When then 24-year-old Mike Lacey opened Comedy and Magic Club in 1977, the popular image of a comedy club was a seedy bar with a bad sound system and strippers. Comedy and Magic, by contrast, was described by Easy Reader reviewer Roger Repohl as a Cathedral to Comedy. The sound system was recording quality. Even the confetti carpet was custom designed.
From the start, Lacey understood comedians needed to be respected. That’s the reason why young comics such as Jay Leno, Kevin Nealon, Jerry Seinfeld, Garry Shandling, Jimmy Brogan keep coming back. It’s why Seinfeld and Roseanne Barr worked out their new stand-up routines in Hermosa Beach after their hit shows ended.
In January, that respect was reciprocated when Lacey was named Man of the Year by the Hermosa Beach Chamber of Commerce.
“I just do my job and I’m glad to be doing it. This never entered my mind,” Lacey said. — KC
1018 Hermosa Ave, Hermosa Beach. (310) 372-1193. Comedy and Magic Club.com
Runner-up: Pancho’s. 3615 Highland Ave, Manhattan Beach. (310) 545-6670. PanchosRestaurant.com
