“I have a passion for entertainment. ... I love to laugh, and I’m a jazz lover,” he said.
He and his wife, Tracey Hayes, opened Komedy Lounge in the Champions area in December 2020. While the couple are not performers themselves, Leonard said they each have a background in business and entrepreneurship.
The venue regularly holds events, including karaoke night, Sunday brunch shows, Latino night and ladies night on top of weekend performances by both local and national talent. The shows are hosted by Comedian Stick, who has toured internationally.
Of his accomplishments with the venue thus far, Leonard said he is most proud of giving a stage to a variety of local talent.
“In Houston, comedy is a big thing, but there’s not a lot of places to showcase it,” he said. “So any up-and-coming comics never have the opportunity or the stage [where] they can showcase [their] talent.”
An aspect that makes Komedy Lounge stand out, Leonard said, is the venue’s full-service restaurant. The kitchen serves up gourmet dishes, including brunch, steaks, pasta, salads and burgers, as well as cocktails named after famous comedians.
One challenge the Komedy Lounge has faced during the last year is competing with venues that are part of national chains, which Leonard said can afford to pay more-established comedians and musicians to perform exclusively at their locations, taking opportunities from smaller venues.
Despite these challenges, Leonard said he is proud the venue has survived, and he and Tracey have big hopes for the venue’s future.
“Due to ... the hardship [everyone has] been through over the past two years, people need laughter,” he said.
Komedy Lounge
5060 FM 1960 W., Houston
281-624-7654
www.komedylounge.com
Hours: Tue.-Wed. 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m., Thu. 11:30 p.m.-midnight, Fri.-Sat. 11:30 p.m. -2 a.m., Sun. 11 a.m.-10 p.m., closed Mon.
