Ever since the Purple Onion tried to re-establish itself as a comedy destination some seven years ago, weekly series have come and gone, and the place has mostly been a spot for fledgling local comics to find stage time. A good thing, to be sure.

The historic laugh lounge's latest stab at renaissance is its new weekly Comedy & Cocktails series, a free show featuring a long list of comics of varying experience levels. We'll assume that means short sets for all involved, save the headliner. Like speed dating, but with comedians.

The series will run every Thursday, beginning tonight with headliner Kevin Camia, who has been making the rounds in local comedy clubs for years, and is working his way toward mid-career mode.

A quick study of the some of tonight's performers reveals San Fran is still a hotbed for side-splitters and deranged yarn spinners:

Kevin Camia


Credits: Comedy Central's Live at Gotham, Aspen Rooftop Comedy Festival, AZN's Asia Street Comedy, SF Sketchfest.

Katie Compa

Notable recent tweet: Some things you can really only tell your gays. #Ididapoothatlookedlikeapenis #seriously

Sam Davidoff

People he's presumably stood next to, judging from his bio: Mark Wahlberg, Jeff Goldblum, Jay Leno, Carson Daly, Dave Chappelle, Colin Quinn.

Danny Dechi

Hidden talent: Playing virtually any song, from classical music to rock 'n' roll, by simply drumming his cheek using a No. 2 pencil.

Liz Grant

Credits: George Carlin's laugh.com, winner of The Brian Regan Impression Contest, wrote and starred in Deja Wince: Lessons From A Failed Relationshp Expert (which ran for 23 weeks in San Francisco and is now a DVD)

Comedy and Cocktails starts at 7 p.m. tonight at the Purple Onion and repeats every Thursday with a new line-up of comedians. 140 Columbus Ave.

For more info see: http://ipost.com/rd/9z1zdpf9arkf1sf8fvilfmnvd2onqvkam067ojf4888