Broadway Comedy Club To Host Event Celebrating Life And Impact Of Late Owner Al Martin

New York City, New York Jun 10, 2025 (EMWNews.com) – Broadway Comedy Club, the legacy NYC entertainment institution and longest running bi-level comedy club in the city, is honoring the late owner and founder, Al Martin, with a private event on Tuesday, June 10 at 6:00pm in the heart of the Broadway Theater District at 318 W 53rd St. 

Martin, owner of Broadway Comedy Club and Greenwich Village Comedy Club, passed away unexpectedly in February 2024. The event, catered by Al’s favorite haunt Katz’s Deli, will honor and celebrate his life, legacy, and impact on the comedy industry and comedians. Attendees include Marina Franklin, Aaron Berg, Troy Bond, Harrison Greenbaum, Adam Glyn and Joe DeVito and more than 200 additional members off the comedy community.

Broadway Comedy Club is now under new ownership by Al’s wife, Carolyn Martin, and their three daughters. Together, the four women control both Broadway Comedy Club in Midtown, and Greenwich Comedy Club in downtown Greenwich Village. 

“Al loved comedy and comedians–he truly understood what it took to create the perfect environment for a great show, and he built venues that fostered that community,” said Carolyn Martin, owner of Broadway Comedy Club and Greenwich Village Comedy Club. “I’m honored to carry on his legacy and to continue growing the clubs and brand he dedicated his life to building. This event is an opportunity to celebrate Al’s creation and impact and also to look forward to the clubs’ exciting futures.”

Al’s impact in the comedy industry was inclusive and groundbreaking. He was the first to have a regular weekly LGBTQ+ Comedy Show and the first NYC club owner to pass a trans comic onto its club roster. Under his leadership, the club created the biggest LGBTQ+ comedy festival on the East Coast. Broadway Comedy Club is also the #1 destination for Spanish Language Comedy in NYC. The club regularly features international headliners from South America, Central America and Spain. 

Martin’s first venture in the comedy club business was in 1988, establishing New York Comedy Club to showcase comedian talent. An accomplished comedian himself, Al was a National Headliner with credits including The Joan Rivers Show, Geraldo and Evening At The Improv. More than a comedian, Al served as an activist for the comedy community, as VP of the Professional Comedians Association, instrumental in improving working conditions for comedians nationwide. 

Broadway Comedy Club has recently undergone major refurbishments including revamped stages and redesigned showrooms and green room, a newly minted lobby and entrance area renovation, updated facilities including bathrooms, kitchens, and back bar, a completely refined food and beverage menu.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Rich Brooks
Head Booker and Marketing Director- Broadway Comedy Club and Greenwich Village Comedy Club
318 W. 53rd St 
New York, NY 10019 
(646) 242-3035
[email protected]