Side Splitters will open at Sundial this summer. The Tampa-based comedy club arrives after 33 years in business, planting its flag in St. Petersburg.
This marks the second stand-up club heading to the city in 2026. St. Pete’s comedy scene is about to get crowded.
St. Pete Stand-Up will launch St. Pete Comedy Club at 1745 1st Ave. S. in May, giving the area two permanent clubs within months. Bob Holden founded St. Pete Stand-Up back in March 2022 with one monthly show at St. Pete Brewing.
The group now runs more than 20 shows per month. Venues include Ferg’s Sports Bar, Grand Central Brewhouse, Pinellas Ale Works, COPA, Foodie Labs, and Dirty Laundry.
The new St. Pete Comedy Club will occupy 3,600 square feet where Avid Brew Company once operated. Blakemore Kearney of Vector Commercial Real Estate Services handled both sides in the lease deal.
“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 club features a main stage. Seating will fit 70 to 80 guests, while a second room accommodates another 50 to 60 people. This setup allows multiple shows in one night, with sets that might overlap.
Showcase-style shows will feature local comics and visiting performers. Holden works with dozens of comedians across Tampa Bay — Jake Polin, John Jacobs, Forrest Beers, Rio Paris, Natasha Powell, and DC Benny among them.
Weekdays bring open mics, new material nights, and extra showcases. Prices will vary. Lower-cost weekday events contrast with premium-priced weekend performances.
Beer and wine will be served. The club plans to partner with nearby businesses for food, with no drink minimum required.
Holden sees Side Splitters’ arrival as good news. “The more comedy there is, the better it is for everyone,” he said. “It just puts more attention on the city.”