Comedian Dee Lee at his St. Louis House of Comedy

Comedian Dee Lee has moved his laughs from the heart of Laclede’s Landing to the buzzed-over retail strip at the Tudor Building downtown on Washington Avenue (1925 Washington Ave.)

He says he had to do this with his St. Louis House of Comedy because the “party” that is Laclede’s Landing became too much.

“The Landing is strictly for party-goers, and I started seeing that every weekend. People were coming down to drink and party, and it was taking away from my audience here having a good time,” says Lee. “The comedy audience is mature. The party audience is party driven.”

He also says parking became a huge issue for his patrons, particularly when there was a St. Louis Rams game in town.

He remedied the situation by moving to 1925 Washington Avenue on the budding strip that already includes Smoking Joe’s Bar-Be-Que and the City nightclub. “I see this as being a hip strip,” says Lee, who moved there after two years on Laclede’s Landing.

Lee says the new St. Louis House of Comedy is more spacious, comfortable, and warm. He points to its updated look and large windows so passer-bys can peep the scene inside from the sidewalk. “It’s more of a social scene now,” he says.

The comedy room, separate from the large waiting area with a bar, pool table, box office and more, including “an in your face feel. When the comics stop on the stage they go ‘whoa, I’m feeling this.’

He concedes there are a few blind spots in the room, but says “I’m letting you know that up front. But it’s still cozy and intimate, and I did it from scratch.”

As he did on Laclede’s Landing, Lee will continue to strive for a diverse lineup of comedians. “I never wanted to be known as the black comedy club. I want to be the comedy club, where people can walk through the door and relieve the tension of everyday life.”

Paul Mooney, Deon Cole, Turae Gordon, Arvin Mitchell and others already performed at the new spot. Upcoming are Kevin Hart, Charlie Murphy, Earthquake, Bill Bellamy, Jay Oakerson, and Dominique. He’s also eyeing Adele Givens and Sheryl Underwood.

This weekend, Friday-Sunday, it’s Doug Williams, host of Martin Lawence’s “1^st Amendment Standup,” followed by the grand opening Sept. 5-6 with Rodman.

The weekly lineup planned is football night on Monday, amateur night on Tuesday (tentatively), comedy and karaoke on Wednesday, Soul Sessions on Thursday, and national headliners Friday-Sunday.

Get more information at www.stlhouseofcomedy.com or by calling 314 241-5233.