Downtown Springfield Association
News Stories

Skinny Improv Founder to Open Downtown Social Club

February 13, 2018


Monk’s Social Club, downtown Springfield’s next entertainment destination, is coming this spring.

Jeff Jenkins, the founder of the Skinny Improv and the newly-minted Queen City Conservatory, announced the project on Facebook earlier this afternoon. According to Jenkins, Monk’s is an “immersive entertainment experience” that will “bring together downtown Springfield’s performing arts scene for a dynamic entertainment experience you won’t find anywhere else.” Jenkins explains that Monk’s will offer a wide variety of entertainment programming including karaoke, comedy open mics and a competitive improv league.

Monk’s will also offer upscale entertainment including live jazz and a vaudeville-inspired comedy show.

Perhaps most importantly, Monk’s marks the return of Springfield entertainment juggernaut Skinny Improv. According to Jenkins, Skinny Improv’s award-winning improv show helped launch Springfield’s steadily growing comedy scene. “Skinny Improv’s timeless energy and performance stylings will be on display at Monk’s during Skinny Improv Saturdays,” says Jenkins, explaining that the show will include musical comedy, sketch comedy and the classic techniques that locals know and love from the original reign of the Skinny Improv.

Monks Social Club is preparing to launch at 504 W. College Street in the former home of College Street Bar and Arcade. The location is in the heart of downtown’s entertainment district with high-profile neighbors including Springfield Brewing Company, Kingdom Coffee, Lost Signal Brewing Company, Mother’s Brewing Company and more.

“We’re excited to complement the ever-growing arts and entertainment scene in downtown Springfield,” says Jenkins. “We’re on the cusp of something great here.”