New comedy night: Lead Balloon at The Pen and Pencil ft. Meryl O’Rourke

Though its primarily known for its bottomless brunches, being named one of the top 30 places in the country to go for a breakfast-lunch hybrid recently by the Sunday Telegraph, The Pen and Pencil is dipping its toe into the world of stand up comedy. Perhaps ironically signalling their hopes with the title ‘Lead Balloon’ they have invited an ambitious line up of solid acts from near and afar for a debut show to tickle your funny bone where you might usually fill your stomach. Dead Cat comedy head honcho Red Redmond will be overseeing affairs taking a break from his bitchy alter ego Scarlett SoHandsome, introducing local comics Pete Phillipson, Ben Sutton and Chris Kehoe with a headline set from Meryl O’Rourke, a whip smart, socially conscious stand up who has been regular support for Frankie Boyle. Priced at just a fiver it’s a perfect humpday pick me up.

Wed 24 May, The Pen and Pencil, 57 Hilton Street, Manchester M1 2EJ. Tel: 0161 660 3303. 7.30pm, £5, www.eventbrite.co.uk