Bottlerocket lures Upright Citizens Brigade to Pittsburgh
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Comedian Caleb Hearon performs at Bottlerocket. Photo: Courtesy of Bottlerocket Social Hall
Comedy powerhouse Upright Citizens Brigade is joining forces with Bottlerocket Social Hall to launch a new training center in Pittsburgh — its first ever outside of New York and Los Angeles.
Why it matters: It's a big win for the city's comedy scene and for Allentown, a quirky, eclectic neighborhood that's become a magnet for unconventional art, comedy and music.
What they're saying: "We think Allentown will become a destination for funny people," says Bottlerocket co-founder Chris Copen. "This has always been a creative, oddball community."
Context: The team behind UCB has joined Bottlerocket as an investment partner, Copen said Monday.
- Bottlerocket will operate under the same leadership as UCB and Abso Lutely Productions, owned by Tim Heidecker and Eric Wareheim and known for producing cult favorites like "Nathan for You," "The Eric Andre Show," and "Tim and Eric Awesome Show."
Zoom in: The training center will occupy office space along Warrington Avenue. More details will be available in the coming months, Copen said.
- Bottlerocket staff and seasoned local performers will lead most classes at the new center, with an artistic director from a UCB hub taking the helm — either on a rotating basis or in a long-term role.
- The venue plans to keep its team and signature retro look, and Copen will continue to lead operations, he said in a news release.
- The new training center will build on Bottlerocket's existing comedy and DJ classes and will join other comedy programs in the city, like Arcade Comedy Theater's Academy.
The intrigue: Founded in the late '90s by comedy icons including Amy Poehler, UCB offers a full slate of classes and workshops covering improv, sketch, TV writing and more at its training centers, per its website — similar to Second City in Chicago.
- Notable UCB alumni include Kate McKinnon, Donald Glover, Bowen Yang and Bobby Moynihan.
Flashback: Talent management company Mosaic founder Jimmy Miller, a Pittsburgh native and former mentor to Copen, and The Onion's ex-CEO Mike McAvoy purchased UCB in 2022.
Zoom out: A 1970s-style time-capsule bar, Bottlerocket has been a cornerstone of Pittsburgh's music and comedy scene since opening in 2022, showcasing homegrown talent and drawing acts like Joe Pera and Please Don't Destroy to Allentown.
- The neighborhood pulls in celebs even when they're not performing — Will Ferrell, one of Miller's clients, was spotted dining at Alla Famiglia earlier this year.
What's next: Bottlerocket and UCB plan to expand into new cities, but the current focus remains on building out the experience in Allentown, McAvoy said.
- "We know that Bottlerocket is a very special place, and a very Pittsburgh place," said McAvoy in a news release. "We're not looking to change anything about that. We're eager to add Bottlerocket's team to our own, and support their ambitions to expand in Pittsburgh and beyond."
Bottlerocket is hosting an informal town hall at 7:30pm Thursday to answer the public's questions.