Over a year ago, Gary Rideout, Jr. of the Sketchersons bought a former Eritrean restaurant and pool hall at Bloor and Ossington and transformed it into the Comedy Bar. And his timing couldn't have been better. With venues like the Diesel Playhouse shuttering and big standup chains acting cool to so-called "alternative" comedy, Rideout's spot provided a haven for purveyors of standup, sketch, improv ,and acts that don't fit neatly into a category.

Newsstand: November 19, 2009