Helium Comedy Club

Helium Comedy Club is a comedy club chain owned by Marc Grossman of Pennsylvania. Grossman studied Financial Economics at Binghamton University. The family-owned club first opened in Philadelphia, PA in 2005. Portland, Oregon’s site opened in 2010. Helium opened its doors in Buffalo in December 2012 with the help of Kristen Becker, a Buffalo Comedian. She spoke directly with Mr. Grossman and influenced him to bring Helium to Buffalo. Becker became Helium’s General Manager bringing a high standard of talent to the local scene. Located in the Cobblestone District on Mississippi, specifically between South Park Avenue and Perry Street, it seats 325 people. The club connected to Elements Restaurant. Elements and Helium stand in place of the former WJ Morrissey's Irish Pub and Benchwarmers Sports Bar and Grille. Venues nearby are the First Niagara Arena and the Seneca Creek Casino.

Helium has comedy shows Tuesday through Saturday night starting at 8:00pm. On Friday and Saturday there are second shows that begin at 10:30pm. Show times are subject to change. Each show has an opener, a feature comic, and the headliner. The show starts with the emcee cracking a few jokes then introducing comedy acts. Patrons have to be 18 or over and the dress code is casual.

According to Heliumcomedy.com, comedians include Bob Marley from the Late Show with David Letterman, Margaret Cho, Charlie Murphy, Pablo Francisco, Tommy Davidson, Bryan Callen, Ralphie May, and Adam Ferrara. Check Helium’s website for new comics and upcoming shows. Shows that may have offensive material will be color coded on Helium’s calendar. Links to upcoming comedian websites and videos are posted as well.

Tickets for shows can be bought online with a credit card and range in price from $5 to $40 depending on show. The price goes up depending on the night of the week. A typical weekend at Helium would be headliner performing on Thursdays at 8pm, and then Fridays/Saturdays at 7:30pm & 10pm. Open Mic night on Wednesdays are free!

Helium is connected to the restaurant Elements. When reservations are made at Elements for dinner before the show, tickets are automatically upgraded to reserved. Note that this is not valid for special events. Tickets can be picked up at the box office when they become available. Dining at Elements does not count as your two-item minimum in the show room.

Tickets, can be pre-purchased online, or at the box office Wednesday through Saturday after 4:30pm. Reserved seating is available by pre-purchasing tickets online only; otherwise seating is first come, first seat. Reservations expire 30 minutes before the show. Refunds are not available.

Tickets may also be available at the box office on the day of the performance. Cash or credit is accepted and checks are not. Tickets are available the day of the show an hour and a half to two hours before show time. The area where the line forms to the box office indoors is a bit tight. Bouncers make sure traffic moves smoothly. The bar will be open in Elements prior to the show. Drinks and meals at the bar do not count toward the two drink/item minimum in the showroom.

Showroom seating is cabaret style. Reserve seats are in the center and are much closer to the stage. General admission seats are first come-first seat. Seats on the edges are no more than 60 feet away and give a good view of stage. The atmosphere is nice with candles lit on tabletops and a vibrant mural on the stage wall. In the show room you can order drinks and appetizers. There is a two drink/item minimum in the show room. Menus are placed on tables and servers come around throughout the show. Pictures can be taken only before or after the show. Photographs, film, or video must be approved in writing by the club and artist.

OPEN MIC

There is the opportunity for individuals to show off stand-up talent in front of an audience on open mic night. Open mic occurs weekly, usually on Wednesdays. Sign-up and dates are listed on Helium’s home page. Tickets are free!

OTHER GOOD STUFF TO KNOW

• Parking is available on the street as well as in surrounding parking lots.

• Menus are viewable online for both Elements restaurant and the Helium showroom.

• Gift certificates are available that can be used for food, beverages and tickets.

• The bathrooms are located just outside the showroom near the bar area.

• Happy Birthday promotion offers four free tickets for use during birthday month for any Wednesday or Thursday show (limited to non-special events). Phone reservations are required.

• Banquet Rates and Group Rates are available.

• Tickets are discounted for groups on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

• Helium offers their facility for banquets or private events both during the day and at night.

• Helium is home of the Buffalo Comedy Academy.

CONNECTING

Staff at Helium can be reached at 716-853-1211 or [email protected]. Group rates: [email protected]. Contact information is also available for public relations related inquiries on Helium’s website.

Helium is has a Facebook, Twitter, and an Insiders Club.

FOLLOW THE RED BRICK ROAD

Cobblestone District is located near downtown Buffalo adjacent to the Erie Canal Harbor Central Wharf. This is an up-and-coming part of the city with businesses from nightclubs to residential spaces sprouting up. This part of town is considered a Local Historic District. The roads are laid brick and run throughout the streets spanning South Park Avenue, Baltimore, Columbia, Illinois, Mississippi, Perry, and Ohio.

Photo credits - Monica Kemper

This page is a project for Maria Pabico's COM336 class at Buffalo State College.

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