Claude’s Comedy Club & Bar opens, showcasing local talent in South Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — There’s a new comedy club in South Philly, aiming to provide a cozy neighborhood bar experience and opportunities for up-and-coming performers to try out their material.

Claude’s was founded by Philly comedian Reid Benditt, who entered the city’s intimate comedy scene eight years ago after a bout of unemployment and has spent years networking and building his name. He says the club is the culmination of that work.

“It’s a comfortable place,” Benditt explained. “We just aim it to be a low bar to entry. Come in, have a drink at the bar, hang out, come in and see a show for not a lot of money.”

He says he named the club for his mother, Claudia — whose brother always left off the “i” and “a” in her name — and says her approach to life inspired how he wants his club to run.

“My mom was a very selfless person, and to me, that’s sort of what the room is about,” Benditt said. “My mom would always get out of the way to make people comfortable, and to me, any venue is just about that. It’s just about creating the space for great comics, great performers, to do their thing.”

Claude’s can be found at the southeast corner of South Broad Street and Alter Street, just off of the Ellsworth-Federal stop on the Broad Street Line.

The club opens every day at 4 p.m., and holds a show seven days a week, with feature-length sets to showcase Philly comics every Sunday. The full calendar, which includes a slate of nationally touring comics and planned nights for local talent, can be found at claudescomedy.com.