Santa Ana Star Casino Hotel in Albuquerque, NM announced Monday that a new comedy club will be opening in December.
Quezada’s Comedy Club & Cantina, named after local comedian, actor and politician Steven Michael Quezada will open Dec. 8 as Santa Ana will once again welcome professional comedians from around the nation while growing opportunities for local performers. The newly remodeled space features a showroom for live comedy every Friday and Saturday, as well as a cantina to enjoy quick bites, cocktails and an eclectic environment.
In June, Santa Ana Star Casino Hotel opened its new Legends Sportsbook, a newly constructed area within the casino featuring live ticket writers, self-serve betting kiosks, real-time in-game betting with a video and sound system.
The new sportsbook replaced the space of The Star’s nightclub, The Stage, which hosted several comedy acts. Construction for Quezada’s Comedy Club & Cantina began in August. The new venue replaces the space of The Star’s Cantina Rio.
“We are thrilled to bring standup comedy back to The Star,” Santa Ana Star Casino Hotel CEO John Cirrincione said. “We have worked hard to design a club that accommodates the needs of comedy fans and professional comedians. Steven’s experience and insights as a 40-year touring comedian were extremely valuable to this process. We believe we have developed the best comedy venue in the Southwest. As a lifelong New Mexican and professional comedian, Steven has proudly represented New Mexico across the U.S. We are ecstatic that Steven is now part of The Star family.”
Quezada has been a professional touring comedian for more than 40 years and has reached global success with his role as Agent Steven Gomez on “Breaking Bad” and “Better Call Saul.”
“Working with Santa Ana Star on this project has been a dream come true. Not only do I get to invite my favorite comedians to see how enthusiastic New Mexican comedy fans can be, I get to help grow comedy in my own home town,” Quezada said. “We plan on incorporating local comedians into our shows to help them grow their performance skills while showing off the diversity and unique elements of New Mexico. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”
Quezada’s Comedy Club & Cantina is scheduled to open Dec. 8 with Quezada headlining the first weekend’s shows. Tickets are on sale through the website Quezadas.com, with more shows being added.
Booked so far are Erik Griffin, Frankie Quinones, Becky Robinson, Dusty Slay, Carlos Ballarta, Chris Estrada and more.
“Guests can expect to get up close and personal with the nation’s top comedians at Quezada’s Comedy Club & Cantina,” Cirrincione said. “The acts we have scheduled range from rising stars to veteran standups, and they are all guaranteed to make you laugh. Quezada’s Comedy Club & Cantina compliments the rest of Santa Ana Star’s amenities and keeps the same commitment to offering a fun, safe and quality-driven entertainment experience.”
Quezada’s seats up to 300 guests in the 6,500 square-foot, state-of-the-art showroom. Comedy shows are scheduled at 7 p.m. each Friday and Saturday shows at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Purchasing advance tickets online will guarantee a seat for the selected performance. Similar to comedy clubs around the nation, the assignment of specific seats is first come-first served once checked-in, so guests are encouraged to arrive an hour before the show.
To eliminate disturbances during the show, ordering will be available through QR codes located on each table with the entire venue being cashless, accepting debit and credit cards only with gratuity included in the price. The Quezada showroom and adjoining Quezada Cantina offers classic burgers and chicken tenders with some twists like the Gomie Hoagie and the Quezada Tostada. The Cantina will open at 4 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays with a full-service bar featuring both blended and hand-crafted margaritas. Guests must be 21 years of age or older to enter Quezada’s Cantina and Comedy showroom.
“Our goal was to create the best comedy experience possible. It’s all about people having fun and letting go of the daily grind, a place to chill and laugh with people all wishing to have a great night out,” Quezada said. “Whether it’s a first date or going out with family and friends, Quezada’s will be a good time for everyone. We’re ready for live comedy shows, taping comedy specials, live-streaming and pre-recorded podcast performances, plus an array of other entertainment options. It’s time to make New Mexico the comedy capital of the Southwest.”
