Comedy club embraces new style of seating in Wesley Chapel

If the words comedy and Wesley Chapel don’t immediately go together in your head, that may soon change.

Side Splitters Comedy Club has opened a new club inside the Grove Theater, Bistro and Entertainment center in Pasco County. Unlike most comedy clubs, where small tables are packed with people and the wait staff serve drinks as a comedian in front of a brick wall shares his or her latest material, this new club is inside theater seven.

According to a press release, the space “boasts its own full bar while embracing the movie theater spirit, featuring stadium style seats.”

The Pasco location is Side Splitters’ second in the area. The other is on North Dale Mabry Highway in Tampa.

Side Splitters has long been known as one of the premiere comedy clubs in the area, bringing in nationally recognized comedians while giving locals a shot. Creative Loafing readers have voted it best Open Mic Night. 

The Grove location opened Aug. 22 with two shows featuring comedian Ben Brainard. Comedian Brian Aldridge was scheduled to perform in early September. The club says it will bring touring acts as well as local comedians to perform.

Grove Theater is a 12-screen, two-floor complex that opened early this year as part of the Grove at Wesley Chapel, a 250-acre property. In addition to Side Splitters and the latest releases, the theater includes a bistro for in-movie dining, a sushi bar, spin bike room and arcade.

Developer Mishorim Gold Properties bought the Grove at Wesley Chapel for $64 million last year. Earlier this year the developer said it added 75 new tenants to the Grove since buying the property and is “bringing with it a new vision”

Mark Gold, a partner in Mishorim Gold, says “the space is unique as it provides and intimate venue for the performers and audience.”

As for what comedians will say when they find out they're playing in a movie theater, Coffee Talk will leave the jokes to the professionals.