Side Splitters Comedy Club Expands to Downtown St. Pete with a 250-Seat Venue at Sundial

After more than 30 years of making Tampa Bay audiences laugh, Side Splitters Comedy Club is officially expanding to downtown St. Petersburg, bringing a brand-new 250-seat comedy venue to the Sundial shopping and entertainment complex at 153 2nd Avenue North.

The new club will occupy a 5,600-square-foot space on Sundial’s second level, formerly part of the now-closed FarmTable Cucina, which shut its doors at the end of 2019. The buildout will start from the ground up, giving the comedy club the chance to create a completely customized space rather than adapting an existing layout. Construction is expected to begin soon, with the grand opening planned for summer 2026.

Side Splitters owner Brian Thompson, who started at the club as a bartender back in 2007 before purchasing it in June 2019, shared that this new St. Pete spot will have its own look and feel. “The Tampa club was built in 1992, and we had to work with the layout of that building. This will be built from scratch. Although it will be similar, it will take on its own personality,” Thompson told St. Pete Catalyst.

The new venue will feature a welcoming bar and lounge area with high-top tables, a box office, and a menu offering light bites such as popcorn and nachos. There are also plans for a partnership with Forbici Modern Italian, which will open a new restaurant in Sundial’s former Sea Salt space, to offer guests fresh pizza during shows.

Once inside the showroom, audiences can expect intimate seating close to the stage, creating the kind of atmosphere Side Splitters has become known for. Over the years, the club’s Tampa location has hosted major comedians like Louis C.K., Matt Rife, Jim Breuer, and Shane Gillis, as well as a popular open mic night that showcases local talent.

The decision to expand to downtown St. Pete was driven largely by demand. “Attendees have been asking for a St. Pete location for years,” Thompson said. “We wanted a space with great sightlines, easy parking, and enough room for a lively crowd, while still keeping the intimate comedy club experience.”

The Sundial complex has been seeing new energy lately, with a growing lineup of restaurants and entertainment options. A new courtyard bar called Drift, operated by Forbici, is also in the works — another sign that Sundial is becoming a nightlife destination.

Thompson said Side Splitters aims to draw 1,000 to 1,500 visitors over the weekends through cross-promotion with nearby restaurants and businesses. With the new location’s modern layout and fresh design, he wants St. Pete to develop its own legacy rather than borrowing from the history of the Tampa club. “The Tampa club is filled with photos of comics and headshots collected over decades. We’re not bringing those here with a pretend history. St. Pete will build its own legacy,” he explained.

If everything goes according to plan, Side Splitters expects to finalize permits soon and begin the six-month construction process shortly after. Thompson hopes to have shows booked by January 2026, giving fans plenty of time to get excited for the summer opening.

For updates on upcoming shows and announcements about the new location, follow Side Splitters on Facebook and Instagram.