Matt Friend is bringing something new to the comedy world.

The 27-year-old, who gained viral fame for his impressions of politicians and celebrities alike, is opening up about how he's pushing his career — and the comedy-going experience at large — forward.

"Comedy shows are always the same thing — two-drink minimum, there's kind of mediocre food, you see the same kind of lineup. We wanted to create sort of a party-like atmosphere and it's exclusively for Bilt members," he tells PEOPLE of organizing and hosting Bilt Neighborhood Comedy, a nationwide series of comedy events.

Bilt, which is a rewards program for renters, brings together local up-and-coming stand-up performers with established comedy legends at beloved venues in the neighborhood for an evening of community and comedy. So far, over 23 events have occurred in cities such as New York City, Los Angeles, Washington D.C. and Boston. The next are set for July 16 in Brooklyn and July 23 in Chicago.

"Anne Hathaway and her husband were there, which was very cool," Friend recalls. "I don't think anyone really called her out. I think she was very incognito. That was cool."

The gigs have attracted starry comedians including Marcello Hernandez, Mark Normand and Roy Wood, Jr. too. Now Friend says, "every comedian is hitting me up trying to get on one of our shows."

In his position as Bilt's director of neighborhood experience, he makes it a point to also highlight up-and-coming talent. "I mean, I'm up and coming, I just turned 27, so I'm young, but I'm also now in a position with Bilt to be able to help discover new people and bring them into this network. It's very, very cool." he says.

"I mean, now I've kind of built this platform and it's about I think transitioning to the next level, which in my mind would be movie roles, acting — and then bigger, larger hosting opportunities. Being able to be in a Netflix roast of somebody or guest hosting a late-night show... things like that are the things on my mind. These are big, big goals," he shares.

John Stamos and Hank Azaria are two of the stars he's "particularly close with," and both actors have taken on a larger role in Friend's life and career.

"They're kind of big mentor, father figure entertainment people in my life."

It's a special thing to have, particularly considering the sometimes boundary-pushing nature of his impressions. People get the "most heated" about his political impressions, he says, which isn't unexpected.

"The Trump [impression] is a big one," he says, slipping into it seamlessly in the moment and adding a signature, "Obviously."

Others that tend to garner big reactions are Mitch McConnell, Bernie Sanders and Barack Obama, but he would be remiss not to mention the more celebrity-focused takes that have really propelled him and earned him far-reaching recognition: "Jeff Goldblum, Howard Stern, various young actors — [Timothée] Chalamet, Austin Butler. It depends on where I am."

Though he plays coy about his interactions with such big stars, Friend starts to blush when he reveals he's now met all of his childhood celebrity crushes: Megan Fox, Kate Upton and Emily Ratajkowski.

"I haven't Pete Davidson-ed them, but I have met them," he says, emphasizing his ability to keep it cool even in the face of some lifelong crushes. "I had a chill factor. I can rein it in."