You’d think the Strokes were performing a secret show, looking at the young, hipster crowd lined up on a Sunday evening outside Piano’s, a new rock club and bar on Ludlow Street.
But no, they’re queued up for Tinkle, a new night of comedy put together by funnymen David Cross, Todd Barry and Jon Benjamin.
So what’s worth the wait? Freshly minted comedy from those three friends and their guests, who have included Sarah Silverman, Janeane Garofalo and Fred Armisen. The night’s full of surprises, too, whether it’s wacky musical acts or Tinkle-tailored videos.
The weekly event, which began mid-January, is drawing hipsters from Williamsburg to Hoboken. Even the upstairs lounge is overflowing. Those seeking a good guffaw who get there after the show’s sold out can watch the it on a huge video screen for free. Live, it’s $6.
“It’s gets really crowded,” Barry told The Post. “The week before, we pulled a switcharoo and started the show upstairs to the delight of the upstairs audience and hatred of downstairs audience.”
The show switched back to the main space downstairs halfway through.
Upstairs gets added entertainment, such as a henna tattoo artist and a barber from Astor Place.
This past Sunday, the night’s running theme was Barry’s droll play-by-play of his hilariously awkward appearance on the Food Network’s “Hot off the Grill,” with celebrity chef Bobby Flay, a few years ago.
Cross, who has an HBO series (“Mr. Show with Bob and David”), an HBO solo special and an album, “Shut Up You F***ing Baby!” (on indie label Subpop) on his résumé, closed the night with a satirical letter to the people of Iraq about how great it will be once Saddam Hussein is outta there.
And, after just flying in from a gig in Minneapolis, he suggested the entire Minneapolis airport be turned into a fat farm.
Barry says they wanted a different comedy scene than the standard Manhattan comedy club. And he’s hoping the show will bring in a lot of regulars – not just transient tourist-types – hence the push for fresh material and surprises every week.
Admission rules are strict: first come, first served; no guest list or tickets. Hands are stamped beginning at 6:30 for the 8 p.m. show.
After paying, the crowd drinks beer or eats until 7:45 p.m., when they line up again to cram into the tiny back room. It’s a little chaotic, but that’s part of the fun. No one gets special treatment.
8 p.m. Sundays, Pianos, 158 Ludlow St., between Stanton and Rivington streets.