Laughter heals all wounds: Helium Comedy Club-St. Louis is a contemporary entertainment venue that brings stadium-sized, live talent to an intimate theater on a weekly basis, and has been doing so for a full decade.
Owner Marc Grossman debuted his brand of entertainment in Philadelphia during 2005. His investment in comedy seems to have paid off. Since then, the former stock trader opened additional locations in Portland, Buffalo and Raleigh. St. Louis was his fifth comedy venture, located within Galleria Mall. During 2024, Helium owners opened their sixth location Alpharetta, Georgia.
Marc had explained publicly that the plan all along has been to offer top-tier clubs to showcase diverse, renowned comedians with support from local talent.
People who go to Helium voice that they appreciate it's a place that guests can go every week and experience something different.
Popular comedians, such as Kirkwood High School graduate Nikki Glaser, Gary Owen, George Wallace and St. Louisan Lavell Crawford have performed on this STL stage. "Saturday Night Live" legend and St. Louis native Kevin Nealon took the stage during 2024.
St. Louis area comedian Amber Klear says her favorite memory of performing at the Helium is the acceptance of new comics. "Some of the other best things happen in the green room, behind the scenes. But what happens in the green room stays in the green room!"
Not only is the Helium audience and staff accepting, Amber explains, "the other comedians are cheering for you as well."
Hands down, she assures Helium is the best environment for a new comic to perform. "They learn the ropes, they learn the lingo, but they're also supported and encouraged beyond belief. It can be daunting for some people to get on stage, so that support is crucial. And even if you have a bad set, the other comedians will give you tips, tricks and hugs. It's a family group."
Hip-hopper turned comedian Tip “T.I.” Harris shared his standup show at Helium during this past January. T.I. is a Grammy Award-winning rapper known for hits such as “Live Your Life” with Rihanna and “Whatever You Like." He's been on a nationwide tour over the past year and a half. T.I. joined comedy crew, the Haha Mafia, featuring Navv Greene, Tyler Chronicles and the man who started it all, K-Dubb.
The food and drinks at Helium within the restaurant, the lounge or the showroom present a nice way to mix it up, too.
Within Marc's 11,000-square-feet floor plan, he added a standalone dining room, as well as a VIP space referenced as "the Garage." The restaurant is called Elements Sustenance & Spirits. The 50-seat public dining area features a Prohibition-era theme beside a full bar, while the VIP area offers an additional lounge. The theatre has space for up to 280 guests, and offers the food menu in its entirety except for entrees.
The Helium team hosts an annual "St. Louis' Funniest Person" competition, which typically pits 150 aspiring comics against each other for the title and bragging rights.
Amateur comics can participate in Open Mic Night on Wednesdays.
Comedians scheduled to perform at Helium St. Louis this month include: Derrick Stroup, April 3; Michael Colyar, April 4-6; Nick Swardson; April 6; Ben Brainard, April 9; Ellen Skrmetti, April 10; Steve Hofstetter, April 22; and Gabriel Rutledge, April 27.
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