ESCONDIDO — North County’s lone comedy club is set to relocate to the North County Mall from its current Grand Avenue location later this year.
Grand Comedy Club and Pizzeria, which has become a local fixture, will move into the space formerly occupied by California Pizza Kitchen at 200 E. Via Rancho Parkway. Owner Adam Wasserman, who has been a key figure in the region’s comedy scene for nearly two decades, hopes to reopen the club by early December.
Wasserman, a North County native, began his search for a comedy club venue about six years ago. He eventually discovered a former pizzeria on Grand Avenue with a spacious back room. The space, he realized, was ideal for his vision.
“It’s hard to find a really good spot for a comedy club,” Wasserman said. “That room was perfect.”
The Grand Comedy Club officially opened just a few months before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the challenges of business closures and stay-at-home orders, Wasserman managed to keep the club operating by hosting outdoor shows and adhering to social distancing guidelines until restrictions were lifted.
In recent months, Wasserman has been exploring the possibility of relocating to a larger venue. When California Pizza Kitchen vacated its space, he saw an opportunity. The current location at 340 E. Grand Avenue seats 140, but the new venue will accommodate up to 200 guests, enabling the club to attract more prominent comedians.
Wasserman intends to transform the new location into a pizzeria and sports pub in addition to the comedy club. Despite the move, the name Grand Comedy Club will remain.
The expanded venue will allow the club to operate seven days a week and offer a wider range of entertainment options, such as sports, karaoke, and live music. Wasserman is also in the process of obtaining a liquor license, which will allow for a full-service bar.
Excited about the new location’s potential, Wasserman is particularly optimistic about its proximity to Interstate 15, which he believes will draw San Diego’s vibrant comedy scene northward.
“A lot of comedians move to L.A. to start their careers and end up driving down here for a few shows because there’s more opportunity to get paid for comedy here versus up there where it’s more competitive,” he said.
Wasserman’s deep connections in the comedy industry have already brought famous names to his stage, including Neal Brennan, co-creator and co-writer of “Chappelle’s Show,” Jay Mohr, Dustin Ybarra, Taylor Tomlinson, Zoltan Kaszas — who filmed two specials at Grand Comedy Club — and Morgan Jay, among others.
Whether the comedians performing at Grand Comedy Club are household names or up-and-coming talents, Wasserman guarantees that guests will enjoy a night full of laughter.
“If you come to my club, it’s going to be a great show,” he said.
For more information on upcoming performances at Grand Comedy Club, visit www.grandcomedyclub.com.
