Don Barnhart, Chad Chesmark, and a small army of entertainers transform the former ‘ZAI Restaurant and Bar’ into a haven for laughs, magic, and mental mayhem.
UPDATE 12/12/23 – Delirious Comedy Club/House of Magic is on the move again. Not far from its previous location inside the Downtown Grand Hotel. Don Barnhart’s crew and Chad Chesmark’s biceps are bringing laughter and amazement to patrons at ZAI. The nightspot is located at 700 Fremont Street. To celebrate the move, Don Barnhart is giving away free tickets to shows through December. Follow the directions below for yours, and have a great time.
Below is the original article as published on 2/28/23:
It’s true that comedy clubs are all over town…and that’s a great thing. They make economic sense for venues, audiences, and artists. Our recent VEGAS 411 piece on the opening of WESTGATE COMEDY CABARET cited the concept as a “hot ticket”. Now we can add one more to the mix: DELIRIOUS COMEDY CLUB.
You might recognize the ‘DELIRIOUS’ brand from its run at Alexis Park. Despite the success of that resort’s new Modern Showrooms, a comedy club didn’t quite gel with its line-up of “classic Vegas” tribute shows. As a result, creator/host Don Barnhart packed up his mic and headed downtown. He landed at Downtown Grand, a once-struggling hotel-casino just off Fremont Street Experience.
Downtown Grand’s former MOB BAR is the new home for DELIRIOUS COMEDY CLUB
The former LADY LUCK has since found its footing and expanded to a third tower. In the interim, DGs former nightclub THE MOB BAR was reborn as UNDERGROUND SPEAKEASY at the neighboring MOB MUSEUM. That’s when nightlife impresario Kip Kelly stepped in.
Kelly, the Creative Director of the soon-to-open Beverly Theater, transformed MOB BAR into Downtown Grand’s first ticketed showroom. Now operating as Las Vegas Room, the showroom offers three doses of magic, laughs, and hypnosis every Thursday through Sunday.
Already a fan of Barnhart, I decided to check out his new digs a few weeks ago. We chatted in the greenroom prior to the first performance. Inside, towering muscle hunk Chad Chesmark was prepping to unleash COMEDY MAGIC UNHINGED. Chesmark is part of the club’s family-friendly HOUSE OF MAGIC (6 pm Thursday through Sunday) which also includes comedy hypnotist Michael DeSchalit.
Donning his microphone and reading the crowd from behind curtains, Chesmark noted a lack of children. “Can I go PG-13 tonight?”, he asked Barnhart, who was busy at a bank of computer screens and monitors. “Sure, go ahead” the boss replied, and I knew it would be a wild ride.
Chesmark is part of a growing list of hybrid entertainers. Illusions, jokes, hypnotism, props, and physical comedy are all part of his repertoire. Much like juggler Ivan Pecel and Strip headliner Jeff Civillico, Chesmark disarms his audience with the biceps of Sylvester Stallone and the goofy antics of Jim Carrey. Mix in improvisational skills of Four Queen‘s Mike Hammer and you’ve got a winning combination for laughs.
Keith Lyle opens the evening with a slam-dunk set
Things become decidedly more racy beginning at 8 pm with the first of two DELIRIOUS showcases. Keith Lyle opens the show with a slam-dunk set before introducing a rotating roster of guests. DELIRIOUS sometimes features headliners like Pauly Shore and Jamie Kennedy, along with national touring comedians and local favorites.
David Ryan Turoczy
Guy Fessenden
Upcoming performers include Ron Coleman, Erin O’Connor, Guy Fessenden, and Kristi McHugh. Click here for the schedule and to reserve tickets.
Don Barnhart is, of course, the cornerstone of the evening. In addition to his comedy sets, Don orchestrates the entire concept and is branching out with DELIRIOUS TV, an “Unapologetically Funny” series. Comedians from all over the country will be heading to Las Vegas to participate. Currently recording from directly within his showroom, Barnhart’s DELIRIOUS TV will soon be available on Amazon Prime, Roku, and other global streaming services.
Don is one of many comedians who’ve taken a stand against cancel culture and political correctness. “If you’re easily offended or have an agenda, you’re really missing the point of going to a comedy club”, says Barnhart.
“At our comedy club, we allow our comedians the freedom to use their gift of humor to shine a light on subjects that might be too sensitive for the easily offended. It’s not about being dirty, but about taking on subjects and shining light on what we should be talking about.” From Don’s perspective, if you’re overly sensitive, then you “should probably stay home”.
True to his word, the seasoned funnyman takes DELIRIOUS COMEDY on the road whenever possible. He sponsors satellite shows at the east side’s Buck’s Tavern every Wednesday night. Every last Saturday of the month, the gang can be found at Brooksy’s Bar and Grill at 9295 West Flamingo Road.
Brooksy’s is adjacent to Las Vegas Ice Center. where Don, Chad, and a number of other comics have formed DELIRIOUS HOCKEY CLUB. The goal of the group is “to offer recreational, safe, and fun hockey four days a week. You’ll see several local comedians, magicians, and other Las Vegas entertainers take the ice.”
DELIRIOUS HOCKEY CLUB takes on skaters from Las Vegas Metro, Fire, First Responders, and other local and visiting players from across the country. Skates are Mon, Tues & Thurs at 10:15 am and Fridays at 11:30 am. Admission is free or you can watch the game and grab a drink or food at Brooksy’s Bar & Grill overlooking the arena. Children are welcome in the dining room only.
With our world becoming more complex and stressful every day, we’re lucky to have entertainers like Don Barhart and friends to turn the world on its ear. Don says “this is a Comedy Club, so leave your inhibitions at the door, stop taking life so seriously, and let’s enjoy some laughter at the absurdity of life.” Truer words couldn’t be spoken.
DELIRIOUS COMEDY CLUB is located inside DOWNTOWN GRAND HOTEL at 206 North 3rd Street. Showtimes are 6 pm, 8 pm, and 10 pm every Thursday through Sunday. Tickets and a list of scheduled performers can be obtained here. Free parking is available at the hotel’s adjacent garage (333 East Ogden St) by having your ticket validated at the comedy club entrance.
