A stand-up comedy show at Sunshine Comedy Club on St. pete Beach | A Stewart Photo and Video

The growing stand-up comedy scene in St. Pete is getting another addition, this time with a much smaller, more intimate format.

Sunshine Comedy Café will open this summer at 443 1st Avenue North, on the ground floor of the Princess Martha building in downtown St. Pete, bringing a 35- to 45-seat venue focused on up-close, interactive stand-up.

The 996-square-foot space will be located next to Bar Chinchilla, billed as the city’s smallest bar, and just steps from Central Avenue.

Owner Kenny Garcia says the goal is to create a laid-back, speakeasy-style setting that feels more personal than a traditional comedy club.

Garcia, who also operates Sunshine City Comedy Club on St. Pete Beach and Clearwater Comedy Club, said the smaller setup is intentional.

“I like the intimate model a lot more,” Garcia said in a conversation with St. Pete Rising. “Everyone is part of the show. It creates a different energy.”

Kenny Garcia, Owner of Sunshine Comedy Cafe | Kenny Garcia

The new venue is expected to open around June, pending final buildout work, which includes adding a bar and configuring the former real estate office to minimize distractions during performances.

Garcia said protecting the experience is a priority, from limiting noise during sets to avoiding interruptions like mid-show check drops.

Unlike larger clubs, Sunshine Comedy Cafe won’t rely on drink minimums or a heavy food program.

Instead, it will offer beer, wine, and coffee, with a focus on the performance itself.

“There’s no minimums and there’s no maximums,” Garcia said with a smile. “Not every night needs to be an $80 night. Sometimes you just want to come enjoy a show.”

Programming will include shows seven nights a week, with open mics, themed nights, and multiple performances on weekends.

Fridays and Saturdays will typically feature a traditional lineup of an opener, feature, and headliner, while weekdays will spotlight local talent.

Sunshine Comedy Cafe, an intimate 35- to 45-seat stand-up comedy club, will open this summer in downtown St. Pete | St. Pete Rising

Garcia said one planned concept, “heavy hitters” night, will highlight some of the strongest comedians in the area at a lower price point.

The venue will also lean into St. Pete’s active open mic scene, with opportunities for newer comedians to get stage time.

“We’re giving people a space to try things out and see what works,” Garcia said. “There’s less pressure here.”

That approach reflects Garcia’s own background. He spent 16 years as a touring stand-up comedian before moving to St. Pete from New York City in 2020.

After years on the road, he shifted his focus to opening clubs and mentoring younger comics.

“I enjoy mentoring more than performing at this point,” Garcia said.

In addition to evening shows, Garcia is considering daytime coffee service, including a program where purchased drinks could help provide free coffee to members of the nearby homeless community.

The opening of Sunshine Comedy Cafe comes at a time when St. Pete’s stand-up scene is exploding, with Side Splitters moving into The Sundial and St. Pete Stand Up opening a club in the Grand Central District.

“With everything happening, my hope is that comedians will want to move here,” Garcia said. “It’s becoming a place where you can actually perform multiple nights a week and build something.”

Follow @sunshinecomedycafe on Instagram for updates on its opening.