Fill up on spring cheer at A Barrel of Laughs 

Fill up on spring cheer at A Barrel of Laughs 

A rip-roaring comedy and pint-sized music festival returns to the Cornish coast this spring, as The Driftwood Spars in St Agnes serves up three days of proper Cornish hospitality – not to mention belly laughs.

With a packed and diverse schedule, there’s something for everyone; live music, comedy gigs, Six Nations rugby matches, and great pub food – all washed down with a diverse selection of handcrafted beers.

Louise Treseder, owner of the brewpub and microbrewery in Trevaunance Cove, said: “With loads going on throughout the weekend, A Barrel of Laughs is the perfect way to kick-start spring with some good-hearted fun. Forget the yoga retreat and come see us instead – nourishment for mind, body, and soul awaits!”

All comedy and music will take place within the cosy surroundings of the landmark pub – although they’ll be the opportunity to enjoy food and drink outside if the Cornish weather plays ball.

Located right on the South West Coast Path and just metres from sand and sea, The Driftwood Spars B&B is a famous refuge for walkers, sea swimmers, and surfers, and outdoor lovers can easily combine time at the festival with their favourite coastal pursuits. 

Kicking things off on Friday 15th March is comedian Huge Davies; combining dark humour, surreal material, and musical interludes, Huge has quickly risen to become one of the most enjoyable and unique acts on the UK comedy circuit.

The headliner on Saturday 16th March is a familiar face from shows including The Hour, Russell Howard’s Good News, Sweat the Small Stuff, Never Mind the Buzzcocks, and 8 Out of 10 Cats; Bobby Mair returns to The Driftwood’s comedy stage after a previous sell-out show.

According to Jimmy Carr, Bobby “is clearly a brilliant stand up. He’s either going to be a huge international comedy star or the funniest homeless man ever.”

On Sunday 17th, a ‘comedy roast’ will see Tom Rodgers offer fresh insights and side-splitting stories about the quirks of Cornish life while guests tuck into a legendary Driftwood Spars Sunday dinner – just be prepared to be roasted by a rising star of the UK comedy scene!

Meanwhile, the beer tap will be flowing, as Head Brewer Mike Mason showcases his own fresh brews alongside other favourites; 4 cask and 6 keg beers have been chosen to supplement the in-house line-up. 

Mike said: “For this year’s beer selection we’ve procured an exciting range from the breweries we’ve been most enjoying recently. With modern classics like Keller Pils from Bristol brewery Lost and Grounded, to beers from newcomers Mine Brewing in St Ives, there’s definitely something for everyone. We’ve also brewed no less than four one-off beers just for the festival – including a 10.5% Belgian Quadrupel and a cask stout using our own house ale yeast. We can’t wait to share them with you!”

Live music over the weekend includes Hedluv & Passman, Fastlane, Revolver and Our Atlantic Roots.

Much of the music and some of the comedy is non-ticketed and free of charge, as is general entry to the pub throughout the weekend.

For more info or tickets to music and comedy performances, visit https://driftwoodspars.co.uk/events/