team GAFFE

The Gaffe is led by Founder and Managing Director Harry Allmark, alongside Head of Operations Ellis Lowe, Head of Programming Phoebe Hopwood, Head of Live Fergus Hudson & Head of Content Jack Baker. They’re supported by a brilliant team, our Box Office Assistant Isabel Kilborn, our event managers; Sarah Phillips, Sarah Wynne, Ryan Osborn, our ushers and our wonderful bar staff. Plus a wide selection of creatives, who turn big ideas into unforgettable comedy shows night after night.

The Gaffe started from humble beginnings from The Room Above (our first club above The White Bear Pub on St. Michael’s Hill) where we won the Chortle Award for Best Pro Night. Since then we’ve run comedy across Bristol, bringing comedy to a huge selection of venues and running takeovers in the South-West, Edinburgh and London.

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what we stand for

  • To bring people together through live comedy, create opportunities and develop acts from the South West, and produce original work made right here in Bristol.

  • To make Bristol a nationally recognised hub of comedy. Acknowledged alongside other great cities such as London for the amount and variety of work and opportunities we provide for both talent and audience, with a strong focus on developing South West talent.

  • Community
    We’re building a comedy home for Bristol and the South West. We strive for our audience, comics and staff to feel accepted, joyous and safe. Whether you're on stage, backstage, in the audience, or helping out at one of our shows, you’re part of something here. Everyone’s welcome at The Gaffe.

    Creativity
    We’re excited about original voices and bold ideas. We support people to take risks, try new things, and develop their craft - offering opportunities, commissioning work, and providing the tools to make their ideas happen. Comedy is always evolving and so are we.

    Respect
    We respect everyone who passes through The Gaffe — on stage, off stage, in the audience, or behind the scenes. That means setting clear standards of practises, treating each other with care, and standing firm on our zero-tolerance approach to harassment, bullying and discrimination. Respect also means making space for feedback, listening to others, communicating through appropriate channels and respecting people’s needs and privacy. We’re an organisation run by people behind the brand creating systems that help people grow, not tear them down.

    Accessibility
    Everyone should be able to enjoy live comedy. We’re working to break down barriers, with affordable tickets, accessible spaces, and a commitment to fairness on and off stage. Regardless of any physical, mental or financial circumstances that affect someone, we’ll work for the community to ensure all comedy and opportunities are fairly provided to everyone.

  • We treat everyone with respect for who they are and what they bring, whether they’re on stage, backstage, in the audience or just passing through. We focus on honest, constructive feedback that helps people grow, and we’re clear about the boundaries: there’s no place here for discrimination, bullying or harassment. That’s how we make sure The Gaffe stays a safe and supportive space where everyone can thrive

    We also value integrity in our decisions and respect in how we communicate. We want everyone who works with or visits The Gaffe to feel supported and to trust the space we’re building together.

    The Gaffe Comedy Club is committed to providing a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for all, and we will take complaints seriously.

    You can read our complaints policy by clicking here. (Opens a PDF in a new window).