First there was the Comedy Zone in Dave and Buster’s; then the Chicago Comedy Festival decided to center its stand-up events at Navy Pier. It makes sense, then, that the city’s newest club would also want to take the funny to the people.

Jokeaholics Anonymous, a full-time stand-up comedy club, will open this Tuesday in one of Chicago’s best areas for high foot traffic: The downstairs food court at the Thompson Center. Shows will take place at 8pm Friday and Saturday night, as well as special matinee performances Tuesday and Wednesday from noon–1pm. Tickets are $40, and require a three drink minimum (guess comedy really does come in threes…), but include "all the bourbon chicken samples you can eat" from nearby Peking Buffet, says club owner and talent booker Mitzer Friedman.

"Our talent roster is one of the best monikered in the business," says Friedman, who cut his teeth as VP of Sales with Laugh Infection clubs. So far, comics who’ve signed on for shows include Max "My Wife and Kids Are Nuts!" Buddy, Samuel "Mad Props" Prasty and Shane "Handsy" Butterscotch.

Local comics who want to talk to Friedman about being booked can reach him at mitzerf@jokeaholicsanonymous.dui.com.

Is this some kind of joke? Yes, actually. The above was part of TOC’s 2008 April Fool’s issue. Read more about it here.