Vanessa Ballard is a Gold Coast based stand-up comedian and celebrant. A former TV writer turned late blooming comic, she delivers sharp, relatable observations on midlife, motherhood, marriage, and why renovating is the leading cause of divorce. If nothing else, she is proof it's never too late to start, especially if you have run out of better options. Vanessa performs regularly across South East Queensland and brings a warm, engaging presence to every room.
Friday Showcase | Live Music & Comedy at Brisbane Comedy CellarWeekend comedy under the Raven Hotel, West EndDoors 7.30PM, Show time 8.00PMFriday nights at Brisbane Comedy Cellar are where the magic happens.Step down into the cellar beneath The Raven Hotel and settle in for an unforgettable night of world-class comedy, live music, and table service. Our Friday Showcase features a handpicked lineup of Brisbane’s best comedians alongside touring national acts, this week headlined by Henry Bretz. Co-host of Mix FM's Drive show, UK comedy veteran, and Finalist for Edinburgh Fringe Comedian of the Year 2025, Henry brings his "comic genius," Aussie charm, and punchy storytelling straight to our underground bunker.“As soon as I got there Tony greeted me and my partner with a hilarious joke/rip at me which my girlfriend loved. After that it was non stop relatable laughter which I really loved.” – TomWith only 60 seats, every laugh feels close. Sip your favourite or a glass of wine from our curated drinks list, enjoy our Friday-night food specials, and let The Fruits, our house band set the tone before and after each act.It’s more than a comedy show — it’s Brisbane’s most premium night out.*Save $5 by purchasing tickets online, rather than at the door. Availability is limited as shows sell out and we can’t guarantee a space if you try to buy tickets on the night.
CROWD CONTROL: A crowd work comedy showThemed Thursdays | Creative Weeknight Comedy at Brisbane Comedy CellarDoors 7.00PM, Show time 7.30PMHosted by Jake CampbellWelcome to the Themed Thursdays — where Brisbane’s sharpest comedians and creators test new ideas, wild formats, and brilliant chaos.Every Thursday night, Brisbane Comedy Cellar transforms into a creative playground. Expect anything from game shows to live experiments, dating nights, and shows so strange they might just become the next big thing.“Would highly recommend for a date night or a nice day out with some mates.” – AmyWith just 60 seats in the cellar beneath The Raven Hotel, you’re not just in the audience — you’re part of the experiment.Come curious. Leave laughing.What’s On Tonight:Crowd Control is a live, improvised stand-up comedy showdown where the audience is the material. Hosted by Shayne Hunter, this Thursday night favourite brings sharp, quick-thinking comedians into Brisbane Comedy Cellar for a night with no scripts, no safety net, and no repeated jokes. Every moment is built in real time from the room, making each show completely unrepeatable.Set in our intimate underground cellar, Crowd Control is the perfect Thursday reset: close to the stage, strong drinks at your table, and comedians working the room with intelligence, warmth, and bite. Expect soaring highs, occasional crashes, and genuine belly laughs as comics battle it out using nothing but crowd work to win the room. It’s fast, unpredictable, and best enjoyed up close. If you want a night that feels alive rather than over-produced, this is it.*Save $5 by purchasing tickets online, rather than at the door. Availability is limited as shows sell out and we can’t guarantee a space if you try to buy tickets on the night.
Cellar Sessions | Wednesdays at Brisbane Comedy CellarWeeknight comedy under the Raven Hotel, West EndDoors 7.00PM, Show time 7.30PMMidweek laughs, up close.Every Wednesday night, the cellar opens its doors for The Cellar Sessions — an open mic night that feels anything but ordinary.“Great night and great way to break up the working week! Highly recommended people who want to laugh and cheer to go” - ChanelleJoin Brisbane’s comedy community as emerging talents, local legends, and special guests take the stage to test new material in Australia’s most intimate comedy room.With just 60 seats, you’ll feel every beat of the performance — raw, spontaneous, and hilariously unpredictable. Pair it with a drink from the bar, some midweek mischief, and you’ve got the perfect Wednesday night out in Brisbane.It's raw comedy with a premium experience. Cheaper tickets, same unforgettable cellar energy. *Save $5 by purchasing tickets online, rather than at the door. Availability is limited as shows sell out and we can’t guarantee a space if you try to buy tickets on the night.
Friday Showcase | Live Music & Comedy at Brisbane Comedy CellarWeekend comedy under the Raven Hotel, West EndDoors 7.30PM, Show time 8.00PMFriday nights at Brisbane Comedy Cellar are where the magic happens.Step down into the cellar beneath The Raven Hotel and settle in for an unforgettable night of world-class comedy, live music, and table service. Our Friday Showcase features a handpicked lineup of Brisbane’s best comedians alongside touring national acts — this week headlined by Sahib Rana. A self-described "super immigrant" born in Africa, raised in Britain, grown in Australia, and now finalized in Canada, Sahib takes you on a hilarious, cross-continental journey about growing up as the son of serial-immigrants before choosing to pack up and do it all over again.“As soon as I got there Tony greeted me and my partner with a hilarious joke/rip at me which my girlfriend loved. After that it was non stop relatable laughter which I really loved.” – TomWith only 60 seats, every laugh feels close. Sip your favourite or a glass of wine from our curated drinks list, enjoy our Friday-night food specials, and let The Fruits, our house band set the tone before and after each act.It’s more than a comedy show — it’s Brisbane’s most premium night out.*Save $5 by purchasing tickets online, rather than at the door. Availability is limited as shows sell out and we can’t guarantee a space if you try to buy tickets on the night.
