Bartender, I’ll Take 3 Punchlines and A Shot of Tequila

Photo by Bogomil Mihaylov on Unsplash

Wings & One Liners. Patty Melts & Puns. Flights of Beer & Funny Anecdotes.

Panama City – For years, St Andy’s Pub in historic St Andrews has been known for its great service, extensive selection of beers, and its even better wings. But on Wednesdays, St Andy’s becomes more than just your favorite local sports bar. It becomes a laboratory of laughs. Starting at 8pm, the welcoming pub is the home for Panama City’s longest running weekly comedy open mic. An event that has become almost like a second home to many of Panama City’s local comics and its fans of the art.

But what is an open mic? It is a testing ground. A blank canvas. A metaphorical dart board for comics to take all their thoughts, throw them at the wall, and see what sticks. The target? An audience of strangers looking for comedy to pair with their patty melts and IPAs. Unlike musicians, and artists, comedy is an art that requires an audience to practice. Most comics begin their comedy career at an open mic, and spend years if not decades frequenting them, located at bars, coffee shops, or comedy clubs, to hone their craft.

Bailey Ferns, Michael Holmes, Jason Best, Malcolm Xavier, and Elijah Cantu are a few of the comics who began their comedy careers at the beloved mic. Originally started by local comic Janet Fortune, the mic regularly features 12-15 comics every Wednesday. Testing new material, rehearsing old favorites, or practicing the now social media popular form of comedy referred to as “crowdwork”, so many comics get up every week with the intent to garner a chuckle or seven.

Jason Hedden, owner of Panama City Comedy LLC, is at the forefront of Panama City’s comedy scene. As it continues to grow, providing shows year round featuring touring comics from all over the nation, Hedden recognizes the homegrown talent in his own backyard. Every so often, Jason can be spotted near the back of the room, keeping an eye on the progress each comic is making as they aim to create the next joke with the ability to send a room of people into a hysterical frenzy. On multiple occasions, local comics (as well as others from neighboring cities within the panhandle) have been offered the much sought after opportunity to perform at a ticketed Panama City Comedy show.

But what about the audience? The open mic has been such a force in the local scene that some of the pub’s clientele have continued to show up every Wednesday to attend the event.  Whether it be in support of one comic, the atmosphere, or the uncertainty of the evening, many faces have continued to reappear in the crowd week after week, eager to hear what new absurd tale, quirky one liner, or random thought will be shouted into a microphone. 

One thing is for sure. Regulars at St Andys will tell you. Wednesdays are ruled by Wings, Whisky, and a Wild Ride. If you dont believe me, ask the bartenders about a man named George Penton, they may just drag you to the closest seat by the stage.