Mr Beery’s Gets in on Some Laugh Action

We all like to laugh. I hope that’s true, if not, we have other problems on our hands.

So, if you’re a fun-seeking, laughter-loving Sarasotan, you might be wondering where to go to indulge in a big helping of the giggles. No problem, Sarasota is chock-full of people who like to spread the best medicine (get it? “Laughter is the best medicine.” It’s a good thing I’m not a comic.)

This week Mr. Beery’s, located in Gulf Gate, kicked off its first comedy competition. Eight comics from Bradenton, Sarasota and Fort Myers came to compete for some cold, hard Mr. Beery’s gift cards.

Scooter Maloney, director of hop-erations at Mr. Beery’s (I’m not joking this time, that’s what it says on his card) said the bar had an open-mic night a while back, but the feeling just didn’t gel with the vibe of Beery’s.

If you don’t know what the vibe is, well, they have a skeeball table and paintings of Chewbacca and Jabba the Hutt on the walls. More importantly, Mr. Beery’s has an impressive rotating beer list.

Gene Stasiowski (@FunnyGene) approached Maloney about the show, and the hop-erator enthusiastically agreed.

“I absolutely 100% love comedy,” said Maloney. “We want to do more of a regular thing.”

Maloney wanted to add more of an audience-participation element, so the attendees voted on their favorite comics to determine the winner.

In the end, Max Mosquito (@TheMosquitoBus) of Fort Myers took home the top prize, which he graciously gave to an audience member he had ribbed during his set. Stasiowski took second place.

“For a Tuesday during the summer it was a great crowd,” said Maloney.

Watch the video from the first Mr. Beery’s comedy competition. One last bad joke before I go, though. I used a comic book theme for the video. Get the joke? Comic book, comedians are called comics. Comic, comic ... no? OK, fine.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nir2G5ienXo&feature=youtu.be