Sesh Comedy: The Center of Subterranean Humor
Issue I Distortion April 11 2024
Sesh Comedy
Writer: Joven Delay
Photographer: Shaoyu Zhang
In the eclectic landscape of the Lower East Side, Sesh Comedy stands tall, offering straightforward and affordable laughs. This comedy club, with two thriving locations, has carved its niche by showcasing a diverse mix of comedians, from fresh faces testing new material to seasoned performers gracing stages on Comedy Central and Late Night.
The brainchild behind Sesh Comedy's evolution and widespread success is none other than the ingenious Dave Hogsett. Back in his student days at Temple University in Philadelphia, Hogsett, alongside comedian pal Lyle Drescher, embarked on a mission to create an underground comedy haven in the basement of their row home, aptly named "The Cave." What started as intimate shows with a five-minute limit quickly gained popularity among Temple students. The large crowds quickly outgrew the cramped basement and just as quickly as it began, “they put us in the newspaper” Hogsett explains, “then of course, our landlord saw it and shut it down.”
Undeterred by the setback, Hogsett's passion for comedy endured. While studying film, he found himself filming sets for two comics using a pop-up venue in Chinatown. When the comics moved on, Hogsett took a leap of faith, purchasing the rights to the space three years ago. Since then, Sesh Comedy has become a permanent fixture, thriving on the Lower East Side.
The art of organizing a night at Sesh Comedy is a delicate balancing act, as Hogsett brings in both experienced and high-risk performers. “The comics that hit the ball the farthest, swing the bat the hardest” but then at the same time, Hogsett explains, when they miss, “they miss really hard”. There’s a level of trust and confidence that the audience places into Hogsett when they step through the doors, “and if you lose the audience early in the show, it doesn’t matter how good the rest of it is.”
Navigating the realm of comedy promotion, Hogsett acknowledges the temptation to tailor a show to a popular comic, but he also recognizes that, "just because you're famous doesn't mean you're good." It’s the downfall of many Manhattan clubs, he tells us, “their lineups are worse than what they could be” they get caught up in the glitz and glamour of it all, sacrificing a good show for a flashy name. Hogsett emphasizes Sesh Comedy's distinctive approach, affirming, "We curate our lineups specifically for this audience, and we don't do it based on clout." This intentional curation is the key to Sesh's success, drawing people in with authenticity and an unwavering commitment to the fundamental rules of comedy shows: good comics, good audiences, and a good atmosphere.
How would you describe Sesh Comedy? What niche do you fulfill?
Dave: We’re an independent comedy club in the Lower East Side, built and run by comics. We produce high energy intimate shows that typically services a younger demographic.Our audience is what sets us apart.
Many New York clubs curate their experience towards tourists. And they use two drink minimums to guarantee middle-aged adults with disposable income as their target consumer
Our shows are different. We’re a cheap-ticket, in a no-frills space, with no drink minimum. The club is entirely run by 20 something year olds, and the line ups are especially curated for the Lower East Side nightlife experience. We run tight shows, well aware our crowds are going out after.
The experience of live comedy is about feeling the energy of the other people in the room. And we’re one of the rare comedy clubs in New York that a young person could go and feel entirely surrounded by their peers.
And we’re so thankful for our audience, because it lets us provide a niche value to the comics as well. As a comic, it's really important to test your material against diverse audiences of young people. And we’re one of the best places in the city to do that.
:iidrr
What does the term “indie” mean for you and your business? Is that even how you would describe your business?
Dave: As far as the label “indie” goes, to me, you know it when you see it. If leasing out dungeons in Chinatown to put on cheap stand up comedy shows feel “indie”, cool.
:iidrr
How do you support and collaborate with other businesses or creators in your community?
Dave: A big value add we offer is our tapes. We put a lot of time and money into helping comics go viral online using our production equipment. We’re the go to spot in the city for comics trying to get a tape to submit to late night
:iidrr
What unique products or services do you provide that mainstream competitors don’t? What sets you apart?
Dave: Honestly most comedy shows are bad, ours are good.
Your crowds seem to be mostly youthful, do you see this as a crutch or a strength?
Dave: Huge strength.
:iidrr
How do you maintain the authenticity and individuality of your business in a world dominated by franchises and corporate chains?
Dave: At the end of the day it's just about individuals that care. There are “corporate” chains in comedy that do a fantastic job providing artists a space to exists, and “indie” clubs that are run by egotistical maniacs.
:iidrr
What challenges do you face as a small business in a city as large as New York? How do you overcome these challenges?
Dave: There’s a lot of red tape in New York, but there’s also a lot of resources dedicated to helping entrepreneurs navigate that red tape.
:iidrr
What is the most rewarding aspect of being a part of the “indie” community for you?
Dave: It's great being able to offer visibility to voices in comedy that I think deserve it. We’re not helping Kevin Hart buy a plane, we’re helping up and coming world class comics pay rent.
:iidrr
Is there anything you wish more people knew about your business and the people that help run it?
Dave: Yeah just because it's cheap doesn’t mean the show isn’t as good. We just rather sell more tickets at a lower price, because honestly, it's more fun. If I ever figure out how to run effective ads, I’ll triple the ticket price, I swear to god.
:iidrr
Why did you open up a new location, and why so close to the original one?
Dave: Money. We’re trying to make more money, ideally. We were selling too many tickets, and expanding lets us reach more people.
Sesh Comedy can be found at 140 Eldridge Street, New York, NY and 55 Chrystie Street, New York, NY. For more information check out seshcomedy.com