Stand Up Comedy Hits the Grand Central District
There’s never been a brick and mortar comedy club in downtown St Pete until now, and this past weekend saw both nationally and locally known comics pick up mics at two downtown locations featuring stand up - both only steps away form each other in St Pete’s Grand Central District. LA comic Steve Simone’s headline show Thursday night at Coastal Creative was followed Spitfire’s 2nd week of The Grind Comedy Showcase on Friday night, featuring 4 more local comics out of the 40 person pool booked through August. This week brings even more laughs with the 3rd iteration of St Pete’s Funniest sponsored by Valhalla Bakery in Spitfire’s Thursday night 8p spot.
Spitfire Comedy Academy
STAND UP COMEDY CLASS Wednesdays @ 6p
Since hosting a score of incredible headliners - including Steve Simone - Spitfire’s focus has been on building up the local scene. “We’ve always been about giving local folks a chance to do comedy professionally. With all of these comics in the area working so hard at the craft, we’d be stupid to not give them paid stage time,” says Artistic Director Nick Rigs. “Audiences deserve to see them because they’re doing great comedy.”
With the pandemic signaling a true ending - and crowds returning for improv shows - the impact of the past few months has come with a silver lining. Downtown St Pete now has a steady flow of stand up comics performing every weekend. Much like the renaissance that the warehouse buildings in the area have experienced - which made way for a brewery district that includes Black Crow Coffee, Cage Brewing, Pinellas Ale Works, If I Brewed the World, St Pete Opera Company, & Par Bar - St Pete’s entertainment options boasting great comedy follows suit. If cities like Boston and San Francisco are any indications - both of which experienced booms of comedy talent after periods of growth and cultural change - some of the best comedic minds of tomorrow are on stage in Tampa Bay today.
“With Florida being one of the only places open for a year, the locals kept grinding away at open mics and small shows. They also got to work with comics from bigger cities looking for an open stage - so the local scene here really understands what makes stand up comedy work and has been lucky to work with some of the best in the business,” says Rigs.
Beyond Coastal’s upcoming headline shows and Spitfire’s weekly Grind Comedy Showcase, fans can also catch St Pete’s Funniest comedy competition at Spitfire on the 1st Thursdays of every month, featuring 15 local comics competing for a $200 cash prize (and sponsored by the delicious Valhalla Bakery). Third Thursdays of every month belong to the Big Girl Pants comedy game show and pits male comics against each other in a quiz show about women, which gives the winner a shot to open for a female headliner (sponsored by St Pete staple, Old Key West Bar & Grill). Finally, catch BoJack Horseman’s Alexis Guerreros headlining the Spitfire mainstage on Friday June 11th.
For those interested in starting their own comedy trip, the Nite Owl Open Mic happens on Spitfire’s lounge stage - for free - every Monday & Wednesday at 8p. Get 5 minutes on the mic and meet the greater community or hang out and watch fresh jokes. For those looking to get hit the ground running, touring comics Dylan Vattelana & Jon Silman offer Spitfire’s Stand Up Foundations class every Wednesday at 6p, starting June 9th. Learn how to hone and craft stand up comedy with veteran comics and tons of support. The class is ongoing and students can drop in for a single day, or sign up for a month at a time.
Tickets to Spitfire’s 9p Friday night stand up shows are $15 or 2-for-$10 if you buy them online. Otherwise, you can get tickets at the door, while seats are available. Spitfire features over 50 craft beers, ciders and canned cocktails.
About Spitfire Comedy House
Spitfire Comedy House is St. Pete’s downtown comedy club, featuring live comedy shows every weekend. Located on 1st Ave S near Tropicana Field, Spitfire also houses one of the top comedy schools in the country. Visit spitfirecomedy.com