Toronto stand-up, improv and comedian development venue Comedy Bar is launching a dedicated YouTube channel called Comedy Bar Max (CBMax) in order to amplify and build awareness around the Canadian comedy scene.

CBMax is a partnership between Comedy Bar owner Gary Rideout Jr. and fellow co-founder James Elksnitis, along with director of operations for Toronto’s Links Live Media Robert Metcalfe. The creative team for the channel includes head of development Nicholas Carella, Dave Luca and head of post-production Dave Koval.

“We’ve seen skilled and talented Canadian comedians like Steph Tolev, Hassan Phills, Lisa Gilroy, Laura Ramosa, Hoodo Hersi, and Tom Hearn find success online and we see an opportunity to help so many more incredibly talented Canadian comedians do that,” said Rideout Jr. in a statement. “We have stars in this country, we just want to give them a platform.”

Sixteen comedy specials make up the channel’s initial slate for this year, including comedians Hisham Kelati (pictured), Rob Bebenek, Ali Hassan, Tamara Shevon and Kate Davis. Kelati’s special will release on June 2 with a new one released every third week.

The channel also features the panel series Walk Me Through This, hosted by Sean Cullen and a late-night talk show in After Hours with Ryan Belleville, both live as of today (May 27). Additional game shows and podcasts are in development for release in 2025.

Comedy Bar was founded in 2008 by Rideout Jr. and Elksnitis and expanded to two locations in 2010.

Image courtesy of Comedy Bar