“What’s up Detroit!” Mike Epps screamed into a microphone, grooving on stage to the beat of R&B classic “Cutie Pie” by the hometown band One Way. 

Hundreds of people packed into the cherry red, 400-seat showroom of downtown’s newest comedy club screamed back at the popular comedian and actor, snapping pictures and taking videos. 

Dressed to the nines in a throwback kind of way, as if they’re attending a party during the Harlem Renaissance, women donned glittery black and silver gowns, high heels, elaborate headdresses and men were decked out in their finest suits, gators and hats. 

“Where’s the east side at?” Epps asked the crowd. “Where’s the west side at?” 

The entertainer has much to celebrate with the opening of his new club, One Mike Detroit. The comedy spot kicked off last month with a “Harlem Nights” themed gala. Performers included Epps, national comics Dominique Witten and Henry Welch, local comedians J Will and CoCo and R&B group The Whispers. 

The entertainment venue features the showroom for comedy acts and concerts and the  restaurant and bar Day Day’s, named after Epps’ character from the “Friday” movies. 

Steve and ShaWanna Gajewski sat at a table in the Day Day’s section of the club, the Southfield couple in matching red ensembles said they were amazed at what they saw.

“We’ll definitely come back here for date night,” ShaWanna said.

Club co-owner and CEO Kimberly Moore said she wants One Mike to be a comedy destination.

“We really want to showcase the talent that we have in Detroit,” she said. “We’re trying to develop our own place where comedians can come to test out material. It’s a stepping stone to the next level of their development.” 

‘Def Comedy Jam,’ Detroit style 

Moore said Epps began talking about opening a Detroit comedy club in 2022. Detroiter Robert Schultz, who has worked with the comedian for more than 20 years in event management, signed on as co-owner and COO, along with Moore and fellow co-owner Rev. Horace Sheffield. 

The team visited places across the city to find a potential space, but an opportunity presented itself when Bedrock showed them the downtown building formerly occupied by Punch Bowl Social at 1331 Broadway, Moore said. 

“We honestly just wanted a place that had a room that could hold 200 people and a kitchen, but this opportunity through Bedrock really provided us more than we could ever imagine,” she said. 

The team began work renovating the 24,000-square-foot space last winter, totaling around $3 million. Moore said contractors had to take out a  bowling alley and make sure the building could host hundreds of people at one time. 

Detroiters got a sneak peek of the business when the One Mike restaurant opened in May. While the showroom was under construction, guests were still able to hear jokes through the restaurant’s “Tickle Me Tuesdays.” 

While downtown is home to fellow comedy club Detroit House of Comedy, One Mike is specifically focused on highlighting Black comedians in the city, Moore said. 

Will, the comedian, said he wants the venue to eventually become Detroit’s version of the former HBO show, “Def Comedy Jam” and BET’s “ComicView,” where local comics have the opportunity to be on national TV and get exposure. 

“This is definitely a place that’s going to give Detroiters somewhere where they can feel those types of shows,” he said. “In New York and California, they all got shows where they spotlight their talent on TV and then they get picked up on BET. This is going to be a big opportunity for local comedians to actually get to spotlight their talent in a real comedy club that could lead to a lot of different opportunities.” 

Creating an entertainment complex 

Moore said she and the other owners have an aggressive plan to create the next comedy superstar in Detroit, like wiring One Mike’s showroom for sound and video to shoot comedy specials and selling merchandise featuring local comics and promoting their brands. 

She’s also working to bring national comedians to the stage, too. Michael Colyar will perform at One Mike Feb. 17 and Melanie Comarcho will be there Feb. 23 and 24. 

Music is also on tap, with a Luther Vandross tribute concert and dinner on Valentine’s Day and R&B singer Jarrod Lawson performing March 2.  

Moore said she, Schultz and Sheffield want the space to be a “playground” where people can hang out all day. 

“We have a wonderful restaurant, we have a bar, we have this beautiful showroom,” she said. “Eventually, we’ll have a private membership-based lounge upstairs. It’s a place where people can come and stay all day.” 

Jutuan Brown will definitely be back. The downtown Detroit resident said she enjoyed Epps’ short set during the opening gala and the food, noting the “macaroni and cheese is to die for.” 

Brown said she is also happy Epps, an Indianapolis native, decided to open a comedy club in Detroit. 

“He trusted Detroit and invested in Detroit. We love us some Mike Epps,” she said. 

Will, who has been on the comedy circuit for 13 years, said it was an honor to perform at the grand opening and he intends to stay committed to the club’s success.

“Mike is one of the best human beings,” he said. “Even without the comedy, he would still be a good person to talk to and get to know. 

“We’re gonna do our part to make sure it (the club) stays here,” he added. “We’re going to make it one of the best comedy clubs in the country. If you come in here, you’re gonna laugh.”