The Sundial, an upscale retail plaza in downtown St. Petersburg, is rapidly evolving into an entertainment complex.<\/p>\n
Tampa-based Side Splitters Comedy Club will open a new location in the Sundial, between Forbici Modern Italian and the AMC Theater. Owner Brian Thompson signed a lease for a roughly 6,000-square-foot space near bustling Beach Drive last week, and build-out began Oct. 29.<\/p>\n
Tampa-based Side Splitters has brought nationally touring comedy acts to the Carrollwood area for more than 32 years. The St. Petersburg location should open in six to nine months and attract the same level of talent.<\/p>\n
\u201cOnce you really get to experience it, comedy becomes addictive to people,\u201d Thompson told the Catalyst. \u201cLive entertainment is a beautiful thing. It\u2019s been around for a long time, and it\u2019s up to us to keep it alive.\u201d<\/p>\n
He noted that the St. Petersburg location is slightly larger than the Tampa club, which often hosts A-list comics. For example, Louis C.K., who has won six Emmys and three Grammys, had a show there recently.<\/p>\n
The Sundial club will seat about 250 people. Thompson called that \u201ckind of the magic number\u201d that ensures a \u201ccertain level of act.\u201d<\/p>\n
He also pledged to \u201cpull out all the stops\u201d and \u201copen up with a bang.\u201d Thompson has established relationships with several prominent comedians over the years and is already contemplating how he can build upon the Tampa location\u2019s success in St. Petersburg.<\/p>\n
\u201cDowntown St. Pete is such a fun little getaway for them, especially for a bunch of these New York comics in the wintertime,\u201d he added. \u201cIt should be an exciting thing for everybody.\u201d<\/p>\n
Side Splitters St. Pete will occupy a second-level space at the Sundial that formerly housed the Locale Market. Mike Connor, CEO of Paradise Ventures and the complex\u2019s co-owner, said it would feature an indoor-outdoor bar.<\/p>\n
The Tampa club\u2019s location in a Carrollwood strip mall requires planning and driving. Connor noted people can \u201cjust walk up\u201d and catch a show at the Sundial.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is going to be, I think, much more thought out as far as the design and circulation,\u201d he said. \u201cFor us, I think it\u2019s such a great use for the center.\u201d<\/p>\n
Thompson said the internet and social media have opened the door for an influx of one-night acts. Many sell out in Tampa and could now pick up additional bookings in St. Petersburg. Providing additional stage time and increasing ticket sales could also attract more A-listers.<\/p>\n
Pop-up shows are a new trend in the comedy world and offer \u201cour local guys a place to work.\u201d However, Thompson said a \u201cdedicated club that can bring in world-class talent regularly is something that every city needs.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople in St. Pete like to step out \u2014 they love their city,\u201d he added. \u201cAnd bringing that to them is something I believe people are really going to get behind.\u201d<\/p>\n
There are also several synergistic opportunities for Side Splitters at the Sundial. The owners of adjacent Forbici, another popular Tampa establishment, have already proposed a partnership.<\/p>\n
Side Splitters, which will offer light food, could serve the restaurant\u2019s \u201caward-winning pizzas,\u201d Thompson said. He and Connor believe the club aligns with the vision for a reimagined Sundial.<\/p>\n
Forbici will open concurrently with Drift, a long-awaited courtyard bar and gathering space, in January or February. Connor shared details on the latter in July after clearing a legal hurdle with the theater\u2019s owners, a global investment firm.<\/p>\n
Live music is a key aspect for both Forbici and Drift. Connor said the Tampa location often offers multiple nightly shows and matinees for up-and-coming comics.<\/p>\n
Connor and Thompson have discussed showcasing emerging local acts in the Sundial\u2019s open-air, public courtyard. \u201cThey want to practice their craft, and we\u2019ve got a plug-and-play system,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cInstead of always having music, we would maybe shake it up and do some comedy once in a while and just see what happens.\u201d<\/p>\n
Thompson credits relationships and word-of-mouth for the Tampa location\u2019s success since 1992. While Side Splitters \u201cworks really well for what we do,\u201d he reiterated that it\u2019s \u201cstuck in the plaza.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNobody talks more than comics,\u201d Thompson said, and the Sundial and surrounding downtown waterfront will \u201cbe such a fun area\u201d for them to come spend a weekend. \u201cThe beautiful thing about this is we won\u2019t lose our personal touch.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen you\u2019re in a tight room and everybody\u2019s laughing, and everybody\u2019s on the same page, there\u2019s an energy that you can\u2019t duplicate outside of the top clubs,\u201d Thompson continued. \u201cIt\u2019s just something you gotta experience.\u201d<\/p>\n