New Barrel Proof comedy membership to open in downtown Santa Rosa

A longtime native comedy present promoter plans to deliver laughter to downtown Santa Rosa with a brand new stand-up comedian membership. Casey Williams plans to open the Barrel Proof Lounge by late January or early February at 501 Mendocino Ave., the previous web site of the three Disciples taproom.

“I wish to deliver individuals downtown,” mentioned Williams, a Santa Rosa native. “That is my city. I need individuals to have the ability to come right here and see comedy acts, hear stay music and revel in trivia nights, karaoke and dance events. We are going to open our doorways to nonprofits for fundraisers.”

The brand new venue, which features a efficiency area that can seat 150 individuals, has an general capability of 299. The membership will serve native wine and beer, and the comedy room encompasses a new sound sales space to be manned by longtime native DJ Rob Cervantes.

This isn’t Williams’ first foray into the leisure enterprise. He’s the founder and proprietor of Barrel Proof Comedy, which has produced comedy exhibits throughout Sonoma County for the previous decade. For the previous 10 years, Barrel Proof additionally has introduced nationally identified comedy headliners month-to-month to Sally Tomatoes in Rohnert Park and continues to take action.

“I get some large nationwide headliners,” he mentioned.

The title of the Barrel Proof Comedy firm has its personal again story.

“It’s not from wine making or brewing. In reality, it’s a whiskey-making time period,” Williams mentioned.

Barrel proof means bourbon within the bottle has the identical alcohol content material it had when it was put into the barrel for ageing.

“To me, it means being true to your genuine self,” he defined.

The renovation of the brand new downtown Santa Rosa membership is a multigenerational household undertaking, with Williams, 46, getting assist from his son, Bailey Williams, 21, and his father, Tim Williams, 73.

The brand new venue stands between two different spots which have introduced momentum to a rebirth of stay leisure in downtown Santa Rosa: the Misplaced Church music membership on Ross Avenue and The California, a brand new theater, comedy and music area on Seventh Avenue that opened in September.

“Having one other venue on this a part of downtown is a good addition to Santa Rosa’s leisure district,” mentioned Argo Thompson, CEO at The California.

Bryce Dow-Williamson, basic supervisor of the Misplaced Church in Santa Rosa, echoed the sentiment.

“I typically hear from locals about how unusual it’s that Santa Rosa is the biggest metropolis within the county however typically appears to have the least happening,” he mentioned. “I’m glad to see different creatives and organizers engaged on addressing the shortage of venues in an space with a lot expertise and creativity.”

For extra data of Williams’ comedy manufacturing firm, go to barrelproofcomedy.com.

In the meantime, 3 Disciples has moved out of the Mendocino Avenue taproom and into the previous Two Tread area in Santa Rosa Plaza. The brand new area is predicted to open within the spring.

You’ll be able to attain Workers Author Dan Taylor at dan.taylor@pressdemocrat.com or 707-521-5243. On Twitter @danarts.