Six local comedians were put to the test last week, in Renton's second annual comedy contest at DC's Bar and Grill.

Olympia's Toby Roberts rose to the top, winning a cash prize and an I-heart-Renton t-shirt.

"It's just a good way to do something a little bit different and have a good time doing it," said co-owner Peter Olive.

The audience, which decided the winner, packed the house Jan. 21.

"It was awesome. The audience that was there was a really good audience," Roberts said. "There were a lot of good comics intp the competition."

The comedians were all professionals, Olive said. "These are local comics too."

Roberts has been performing in shows for about five years, although he works a day job to support his comedy career.

"I'm more a storyteller, more on the blue side," Roberts said, adding comically that he never gets invited to children's birthday parties.

Every third Thursday of the month, DC's hosts a comedian. Admission is only $5, and most of the ticket sales go to paying the performer.

It's not uncommon that they sell out a show, Olive said.

The top three winners of this year's competition are lined up to perform again in June, July and August.

While DC's is looking at introducing more live shows, including music, several downtown restaurants have closed their doors in the past six months.

"It's just a good way to have a live entertainment that's a little different from live music," Olive said. "It's just a good thing to bring people in."

Contact Renton Reporter Staff Writer Celeste Gracey at cgracey@rentonreporter.com or 425-255-3484, ext. 5052.

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