Alison C.
Yelp
4.5 stars
When my friend suggested The Stand for a celebratory comedy show for another member of our crew's birthday, I was intrigued. I enjoy stand-up, but I had never heard of the place. Well, first off, the main bar and dining area up front were stunning! Everything was sleek and modern, and it really felt like a new hotspot, which was a stark contrast to most casual, dingy clubs. We waited in that lounge area before we were taken into another nice room for the show. I should also mention that the entire place was kept at the optimal temperature; it was super hot and humid outside, but, indoors, it was cool without being freezing.
While the cocktail list was the same in both rooms, the food menu was shortened in the comedy space. However, our server let us know that we would be able to order from the expanded menu (the one shown on their website) if we so desired. From a drink perspective, I adored their One Liner spicy margarita, which combined both Doña Vega mezcal and Superbird tequila with Italicus bergamot, cucumber, jalapeño, and fresh lime. It was just the perfect amount of spicy, while still offering a robust amount of refreshment. When it came to the cuisine, I decided to order two smaller plates, rather than one large course. The Meatballs were made from a trio of beef, pork, and veal, leading to a lighter flavor than if they had been pure beef. The generous portion of 4 or 5 balls was sitting in a hearty marinara sauce that had been infused with Calabrian chiles, scoops of creamy ricotta, and Parmesan. The Crispy Crispy Brussel Sprouts were seasoned with lemon zest and herbs. Despite the fact that they were not really in season, the sprouts were clearly fresh and definitely delicious. These were also served in abundance.
The excellent food and drinks were just bonuses, though. The comedy was also hilarious! The show lasted about 90 minutes, and all of the comedians were engrossing. They were skilled at balancing their audience engagement with tales from their own lives.
The Stand really fired on all cylinders; the place offered a lot and executed all of it well.