GLASGOW has long been regarded as the funniest city in the UK.

It not only produces comedy superstars in the form of Connolly, Bridges and Boyle but a population that loves to be funny, and to watch comedy being performed.

Now the sound of laughter in the city is set to escalate with a new comedy club opening tonight in Glasgow's Drygate, off Duke Street.

Drygate, in association with the Drygate Brewing Company, is the brainchild of Karen Koren, the lady behind the hugely successful Gilded Balloon comedy venue in Edinburgh.

Karen explained why she wanted to bring even more laughter to Glasgow: "It's been 20 years since Gilded Balloon had a regular venue to present comedy in Glasgow and we're really excited to be joining up with Drygate," she said.

"Drygate is the ideal environment where audiences will be able to experience first class comedy, food and craft beer all under one roof."

The new club features a line-up of popular comedic talent including Rob Rouse, Mark Nelson, Romesh Ranganthan and Felicity Ward.

Karen Koren maintains the atmosphere will be perfect for a night of comedy.

"This venue is unique in that it is a craft brewery and restaurant with a purpose-built space primed for performance that will be transformed into an intimate comedy club."

The Gilded Balloon's Artistic Director added she is aiming to create "strong, intelligent comedy with a mix of the best up and coming comedians and established comics who regularly perform on the circuit throughout the UK."

"Audiences can have dinner and see comedy, or see comedy and have dinner, and the comedy club will feature brilliant headliners from down south. And we intend to have even more established and well-known working comics in the future."

The comedy boss added; "As the club's reputation grows, the comics will be queuing up to perform at Drygate. We also have two regular Glasgow comedians amongst our comperes. They will definitely put audiences at their ease and give them an enjoyable evening. Gilded Balloon Comedy at Drygate is all about the whole evening's experience."

The producer isn't at all daunted by the prospect of starting up a new comedy venture here.

"I love Glasgow, and the audiences are up for good comedy and like a good night out that is full of laughs.

"Glaswegians have a great sense of humour and that is reflected in the audiences.

"The last time I did a regular night was in 1989 at The Comedy Shop at The Shelter and we had performers like Jo Brand, Sean Hughes, Alan Davies and loads more. I really want to re-create that same atmosphere."

Comedy actress Elaine C. Smith is excited by the Drygate concept.

"What a great idea to start another comedy club in Glasgow," she said.

"This is a city where a sense of humour is in the DNA - a weapon as well as a necessity - so the more the merrier."

Two three act shows will run from 7.30pm to 9.30pm and 10pm to midnight every Friday, lead by club comperes Zoe Lyons, Micky Dwyer, Ray Bradshaw and Scott Agnew.

Director of The Vintage at Drygate Darren Blackburn said: "The Gilded Balloon expansion continues this theme of collaboration, expansion and talent finding a home here at Drygate."

Tonight's Gilded Balloon at Drygate club night will feature John Hastings, Chris Forbes, Vladimir McTavish, with Scott Agnew as compere.

Established in 1986 by Karen Koren, The Gilded Balloon is described as 'Scotland's foremost comedy club' and Edinburgh Festival Fringe venue.

Pre and post show dinner must be booked in advance. A panoramic glass wall will allow guests to watch the brewery in action from the bar to the kitchen.

l www.gildedballoon.co.uk or www.drygate.com