company takes some beating!