Comedy Bar, founded in 2008 by Gary Rideout Jr. and James Elksnitis, is recognized as Toronto's premiere venue for independent comedy and the city's official comedy hub, dedicated to developing both new and established comedic talent. Operating across two venues (the original bar stage and the more intimate Cabaret Room, added in 2010 for experimental shows), the establishment hosts over 150 shows monthly, providing Sketch, Improv, Alternative, and Stand-Up comedy seven nights a week. This landmark location has fostered the careers of countless Canadian comedians and has attracted huge international names like Tim Meadows, Janeane Garofalo, and Marc Maron, solidifying its reputation as the essential home for comedy in Canada where local and visiting comics alike gather.