One of New York’s most significant comedy clubs is about to launch a serious expansion.
The Comedy Cellar is one of the most important comedy clubs in New York, and arguably, the world. Open since 1982, the Comedy Cellar has been behind the rise of some of the city’s most legendary comedians. The club is owned by Noam Dworman, who inherited it from his late father, Manny, and has launched the careers of countless New York comedians, including luminaries like Dave Chappelle, Jeff Ross, Nikki Glaser, Aziz Ansari, and Jon Stewart, among numerous others. Readers are likely to recognize the cellar’s iconic brick wall, as it has been featured in many films and television shows, including Louie and Jerry Seinfeld’s 2002 documentary Comedian. The Cellar is often voted as as Best Comedy Club in NYC (the comedy capital of the world) and regularly draws massive crowds from across the country.
Now, Noam and Comedy Cellar manager Elizabeth Furiati are getting ready to launch a brand new spot at 118 West Third Street. According to recent liquor license application submitted to the local community board, the space “will operate as a comedy club similar to the Comedy Cellar at 117 MacDougal and the Village Underground at 130 West 3rd Street”. Noam, who also owns the Village Underground and the iconic Cafe Wha, will be bringing his latest club to the space that currently houses Miyabi Sushi.
Located right around the corner from the Comedy Cellar and a half a block away from the Village Underground, the acquisition of the space is an important gain for Noam’s impressive Greenwich Village empire. The location offers a total 1,315 square feet of space on the first floor, and 954 square feet of space in the basement, and is expected to seat about 68 guests inside at once. The new Comedy Cellar is expected to serve light bar food alongside liquor, beer, and wine.
The new Comedy Cellar is currently expected to operate from 6:00 PM – 12:00 AM from Sunday through Thursday, and 6:00 PM – 2:00 AM on Friday and Saturday. However, the team is looking for special permission to operate until 4:00 AM to allow for the rare occasion when a famous comedian stops by and wishes to perform. Their current application lists 4:00 AM as the regular closing time, but this is not expected to be standard or even common. While you wait, be sure to catch a show at either the Comedy Cellar or Village Underground, and enjoy a bite afterward at Noam’s Olive Tree Cafe, where the comedians like to hang out after their sets. For more information, you can follow the Comedy Cellar on Instagram when they’re ready to share further details about their expansion.
