CLAYTON — There’s a new option in town for an evening out.

Venero’s Pizza has partnered with Goodnights Comedy Club to present “Comedy on the Road”, a monthly series of entertainment held at the restaurant’s adjacent banquet facility Monti Hall.

Jimmy Venero, the pizzeria’s owner, said the new venture is a great way to spend an evening. Patrons can first dine in the restaurant and walk across the parking lot for a night of laughs. A full bar is available in Monti Hall and preferred seating will be given to those who have dined before the show.

The first performance was held on Dec. 22 and Venero said turnout was strong with about 50-60 in attendance. Monti Hall opened six years ago as a catering hall. It can accommodate 120 people and is usually used for rehearsal dinners, parties and luncheons.

“This is a great way for people to come in and see our facility,” said Venero. “I’m not in the comedy business but I am friends with the owner of Goodnights. They provide the entertainment and I offer food and drinks.”

A limited bar food menu is also be available for purchase in Monti Hall during show times.

Two more shows are scheduled for Friday, Jan. 25 and Saturday, Feb. 23. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at Venero’s Pizza or goodnightscomedy.com. Show times are 8 p.m.

Local comic Brad Reeder will headline this month’s show. An entertainer with 25 years’ experience, Reeder has worked in Las Vegas, appeared on the television show “Last Comic Standing” and opened for Jay Leno and Jerry Seinfeld. He co-owns Goodnights along with wife, Shannon.

“We were looking for something out in Clayton and didn’t realize there was a local banquet hall,” Reeder said. “This is a good fit for us. We will be bringing the same quality of entertainment to Clayton that you would see here at our location in Raleigh.”

Reeder noted comedian Jimmy “JJ” Walker, star of the television show “Good Times”, is scheduled to appear at Monti Hall in April.

Currently, it’s the only place in town to see a show since Laugh Out Loud Comedy Club closed their doors last fall. Venero says he would have been reluctant to enter the Goodnights partnership if that business was still in operation.

“Comedy clubs are tough,” he said. “We thought we’d give this a go. If the interest builds, we’ll start offering this all the time.”

For more information about “Comedy on the Road”, call 919-553-0761.