Mike McCarthy, the Comedy Barbarian, on stage at Nick's Comedy Stop in Boston in a fur-trimmed coat and leather kilt, arms outstretched beside the big red Nick's Comedy Stop sign, his tankard resting on a stool
The Barbarian on stage at world-famous Nick's Comedy Stop.

Welcome to the website of Comedian, Mike McCarthy

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★ Friday Oct 30 • Grand Reopening Night

The Comedy Barbarian

Next up: Catch A Rising Star — Grand Reopening. Mike McCarthy joins Steve Sweeney and James Dorsey at Bally's Twin River Casino for one big reopening night. Big energy, bigger laughs — stories, crowd work, and jokes that hit like a battle axe (but friendlier).

Next show: Fri Oct 30 • 8:00 PM • Bally's Twin River Casino, Lincoln, RI With Steve Sweeney & James Dorsey thecomedybarbarian.com
The Legend

Bio

Once upon a time in a kingdom far, far away, there was born a goofy bastard who would one day be recognized as the silliest savage in all of the realm. His journey to comedic legend began in 1987 at Boston's iconic Comedy Connection. Storming the stage at the age of 19 with the perfect blend of hilarity and audacity, he soon became a national headliner, earning a reputation as a crowd slayer and whiskey assassin. Over the next three decades, he pillaged biker bars, strip clubs, and Chinese restaurants across the known universe, appearing on Comedy Central, Showtime Prime Video, and America's Most Wanted. Being named Boston's best comedian in 2013 and winning the title of Last Comic Standing in 2016 only added to his lore.

One night at the Asgard Improv, Odin himself fell off his throne, howling in laughter at our hero's tales of mischief, mayhem, and misadventure. Afterwards, the Allfather decreed that this mighty mortal was not some ordinary court jester, but instead a valiant Viking jokester worthy of Valhalla, and henceforth be known throughout the land as The Comedy Barbarian. Thus, the legend was born, and much mead and merriment ensued!

Now at the absolute height of his comedic power, with a sense of humor as twisted as Loki on a bad hair day and a wit as sharp as a battle-axe, this wild warrior hits the stage looking like he raided the clearance rack at a Renaissance fair, rocking a horned helmet and leather kilt. With a mischievous glint in his eyes, he slings punchlines that hit like Thor's hammer. This high-energy force of nature comedic phenomenon spins stories so bawdy and hilarious that even the sourest bridge troll can't help but crack a smile. Plundering audiences with his high-energy frenetic pace, The Barbarian does not relent until every member of the crowd is under his spell, laughing at things they never thought they could. This balls-to-the-walls experience is not just a comedy show but more of an event, with some loyal fans even donning helmets and brandishing foam axes for the festivities! So grab your shield and drinking horn, and buckle up for an evening of medieval mirth and madness that will leave you clutching your sides and gasping for air. Just don't forget to bring some bail money and a spare liver.

Next Show • Friday, October 30

Catch him live

Front and center: the Grand Reopening of Catch A Rising Star. One night, one reopening, and the Barbarian on the bill at Bally's Twin River Casino.

Saturday 7 Nov 2026

Funny for Funds

Warwick, RI

Mike McCarthy — The Comedy Barbarian live in Warwick.

Saturday, Nov 7, 2026 Warwick, RI
Warwick, RISaturday, November 7, 2026

Funny for Funds — Warwick, Rhode Island.

Monday 9 Nov 2026

Acushnet Lions Club Presents — Comedy / Pizza Night

Sail House Tavern — Fairhaven, MA

109 Middle St, Fairhaven

Good food, great laughs — support a great cause!

Doors open 6:00 PM Comedians 7:00 PM Monday, Nov 9, 2026
Acushnet Lions Club Comedy / Pizza Night poster: a cartoon lion in sunglasses holding a microphone, Monday November 9, 2026 at Sail House Tavern, 109 Middle St, Fairhaven — doors open 6 PM, comedians 7 PM, $35
$35Comedy / Pizza Night at Sail House Tavern

Presented by the Acushnet Lions Club. Doors open at 6 PM, comedians at 7 PM.

Friday 23 Oct 2026
Just played

Mike McCarthy LIVE at Nick's Comedy Stop

Nick's Comedy Stop — Boston, MA

100 Warrenton St, Boston, MA 02116 • Historic theatre district

Headlined: Mike McCarthy — The Comedy Barbarian
Featuring Greg Howell, Shawn Ruiz and Christina Rohrbacher • Show was 7:30 PM, $25 GA, 18+

Boston — Thank you!See photos from the night in Media below
See photos ↓

Next stop is Lincoln, RI on Oct 30 — see the featured show above.

