Houston Laff Stop closing in about 14 hours
Word on the street is that Houston’s Laff Stop will close after tonight’s shows. We’ve never worked there, but it’s been around for a long time. And it had a good digital recording system. (Mitch Hedberg recorded a CD there, as did many others.)
There was a consolidation a while back. (The Stop bought the Spot?)
The Improv moved into the market some time ago.
The economy sucks.
Take your pick among the various excuses.
Check out this blog entry on the Houston Chronicle website from 18 months ago. Of particular note are the comments under it.
3 Responses
Reply to: Houston Laff Stop closing in about 14 hours
The owner of the Laff Spot bought the Laff Stop. I hadn’t heard anything about it closing, but I’ll do some asking around.
R.I.P. the Laff Stop. The first feature gig I did outside the Midwest. Worked with Greg Warren and Henry Phillips. Mark Babbitt brought me in after seeing me in the old Chicago Comedy Festival. It was a great club with a reputation for booking original, and intelligent acts. It had great audiences who appreciated off beat comedy. It will be missed.
Expensive area plus a sucky economy is not a good combination for comedy club success. I did my first open mic there and learned lessons from T. Sean and Charlie, Riley Barber, Pineapple, Freeman, Silva and a host of others. When those “red doors” shut forever it will truly mark the end of an era.
Thanks for everything Laff Stop.