The Ice House Comedy Club reopens in Pasadena

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• Legendary Comedy Club
• Restaurants Food and Drink
• The Conga Room welcomed Latin luminaries for 25 years. Why club founders say it’s time to let it rest
• More From the Los Angeles Times
• Special Events & Celebrations
• Art Deco and dignity inspire multi-hyphenate comedian Katie Cazorla’s new club, the Kookaburra Lounge

Ice House Comedy presents CINCO FIESTA WKD w/Paul Rodriguez y amigos! To help celebrate the grand re-opening, a ribbon cutting ceremony organized by the Pasadena Chamber will take place on Friday, March 24th, followed by a weekend of sold-out shows featuring headliner Gabriel Iglesias. With a commitment to fostering new talent in the booming $300 million comedy industry, the iconic venue has enlisted former Los Angeles Sparks point guard Penny Toler to manage the club. Since she became the club’s general manager, Toler’s been regaled by every comic she meets about stories of the club from back in the day. These tales keep motivating her to ensure that the club spends the necessary seven figures to upgrade itself without selling its soul in the process.

Legendary Comedy Club

Online ticketing options are also available for your convenience. Due to the popularity of shows, it is recommended to book your tickets early to guarantee your spot. Though it’s always served its purpose as a training ground, the Ice House is also going to be a place where stars can mingle while they watch famous funny people perform. That’s where the club’s secret crown jewel, the newly built VIP lounge, comes into play.

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From 1960 to 1978, The Ice House, originally managed by Keith Pearce, aka, O'Brien, was a folk music club with acts coming from around the country to perform. During that same time, many comedians also appeared at the club. In 1978, the original owners were bought out by a trio of investors led by Bob Fisher who changed the format of the club to stand-up comedy.

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Finally, burnt out on sports and other ventures before the pandemic, Buss decided to revive the comedy club dream, buying the Ice House in 2019 from longtime owner Bob Fisher, who was retiring. The club sat in limbo until recently — during which time Buss’ mother, JoAnn Mueller, also passed away, before the club reopened. But over the last several months, the club has finally finished its long-awaited reshaping and is ready to turn the lights back on. To mark the special occasion, a ribbon-cutting ceremony organized by the Pasadena Chamber will take place followed by a weekend of sold-out shows featuring headliner Gabriel Iglesias. The festivities will also include tours of the entire venue, food samplings from The Ice House menu, and a bartender demo showcasing some of the club’s signature cocktails. Though Buss and Toler believe that the entertainment business is all about the fans, it’s also the club’s duty to take care of the comics.

With its rich history and commitment to nurturing new talent, The Ice House is officially open with a full schedule of shows. PASADENA, Calif. — The Ice House, regarded as the oldest comedy club in the country, has been given a new lease on life under the new ownership of Johnny Buss. It’s also a place where he dreams of discovering the next big star. Mentor Ave., hasn’t changed, but walking through its new glass doors is like entering a place that’s transformed from a dusty piece of coal into a frosty diamond.

The Ice House continues to thrive and during its many decades of operation has entertained over four million people. The VIP room, which can also view the main showroom, can hold up to 20 people. Believing that the sale of the club was the “perfect opportunity” to fulfill his father’s dream, Johnny offered to pay 50% more than whatever the other buyer offered, ensuring the sale went through. Speaking to Pasadena Now, Johnny said he purchased the Ice House Comedy Club to fulfill the dream of his father who passed away in 2013. “I quickly found out the club was for sale, so I told him I would pay him 50 percent more than his offer if it wasn’t too late,” he said, referring to Fisher. While Buss wouldn’t disclose the purchase price, he said the venue was already in the process of being sold when he swooped in with a better offer.

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Before its pandemic closure, it hosted dozens of comedy icons through the years, including George Carlin, Robin Williams, Jay Leno, Jerry Seinfeld, Steve Martin and Rosie O’Donnell. Ample parking options are available nearby, ensuring a hassle-free experience for visitors. Whether you prefer street parking or parking in a nearby lot, you’ll find accessible and convenient options just a short distance from the venue.

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Since opening in 1960, many well known comedians have graced the Ice House Comedy Club stage. The Ice House Pasadena offers a delightful menu featuring a range of appetizers, entrees, and desserts. Indulge in a culinary journey while enjoying the comedy performances. The venue also boasts a variety of refreshing beverages, including handcrafted cocktails, fine wines, and specialty brews, to complement your dining experience. Throughout the brick building in downtown Pasadena, vintage and modern flourishes demand attention like stylistic punchlines.

Additionally, The Ice House Pasadena is committed to providing accessibility for all. The venue is wheelchair-friendly, with ramps and accessible seating available to accommodate individuals with mobility needs. The Ice House has hosted an array of comedy royalty, from the quick wit of George Carlin to the eccentric genius of Robin Williams, the stage has seen it all. Comedy legends like David Letterman, Jim Carrey, and Jay Leno have left their mark, while the likes of Dennis Miller, Howie Mandel, and Jerry Seinfeld have brought tears of laughter to the eyes of eager spectators. Sitting in his designated booth at the back of the Legendary Room, Buss says he can’t wait to enjoy a show with the spirit of his favorite comedy fan right beside him. Among performers who have recorded some of the more than 75 live albums at the club are the Smothers Brothers, Gallagher, Lily Tomlin, Pat Paulsen, Richard Jeni and George Lopez.

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The glowing stalactite chandeliers, electric neon art of cacti, waves and sun punctuate the walls of the California Room, the venue’s second stage. Guests pass through the red-brick walls of the revamped bar and patio area into the revived main room. Despite the club’s new mainstage set up, dubbed the Legendary Room, it still retains an intimate vibe where stand-up idols and up-and-comers have thrived on the raw energy and laughter of a working class clientele. Once again the building is outfitted with mics in the ceiling to capture the roar of one of L.A.’s loudest laughing crowds. It’s a sound new owner Johnny Buss — the oldest son of the late Lakers owner Jerry Buss — has been waiting to hear since he bought the place in 2019.

Ice House Comedy presents Mike E. Winfield, Jeff Dye, Maronzio Vance! Ice House Comedy Chris Porter, Al Madrigal, Doug Benson. Ice House Comedy presents Chris Porter, Al Madrigal, Doug Benson!

He shifted away from sports, bought race cars and trucks and started getting into the business of off-road racing. Also greeting guests is a neon sign of the smiling bear spotting a red hat and holding a mic. Other improvements include the addition of more seats in both comedy rooms, upgrades and an expansion of the restrooms, as well as a new VIP area designed to attract big names to the club. The new VIP room is located where the old dining room used to be and it now has a glass enclosure, so people can sit within that space and watch the show through glass and still talk and not disturb the comics, he said. The pandemic shut things down just a few months after the purchase, so he took the opportunity to renovate the venue with a design that he said still pays homage to the club’s past, while upgrading it for a new era. The walls of The Ice House are adorned with photos of comedians who have graced its stage, and the venue boasts a new menu and updated bar offerings.

Nestled within the walls of a captivating historic building, The Ice House Pasadena exudes charm and character. As you step through its doors, you’re instantly transported back in time, enveloped in an atmosphere that embraces the bygone era. The club’s rich history is palpable, as if the laughter and applause of decades past still linger in the air. With its warm and inviting ambiance, The Ice House provides the perfect backdrop for a night of hilarity and entertainment. Located in the heart of Pasadena, The Ice House is a local staple of laughter and entertainment.