Today we’d like to introduce you to Joshua Snyder.
Joshua, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Flappers Comedy Club and Restaurant is the culmination of a 20-year journey started by Co-Owners Barbara Holliday and Dave Reinitz. They began as comedians who were simply looking for more opportunities. They created “Uncle Clyde’s Comedy Contest” and produced the show at various venues in LA. Many recognizable comedy names – Chelsea Handler, Whitney Cummings, Oscar Nunez, to name a few – competed and participated in the contest. Eventually, they built enough of a following through the contest to open their own venue in Downtown Burbank, California. Flappers has been in continuous operation for nine years, and several national touring headliners frequently perform here. Past celebrity guests have included Jerry Seinfeld, Maria Bamford, Kevin Hart, Whitney Cummings, Christopher Titus, Fortune Feimster, Adam Sandler, Cedric The Entertainer, and many, many more. Flappers has also developed a reputation for being a developmental club, fostering and encouraging new talent. The annual Burbank Comedy Festival brings industry together with new comedians from all over the world, and as a result, several comedians have come out of yearly event with representation, casting sessions with major TV shows/studios, as well as club and cruise ship work. Flappers Comedy University offers stand-up, improv, writing, and marketing classes for all skill levels. Above all else, Flappers strives to create a supportive community and provide as much opportunity as possible for performers at all levels.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The founding of the club presented unique challenges. Barb, Dave, and several comedians gave an impassioned pitch to the city of Burbank in order to qualify for a business development loan. Thanks to the city’s support, they were able to launch the club successfully and contribute positively to the community by offering entertainment, jobs, and exposure to celebrity talent.
Running and managing the club is… exciting, to say the least. We have all the major demands of a full-service restaurant and bar coupled with the challenges of booking and promoting live entertainment. Early on, we had comedians just not show up, which is always a fun time. But as we’ve become more established, we’ve learned how to plan for and prevent as many “snafus” as we possibly can.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Flappers Comedy Club and Restaurant – what should we know?
Flappers, as well as H2F Comedy Productions, serves five different groups: comedy fans, families, comedians, students, and off-site venues in search of talent. For fans, we offer seven nights of shows per week complemented with a robust restaurant and bar menu. We can accommodate large groups and have hosted and produced corporate parties, holiday parties, weddings, Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, Fundraisers, Game Nights, roasts – pretty much any kind of event you can think of. We also have a family-friendly show called “Two Milk Minimum” that runs Saturdays at 4:30 pm for the general public (we can book additional shows for school groups or large private parties). H2F handles offsite bookings and can bring performers to colleges, clubs, cruises, military gigs, or large-scale private events. And Flappers University offers courses for all skill levels, from new students to veteran comedians who are looking to brush up on their skill set or pick up marketing tools.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
For us, it is important to create and maintain a sense of community. For the guests, this means giving them the best possible eats, drinks, and laughs, and really going the extra mile – we have regulars who are on a first-name basis with our managers and staff, and it is rewarding to see something happen that is beyond the usual “night out.”
Pricing:
- Tickets: On average, $20 per person (varies for special events) for mainroom shows, $10-15 per person for YooHoo Room shows
- 2 item min per person (any combination of food or beverage, does not have to be alcohol – anything from salmon and steaks to wings, burgers, milk and cookies
- For large group inquiries, please email [email protected] or call 818-845-9721
Contact Info:
- Address: 102 East Magnolia Blvd, Burbank, CA 91502
- Website: www.FlappersComedy.com
- Phone: 818-845-9721
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @flapperscomedy
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FlappersComedyClubBurbank
- Twitter: @flapperscomedy
Image Credit:
Troy Conrad
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