The Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase is back to hosting stand-up comedians after closing for nearly six months to relocate.

The comedy club had a soft opening in its new space at 212 S. Fourth Ave. the weekend of Oct. 17. Owner Claudia Neeb said the club sold 80 tickets to its Friday night show, and 140 tickets to the Saturday show.

“We got really good feedback from comics,” Neeb said. “The comics love the low showroom because it’s just a more intimate feel and they said the energy from stage was great.”

The Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase closed nearly six months ago in the basement of the VFW Hall building at 314 E. Liberty St., below the former Seva Restaurant. Seva relocated to the Westgate shopping center, and Jerusalem Garden signed a lease to take over the East Liberty Street building.

Neeb was hoping for a more seamless transition from the comedy club’s East Liberty Street location to South Fourth Avenue, but there were several construction delays.

The new space is in the basement of the Montgomery Building, which is being redeveloped by Barbat Holdings LLC. Several vacant spaces at the street-level are listed for lease, the facade of the building is getting a makeover and 30 housing units are being constructed atop the existing structure.

Neeb said comedy club customers should be aware the building is under construction. The club will eventually be handicap accessible, but Neeb is waiting for an elevator to be installed in the building.

The club has about the same number of seats – 250 – as the last location. Updates include: new tiered seating, a drink rail and holding rooms separate from the showroom where customers can have drinks before shows.

The bar is now located outside the showroom so it's less disruptive to customers and comedians.

“Overall, I like the layout,” Neeb said. “The way the room is tiered and the drink rail is nice. It makes the room more theater-style and comfortable.”

The Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase began in 1984 as the Main Street Comedy Showcase above the Heidelberg Restaurant. It moved underneath Seva Restaurant in 1987.

The showcase has shows booked through the beginning of December. Visit the club's website for more information on upcoming shows.

Lizzy Alfs is a business reporter for The Ann Arbor News. Reach her at 734-255-2638, email her lizzyalfs@mlive.com or follow her on Twitter.