Comedy Club to Open in Murrieta

Rocky Osborn is sure of one thing: he is going to open a comedy club in Murrieta.

But whether he will sell beer and wine there is still to be determined. Osborn is set to go before the Murrieta Planning Commission at its Wednesday meeting to obtain a beer and wine sales permit for Aces Comedy Club.

Tucked away in what locals call "Furniture Row" at 39745 Avenida Acacias, Suite F, Osborn thinks it's an ideal location for the venue.

"That true Vegas showroom sort of feel is what I am shooting for," said Osborn, a 42-year-old Menifee resident with 22 years of stand-up comedy experience.

On Thursday, Osborn stood outside the half-finished club, speaking with the owner of Brew-Ligion, a restaurant set to open in April just a few doors down. There are also talks of another restaurant going into the center.

Osborn said he has been working with the city of Murrieta for about a year, mostly to negotiate a location for the club.

"The city of Murrieta, contrary to what anyone might say, has been a blessing. They have been very helpful, they've been very nice."

City staff is recommending that the Planning Commission approve the alcohol license. Osborn held a community meeting Jan. 5 at the club. He received positive feedback, according to a staff report.

But that census tract allows for six alcohol licenses, and there are nine already in place at eating establishments. Therefore, the city would need to deem the comedy club's alcohol sales a public necessity and convenience.

"The city needs something to do, no doubt about it. We need a place to kick back, relax, have fun...This is going to be that kind of place," Osborn said.

He explained that the club will be open four nights a week, with one hour-and-a-half show on Thursdays and Sundays, and two shows on Fridays and Saturdays.

General admission will be $15 and VIP seating $25, he said.

Osborn said the bar would not be a sit-down bar, but a service bar where employees prepare drinks to serve in the showroom.

"I don't do alcohol. I never got into it. And I'm not going to allow people to get drunk," Osborn said. "It is here as an atmospheric type thing. It's not here because I want people to come in and get drunk."

The showroom will house 170 people with pub tables in the back; Osborn said the tables will be higher for better stage visibility from all areas of the room. The VIP section will offer rocking recliner loveseats.

Osborn, who regularly performs and hosts open mic nights at local restaurants, casinos and the Comedy Palace in San Diego, said he already has several headliners booked for Aces Comedy Club. These include Claude Stuart, Vince Harper, Bruce Jingles, Sean Kelly, and local 75-year-old talent Anita Milner.

"This club will be full of great comics," Osborn said.

"I'm very confident I'm going to get this (license). We all know that the city of Murrieta, even Temecula, really needs this. There's nothing like this in the area."

Citizens can give their input on the club during a public hearing that will be held as part of the Planning Commission meeting, which is set for 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 22, at Murrieta City Hall, One Town Square, 24601 Jefferson Avenue.