Smokes And Jokes: The Stand Comedy Club

As seen in Cigar Aficionado

Comedy and cigars have a long-standing association, forged largely by legends such as Groucho Marx, George Burns and Milton Berle, who often delivered jokes with a cigar in hand. Today, most cities prohibit smoking in comedy clubs, but there is one venue making a stand—literally. The Stand comedy club in New York City is a place where a cigar is more than just an unlit prop. It’s a place where cigars are a means of relaxation and socialization with its Comedy & Cigars events.

Opened in 2012, The Stand is located in Manhattan’s Union Square/Gramercy Park neighborhood on East 16th Street. It’s a popular stopover on the comedy circuit with comedians of all levels gracing the stage, from up-and-comers to established names like Adam Sandler, Bill Burr and Shane Gillis. 

Co-hosted by My Father and Tatuaje Cigars, the Cigar & Comedy dinners take place outside the club, courtesy of outdoor seating. For the evening, a fixed three-course dinner is prepared, with comedians and guests sitting together to enjoy a fun night of food, drink and camaraderie between puffs. The comedians even have input in shaping the menu. Dishes in the past have included appetizers such as chargrilled oysters and lobster in a lemon butter sauce to entrées such as a 60- or 100-day dry-aged New York strip steak.

“Cigars have always been about slowing down and enjoying the moment—the conversation, the company, the ritual of it,” says Paul Italia, who co-owns The Stand with his brother, Cris, and Patrick Milligan. “We created Comedy and Cigars for that same reason. It brings together a niche community of people who love comedy and cigars and gives them a place to relax, laugh and connect. It also naturally highlights our food and bar program because the whole evening is designed to be a more leisurely experience. You’re not rushing in and out of a show, you’re settling in for the night.”

To enter the comedy club, walk downstairs to the basement, which has plenty of comfortable booths and tables (it seats between 110 to 120), all with an excellent view of the brightly-lit stage. Before dinner, you can stop by the long, sweeping bar upstairs for a cocktail, or peruse the extensive spirits selection that includes Bourbon, Scotch and Japanese single malts. 

“This place stands out from other comedy clubs because it’s actually a classy place to go. Most places are hole in the walls,” says comedian Aaron Berg. “When you walk in, you’re like ‘Are you sure there’s even a comedy show here?’ and then you go downstairs and you’re like, ‘Oh wow!’ ”

On regular nights, the house menu skews Northern Italian, with handmade pastas and wood-fired pizzas baked in an oven shipped over from Sicily. A raw bar and tomahawk steaks are offered as well.

“Honestly it’s one of my favorite places to smoke in the world outside on the front patio, when it’s April to November, it’s nice to sit out there,” comedian Ari Shaffir tells Cigar Aficionado. “You watch randoms walk by, smoke a cigar, get some water or some Scotch from inside. It always rules, everybody’s cool.”

There’s always a comedian onstage, so you can watch the show downstairs, come upstairs for dinner and a smoke, and go back down whenever you please. 

The Comedy & Cigars experience comes in three tiers: 

• The full package includes a three-course dinner, entrance to the comedy show, up to two cigars and a cocktail. 

• The mid-tier includes a ticket for dinner but without entrance to the comedy show. 

• The bottom-tier is for just the show and a cigar. 

A formal date for the next Comedy & Cigars dinner has not yet been announced, but is intended to take place in the coming months with additional dinners planned throughout the rest of the year. 

For pricing and show schedule, please visit thestandnyc.com.