Don’t laugh. A Broadway comedy bar by night is hoping to help neighborhood food and drink startups grow in a Capitol Hill “food court” by day.

Comedy/Bar is hoping to use its venue as a stage to give a boost to a collection of Capitol Hill mobile and delivery ventures while also stretching its own food and drink menu into daylight hours.

“As a small business owner, I understand how difficult it could be for places that operate primarily in the evening and night to try to maximize their product and to try to make more money, because they’re paying rent 24 hours per day,” owner Dane Hesseldahl says. “We had this idea. We have all of this space. We have this large kitchen and we have this great bar—and it sits empty all day.”

So, the Broadway Food Court has been born, putting the Broadway comedy club just a block from Capitol Hill Station into the area’s daytime and lunchtime mix.

To start, menu items from four Broadway restaurants are filling Comedy/Bar during the day. TJs Tacos will feature their Cali Burrito and Adobado Tacos. Maze Ramen and Mongolian Beef Stew from Star Fusion Sushi will be available. Big Dumpling Energy from Corvus & Co. will use the space to highlight their Lemongrass Beef Dumplings and Hangry Buddha Vegan Dumplings, and Noches En Oaxaca will provide Quesabirria and Al Pastor Tacos. Comedy/Bar’s own menu of JoJos, Dope Boy Chicken Sandwich and the Double Slug Burger is also available.

Noches En Oaxaca is a good example of the potential. The new resident in the kitchen across the street at Nacho Borracho provides counter service to keep patrons at the bar happy and full every night. Their addition to the Broadway Food Court menu provides an easier way to put their offerings in front of daytime customers without the need to staff a full restaurant set-up.

“I picked the places I like. I wanted to pick a diverse set of restaurants and cuisines,” Hesseldahl said. “We’re really excited about the menu and we’re really excited about the concept.”

Even if this idea doesn’t catch on, finding more ways to put Capitol Hill’s most popular nightlife venues into motion by day has appeal. For the businesses, sharing a space can leverage lease and upkeep costs. For the neighborhood, daytime business can help keep blocks activated and interesting.

Hesseldahl describes Broadway Food Court as a low-risk operation as a small percentage of sales will be taken from each individual menu, and Comedy/Bar will receive ingredients and menu expertise from the restaurants. He hopes the neighborhood will stop by for lunch or a drink to bring awareness to the diverse food scene, while enjoying the variety.

“I like the nightlife businesses that are all over here, and I think there’s space for all of us to thrive,” Hesseldahl said. “I think the more people that come up here and have a great time wherever they go, the more likely they are to come back and seek out new entertainment.”

The Broadway Food Court is now open 11 AM to 2 PM daily inside Comedy/Bar at 210 Broadway E. Learn more at comedyslashbar.com.

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