From karaoke with Johnny Vegas to Peter Kay's first gigs: Iconic Manchester comedy venue Frog and Bucket celebrates 30 years

"I think a lot of our success is truly down to the talent we’ve discovered and had play on our stage"

“There was a time when you couldn’t even get people to walk up to Oldham Street,” Jessica Toomey, the owner of legendary comedy venue The Frog and Bucket, recalls to the M.E.N. “In the early days, we’d ask the local hotels to recommend us but they would often refuse because they didn’t think the area was safe.

“It would just be tumbleweeds all around. It would just be us, Sankey’s and Band on the Wall. Now it’s completely changed. It’s incredible to see it all flourish around us.”

This week marks 30 years since the iconic comedy club first opened its doors in the Northern Quarter. Originally based in a tiny room above the Britannia pub on Newton Street, the club has been situated at the top end of Oldham Street since 2006 - and has served as a stomping ground for some of the country’s biggest names in comedy, like Peter Kay, Johnny Vegas, Sarah Millican and Jack Whitehall.

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Started by her father David Perkin back in 1994, Jessica took over the reins of the venue properly some 20 years ago. With a 30th birthday party booked in and ready to take place on Thursday night (February 22), Jessica says she has been fondly looking back at memories of the venue over the last three decades.

“When my dad first got the keys to the place, I was only 14 so my job at the time was cleaning the venue on Saturday’s. I’d be introduced to a few of the comedians, like Steve Coogan and Smug Roberts, but it wasn’t really until 2004 when I started coming and watching the shows.”

When asked why she believes the comedy club has stood the test of time, Jess bluntly says it is partly down to the fact her dad decided to outright buy the venue when he first took it on.

“I think, sadly, if my dad hadn’t decided to buy the building 20 years ago, I don't think we’d still be here. I think a landlord would have kicked us out by now.

“But, I think a lot of our success is truly down to the talent we’ve discovered and had play on our stage. Most other cities don’t tend to have that much of an output. We’ve been very lucky.”

Some of Jess’ highlights from over the years have included a late-90’s double act from Peter Kay and Johnny Vegas, surprise sets from Lee Mack, and giving the stage to Jack Whitehall’s first ever comedy set.

“A lot of my favourite moments revolve around Johnny Vegas,” Jess says. “We have so many stories and memories of him - he’s been here a lot of times and in all forms really. His first gig was here, and he took part in the BBC New Comedy Award finals here.

“He did a New Year’s Eve party once where we couldn’t get him off the stage. He was still going well past midnight. Another time, we got him into Charlie’s karaoke bar after a show, and he rang us the next morning begging us to get him to go home - he was still on the stage singing away.”

Jess says one of the club’s most poignant moments was being chosen to pilot the UK's first live stand-up performances and test out safety measures for live entertainment following the Covid lockdown.

“It was just a really beautiful moment to open and have comics on the stage again after so long,” Jess explains. “It was really nice of the Department of Culture, Media and Sports to trust us with that.”

And it appears that comedians hold the Frog and Bucket in the same respected light that many Mancunians do - with the venue often being featured in many an autobiography for the role it played in kick-starting careers.

“People like Lucy Porter and Jack Whitehall tried comedy at the Frog and Bucket whilst at university and just never looked back,” she explains. “I think we’re really lucky that we have a dedicated comedy club here in Manchester - we’ve managed to find a lot of success and talent here.”

When asked why she believes a venue like the Frog and Bucket has been able to thrive in a city like Manchester, Jess says: “I just think Manchester is such a cultural city on a global scale. Our line-up’s are just a fair reflection of society. I always make sure there’s something for everyone and that everyone can relate to at least one of the comedians on the line-up in some way or another.”

On Thursday, esteemed comedians like Justin Moorhouse, Josh Jones, Rachel Fairburn, Nina Gilligan and Dan Nightingale will all take part in the Frog and Bucket’s 30th Birthday Manchester All Stars Show. With plenty of surprises in the works, Jess promises it will be a special night for everyone.

“The line-up is all about looking forward and celebrating the new talent that is coming out of Manchester,” she explains. “It’s an all-Manchester line-up and they’re all incredible breakthrough acts who are getting onto TV. We’ve got Rachel, who has just done Live at the Apollo, and Josh, who does loads of panel shows and has just won Best TV Act at the Northwest Comedy Awards.

“It’s just a chance for us to be able to showcase how we can continue to churn out amazing comedians in Manchester 30 years on.”

Tickets for Frog and Bucket's 30th birthday party on Thursday (February 22) can be bought here.