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Yuk Yuk's
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Yuk Yuk's is a national comedy club chain in Canada, founded by former stand-up comedian Mark Breslin and established in 1976 by Breslin and long-time friend Joel Axler.[2] The company is currently run by Breslin and his long-time partner and president Jeff Silverman. The head office is located in downtown Toronto. Currently there are nine Yuk Yuk's Comedy Clubs in five provinces across Canada.
Key Information
Yuk Yuk's primarily uses talent under exclusive contract to its in-house agency, Funny Business Talent Inc., but it also books popular American stand-up comics to tour their clubs from coast to coast.
Creation 1976-1986
[edit]The first Yuk Yuk's shows were held on Wednesday nights in 1976 in the basement of The 519 Church Street Community Centre on Church Street, downtown Toronto. After two years Breslin and Axler opened their first full-time location at 1280 Bay Street on March 14, 1978.
In 1984 Breslin opened his second location in the nation's capital, Ottawa, Ontario. Ottawa comics and comedy fans flocked to the only comedy club in the city (originally at the Beacon Arms Hotel, now known as Capital Hill Suites), with their first headliner, Mike MacDonald. In that same year Yuk Yuk's Hamilton was opened at the Connaught Hotel with Donny Coy headlining. By 1986 Breslin had successfully opened two more locations in Niagara Falls, Ontario and Mississauga, Ontario.
1987-1998
[edit]From the late 1980s throughout the late 1990s Breslin was able to open two Yuk Yuk's comedy clubs out west in Edmonton and Calgary as well as three in Ontario, Sudbury (with comedian Chris Hawes), Ajax and London.
1999-2007
[edit]By 1999 Yuk Yuk's had grown to having nine comedy clubs across Canada. In 2000, Yuk Yuk's had created the Search for Canada's Funniest New Comic with Adam West. In 2006 Breslin along with Silverman created a comedy contest called the Yuk Yuk's Great Canadian Laugh Off which aired on the Comedy Network. The national comedy contest showcased 64 comedians with 1 winner receiving $25,000, Canada's largest comedy cash prize. The Laugh Off became an annual event running from 2006 to 2011 with 6 winners and a total of $150,000 in comedian winnings. By 2007 Breslin added clubs in Kitchener Ontario, Vancouver British Columbia, Halifax Nova Scotia and Vaughan Ontario.
2008-Present
[edit]In 2009, Breslin opened the second Yuk Yuk's comedy club in Ottawa. Smaller than the original Ottawa club, the Prescott room was designed more for the open mic audience and comedians. In 2010, Yuk Yuk's Oakville opened with headliner Glen Foster. The club closed in 2012.
The current Yuk Yuk's are located in the following cities: Edmonton, Halifax, Burlington, London, Niagara Falls, Ottawa, Oshawa, Toronto, Saskatoon, Calgary, and Surrey. Yuk Yuk's is also known for its traveling shows, that reach small towns and large cities all across Canada, such as Haliburton, Wasage Beach Peterborough and more.[3][4][5] Their comics can be found in nearly every corner in Canada.
Programming
[edit]- Peoples Comedy Festival - Host Jim Carrey – 1992 Aired on the Comedy Network
- Yuk Yuk's 25th Anniversary - 2000, shot in Ottawa National Art's Centre aired on the Comedy Network, hosted by Howie Mandel, featuring Harland Williams, Jeremy Hotz, Mike Bullard, Pat Bullard, Derek Edwards, Shaun Majumder, Mike MacDonald and many others.
