They say to never mix business with pleasure. Try telling that to Tim Murray and Michael Henry. The two queer comedians are real life besties and are coming to Wilton Manors for St. Patrick’s Day.

They’re performing at Island City Stage Sunday, March 16 and Monday, March 17. Neither made the drinking-holiday connection until they were talking with OutSFL.

“I didn’t realize. I thought uh-oh, show’s on a Sunday and a Monday night. But, honey, it’s St. Patrick’s Day weekend. Come out and have a drink with us,” Murray said.

“Blackout with us,” Henry wryly added.

This weekend, both will showcase their standup, a skill only recently honed by Henry, followed by them doing crowd work as a duo.

Henry is well known on social media for his skits that are sharp, insightful, and funny enough to make you cry. Murray played Island City in 2023, performing his one-man show, Witches.

“This show is such a party,” Murray said.

Both are very familiar with Wilton Manors.

“Meet us at the Eagle,” Murray said.

“Or Ramrod,” Henry added. “Or Johnsons. I got a lap dance from a guy who was about 6’8” and had the biggest penis I think I’ve ever seen. I got my money’s worth.”

Murray quickly boiled down Henry’s bar criteria. “If the floor is sticky, Michael belongs there.”

They’ve been friends for years. Murray traces the friendship back to the 1930s.

“It was the flapper era, the end of prohibition.” Henry added. “So let’s go drink. In public.”

The real story isn’t as fun. They knew each other through social media, encouraging their respective projects. They were neighbors in Los Angeles during the pandemic and became walking buddies and were in each other’s “pod.” (Remember social circle pods?)

It was in that environment where the idea for this show came about.

“Tim would be like, ‘Ya know, I have a good idea! When [pandemic] is all over, we should do standup on the road.’ I didn’t even do stand up and he was like, ‘Ya gotta learn.’”

The two have natural chemistry and when you’re in the same conversation with them, you can tell they’re best friends. They just enjoy each other while enjoying the moment.

For tickets to their show, visit IslandCityStage.org. 

Courtesy photo.