Today we’d like to introduce you to David Collins.
Hi David, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’m a stand up comedian who started doing comedy in 2019 at 34 years old. In 2021 I started producing an Open Mic at a Bensalem Pa distillery (1675 spirits) and shortly after began putting on monthly shows. These shows developed a cult like following. Many shows were attended by repeat customers and some even came out to every show. We quickly became one of the best independent comedy shows in the Philly Burbs. The owner of 1675 (Randy Taylor) left to pursue a new venture (Drift on Mill) in Bristol Borough Pa in 2023. I stayed with the new management team but after reaching out to Randy in 2024 about a property for lease across the street we came together to join forces once again. It was a long process (over 2 years) but we finally opened for our 1st Show in our new location on Aug 1st. We run a Free Open Mic Night on Thursdays and a ticketed show every Saturday with plans to expand to 2 shows on Saturday in October. We are and intimate 50 seat club that’s really is built perfectly for comedy. The low ceiling and packed in room really makes the laughter contagious. We a full bar from Drift and our own food menu by them as well. Located on Mill Street we are hoping to add to the already incredible night life in this historic Borough. Shows run about 1 1/2 hours and are a showcase style of 6 comics from Philly/NYC/NJ and beyond. We have a Headliner from Austin TX Mike Rainey booked for a Wednesday on November.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road here was definitely rocky I started may 31st 2024 when I 1st reached out to Randy about the vacant shop across the street. We did not open doors until our soft open on July 23 2026 Open Mic. We originally had our 1st month of shows booked for Dec 2025 but work that needed to be completed was delayed and we had to cancel all the shows. Those delays went on for another almost 8 months. There were many times I thought the whole thing was done. But I knew If I could just get this place open it would work and people would love it. The fact that we have started of with 4 straight sold out nights shows i was right.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Kings Highway Comedy ?
I stand by that Philly produces some of the funniest comedians on the planet. I feel like Phillys comedy scene is top 3 in the whole country. One thing it lacks though is a true showcase style comedy club (think comedy celler in NY, Comedy Store in LA and the Comedy Mothership in Austin. Now we are not too the scale of these places but the comedy is just as good of not better. Philly is not a scene to get famous but it is a scene to make you a killer on stage.
I’ve built my brand different then most other comics that produce shows. I started much later (35) then most comics. These younger kids can be out networking and building friendships 7 nights a week. Where I have a family with 3 kids. As much as I love comedy id rather hang out with them. So I was able to book shows not based on friendships but on how funny they are. Comedy has alot of favor based booking (think if I put this person on my show maybe they will put me on there show) I never cared about getting booked. I just wanted to do my own thing and put on shows that I would pay to watch.
Our location is definitely one of the biggest things that sets us apart. I honestly would not have opened this style of club anywhere but Mill St in Bristol. It’s just one of the fastest growing nightlife scenes around and it really only lacked live entertainment. They have restaurants and shops but only a theater for mostly plays. It’s very easy to get to from major highways (i95 and Pa/NJ Turnpikes.
What’s next?
Right now we at focused on getting word out that we exist. We are confident that if you come to a show you will come back again. We’re hoping that the demand for shows increase and we can add more shows per night and expand to more days of the week.
Pricing:
- Showcase shows $20
- Headliner $20 and up
- Open Mic Nights Free
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Kingshighwaycomedy.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kingshighwaycomedy?igsi=aDVsMXU3OTJiOGsx
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1DLTGPvnJM/
