Jay Leno is an American comedian and television personality who is widely known for hosting The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Apart from his successful career in late-night television, Leno is also recognized for his love of stand-up comedy and his own comedy club called "Jay Leno's Comedy and Magic Club." Located in Hermosa Beach, California, Jay Leno's Comedy and Magic Club has been a popular destination for comedy lovers since it opened in 1978. The club offers a cozy and intimate setting for both comedians and audience members, creating an atmosphere that is perfect for laughter and entertainment. Over the years, the club has become a well-established venue for comedians to perform and showcase their talents. Many renowned comedians have graced the stage at Jay Leno's Comedy and Magic Club, including well-known names like Jerry Seinfeld, Ellen DeGeneres, and Dave Chappelle, among others.
Staff writer Lisa Jacobs contributed to this report.
Jon Wee, half of the juggling comedy act The Passing Zone, said at the meeting that he has lived in Hermosa Beach for more than 25 years and has performed at the club even longer. But it s too early to determine when construction will start, how long the project will take or when the club might reopen, said founder and owner Mike Lacey.
Many renowned comedians have graced the stage at Jay Leno's Comedy and Magic Club, including well-known names like Jerry Seinfeld, Ellen DeGeneres, and Dave Chappelle, among others. In addition to hosting stand-up comedy acts, the venue also features magic shows, further adding to the diverse range of entertainment offered at the club. The combination of comedy and magic creates a unique experience for the audience, allowing them to enjoy laughter and moments of astonishment simultaneously.
Jay leno comedy and magci club
The iconic Comedy & Magic Club in Hermosa Beach — where comedy legends such as Jay Leno, George Carlin and Jerry Seinfeld once performed — could soon be filled will laughter once again.
The iconic club, which has been shuttered for nearly two years because of the coronavirus pandemic, recently received unanimous approval from the city’s Planning Commission for substantial renovations.
The beloved club, which has hosted comics and magicians since 1978, will add 100 seats to its main showroom — for 350 total — and enclose a patio at an adjacent lounge area.
But it’s too early to determine when construction will start, how long the project will take or when the club might reopen, said founder and owner Mike Lacey.
Lacey, when reached by phone on Monday, Feb. 21, declined to provide details about the club’s plans because the Planning Commission’s decision was so recent, happening last week.
“I’m just reviewing my options,” Lacey said. “I have to sort out what the next step is.”
Lacey, at the Tuesday, Feb. 15, commission meeting, said many people contacted him to ask when the club, 1018 Hermosa Ave., would reopen.
Representatives from nonprofits the club has supported over the years and Leno himself reached out, Lacey said at the meeting. Leno was once a Sunday regular at the club, where he tried out new material when he hosted “The Tonight Show.”
“’We want to come back to work, we missed the salmon,’” Lacey quoted comics who have reached out as saying. “‘Can we come in again?’”
To expand the showroom area, the plan calls for removing employee offices that are behind the main stage. The main stage will then be moved north to accommodate the extra 100 seats.
The famed green room, where the comics chat and wait until they hit the stage, will remain as is, Lacey said at the meeting. For decades, performers have left their mark in ink on the green room’s walls.
“The green room will always remain untouched,” Lacey said. “It’s really a very special place with all the signatures.”
Comedian Jay Leno backstage at the Comedy and Magic Club in Hermosa Beach in this undated file photo. Leno performed many of his stand-up routines at the club over the years, some of them on Sunday when he’d try out new material for his host job on the “The Tonight Show.” Behind Leno are signatures on a cinder block wall of comedians who performed at the club. (Photo by Steve McCrank)
The Lounge, another performance space with an adjacent restaurant, will have its patio enclosed as part of the renovation.
Lacey also received approval to expand what the club can be used for.
The club had operated under a conditional use permit that dictated comedy or theatrical productions comprise “50% of the operating time of the main showroom,” according to the staff report. The Planning Commission approved removing that permit.
Lacey and city staff, in a report, agreed the condition was “overly restrictive.”
Removing that restriction will allow business people staying at local hotels to use the club for meeting space.
“Hermosa Beach hotels have limited conference and meeting rooms needed for group sales,” a staff report said. “Added flexibility will allow activation of the space during non-peak hours and also help attract new hotel business to the City.”
While the application Lacey submitted to the Planning Commission did not ask for extended hours, he did bring up the possibility during Tuesday’s meeting.
The club, under current rules, must close at 1 a.m.
Officials seemed open to the idea — though the club’s California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control license bans dancing on the premises after 1 a.m. Sunday through Thursday — while also expressing some reservations about later hours.
Since a number of bars on Pier and Hermosa avenues start closing around 1:45 a.m., Hermosa Beach Police Chief Paul LeBaron said, there was a concern about the club closing around the same time.
But, he added, that concern wasn’t directed at Lacey’s business, since it has had no calls for service since it opened more than four decades ago.
“I want to stress this has nothing to do specifically with his business, but it is a concern that we have, it’s something that we will certainly try to address,” LeBaron said. “But I also look into the future, and I’m always concerned that we have too many places letting out after any type of alcohol consumption, where there might be potential for problems.”
Jay Leno himself is known to frequently perform at his own club, testing and refining his jokes and comedic timing. His passion for stand-up comedy is evident through his involvement in the club, as he continues to entertain audiences with his wit and humor. Jay Leno's Comedy and Magic Club has played a significant role in the comedy world, providing a platform for both established and emerging comedians to showcase their talents. It has become a beloved institution, attracting comedy enthusiasts from all over the country who are eager to witness the comedic brilliance that unfolds on its stage. In conclusion, Jay Leno's Comedy and Magic Club is a renowned venue that combines comedy and magic to provide a memorable experience for its audience. With its longstanding history and association with Jay Leno, the club continues to be a hub for laughter and entertainment, contributing to the rich comedy culture in the United States..
Reviews for "The Best Stand-Up Comedy with Jay Leno at the Magic Club"
1. John - 1 star
I had a terrible experience at the Jay Leno Comedy and Magic Club. The comedy show was painfully unfunny, with jokes that were more cringeworthy than amusing. The magician's tricks were predictable and lacked any wow factor. The overall atmosphere of the club was dull and lacked energy. I definitely would not recommend this place to anyone looking for a good laugh or some mind-blowing magic tricks. Save your money and find another comedy club to visit.
2. Sarah - 2 stars
I had high expectations when I went to the Jay Leno Comedy and Magic Club, but unfortunately, they were not met. The comedy show had some moments that made me chuckle, but overall, the jokes were stale and overused. The magician's tricks were mediocre at best and lacked any originality. The club was overcrowded, making it difficult to enjoy the show without constantly being bumped into. I was disappointed with my experience and won't be returning anytime soon.
3. Mike - 2 stars
I was excited to see Jay Leno perform at his Comedy and Magic Club, but the show fell flat for me. The comedy routines felt outdated and lacked the cleverness that I had expected. The magic tricks were average and didn't leave me feeling amazed or impressed. The seating arrangement in the club was uncomfortable, with cramped spaces and limited visibility. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this club to anyone seeking a memorable comedy or magic experience.