Mic Drop Comedy Opens May 6th In Kearny Mesa
Mic Drop Comedy is excited to open its doors on Friday, May 6th!
Paying homage to its 30-year-old predecessor, Comedy Palace, Mic Drop Comedy is thoughtfully continuing the tradition of stand-up comedy in a space where decades of art and laughter have seeped into the walls.
“After seeing comedy suffer during the pandemic, which was one of the first and hardest-hit industries, we had a vision to create a home for comedy that could support artists, create additional revenue streams and revive the comedy-going experience. Our goal, with Mic Drop is to help individuals and businesses in the comedy and live entertainment industries thrive,” says Hillary Hutson, co-founder.
Industry veterans passionate about supporting comedy
Industry veterans, longtime friends, and Mic Drop Comedy co-owners, Hillary Hutson and Casey Currier were called in by the owners of Comedy Palace to bring live entertainment back to the space. From the moment they stepped into the building, they had a vision.
Hillary has been surrounded by comedy since 2014 when she started off in the box office at a comedy club. Since then, she’s been the Executive Director for events such as Big Pine Comedy Festival (2015-2022) and the San Diego Comedy Festival (2019). She’s also an Investor and Creative Director for Laughs Unlimited Comedy Club and Lounge, was the Booker at House of Comedy as well as the CEO of Broken Drift Productions.
Casey started off as a door guy at Tempe Improv in 2005 and has risen through the ranks to become General Manager of prestigious clubs such as Palm Beach Improv, Stand Up Live and Tempe Improv. This is the pair’s first venture together and the first time either of them have opened and owned a comedy club.
In addition to providing an amazing venue to perform, Mic Drop provides artist and entertainment support including recordings of all live performances, electronic press kit assets and creative freedom with each show. Mic Drop Comedy also offers free, interactive workshops led by professional comedians to foster young talent as well as a podcast room available for rent.
A focus on local talent
With an emphasis on diversity and supporting locals, Mic Drop Comedy holds 90-minute shows every Wednesday through Sunday.
The lineup features household names performing in the Main Showroom like Shapel Lacey and Adam Corolla to smaller names and more intimate shows performing in the Gold Room, as well as recurring Spanish language comedy shows.
The calendar of comedians will feature female comedians as well as acts from all backgrounds and walks of life. In addition to stand up acts, Mic Drop Comedy also features unique programming such as themed boozy Sunday brunch shows, a comic hypnotist and more.
The Gold Room seats 50 people and is a place to cultivate and nurture talent. Honoring Jimmy Wolpert, a beloved San Diego comedian and employee of Comedy Palace who passed away in 2018, the Gold Room allows rising comedians to grow their audience and build their reputation with the goal to graduate to the Main Showroom.
Come down the rabbit hole
Mic Drop Comedy’s design combines a subtle nod to Alice in Wonderland paired with the royalty theme that was once part of Comedy Palace. Graffiti art done by local artists, Carly Ealey and Chris Konecki, cover the walls of the comedy club.
Upon entering the venue, the ticket window is on the right and the bar to the left. The bartop is made up of a collection of memorabilia from Hillary and Casey’s journeys through comedy. After enjoying some cocktails, local craft beer or a non-alcoholic drink from their designated drivers section, guests then walk through a black light lit, mushroom-covered entryway which leads them into the Main Showroom. The flow is similar to a ride at Disneyland, evoking the same experiential journey where guests never exit the same way they enter.
In the Main Showroom, the Alice in Wonderland theme becomes a bit more apparent with Cheshire Cat as the main stage backdrop. Small elements from well-known comedians are spray painted along the back and side walls, which offer nods to famous comedians and are also scannable with a QR code, pulling up a web page with background on each comedian.
Preserving design elements of Comedy Palace, Mic Drop Comedy refurbished the chairs in the Main Showroom and refreshed and made additions to a wall with regal headshots of comedians. As guests exit the show they’ll walk past a designated merchandise area where comedians will be selling their products.
Laugh with a full stomach
Mic Drop Comedy offers a full dinner menu and extensive cocktail menu, all scratch-made, with specialty items not found elsewhere.
Featuring elevated and unexpected casual fare created by Chef Joseph Gloria, the menu offers classics such as BB-LT Sliders and Grilled Cheese to unusual specialty items such as the Nutterfluffer Sandwich made on Brioche with Peanut Butter, Marshmallow, Bananas, and Nutella and the Bacon Me Crazy Platter arranged with Beef Bacon, Gochujang Glaze Bacon, Candied Bacon, Chocolate Dipped Bacon, and Bacon Vinaigrette Salad.
With no drink or food minimum, Mic Drop Comedy also offers a complete specialty cocktail and wine list along with a selection of local beers. Order The Rabbit Hole for the table, serving 2-4 people made with Tito’s Vodka, Plantation Pineapple Rum, Raspberry Liqueur, Cranberry Juice, and Cutwater Ginger Beer, or the Cheshire Cat Lemonade made with Van Gogh Acai-Blueberry Vodka, Lavender Monin, Lemonade and a Splash of Sprite.
For the designated drivers, choose from a selection of mocktails and receive a VIP ticket to another show as a thank you for keeping everyone safe.
The grand opening
Mic Drop Comedy’s grand opening weekend is May 6th-7th featuring shows from Shapel Lacey and Jasmine Ellis. The comedy club, located at 8878 Clairemont Mesa Blvd, has a full calendar of events through August 2022.
For more information on Mic Drop Comedy or to purchase tickets, visit here.
See you there, San Diego!
