Reed: Side Splitters debuts a new routine for Knox nightlife

George Mitchell and Melvin Newton, from left, show up to check out the comedians for the grand opening of Side Splitters.

George Mitchell and Melvin Newton, from left, show up to check out the comedians for the grand opening of Side Splitters.

From left, comedy fan Shannon (who didn’t give her last name) joins friends Gerry Short, Judson Kalthoff, Matthew Kalthoff andFrank Furman for a night of laughs at Side Splitters.

Side Splitters offers a fun-filled date night for Frankie and Latosha Turner.

Sometimes simply going to a bar just isn’t what I feel like doing when going out on the weekend. Sure I could go see a movie or get something to eat — which seem to be two of Knoxville’s favorite activities — but for around $20, I can think of other ways I would like to spend my hard-earned dough, especially during a time that we aren’t really supposed to be spending much at all.

Thankfully Knoxville has a brand-new comedy venue that just opened in Cedar Bluff to replace the defunct Comedy Zone. Side Splitters Comedy Club, formerly a Florida-only affair, has expanded the laughter to Knoxville, beginning this past weekend with Grand Opening performances from “The Tennessee Tramp” Janet Williams and country-comedy favorite Tim Wilson.

I got to attend the Janet Williams performance Saturday night, and while I had never heard of her before, I was thoroughly entertained throughout the evening.

Planning the evening turned into more of a challenge than I had anticipated because the ticketing service would not take my card online. However, I was lucky enough to get a few of the last seats available at the door. I hadn’t thought getting tickets at the door would be a problem, but I was impressed by the huge crowd that turned out Saturday night.

The room is large, but not so much that any one seat is really better than the other. We were in the back right and had a clear view of the action on stage at all times. Just remember, if you plan on sitting in the front row you best leave your sensitivity at home — you will get picked on, but this only makes the show that much more personable and enjoyable.

There is a full service bar in the lobby serving up all kinds of beer, cocktails and wine. The beer is a bit pricey at $4.25 for standard domestics. Premium and imported beer will run you $4.50 and $4.75. Not really in a beer mood, I decided to be a little more festive and ordered one of the many warm Kahlua drinks for $6.75, and it was quite tasty.

One of my least favorite aspects of Side Splitters is their two-item purchase minimum while at the show, meaning you are guaranteed to spend another $10-$15 on food or drink. Taylor, my partner for the evening, decided to also try one of the coffee drinks and ordered two hot dogs and chips that ran him $6.75.

The show was about two and a half hours long, with three performers. I was most impressed with the owner, who came out and performed second. The fact that the owner of the club gave arguably the best performance of the night speaks well for the quality that Side Splitters is going to offer Knoxville in the stand-up comedy scene.

There are plenty of shows coming up in the next month for you to check out. If you have a sense of humor and a desire to do something other than the same old night-on-the-town, Side Splitters is the place for you.

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