Harvest Comedy Club in Mérida Serves Up Laughs and Great Tunes

A couple of blocks behind the ESAY Arts College and Parque La Plancha, the Harvest Comedy Club has become a magnet for stand-up comedy and music lovers.

Though the relatively small venue is air-conditioned, it can get warm when at full capacity. But no matter, comedy clubs live or die by the quality of the comedians who grace their stage. 

Live comedy in Yucatán has long been synonymous with regional theater, which mixes the typical standup formula with short plays, often parodying famous movies or TV shows. While this formula has worked well for decades, its humor depends extensively on a knowledge of local culture, particularly Yucatec “in jokes,” and often a basic grasp of the Yucatec-Maya language. However, the specific words used tend to be widely known and more than just a little risque.

Contemporary stand-up itself is still relatively new to the city, though a handful of other clubs have attempted to do it. But with the rise of Mexican stand-up stars like Alex Fernández, Alexis de Anda, Sofía Niño de Rivera, and Carlos Ballarta, all of whom have landed major Netflix deals, it is natural that the art form would spread beyond Mexico City and Monterrey to cities such as Mérida. 

Like in New York, Montreal, London, and other stand-up capitals, several of the most interesting up-and-coming comedians center their act around their self-perception as misfits or outcasts, making light of their conditions for laughs. 

One of the most notable comedians in this cohort is Chema Flores, a former Paralympic athlete who, from his wheelchair, shares his experiences in a self-deprecating tone that tends towards the lighthearted but can also, at times, become deep and reflexive. 

“Not everyone is willing to put themselves in others’ shoes, much less when it comes to folks with disabilities, so when you engage people with humor, sometimes they feel uncomfortable. But I don’t want pity, I want laughs. And if I need to freak out a few audience members to do so, so be it,” said Chema Flores in Diario de Yucatán. 

Another rising star in Mérida’s stand-up comedy scene is Luck Paralizando Risas. After feeling insecure about the paralysis that affects the left half of her face, she has turned to comedy as a career to deal with personal issues. 

“I noticed long ago that people often get the impression that I don’t like them because they are not fully aware of my condition, this even includes my now girlfriend, but I swear I am not a jerk… It’s just that I can only smile on one side of my face and am physically incapable of using a straw without making a huge mess. 

Stand-up aside, Harvest Comedy occasionally hosts trivia nights and bands, like Partículas, masterminded by Anakaren Rodríguez on bass and owing to Swinga tu Madre fame. With Julia Arucudia on vocals, Paco Poras on guitar, Julian Aguayo on the drums, and Junajaw Saches on the keyboard, Patículas sounds so tight you may think they have been composing together for ages, even though last week was the first time they performed original material live. 

While all of the previously mentioned acts are in Spanish, Harvest Comedy also offers open-mic nights. 

The vibe at Harvest Comedy is positive, attracts people of all ages, and is very LGBTQ+ friendly. Harvest Comedy serves beer and some nice assorted cocktails. Food is underwhelming, with options that include a small bowl of air-fried nuggets for 125 pesos. A little steep, but who goes to a comedy club for the food?

Still, don’t hesitate to check out this great new venue, even if your Spanish is limited, and most of the jokes will go straight over your head.