- Mondo Taboo - 1999 - Aired on Viewer's Choice
- Canada's Search - 2001- Host Adam West "Batman" Aired on The Comedy Network
- Yuk Yuk's Great Canadian Laugh Off 2006 - Winner Jeff McEnery, Aired on the Comedy Network
- Yuk Yuk's Great Canadian Laugh Off 2007- Winner Paul Myrehuag- Aired on the Comedy Network
- Yuk Yuk's Great Canadian Laugh Off 2008- Winner Graham Clark, Aired on the Comedy Network
- Yuk Yuk's Great Canadian Laugh Off 2009 - Winner Mark Little, Aired on the Comedy Network
- Yuk Yuk's Great Canadian Laugh Off 2010 - Winner Tom Dustin, Aired on the Comedy Network
- Yuk Yuk's Great Canadian Laugh Off 2011 - Winner Mark DeBonis, Aired on the Comedy Network
- The Yukin' Funny Comedy Show, Season 1 - 2011- Aired on Bite TV
- The Yukin' Funny Comedy Show, Season 2 - 2012- Aired on Bite TV
Publications
[edit]- Zen and Now (Somerville House) 1985- Mark Breslin
- Son of a Meech (Random House) 1991 - Mark Breslin
- Control Freaked (Insomniac Press) 2002 - Mark Breslin
- Yuk Yuk's Guide to Stand Up Comedy (HarperCollins, audio book) 2009 – Mark Breslin
- Rarities and Road Worriors (HarperCollins, audio book) 2011 – Mark Breslin
- Funny Business (Burman Books) 2012 – Jeff Silverman
References
[edit]- ^ "Yuk Yuk's: Contact Us". Retrieved 2023-09-20.
- ^ BarrieToday Staff (July 8, 2019). "Yuk Yuk's tour coming to Casino Rama". Barrietoday.com.
- ^ "Yuk Yuks Comedy Night at BP Peterborough North!". tixert.com. Retrieved 2025-08-15.
- ^ "Wasaga Belly Laughs presents YUK YUK'S". tixert.com. Retrieved 2025-08-15.
- ^ "Yuk Yuks Comedy Thursdays". tixert.com. Retrieved 2025-08-15.
External links
[edit]Yuk Yuk's
View on GrokipediaOverview
Founding and Founders
Yuk Yuk's was founded in the spring of 1976 by Mark Breslin and Joel Axler in the mildew-filled basement of Toronto's 519 Church Street Community Centre.[9] This humble venue served as the starting point for what would become Canada's premier comedy club chain, emerging from the founders' shared vision to create a space for raw, unfiltered stand-up comedy in a city lacking dedicated outlets for such performances.[10] Mark Breslin, born and raised in Toronto, brought a literary and performative background to the venture. He graduated from York University with a B.A. Honours in English Literature and had personal experiences in comedy that fueled his motivation to establish an uncensored platform for comedians to explore edgy, personal material without the restrictions common in other entertainment spaces at the time.[1][10] Joel Axler, a fellow comic and collaborator, co-founded the club alongside Breslin, contributing to its early operations as a pioneer in Canadian entertainment.[9] The initial setup emphasized low-budget, grassroots operations, featuring amateur nights that attracted emerging talent and like-minded audiences to a "poor theatre barrio" atmosphere.[9] Central to this was the philosophy of "live, uncut comedy," which prioritized confrontational, unapologetic humor to foster a vibrant comedy scene and position Toronto as a hub for Canadian talent destined for broader success.[10] After two years of these weekly shows, the operation transitioned to its first full-time club at 1280 Bay Street in Toronto's Yorkville district in 1978, marking a shift from basement experimentation to a permanent venue.[11]Current Status and Ownership
Yuk Yuk's remains under the ownership of founder Mark Breslin, who continues to serve as CEO, and his long-time business partner Jeff Silverman, who has been President since joining as a partner in 1990.[1] The company's headquarters is located at 920 Yonge Street, Suite 609, Toronto, Ontario M4W 3C7.[12] As Canada's national stand-up comedy club chain, Yuk Yuk's operates approximately 16 locations across the country, including fixed venues in cities such as Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, and Ottawa, along with traveling shows under the Yuk Yuk's On-Tour banner.[13] By 2016, the chain had hosted over 12 million customers and paid nearly $50 million in performance fees to Canadian comedians.[14] As of 2025, operations continue with expanded events and partnerships.[13] The business model combines owned and franchised clubs, mobile touring productions, and opportunities for new franchisees, maintaining a signature no-censorship policy that allows comedians full creative freedom on stage.[6][15] In 2025, Yuk Yuk's continues to host active traveling shows and special events, including comedy nights at prominent venues like Casino Rama Resort, featuring lineups of Canadian and international performers.[16]History
Early Development (1976-1986)
