Side Splitters Comedy Club bringing 250-seat venue to downtown St. Pete
/Louis Ck playing Side Splitters in Tampa | Side Splitters
Side Splitters Comedy Club, one of Tampa’s longest running comedy clubs, is expanding to downtown St. Pete with a new modern club at the Sundial shopping center.
After more than 30 years of drawing nationally-touring headliners, as well as local talent and an award-winning open mic, to its original Carrollwood location, Side Splitters has signed a lease to open a 250-seat venue on the second level of the shopping and entertainment center located at 153 2nd Avenue North.
The 5,600-square-foot space, formerly part of FarmTable Cucina, which closed at the end of 2019, will be custom-built from the ground up and is expected to debut by summer 2026.
“The Tampa club was built in 1992, and we had to work with the layout of that building. This will be built from scratch. Although it will be similar, it will take on its own personality,” Side Splitters Owner Brian Thompson said in an interview with St. Pete Rising.
Map of Sundial’s upper level showing Side Splitter’s Comedy Club coming to the space formerly home to Farmtable Cucina | Sundial
Thompson first joined Side Splitters in 2007 as a bartender, then manager and GM. In June 2019 he purchased the club.
Side Splitters also has a location at The Grove shopping complex in Wesley Chapel.
Over the years, Side Splitters has hosted comedy heavyweights including Louis C.K., Matt Rife, Jim Breuer, and Shane Gillis.
Attendees have long been asking for a St. Pete location, prompting the search for a second space with clear sightlines, convenient parking, and room for a lively audience, yet still offering the same intimate experience.
“The owners of Sundial have a great vision with the current mix of tenants and new businesses coming to the plaza. With high-quality restaurants on-site and cross promotion, we hope to attract 1,000 to 1,500 over the weekends,” said Thompson, who started the site search last year.
Sundial plans to add a courtyard bar called Drift, which will be operated by Forbici | Sundial
Guests entering the new venue will find a welcoming bar and lounge area, complete with high-top tables, a box office, and light bites like popcorn and nachos.
Side Splitters may also sell pizza from Forbici Modern Italian, which is opening a new location in the former Sea Salt space.
Past the double doors of the club, the showroom will have intimate seating and tables close to the stage.
“The Tampa club is filled with photos of comics and headshots collected over decades. We’re not bringing those here with a pretend history.” Thompson said. “St. Pete will build its own legacy.”
comedian Bobby Kelly performing at side splitters in Tampa in october 2025 | side splitters
Thompson hopes the permitting and construction process will begin soon. With an anticipated six-month buildout, he expects the club to open by summer 2026.
“You want to have at least two or three months to promote shows. By January, I’d like to have a list of actual dates for booked shows,” Thompson said.
Be sure to follow Side Splitters on Facebook and Instagram for information on upcoming shows and the latest announcements regarding the new St. Pete location.
