‘Dry Bar Comedy’ Brings Plenty of (Clean) Laughs

Dry Bar Comedy is a fun channel accessible through YouTube and the app created by Angel Studios, a streaming platform that offers entertainment for all ages. These shows provide a fun and clean escape from everyday life.

The show's long history with Angel Studios

Besides being a streaming platform, Angel Studios distributes plenty of features for the big screen. Some of their films include Sound of Freedom, Cabrini, the recent The King of Kings, and the upcoming The Last Rodeo. They also distribute original streaming content, such as Homestead and The Wingfeather Saga.

But, Dry Bar Comedy has been there from the beginning. From the Angel Studios blog:

In 2016, Neal Harmon, CEO of VidAngel—a media service that allows viewers to filter out content they don't want to see in their movies or TV shows—wanted to expand the brand. He and his team launched VidAngel Studios (now known as Angel Studios) so they could create their own original content. That’s how Dry Bar Comedy was born.

The Harmon Brothers wanted to create a clean comedy club that didn’t serve alcohol and only spotlighted comedians that kept it funny for people of all ages and backgrounds. Many doubted them, but now, Dry Bar Comedy boasts over 2 billion views.

Since then, the show has grown exponentially.

Booking agent and talent manager Tim Grable wrote on The Grable Group:

Dry Bar Comedy has grown into one of the largest platforms for clean stand-up comedy, appealing to audiences of all ages. Their commitment to high-quality production and diverse comedic voices makes them a favorite among stand-up fans. Whether you prefer observational humor, relatable family stories, or high-energy performances, Dry Bar Comedians have something for you.

How is Dry Bar Comedy produced?

Filmed in front of a live audience, Dry Bar Comedy is Comedy Store-like entertainment that is family-friendly (however sometimes there are some slight suggestive references), and free from strong profanity (there are a few mild not-quite-profane words here and there).

The shows are filmed in Provo, Utah -- home to Brigham Young University, a k a BYU, and its family-friendly cable channel BUYtv -- with a local audience. The show also periodically goes on the road to reach a wider live audience seeking a fun night of clean, witty, entertainment.

There are a variety of comics who bring their shows to Dry Bar Comedy, not least of which is Jeff Allen, who has several shows on the site. His material is really sharp and, with his stories and jokes, he will have viewers laughing with tears, as he regales anecdotes that are sure to tickle the funny bones of all ages.

A couple of the other notable comics that have great content on the site are Don McEnery and Jeff Shaw. These men are filled with fun and humorous stories that delight the audiences and bring a chuckle to viewers.

And this is just scratching the surface of the various comics appearing on the show.

These are many standup comics who perform at Dry Bar Comedy, both male and female. True, not every comic can hit the mark with every joke. There are some that provide laughs throughout the entire show and there are some that have funny stories and jokes sprinkled in their repertoire.

Comedy is personal

Not everyone has the same sense of humor so some shows will fall flat with viewers. If that is the case, simply move on to another show. There are plenty of them to choose from, and there are many memorable comics that are top-notch every time.

Where to watch Dry Bar Comedy

Dry Bar Comedy is free on YouTube, however fans can pay to join the Angel Guild to unlock additional weekly specials.

For those in and around Provo, the shows are live every weekend at 7 and 9:30 p.m. Mountain Time, and on Saturdays at 6:30 and 9 p.m. Mountain Time. The fee to attend these shows is $25.

Information on future shows, tickets, and tours, can be found on the official website.

Dry Bar Comedy for clean fun

While there are some suggestive materials in many acts, for the most part the comedy is clean and always meant for a Christian audience

From Jason A. Martin on Christian Bytes:

Soon I learned it was also a place for clean comedy, which was a great relief and blessing to me. I love comedy, but I had been watching less of it because the big headliners tend to be very graphic and often do "cheap" humor (no real thought and hitting the usual tropes).

Overall, I've laughed a lot watching Dry Bar Comedy on YouTube and I'm very thankful it exists.

Reactions from real comedy audiences

Throughout the shows the cameras turn to get live audience reactions. It’s entertaining to see how the people are engaged in the shows.

It is also nice to see that these shows are truly live, in front of paying audiences, rather than some comedy shows that are filmed in front of special invited audiences, just to get a show on the air.

Specials just for members

A comedy special by comic, podcaster and commentator Adam Carolla launched on Dry Bar Comedy Plus, the Angel app, and Angel.com, giving subscribers early access.

It’s not your typical Carolla comedy. It is titled “Adan Carolla Comes Clean,” which should give you the idea of the show -- a departure from Carolla's usual adult-oriented material.

It's since landed on the Dry Bar Comedy YouTube channel.

Clean Comedy for all

Good clean fun is the name of the game for Dry Bar Comedy. When you are having a stressful day or not feeling your best, the shows provide a way to unwind and laugh.

Also, parents don’t have to be embarrassed if their kids walk into the room while they are watching.

But, parents should be aware, that while the comedy is free of profanity and overtly sexual references, it often deals with subject matter that will only be meaningful to grownups. So, while you may not need to shoo the kids out of the room, any kids younger than teens probably won't get much out of it.

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Image: Adobe Stock/Dry Bar Comedy

Francine Brokaw is a longtime journalist whose articles have been published in national and international publications. She is accredited by the MPAA and is a long-standing member of the Television Critics Association. She also hosts Beyond the Red Carpet on YouTube.