Bob Holden, owner of St. Pete Stand Up, performing at St. Pete Brewing Company | St. Pete Stand Up

A stand-up comedy group that has spent the past several years bouncing between breweries, bars, and back rooms across St. Pete is getting a permanent home in the Grand Central District.

St. Pete Stand-Up will open its first dedicated comedy club, called St. Pete Comedy Club, at 1745 1st Avenue South. Last year, Juicy Brewing leased the space, but never opened.

The 3,600-square-foot venue, which previously housed Avid Brew Company, is expected to open in May.

Blakemore Kearney of Vector Commercial Real Estate Services represented the landlord and tenant in the lease transaction.

For founder Bob Holden, the new club marks the next step for something that started as a single monthly show at St. Pete Brewing and has since grown into one of the most active live entertainment offerings in the city.

St. Pete Comedy Club will open this May at 1745 1st Avenue South, formerly home to Avid Brew Company | AB3 Visuals

Launched in March 2022, St. Pete Stand-Up produces more than 20 shows per month and works with dozens of comedians across the Tampa Bay area, regularly hosting events at venues like Ferg’s Sports Bar, St. Pete Brewing Company, Grand Central Brewhouse, Pinellas Ale Works, COPA, Foodie Labs, and Dirty Laundry.

Now, that momentum is translating into a permanent space.

“We’ve been building this across the city for the past few years,” Holden said in a conversation with St. Pete Rising. “Now we finally have a place where we can do it all under one roof.”

The new club will feature a main stage with seating for roughly 70 to 80 guests, along with a second room that can hold another 50 to 60.

The setup opens the door for multiple shows in a single night, and potentially even overlapping sets, giving both audiences and comedians more options.

St. Pete Stand-Up produces more than 20 shows per month around the Tampa Bay area | St. Pete Stand Up

Rather than focusing only on touring headliners, the club will host showcase-style shows featuring a rotating lineup of local comics and visiting performers.

“There’s a really strong group of comics here,” he said. “The idea is to keep building that and give people more opportunities to perform.”

That local talent has been a major part of the concept’s growth. Holden pointed to comedians like Jake Polin, John Jacobs, Forrest Beers, Rio Paris, Natasha Powell, and DC Benny as part of the core group helping shape the scene, along with dozens of others regularly performing across St. Pete Stand-Up’s shows.

The club will also introduce a production component that hasn’t been available in temporary venues.

With a fixed stage and setup, performances can be recorded and shared online, helping expand the reach of both the comedians and the club.

Natasha Powell performs during a St. Pete Stand-Up show at Dirty Laundry | St. Pete Stand-Up

To complement the weekend shows, St. Pete Comedy Club is expected to host programming throughout the week, including open mics, new material nights and additional showcases.

Ticket pricing will vary by show, with lower-cost weekday events and premium-priced weekend performances.

Unlike many traditional comedy clubs, there will be no drink minimum, and the venue plans to offer beer and wine while partnering with nearby businesses for food options.

The opening also comes as St. Petersburg’s comedy scene continues to grow.

Side Splitters, a Tampa-based comedy club that’s been in operation for 33 years, has announced a new location at Sundial, which is expected to open this summer.

The new club will feature a main stage with seating for roughly 70 to 80 guests, along with a second room that can hold another 50 to 60 | St. Pete Stand Up

Holden sees that as a positive sign.

“The more comedy there is, the better it is for everyone,” he said. “It just puts more attention on the city.”

For Holden, the new space is a natural next step after years of growth.

“St. Pete deserves a real comedy scene, and we’re building it,” said Holden. “These shows have grown so much over the years, and now we finally have a place to bring it all together.”

Be sure to follow St. Pete Stand Up on Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date on grand opening plans and upcoming shows.