Dun Cow opens next week

Sunderland’s new dedicated comedy venue, the Dun Cow, opens next week

The 60-seater has been constructed on the first floor the ornate Dun Cow, an Edwardian gin palace on the edge of  the city centre.

It will be home to early and late shows on Friday and Saturday nights run by promoters Felt Nowt, which already runs comedy nights at Laurel’s Theatre in Whitley Bay.

The new club launches on Friday, November 26 with stand-ups Louise Young, Stu Edwards, Neil Harris and Lee Kyle on the bill. Future line-ups are here. 

A Grade II listed building which dates from 1901, the Dun Cow, is next to the Empire Theatre - and Laurel and Hardy are said to have visited in their day. 

According to a heritage report, ‘the significance of this building lies in its flamboyant Edwardian architectural detail’, while its Indo-Gothic bar is ‘said to be one of the most stunning back bars in England’.

The upstairs space, previously a vacant restaurant, has been converted into the new venue after planners gave the go-ahead in February.

Published: 17 Nov 2021