Cellar Sessions | Wednesdays at Brisbane Comedy CellarWeeknight comedy under the Raven Hotel, West EndDoors 7.00PM, Show time 7.30PMMidweek laughs, up close.Every Wednesday night, the cellar opens its doors for The Cellar Sessions — an open mic night that feels anything but ordinary.“Great night and great way to break up the working week! Highly recommended people who want to laugh and cheer to go” - ChanelleJoin Brisbane’s comedy community as emerging talents, local legends, and special guests take the stage to test new material in Australia’s most intimate comedy room.With just 60 seats, you’ll feel every beat of the performance — raw, spontaneous, and hilariously unpredictable. Pair it with a drink from the bar, some midweek mischief, and you’ve got the perfect Wednesday night out in Brisbane.It's raw comedy with a premium experience. Cheaper tickets, same unforgettable cellar energy. *Save $5 by purchasing tickets online, rather than at the door. Availability is limited as shows sell out and we can’t guarantee a space if you try to buy tickets on the night.
Friday Showcase | Live Music & Comedy at Brisbane Comedy CellarWeekend comedy under the Raven Hotel, West EndDoors 7.30PM, Show time 8.00PMFriday nights at Brisbane Comedy Cellar are where the magic happens.Step down into the cellar beneath The Raven Hotel and settle in for an unforgettable night of world-class comedy, live music, and table service. Our Friday Showcase features a handpicked lineup of Brisbane’s best comedians alongside touring national acts — each delivering their sharpest sets in an atmosphere unlike anywhere else.“As soon as I got there Tony greeted me and my partner with a hilarious joke/rip at me which my girlfriend loved. After that it was non stop relatable laughter which I really loved.” – TomWith only 60 seats, every laugh feels close. Sip your favourite or a glass of wine from our curated drinks list, enjoy our Friday-night food specials, and let The Fruits, our house band set the tone before and after each act.It’s more than a comedy show — it’s Brisbane’s most premium night out.*Save $5 by purchasing tickets online, rather than at the door. Availability is limited as shows sell out and we can’t guarantee a space if you try to buy tickets on the night.
Saturday Showcase | Live Music & Comedy at Brisbane Comedy CellarWeekend comedy under the Raven Hotel, West EndDoors 6.30PM, Show time 7.00PMSaturday night, the cellar turns electric.Beneath The Raven Hotel, laughter fills the air as Brisbane Comedy Cellar hosts its signature Saturday Showcase — a handpicked lineup of Australia’s best comedians and rising stars performing up close in our intimate 60-seat cellar.“The show just got funnier and funnier until I almost could not breathe. I was laughing so hard. Great little venue. You won’t be sorry for dropping in here.” – SarahIt’s the ultimate Saturday night out in Brisbane — live band: The Fruits, our house band, premium drinks, and a crowd ready for something special. Settle in with your drink, wine, or champagne, enjoy table service throughout the night, and watch the country’s sharpest comics deliver their finest sets just metres away.World-class comedy. Live music. Only 60 seats.Because Saturday nights deserve something unforgettable.*Save $5 by purchasing tickets online, rather than at the door. Availability is limited as shows sell out and we can’t guarantee a space if you try to buy tickets on the night.
Friday Showcase | Live Music & Comedy at Brisbane Comedy CellarWeekend comedy under the Raven Hotel, West EndDoors 7.30PM, Show time 8.00PMFriday nights at Brisbane Comedy Cellar are where the magic happens.Step down into the cellar beneath The Raven Hotel and settle in for an unforgettable night of world-class comedy, live music, and table service. Our Friday Showcase features a handpicked lineup of Brisbane’s best comedians alongside touring national acts — each delivering their sharpest sets in an atmosphere unlike anywhere else.“As soon as I got there Tony greeted me and my partner with a hilarious joke/rip at me which my girlfriend loved. After that it was non stop relatable laughter which I really loved.” – TomWith only 60 seats, every laugh feels close. Sip your favourite or a glass of wine from our curated drinks list, enjoy our Friday-night food specials, and let The Fruits, our house band set the tone before and after each act.It’s more than a comedy show — it’s Brisbane’s most premium night out.*Save $5 by purchasing tickets online, rather than at the door. Availability is limited as shows sell out and we can’t guarantee a space if you try to buy tickets on the night.
Cellar Sessions | Wednesdays at Brisbane Comedy CellarWeeknight comedy under the Raven Hotel, West EndDoors 7.00PM, Show time 7.30PMMidweek laughs, up close.Every Wednesday night, the cellar opens its doors for The Cellar Sessions — an open mic night that feels anything but ordinary.“Great night and great way to break up the working week! Highly recommended people who want to laugh and cheer to go” - ChanelleJoin Brisbane’s comedy community as emerging talents, local legends, and special guests take the stage to test new material in Australia’s most intimate comedy room.With just 60 seats, you’ll feel every beat of the performance — raw, spontaneous, and hilariously unpredictable. Pair it with a drink from the bar, some midweek mischief, and you’ve got the perfect Wednesday night out in Brisbane.It's raw comedy with a premium experience. Cheaper tickets, same unforgettable cellar energy. *Save $5 by purchasing tickets online, rather than at the door. Availability is limited as shows sell out and we can’t guarantee a space if you try to buy tickets on the night.