At Cheers Comedy, we are dead serious about creating a safe and welcoming space for everyone who walks through our doors. Whether you’re a seasoned comic, a nervous first-timer, or an audience member, we want you to feel comfortable and respected. Our open mics and booked shows are meant to be a playground for humor, not a battleground for bullies. We’re committed to fostering an environment where creativity can flourish, jokes can push boundaries, and everyone can feel secure being themselves – ridiculous or otherwise.

Breaking our Zero Tolerance Policy will result in anything from a verbal warning to being permanently banned from future Cheers Comedy events.

See Something, Say Something: If you witness harassment or there is an issue that is making you feel uncomfortable, speak up! Let a Producer know in person or by email. We are committed to taking concerns seriously and addressing them to ensure a timely resolution.

1. Policy

Simply put, we are all about keeping Cheers Comedy a kickass place for everyone. So, here’s our not-so-secret recipe for a good time on and offstage: Don’t. Be. A. Dick. Being intentionally offensive in your act isn’t edgy–it’s lazy. Find better punchlines, champ.

What does that mean? Glad you asked:

1. Keep It Classy:
   • No Discriminatory Language: We love a good joke, but leave discriminatory language and violent rhetoric at the door (or just don’t come!). That means no hate speech or harassment based on:
     • Race, Color, or National origin
     • Sexual orientation or gender identity
     • Religion
     • Disability
   • No Unwanted Physical Contact: No touching, groping, or getting handsy with anyone without their enthusiastic consent. This goes for comics, audience members, staff, or that suspiciously lifelike cardboard cutout in the corner.
2. No material that portrays rape or sexual violence in a positive light: We welcome diverse comedic perspectives, but we maintain a zero-tolerance policy for material that glorifies, minimizes, or makes light of sexual violence. This includes jokes where the perpetrator is the hero of the bit or where victims are the punchline. If your set includes this type of material, please save it for another venue. For questions about whether specific material crosses this line, please check with a producer before your performance.
3. Be Thoughtful of Sensitive Topics: Ensure you follow the standards for sensitive topics described in Section 2. Handle with Care.

2. Handle With Care Topics

Cheers Comedy isn’t here to cage your comedic genius, but we do need you to use your brain cells on stage. Jokes that are deemed insensitive to or offensive toward specific topics will result in, at minimum, a verbal warning. However, depending on the offense’s severity, it may result in a more serious course of action (see Section 3 Policy Violation for additional information).

Simply put, we ask that comics make fun of the villain, not the victim.

As a reminder: material that portrays rape or sexual violence in a positive light is explicitly not allowed at Cheers Comedy events. See Section 1. Policy (above) for additional information.

With that in mind, we’ve got a list of topics that need a delicate touch. If you’ve got personal experience with these topics, go ahead and mine that comedy gold. Your story, your rules. But if you’re punching down or being cruel just for shock value? That’s a no-go, friend. These topics include, but are not limited to:

• Race and Ethnicity
• Religion
• Gender and Sexual Orientation
• Illness, Mental Health and Disabilities
• Child Abuse and/or Exploitation
• Poverty and Homelessness
• Tragedies and Disasters
• Death and Mourning
• War and Veterans

If you’re approaching these topics, we ask that you do so thoughtfully—ideally from personal experience or with genuine insight. The goal isn’t to limit your creativity, but to ensure comedy comes from a place of understanding rather than cheap shots. Consider your audience and remember that truly great comedy connects people rather than divides them. Use your powers for good, not evil. Read the room, use your noggin, and remember: making people uncomfortable isn’t the same as making them laugh. 

3. Policy Violation

Our team of producers reviews each incident of possible violations of our Zero Tolerance Policy thoroughly and collectively. We take these matters seriously and will consider all aspects of the situation. Based on the severity of the violation, we’ll determine the appropriate course of action. 

• Verbal Warning: If we determine that you unintentionally violated the policy in good faith, we’ll start with a verbal warning and take the time to educate you on why your actions or words were problematic. We believe in second chances and the power of learning.
• Short-term Probation: If a verbal warning has already been issued or the policy first-offense violation is deemed severe enough, violators will be put on short-term probation, during which they will be prohibited from performing or attending any of our events. 
• Permanent Banning: In more severe cases or for repeated offenses, we may take the difficult step of permanently banning offenders from all Cheers Comedy events, both as performers and attendees. While we hope it never comes to this, we’re committed to maintaining a safe environment for everyone, even if it means making tough decisions.