While Manhattan may be known for having the comedy scene where some of the genre’s biggest stars cut their teeth, standup comedy producers Justin Williams and Steve Serra are contributing to a comedy tradition right here in Newark.

Their Brick City Comedy Revue offers a free monthly comedy show. Every fourth Thursday at 9:00 p.m., Williams and Serra take over the second floor of Kilkenny Alehouse at 27 Central Avenue. The first show of 2016 is Thursday, January 28th, at 9:00 pm. (Remember, after 6:00 p.m., there is free street parking here in Newark.)

Williams, who started the event with “partner in crime” Serra, explained: “There is a bunch of really good comics, like Gordon Baker Bone and Alexis Gurreros, who live in Newark and the surrounding towns. Steve and I are happy to be part of an emerging comedy scene that is growing with all the positive changes that you see downtown.”

Serra, who wore a full Batman costume to the October 2015 event, told the story of how he and Williams discovered the venue. Serra and his then-fiancée, the artist Grace Serralhiero, had their engagement party at Kilkenny. During the party, Serra said thought to himself, “This would be a dope spot to run a comedy show. There’s a stage. It has its own bar.” The comedy show is on the second floor of Kilkenny’s, and attendees can buy drinks and even a full meal while they enjoy the free performances.

Kilkenny Alehouse, also a popular spot with the City of Newark Fire Department, serves a mean shepherd’s pie. With the seasoned establishment as a venue and a will to recruit top regional comics to perform, the duo were able to build equity into the show since starting it in May 2015.

“We have comics with TV credits, and we pay everything out of our pocket. We really try to bring the magic here. We love our city,” said Williams. “We are so grateful for the support of the community here for the past year and a half. We promise to keep expanding the show and bringing some of the best.”

Every month the duo find increasingly better-known comics. For example, on January 28th, the show will feature six comedians including headliner Julie Kottakis and Ritu Chandra. Kottakis, a New York-based comedian, is an attorney by day and a standup comedian by night. Comedian Ritu Chandra, who holds an MBA from the University of Chicago, chose to skip corporate America to pursue her career in standup comedy. Chandra has performed at the Stress Factory, New York Comedy Club and Broadway Comedy Club.

Williams himself has a Ph.D. and is a professor.

As hosts, both Serra and Williams also perform stand-up comedy. Recently, Williams hilariously observed what it is like to ride PATH every day, and how much “home” a dollar can get in Newark versus Manhattan. “It makes us proud that comedians that come from New York City have such a great time performing at Kilkenny, and comedians from New Jersey have a space where they can talk about urban life in a more sophisticated way than you might see in smaller towns,” Williams said.

“We are so grateful for the support of the community here for the past year and a half. We promise to keep expanding the show and bringing some of the best comedians from around the country to our beloved Brick City,” he continued.

Serra concluded: “It’s our baby. Justin and I look at each other like, ‘Man, we really got something going on!’ Come down this Thursday, January 28th to Kilkenny Ale House, and come every fourth Thursday. Brick City Comedy Revue has new comedians every month!”

Kilkenny Alehouse is located at 27 Central Avenue in Newark.