The Comedy Studio Is Moving from Cambridge's Harvard Square to Bow Market in Somerville's Union Square

by Marc Hurwitz

A few months ago, we reported that a legendary comedy club in Cambridge was closing down and looking for a new home. Now we have learned that it will be moving to an upcoming development in Somerville.

According to an article from Cambridge Day, the Comedy Studio in Harvard Square is leaving its current location above the Hong Kong Restaurant on Mass. Ave. at the end of the year and plans to reopen at Bow Market between Somerville Avenue and Bow Street in Union Square. The comedy club will join a number of other businesses coming to the development--which is currently under construction--including vendors at more than 30 stalls as well as a brewery called Remnant Brewing. (The stalls will include Jaju Pierogi, Maca Macaronerie, Buenas, North South, and more.)

The Comedy Studio, which is leaving Harvard Square in part due to rising rents, has helped launched the careers of some big names since opening in the mid-1990s, including Bill Burr and Emma Willmann, and it has also hosted such well-known comedians as Sarah Silverman and Colin Jost over the years.

The website for the Comedy Studio can be found at http://www.thecomedystudio.com/

Thanks to @Fara1 for bringing this to our attention.

[August 26, 2018 update: An events page indicates that The Comedy Studio officially opens in Somerville on September 6.]

[Earlier Article]
The Comedy Studio Above the Hong Kong Restaurant in Cambridge's Harvard Square Is Leaving Its Space

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The Comedy Studio Above the Hong Kong Restaurant in Cambridge's Harvard Square Is Leaving Its Space

A comedy club in Cambridge that has become an institution of sorts is closing down, and it is currently looking for a new home.

Cambridge Day is reporting that the Comedy Studio, which is located above the Hong Kong Restaurant in Harvard Square, is leaving its space at the end of the year and is starting to look for a new spot, with the article saying it could be moving outside of the square, or possibly even the city of Cambridge depending on what it finds for a new home. The post says that part of the reason for its closure is rising rents, but founder/owner Rick Jenkins also says "It's just that the Hong Kong could do so much with that room and we could do so much more with our own room that this seems like the best way to go about it." The Comedy Studio has helped launched the careers of some big names since opening in the mid-1990s, including Louis C.K. and Bill Burr, according to Cambridge Day.

The address for the Comedy Studio (and the Hong Kong Restaurant) is 1238 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02138. The website for the comedy club can be found at http://www.thecomedystudio.com/

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Plans for Medieval Manor to Reopen in Old Space Fall Through

A landmark theater and restaurant that was hoping to return to its former space has given its fans a bit of bad news.

According to a Facebook post, the Medieval Manor will not be reopening in its old home on E Berkeley Street in the South End after all, with the note saying the following:

It is with great sadness that we inform you our efforts to reach a new lease agreement for the space where the Manor has lived for so long were unsuccessful. The price of a castle in Boston has increased significantly. We will continue to search for ways to bring back the king but we may not be seeing you as soon as we had hoped. Thank you for all of your support over the years.

The Medieval Manor closed at the end of last year but subsequently said that it was hoping to reopen in its former space, which would apparently be modified. The place had been in business for more than 40 years.

The address for the Medieval Manor was 246 E Berkeley Street, Boston, MA, 02116.

[August 13 update: The Medieval Manor won't be returning to its old home, but a new Facebook post gives a bit of good news--some of the cast is working on a new Pilgrim-themed show called "Plymouth Rocks," which is planning to open in Plymouth sometime in November.]

[Earlier Articles]
Medieval Manor in Boston May Be Reopening
Medieval Manor in Boston Is Closing

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Medieval Manor in Boston May Be Reopening

A couple of months ago, we reported that a landmark theater and restaurant was closing its doors forever. Now we have learned that this might not be the case after all.

A recent check on the website for the Medieval Manor in Boston's South End indicates that its New Year's Eve show tonight will likely be its last show (as mentioned previously), but a new note below says "We hope to reopen ASAP." A message sent from the E Berkeley Street spot this morning says that they are now hoping to renovate the space and reopen, mentioning that they sold their liquor license and are looking to replace it with a beer and wine license, and that they would be staying in their current home, though the space would be "modified."