Food Reviews

Barbarian’s Bodacious Bite

Mike’s food reviews, rated in axes. No stars, no forks — just axes, and the higher the count, the harder the place hit.

The Leaderboard

Every stop so far, ranked by axe score.

Watch all episodes on YouTube →
  1. 1Pete’s9.9axes
  2. 2Regina’s9.8axes
  3. 3Mad Matt’s9.7axes
  4. 4Georgio’s9.6axes
  5. 5Mak’s8.7axes
Photos

See the Barbarian in the wild

The Barbarian caught mid-set, by the fire, and in the cartoons. The kilt is not a special effect.

Silhouette of the Barbarian in a horned helmet and fur cloak standing before a roaring bonfire at night, sparks flying up into the dark
Mike McCarthy, the Comedy Barbarian, wearing his horned helmet and fur cloak, roaring and raising his axe high by the sea
Mike McCarthy, the Comedy Barbarian, performing stand-up on stage in a green tartan kilt, gripping the microphone with both hands
Mike McCarthy on stage in front of a blue curtain, wearing his 'The Comedy Barbarian' t-shirt and holding a microphone, with the Paul Santos Live Show logo in the corner
The Barbarian on stage against a black background, pointing both hands straight at the camera
The Barbarian on stage in a green tartan kilt and green t-shirt, one arm raised, mid-roar during a set
The Barbarian at the beach in a black fur cloak and headband, arms stretched wide, shouting toward the sea
The Barbarian pulling a wide-eyed face beside a blue Stage Entrance sign backstage
Black-and-white photo of the Barbarian on stage in a leather kilt, holding a microphone in front of a brick wall
Vintage black-and-white photo of the Barbarian in a horned helmet with a snake draped around his neck, raising a sword and shouting
Zen Barbarian cartoon: a muscular barbarian in a horned helmet meditating cross-legged in front of a large orange sun
Cartoon of the Barbarian in a horned helmet with his tongue out, leaning on a large double-headed axe and holding a microphone
Classic cartoon of the Comedy Barbarian: a burly bearded barbarian in fur holding an axe
Vintage black label artwork reading Mike McCarthy, Old 420 Brand, The Comedy Barbarian in white ornate lettering
Videos

Watch the Barbarian

Full clips from the stage — press play and see the act in action.

Mike McCarthy the Comedy Barbarian

Mike McCarthy is easily persuaded in his marriage! #marriage #funny #comedy #funnyvideo

What happens when Comedian Mike McCarthy drinks too much Irish Whiskey. #funny #comedy #funnyvideo

The Axeheads

Axehead Pics

“Axeholes?”

The fans are the Axeheads — helmets on, axes up, caught mid-roar at shows up and down the road.

The Comedy Barbarian holding his axe, toasting with fans — one flexing in a horned helmet, one raising a champagne glass
The Comedy Barbarian and a fan in horned helmets holding their axes up at the bar
World-famous Boston comedian Carolyn Plumber in a horned helmet, smiling and holding Stormbreaker, the Barbarian's axe, with both hands
World-famous Boston comedian Carolyn Plumber with Stormbreaker.
A fan in a horned helmet and sunglasses raising his axe under the BASK sign
The Comedy Barbarian pointing at the camera while a fan in a horned helmet raises an axe behind him at Bass River
The Comedy Barbarian between two fans, all in horned helmets with axes raised, in a pub
The Comedy Barbarian and a fan smiling in front of a Guinness poster
The Comedy Barbarian and a fan in horned helmets holding their axes up at night
The Comedy Barbarian posing with a fan in a horned helmet holding an axe at BASK
The Comedy Barbarian with a group of fans at a brewery, one in a horned helmet holding an axe
The Comedy Barbarian in a furry hat posing with a fan holding a goblet
The Comedy Barbarian in a long wig posing with a fan in a horned helmet at BASK
The Comedy Barbarian and a fan in an Old 420 shirt holding axes in a banquet hall
The Comedy Barbarian and funny man Tyler Hittner, both in horned helmets and holding axes, laughing in a bar
Hanging with funny man, Tyler Hittner.
The Comedy Barbarian posing with a fan in a horned helmet at a table with a tankard