New York Stage Shutting Down After Being an Important Comedy Home for Six Years
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After six years of showcasing some of the biggest names in comedy and helping to usher in the next generation of comedy performers, an iconic stage is shutting down. Sitting on the corner of 19th Street and Third Avenue The Stand comedy club has been an important part of the New York Comedy Scene. If you walk by their front window, you’ll see the biggest names of comedy flash across their display screen- Kevin Hart, Jim Gaffigan, Louis C.K., Tracy Morgan, Ali Wong, Kevin Hart, Rich Vos, Janeane Garofalo, Keith Robinson, Bill Burr, Michelle Wolf, Ari Shaffir, Bonnie McFarlane, Ben Bailey, Big Jay Oakerson, Dave Chappelle, Dave Attell, T.J. Miller, Colin Quinn, Judah Friedlander, Marina Franklin, Artie Lange, Gilbert Gottfried, Jim Florentine, Ron Bennington, Laurie Kilmartin, Pete Lee, Sal Vulcano, Derek Gaines, Aida Rodriguez, Aaron Berg, Monroe Martin, Yannis Papas, Chris Distefano, Sherrod Small, Christian Finnegan, Sean Patton. Yamaneika, and more have graced the stage since the club opened in 2012, and the club has also served as home to comedians at every level, with great nightly prime-time shows, killer late night shows featuring the next level of upcoming comedians and even great open mic shows. It’s also been a place where you could see curated shows like Fat Baby, Unmasked, Roastmasters, and the Mash Up show.
It’s a bittersweet announcement because although the Third Avenue stage is going dark to make way for new construction, the club, The Stand, will continue on. The clubs owners have announced that although they are closing their doors this summer, they will be relaunching The Stand in a brand new bigger location just a few blocks away in Union Square. Although an opening date has yet to be announced, we’ve been hearing murmurings that the new location could be up and running as soon as fall 2018.
The new club of course has all the potential in the world to outshine its current home, and we have every confidence that Paul Italia, Cris Italia, Dave Kimowitz and Patrick Milligan will make the club’s new location an iconic stage. But its always sad to say goodbye to a space that’s been such an important part of comedy, and we’ll miss the original club, its regulars, and its incredible staff who we hope will all be a part of the new club including Emily and Graham who have been with the club since it opened, Adele and Rachel who run the shows like clockwork, the entire waitstaff and everyone at the front desk who have all been a part of what makes the Stand one of the best clubs in the country.
The final Third Avenue shows will be on Tuesday, June 12 and the club is promising some amazing comedy and surprise guests between now and then, with an extended farewell version of their Frantic show planned for Monday June 10th.
Although we’ve been told we can expect to see some pop up shows over the summer, this will mean a lot of comedians we’re used to seeing every week will be scattered around stages all over the city for the next few months.
Paul Italia, Cris Italia, Dave Kimowitz and Patrick Milligan have made The Stand a true home for comedians, and a favorite stop for comedy fans by paying attention to what both groups wanted in a club. And they plan to continue their tradition of serving a real menu of great food at the new club.
“We want to take this opportunity to thank you the greatest comedy fans and customers in the world. Thanks for making almost 6 years of operation amazing ones. We’d like to thank the comedians who have performed on our stage, creating some of the best moments in comedy. We look forward to seeing you all in a couple of months in a new location and continue to make comedy history,” the club said in a statement released today. “Please sign up for our mailing list. We’ll be keeping everyone updated every week and putting out some great content. If you have any questions please feel free to email us at standnyc@gmail.com.
The full statement appears below:
Dear Patrons,
It is with bittersweet excitement that we inform you today that we will be closing our doors this summer and relaunching The Stand in a brand new bigger and better location just a few blocks away in Union Square. We opened our doors officially at our 3rd Avenue location on September 20, 2012 with a concept and a vision that we knew would change the way people experience standup comedy. In return, you have been extremely loyal coming back again and again.
We felt in order to step up our game and bring the experience to even greater heights we needed to upgrade to a location that would meet the expectations. Over the years we’ve enjoyed bringing you the best names in comedy, delicious food and one of the best cocktail menus in New York City.
Unfortunately in order to take on this task we had to give notice to our current landlord and we were asked leave before we could transition seamlessly into our new space. We promise not to be away too long. In the meantime please visit our Standing Room location in Long Island City and we will be announcing pop up shows all over Manhattan this summer. Our final shows will be on Tuesday, June 12. Please join us over the final couple of weeks for some amazing comedy and surprise guests.
We want to take this opportunity to thank you the greatest comedy fans and customers in the world. Thanks for making almost 6 years of operation amazing ones. We’d like to thank the comedians who have performed on our stage, creating some of the best moments in comedy. We look forward to seeing you all in a couple of months in a new location and continue to make comedy history.
Please sign up for our mailing list. We’ll be keeping everyone updated every week and putting out some great content. If you have any questions please feel free to email us at standnyc [at] gmail.com.
Thanks again and see everyone real soon!
