The upper level of The Mall at Wellington Green has a stretch of storefront between CMX Cinemas and Macy's in its southeast corner. As of this fall, 13,800 square feet of that formerly empty space is filled. Palm Beach Improv takes about 11,000 of those square feet, and its sister company, Copper Blues Rock Pub & Kitchen, takes the rest.
The comedy club's history shows how big the shift is. Palm Beach Improv anchored CityPlace in West Palm Beach for about twenty years. In 2023 the Related Cos. chose to build office space where the club stood, and the club had to find a new home. Stet News reported that it now sits at State Road 7 and Forest Hill Boulevard and opened September 4, in time for Labor Day weekend.
The mall has spent 2026 building around that corner. A bigger arcade with its own kitchen and bar opened downstairs in June, and a bar and live-music room opened beside the Improv in October. Taken together, the mall now has dinner, a show and a nightcap under one roof at the corner of State Road 7 and Forest Hill.
The Room Next Door Was Designed as the Improv's Bar
Copper Blues held its public grand opening on Friday, October 16, and Saturday, October 17, with live music, food and drinks all weekend. The Town-Crier describes it as the comedy club's official bar and restaurant. You can eat there before a show or come back after it, and it also serves diners and music fans who aren't going to the Improv.
Copper Blues holds up to 275 guests between the bar and outdoor seating. The menu is American pub food, with Copper Nachos and Steak Frites, plus cocktails named for songs, like the Strawberry Fields and the Champagne Supernova. There are happy hour specials, and brunch is on the way.
Robby Day, a partner and co-founder of Copper Blues, told the Town-Crier that he wants it to be "a place where people can come together for a night out, whether they're joining us for dinner, drinks, live music or a show next door."
On Copper Blues' own Palm Beach location page, the music plan runs like this:
- Acoustic performers during happy hour
- Full bands on weekend nights
- Cover bands with no cover charge
- A rotation of DJs, tribute bands and special events
Gold Coast Wave lists the doors opening at 4 p.m. on weekdays and 11 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. It gives a 2 a.m. close on Friday and Saturday, while at least one other October listing says 3 a.m., so call ahead if you're planning a late night.
Chris Carbo, the Improv's owner and operator, described the décor to Stet News as "modern cozy." The walls carry photographs of Wellington and Palm Beach, including polo horses, the Flagler Bridge and The Breakers.
What the Stage Holds Through New Year's Eve
According to Stet News, the Improv opened with Nate Jackson's Big Dog Comedy Tour on September 4–6, the first of more than 40 shows booked before New Year's Eve. Carbo said the lineup mixes established names with comedians who built their audiences on TikTok, YouTube and podcasts. "Everything's changing in this industry," he told Stet News. "YouTubers and streamers sometimes want to sell tickets to their podcasts."
That mix shows up in the next two months. Here are selected dates from the club's official November and December calendars:
| Dates | Headliner | Listed start times |
|---|---|---|
| Nov. 6–7 | Ralph Barbosa | 7 and 9:30 p.m. |
| Nov. 12 | Jeff Dye | 7:30 p.m. |
| Nov. 19 | Tony Baker | 7:30 p.m. |
| Nov. 20–21 | Danny Gonzalez | 7 and 9:30 p.m. |
| Nov. 27–29 | Adam Carolla | Nov. 27 at 6:30 and 9 p.m.; Nov. 28 at 6 and 8:30 p.m.; Nov. 29 at 6 p.m. |
| Dec. 3–6 | Damon Wayans | Dec. 3 at 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 4 at 7 p.m.; Dec. 5–6 at 6 p.m. |
| Dec. 9 | Open Mic Night | 7:30 p.m. |
| Dec. 18–19 | Trey Kennedy | Dec. 18 at 6:30 and 9 p.m. |
| Dec. 20 | Michael Winslow | 6 p.m. |
| Dec. 30–31 | Gianmarco Soresi | Dec. 30 at 7 p.m.; Dec. 31 at 7 and 10 p.m. |
Adam Carolla's run starts the Friday after Thanksgiving, so it's an easy plan when family is visiting. Have-Nots Comedy also plays on November 25 and 29 and December 23 and 28, for anyone who wants a smaller booking around the holidays.
Stet News printed an earlier version of the lineup in August, and some dates have changed since then. Go by the club's current calendar when you buy tickets.
House Rules That Shape the Evening
Since the Improv and Copper Blues share a wall, the club's policies decide how you'll spend the hours on either side of the show. From the Improv's FAQ page:
- Two-drink minimum per person. Nonalcoholic drinks count toward it. Food and drinks are not included in the ticket price.
- Age rules depend on the night. Most shows are 21 and over. Shows Monday through Thursday, late shows on Friday, and Sunday shows admit guests 18 and over, unless a particular show's ticket page says otherwise.
- Doors open an hour before showtime. A show runs about 90 minutes.
- Buy ahead. Tickets may not be available at the door. All sales are final, with no refunds or exchanges. The box office takes phone orders from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Parking is free in the mall's outdoor lots. The upper-level entrances near the cinema are the closest.
If you have a 7 p.m. ticket, doors open at 6, so dinner at Copper Blues at 5 gets you to your seat without rushing. With a 9:30 p.m. late show you can do it the other way around: eat at the Improv while you work through the drink minimum, then go next door afterward if the band is still playing.
Downstairs, Arcade Time Moved Toward the Same Crowd
The upper level wasn't the only change. Arcade Time moved from its old second-floor spot to a 13,000-square-foot space on the first level next to the food court. It opened in late June 2026 with billiards, retro and modern arcade games, and a full-service kitchen and bar. The Town-Crier covered the ribbon-cutting on July 8.
The new space is aimed at a broader audience than the old one. In the mall's announcement, the concept is described as one for families during the day and for young adults and adults in the evening, with food, drinks and games together. Arcade Time had just been named the top arcade in the United States in the 41st BCM Design Awards.
Owner Jonathan Demare said in the mall operator's July announcement that guests "are looking for more than just an arcade, they're looking for innovative entertainment destinations that bring together gaming, great food, and social experiences under one roof."
Mall general manager Asad Sadiq said the same thing in October when Copper Blues opened. He called it "another important step in the Mall at Wellington Green's continued evolution into a premier destination for dining and entertainment, in addition to specialized retail," and told the Town-Crier the mall wants to give guests reasons to "stay longer."
The Improv, Copper Blues and Arcade Time now take up close to 27,000 square feet of the mall, all opened or relocated since late June. The movie theater was already there. Everything since then has been built around the hours after dinner.
The Mall's Own Dates This Season
The mall is adding family events to the same calendar, according to its events page:
- Mall-o-Ween Trick or Treating: Saturday, October 31, 5–7 p.m.
- Santa's Arrival | Kid's Club: Saturday, November 14, 5–7 p.m.
- Musicthon: Saturday, December 5, 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
Mall-o-Ween falls two days after this post goes up and ends at 7 p.m. That leaves time for a 7:30 or 9:30 show later that night, or for a band at Copper Blues once the kids are home.
A comedy headliner, a band and a game of billiards are now a short walk apart at State Road 7 and Forest Hill. If you'd like a local read on what's opening around the village or what's changing near your street, LUXE IQ Group follows these openings closely and is happy to talk. Get in Touch.