[March 21, 2016 update: A Facebook post from over the weekend indicates that the Medieval Manor is hoping to reopen sometime later this year, though it has not been completely confirmed that it will move back into its old space. (Thanks to Drew Starr for bringing this to our attention.)]

[April 19, 2016 update: A new Facebook post from the place indicates that the Medieval Manor now has plans "to see YOU in 2017," and that it may be going the Kickstarter route to raise money.]

The Medieval Manor first opened more than 40 years ago, offering Middle Ages-themed musical comedy along with dinner and drinks; in October, the place said it would be closing at the end of the year and last month it petitioned to transfer its liquor license to the upcoming Bar Mezzana in the nearby Ink Block.

The address for the Medieval Manor is 246 E Berkeley Street, Boston, MA, 02116. Its website can be found at http://www.medievalmanor.com/

[Earlier Article]
Medieval Manor in Boston Is Closing

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Remington's in Downtown Boston Is Closing; Dick Doherty's Beantown Comedy Vault to Move

It appears that a restaurant in downtown Boston is closing, and a comedy club downstairs from it will need to find a new home.

According to Craig Caplan, who is President of the Downtown Crossing Vending Association and is affiliated with The REAL Downtown Crossing Page on Facebook (with further information coming from other sources), the lease for Remington's and Dick Doherty's Beantown Comedy Vault on Boylston Street is not going to be renewed, so Remington's will shutter, while Dick Doherty's will be looking to move to another location. The dining spot and comedy club have been in the space (which is owned by Emerson College) across from Boston Common for nearly 30 years.

[March 26 update: The Boston Business Journal is now reporting that Remington's has been given a three-month reprieve by Emerson College, so it will remain open at least through June. In addition, we have also received confirmation that Dick Doherty's Beantown Comedy Vault will be open at least through June as well.]

[June 26 update: A poster on our Twitter page states that Remington's will be closing on Sunday, June 30, and a Facebook post on Dick Doherty's Facebook page seems to confirm this, as the page shows that the last Beantown Comedy Riot at the Vault will take place tomorrow night (Thursday, June 27). The Facebook page also mentions that Doherty will apparently start to book shows at Howl at the Moon on High Street in the Financial District beginning in mid-July. (It is not known if Remington's will be moving to a new space; as soon as we find out one way or the other, we will post an update here.)]

[June 27 update: It has been confirmed that Dick Doherty's Beantown Comedy Vault will be closing on Sunday, June 30 along with Remington's, and as mentioned yesterday, Doherty will start booking shows at Howl at the Moon in the middle of July. (Remington's status is still unknown.)]

[July 15 update: A note sent to us on Facebook indicates that Dick Doherty's Comedy Den will have its grand opening below Howl at the Moon at 184 High Street this Thursday (July 18).]

The address for Remington's and Dick Doherty's Beantown Comedy Vault is 124 Boylston Street, Boston, MA, 02116. The website for the comedy club can be found at http://beantowncomedy.com


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Nick's Comedy Stop to Set Up Second Location within Moksa in Cambridge

A popular comedy club in Boston's Theatre District is going to be opening a second location across the river, and it will be set up within an Asian restaurant that opened a couple of months ago.

CentralSquare.com is reporting that Nick's Comedy Stop on Warrenton Street will be coming to Moksa on Mass. Ave. in Cambridge's Central Square, with shows on Friday and Saturday nights starting at 8:00 PM (doors open at 7:00). Folks who attend the 90-minute performances--which will include national acts--will be able to order food and drink from Moksa, and the seating capacity for the shows will be 175.

[May 4 update: Tonight is opening night for the new Nick's Comedy Stop within Moksa in Cambridge.]

Moksa opened in March of this year, offering Asian fusion cuisine that includes small bites and street food. It's address is 450 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02139, and its website can be found at http://moksarestaurant.com/

The website for Nick's Comedy Stop is at http://nickscomedystop.com/

Thanks to Adam's Hospitality and Tourism Blog for bringing this to our attention.

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