Downtown St. Pete Will Get 45-Seat Comedy Venue This Summer

Sunshine Comedy Café will open in June at 443 1st Ave. North in downtown St. Pete. The space holds between 35 and 45 people. It sits on the ground floor of the Princess Martha building, tucked next to Bar Chinchilla, just a short walk from Central Avenue. The space measures 996 square feet.

Owner Kenny Garcia wants to build a speakeasy-style atmosphere. He's aiming for something that feels personal. Beer, wine, and coffee will be available. There won't be any drink minimums.

"I like the intimate model a lot more," said Garcia to St. Pete Rising. "Everyone is part of the show. It creates a different energy."

Garcia toured as a stand-up comedian for 16 years before moving to St. Pete from New York City in 2020. He also runs Sunshine City Comedy Club on St. Pete Beach and Clearwater Comedy Club.

"I enjoy mentoring more than performing at this point," Garcia said.

Shows will run seven nights a week. Open mics, themed nights, and multiple performances will happen on weekends. Fridays and Saturdays will follow a standard lineup: an opener, a feature, and a headliner. Weekdays will spotlight local talent.

One planned concept, "heavy hitters" night, will bring some of the strongest comedians in the area at a lower price. The venue will tap into the city's active open mic scene, giving newer comedians chances to get on stage.

"We're giving people a space to try things out and see what works," Garcia said. "There's less pressure here."

Garcia says protecting the experience matters. That means limiting noise during sets and avoiding interruptions like mid-show check drops. Final work includes adding a bar and reconfiguring the old real estate office to cut down on distractions during performances.

"Not every night needs to be an $80 night. Sometimes you just want to come enjoy a show," Garcia said.

He's thinking about daytime coffee service. One idea involves a program where purchased drinks could help provide free coffee to members of the nearby homeless community.

The opening arrives as the local stand-up scene grows. Side Splitters is moving into The Sundial. St. Pete Stand Up opened a club in the Grand Central District.

"With everything happening, my hope is that comedians will want to move here," Garcia said. "It's becoming a place where you can actually perform multiple nights a week and build something."