Beneath the cool, familiar glow of the historic Coca-Cola landmark sign on Third Street, Jeremy White feels like he is home again.
After more than two years, and three different venue changes, White is eager to get the Downtown Comedy District back into a weekly routine.
The DCD is White’s brainchild, an open mic night where anyone who is willing is given the chance to perform stand-up comedy.
For the first time in a long time, the DCD has found a permanent home on the corner of Third and Florida Streets at the newly opened Inferno Room at Dante’s Bistro, which, coincidentally enough, is the site of their first comedy night.  
The venue was called Richoux’s then, and from July 2003 until June 2004, Wednesday nights were comedy nights.
White, University graduate in mechanical engineering, launched the open mic comedy night that in its first year alone, gave more than 100 amateurs and professionals the chance to try their hand at stand-up comedy in front of a live audience.
When Pete Richoux, the former owner of Richoux’s, sold his bar last summer, White said his comedy night moved down the street to Swamp Mama’s, and kept their Wednesday night slot. Unfortunately, Swamp Mama’s was primarily a Blues venue, and Wednesday could not be guaranteed as different events came and went, White said.
After Swamp Mama’s changed owners, White said the DCD moved to SoGo Live.
“We were still downtown, but it wasn’t the best set up for comedy,” White said. “Laughter is contagious and SoGo is just so huge, it just wasn’t conducive to comedy.”
After Richoux’s closed, Parrot Beach took over the space.
    When White learned Parrot Beach closed to make room for Dante’s Bistro, things began to look up.
    During the day, the venue functions as a restaurant called Dante’s Bistro. At night, the atmosphere changes to a club called The Inferno Room.
    Eric Broussard, manager of The Inferno Room at Dante’s Bistro, said he was happy to accommodate White and the DCD. Broussard and White settled on Tuesday nights as comedy night at The Inferno Room.
    ”It feels like coming home,” White said. “It’s just like Richoux’s, only cleaned up and updated. And we’re always the same night every week from now on. ”
    For audience regulars Nealisa Fontenot and Art Lindsay, coming back each week is a stress reliever.
    ”It’s midway through the week and a great way to break it up,” Lindsay said. “I always go back to work the next day energized.”
    Lindsay said he has only missed about five shows since the establishment of the comedy night. He said he knows the comedy style of the regular performers, and always looks forward to hearing new material each week.
    ”There are a lot of different styles represented,” Lindsay said. “It’s really neat seeing the new guys go up there. Sometimes they are funny, other times they are not, but no matter what, I’ve always gotten my $3 worth.”
Contact Meghan Legaux at [email protected]