Chaplin's still yuks it up at 24

Melody Baetens / The Detroit News

Chaplin's Comedy Club has been providing live comedy on the east side for nearly a quarter of a century.

Owner Billy Hargis and brother Bob have owned the club (and the adjacent bowling alley, Fountainview Lanes) for the past 24 years. "It's an easy and relaxed place," Hargis says. "Plus the drink prices are reasonable and the comics are great."

The club's décor hasn't changed much since it opened in the '80s. Obviously a dance club in another lifetime, Chaplin's show room and lounge features mirrored walls, polished brass and dim, sophisticated lighting. It has been so well maintained over the years that the club has a hip, vintage look.

Chaplin's hosts live stand-up comedy in its spacious 400-seat venue Thursdays through Saturdays. Some of the bigger names that have come through in the last 24 years include Sinbad, Steve Harvey, Tim Alley, Paul Reiser, Bill Hicks, Willie Tyler & Lester, Jay Leno and Dennis Miller. These days, Chaplin's hosts up-and-coming local and regional comedians like Dan DeCapua, Kevin McPeek and Bill Bushart.

"They have some really good people that come through," says patron Lynn West of Mount Clemens who was in attendance to see local stand-up comic Frank G. "We all enjoyed the show tonight."

Aside from hosting live comedy, Chaplin's is an all-purpose club that can be rented out for any occasion. The Hargis brothers are also active in the community, hosting several fundraisers each year at the club and the bowling alley, including Collex Collision's Wheels of Hope benefit that raises funds to help unfortunate families have working cars.

Chaplin's Comedy Club

34244 Groesbeck Highway, Clinton Township

Call: (586) 792-1920

Web: www.chaplinscomedyclub.com

Show times: 8:30 p.m. Thursdays; 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays

Cover: $7 on Thursdays, $12 Fridays-Saturdays

Food: Chaplin's offers a light menu of bar food, but pizzas or a buffet dinner can be arranged for large parties.

Diversions: The lounge has a television and a MegaTouch game. Fountainview Lanes has bowling next door.

Parking: Plentiful lot parking

Smoke factor: Medium to high. Smoking is allowed throughout the club.

Upcoming shows

Tonight-Sat: Scott Derenger with Ron Partee and Khurum Sheikh

Nov. 12-14: Kevin McPeek with Nate Fridson and James Craven

Nov. 19-21: Norm Stulz with William Alexander and Jose Cruz

Nov. 26-28: Kevin Zeoli with Owen Thomas and Quazi Rockstar

Dec. 3-5: Bill Bushart with Keith Lenart and Russell Caims

Dec. 10-12: Dan DeCapua with Mary Ann and DK Hamilton

Dec. 17-19: P.J. Butland with Sean Hunter and Kevin Fox

Dec. 26: Keith Ruff with Matt McClowry and James Craven

Jan. 7-9: Jef Brannan with Michael McDaniel

Jan. 14-16: Mark Poolos with Kevin Fox

Jan. 21-23: Dwayne Gill

Beer and wine events

Beer

Friends of the Rouge Brews Cruise at Compuware Arena, 12:45-5:45 p.m. Sun. $75, $70 members.14900 N. Beck Road, Plymouth. (313) 792-9621.

Michigan Cask Ale Festival at Westland Mall, 2-6 p.m. Nov. 14. $20. 7525 Wayne Road, Westland. (734) 525-1667.

Wine

Champagne and Sparkling Wines at the Community House, 7:30-9:30 p.m. Wed. $25. 380 S. Bates St., Birmingham. (248) 644-5832.

Chocolate, Cheese and Wine Tasting Party at Huntington Woods Community Center, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Nov. 12. $20. 26325 Scotia Road, Huntington Woods. (248) 541-3030 or (248) 691-7577.

Argentinian Dinner and Wine Tasting at Nino's Family Restaurant, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Nov. 12. $49. 1705 Columbus Ave., Bay City. (989) 893-0691.

Amplified Wine Tasting with Brandon Calhoon at Goodnight Gracie, 7-10 p.m. Nov. 12. $25 in advance, $30 at the door. 301 N. Huron St., Ann Arbor. (734) 862-1928.

Save a Heart -- Celebration of Wine and Food at Michigan League, 6:30-9 p.m. Nov. 13. $60 in advance, $75 at the door. 911 N. University Ave., Ann Arbor. (734) 936-9134.

Wine Makers Dinner at the English Inn, 6:30 p.m. Nov. 13. $69, $135 per couple. 677 S. Michigan Road, Eaton Rapids. (517) 449-8450.

3rd Anniversary Celebration Wine Tasting at Clay Ave. Cellars, Noon-6 p.m. Nov. 14. Free. 611 Clay Ave., Muskegon. (231) 722-3108.

Harvest Dinner at Fenn Valley Winery, 6:15 p.m. Nov. 14. $70. Reservations required. 6130 122nd St., Fennville. (800) 432-6265.

Pheasants Forever Wine Tasting at Champane's Wine Cellars, 6-8 p.m. Dec. 3. 7007 Chicago Road, Warren. (586) 268-4900.

Winter Wonderland: A Ladies Night Out at St. Julian Winery, 6:30-9:30 p.m. Dec. 4. $20. 716 S. Kalamazoo St., Paw Paw. (800) 732-6002.

Amplified Wine Tasting with Jamie Todd Band at Bullfrog Bar & Grill, 6:30-9:30 p.m. Dec. 18. $25 in advance, $30 at the door. 15414 Telegraph Road, Redford. (734) 862-

1928.

GRAND RAPIDS INTERNATIONAL WINE & FOOD FESTIVAL

at DeVos Place

The largest festival of its kind in the state, the Grand Rapids International Wine & Food Festival features wine and food partings, tastings, seminars, demonstrations, contests, giveaways and more. One unique attraction is the sister cities exhibition in the center court. It includes Omihachiman, Japan; Bielsko-Biala, Poland; Perugia, Italy; Ga District, Ghana; and Zapopan, Mexico. Products, food and beverages native to each city will be presented. 5-9 p.m. Nov. 12, 3-9 p.m. Nov. 13 and noon-9 p.m. Sat. $15. 21 and older. 303 Monroe Ave. NW, Grand Rapids. (616) 742-6500.

mbaetens@detnews.com (313) 222-2402 Visit Melody's Blog at www.detnews.com/melodyblog.