Yuk Yuk's began transitioning from its informal origins to a more structured operation in the late 1970s, moving from basement shows at the Church Street Community Centre to dedicated storefronts in Toronto's Yorkville district. This shift provided professional spaces for consistent programming and better crowd management, driven by growing attendance that had outgrown the community center's limitations.[9] During this period, Yuk Yuk's faced considerable operational challenges, including extremely low budgets that resulted in what founder Mark Breslin described as "sweaty shows" characterized by minimal production values and high-energy, unpolished performances. To build a reliable comedian roster, the club relied on open mic nights and word-of-mouth recruitment, fostering an environment where emerging talents honed their skills amid packed, intimate rooms. A key strategy to attract initial crowds was the introduction of no-cover policies for many early shows, which helped draw diverse audiences despite competition from Toronto's disco and light rock scene.[1][17] Expansion beyond Toronto commenced in 1984 with the opening of a club in Ottawa on Albert Street near Elgin, headlined by comedian Mike MacDonald, who became a staple act and helped establish the venue as a hub for local talent. That same year, Yuk Yuk's launched in Hamilton at the Connaught Hotel, with Donny Coy serving as a prominent headliner and later managing the location, contributing to the chain's growing reputation in southern Ontario. By 1986, additional outlets had opened in Niagara Falls and Mississauga, solidifying Yuk Yuk's as a Toronto-centric chain with five locations and playing a foundational role in nurturing Canada's stand-up comedy scene during its nascent boom.[18][19][10]National Expansion (1987-1998)
Following its initial success in Ontario, Yuk Yuk's began a phase of national expansion in the late 1980s, shifting strategy to extend beyond its Toronto base and tap into the growing demand for stand-up comedy across Canada. This period capitalized on the broader comedy boom that swept North America during the 1980s and into the 1990s, driven by rising popularity of live performances and the emergence of television specials featuring comedians. Early efforts included outposts in the US, such as Buffalo and Rochester, New York (opened 1985), though these faced logistical hurdles.[20] In 1987, the chain opened its first club outside Toronto in London, Ontario, marking the start of provincial diversification within the province before broader national outreach.[21] By the mid-1990s, further Ontario growth included new venues in Ajax and Sudbury; the Sudbury location launched under comedian Chris Hawes, who headlined its debut and managed operations as a franchisee.[22][23] The push westward began in the late 1980s, with Yuk Yuk's establishing clubs in Edmonton and Calgary, Alberta, to leverage the comedy surge in Western Canada. Mark Breslin, as founder and chief booker, played a key role in talent scouting and scheduling acts across these new sites to maintain the chain's uncensored, high-energy format.[1] By the mid-1990s, the network had grown to 14 clubs nationwide.[24] Managing expansion brought logistical challenges, including coordinating bookings and travel for comedians across provinces while navigating local regulations that sometimes clashed with the no-censorship policy central to Yuk Yuk's identity.[25] Despite such hurdles, the period solidified the chain's reputation as a coast-to-coast comedy staple.Peak Growth and Competitions (1999-2007)
During the late 1990s and early 2000s, Yuk Yuk's achieved its peak operational scale, expanding to 14 comedy clubs across Canada by 2007 under the leadership of founder Mark Breslin.[26][1] This growth reflected the chain's strong regional presence amid a wave of popularity for stand-up comedy in Canada, with Breslin overseeing the additions while continuing to contribute to the industry through authorship, including his 2002 book Control Freaked, which explored themes of personal and professional control in a humorous context.[1] A key aspect of this expansion era was the introduction of structured talent-discovery competitions, which helped identify and promote emerging comedians while boosting club attendance and programming diversity. In 2000, Yuk Yuk's launched the "Search for Canada's Funniest New Comic," an initiative aimed at scouting fresh talent nationwide. This was followed in 2006 by the "Yuk Yuk's Great Canadian Laugh Off," an annual contest that ran through 2011 and became a cornerstone of the chain's programming during its peak years. Hosted by Breslin, the event featured 64 competitors vying in a winner-take-all format, with semifinalists and finalists performing 10-minute sets broadcast on the Comedy Network.[27][28] The Great Canadian Laugh Off offered substantial prizes to incentivize participation, awarding $25,000 to each annual grand prize winner and totaling $150,000 in cash prizes over its run from 2006 to 2011. Notable victors included Jeff McEnery in 2006, Paul Myrehaug in 2007, Mark Little in 2009, and Mark DeBonis in 2011, many of whom went on to build successful careers in Canadian comedy.[29][30][31][32] These competitions not only launched careers but also reinforced Yuk Yuk's role as a vital hub for stand-up during a time of heightened national interest in the genre.[33]Recent Developments (2008-Present)
