Comedy and Magic Club: Best Comedy Club
Mike Lacey separates the public by accepting the 2014 Hermosa Beach Chamber of Commerce Man of the Year award from last year’s Man of the Year Ron Newman. Photo
When Mike Lacey, then 24, opened the Comedy and Magic Club in 1977, the popular image of a comedy club was a seedy bar with a bad sound system and strippers. Comedy and Magic, on the other hand, has been described by Easy reader criticizes Roger Repohl as a cathedral for comedy. The sound system was of recording quality. Even the confetti mat was custom designed.
From the start, Lacey understood that comedians had to be respected. This is the reason why young comics like Jay Leno, Kevin Nealon, Jerry Seinfeld, Garry Shandling, Jimmy Brogan keep coming back. That’s why Seinfeld and Roseanne Barr have come up with their new stand-up routines at Hermosa Beach after their hit shows ended.
In January, that respect was reciprocated when Lacey was named Man of the Year by the Hermosa Beach Chamber of Commerce.
“I’m just doing my job and I’m happy to do it. It never occurred to me, ”Lacey said. – KC
1018 Hermosa Ave, Hermosa Beach. (310) 372-1193. Comedy and Magic Club.com
Finalist: Pancho’s. 3615 Highland Ave, Manhattan Beach. (310) 545-6670. PanchosRestaurant.com