In the years following the peak expansion period, Yuk Yuk's experienced a mix of new openings and closures amid economic and logistical challenges. In 2010, the chain launched a new club in Oakville, Ontario, headlined by comedian Glen Foster as part of its debut programming.[34] However, the Oakville location operated for only two years before closing in 2012. Cross-border operations faced significant hurdles, exemplified by the 2015 closure of the Rochester, New York, venue (opened 1985), which was attributed in part to immigration restrictions complicating travel for U.S. and Canadian comedians.[20] These issues contributed to a strategic emphasis on domestic talent, with Yuk Yuk's programming becoming 99% Canadian-focused by the mid-2010s.[3] The chain marked its 40th anniversary in 2016, highlighting its enduring impact on Canadian comedy by noting that it had paid nearly $50 million in performance fees to comedians over four decades and hosted 12 million customers across its clubs.[3] This milestone underscored Yuk Yuk's role in nurturing homegrown performers, even as international bookings became less feasible due to border policies. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Yuk Yuk's adapted by shifting to virtual formats, organizing nearly 1,000 online corporate comedy events to sustain operations while in-person gatherings were restricted.[35] Recent relocations and expansions have revitalized select markets. In 2023, the London, Ontario, club moved for the fourth time since its 1987 debut, upsizing to a larger venue at the DoubleTree by Hilton on King Street with capacity for 240 patrons to accommodate growing demand.[36] That same year, Yuk Yuk's opened a new permanent location in Winnipeg at the Fort Garry Hotel (January 2023), filling a gap in the local comedy scene with regular Thursday-to-Saturday shows.[37] As of November 2025, Yuk Yuk's operates active clubs in Burlington, Calgary, Edmonton, Halifax, London, Niagara Falls, Oshawa, Ottawa, Saskatoon (via on-tour programming at the Park Town Hotel), Toronto, Surrey, and Winnipeg, alongside expanding traveling productions under the Yuk Yuk's On-Tour banner in cities like Langley, Regina, Hamilton, Moncton, and St. John's.[5][38] This model supports flexible outreach, including 2025 events such as comedy nights at external venues like the Baxter Ward Lions Club fundraiser.[39]Operations
Club Locations and Formats
Yuk Yuk's operates a chain of stand-up comedy clubs across Canada, with 11 permanent locations as of 2025. These venues are primarily situated in major urban centers, providing dedicated spaces for live performances. The clubs emphasize intimate settings conducive to comedy, featuring proscenium stages and tiered or cabaret-style seating arrangements that accommodate audiences of varying sizes.[5]| City | Province/Territory | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Burlington | Ontario | Located in a central area, standard club setup. |
| Calgary | Alberta | Housed at the Elbow River Casino, capacity of approximately 235 seats.[40][41] |
| Edmonton | Alberta | Permanent venue with weekend programming. |
| Halifax | Nova Scotia | Eastern Canada outpost, focused on regional and touring acts. |
| London | Ontario | Relocated to the DoubleTree by Hilton in 2023, capacity of 240 seats.[36][42] |
| Niagara Falls | Ontario | Integrated into the Wyndham Grand Fallsview Hotel in the entertainment district.[43] |
| Oshawa | Ontario | Suburban location serving the Greater Toronto Area. |
| Ottawa | Ontario | Dual venues: downtown at 292 Elgin Street and west end at Biagios (1394 Richmond Road), offering separate rooms for simultaneous shows.[5][44] |
| Surrey | British Columbia | Western Canada site near Vancouver, with standard seating. |
| Toronto | Ontario | Primary hub at 224 Richmond Street West, operating as a supper club hybrid with dining options; additional shows at affiliated venues like the Superclub format at the same address.[45][46] |
| Winnipeg | Manitoba | Located at the Fort Garry Hotel, featuring a club room for Friday and Saturday nights.[47] |
