Luke Watson & Scott Field | Third Coast Comedy

Co-Founders of Third Coast Comedy Club

Scott Field and Luke Watson are the co-founders of Third Coast Comedy Club. In this video, they share how a Craigslist ad, a creative community, and a lot of hustle helped them build one of Nashville’s most beloved comedy venues.

What businesses do you run?

Scott Field and Luke Watson are the co-founders and co-owners of Third Coast Comedy Club, a Nashville-based venue offering improv, stand-up, and sketch comedy. The business has three core components: a bar (food and beverage), a training center, and ticketed live performances. Nearly a decade in, Third Coast has become a go-to space for local talent and comedy fans alike.

How did you get started as an entrepreneur?

Their journey started the way most great comedy bits do—unexpectedly. After over a year of searching, they found their current Marathon Village location through a Craigslist ad. The space was a denim factory up until just weeks before they moved in.

The early days were powered by the community. Friends and fellow comedians pitched in wherever they could. There was no way the two of them could’ve done it alone. That strong community support became the foundation of their business.

How do you think about growth in your current business? How do you plan for the future?

Growth, for Scott and Luke, has meant learning to value the unsexy stuff—creating processes, writing manuals, and setting clear standards for both performers and audiences. It’s not flashy, but it’s how you scale something that lasts.

They also credit Nashville’s energy and creative spirit as a huge part of their success. The city attracts people with big ideas and hustle, exactly the kind of people who breathe life into a place like Third Coast.

What advice do you have for aspiring entrepreneurs?

In true comedic timing, they’ll say it in sync: Get an accountant. Beyond that, their advice is to embrace failure. You can’t move forward if you’re too afraid to mess up. You also need to be prepared for the grind. Days off? Rare. But when you accept that the hustle is part of the job, it gets easier to keep going.

And above all, seek counsel. Learn from the people who’ve done it before. Entrepreneurship doesn’t have to be a solo act—so surround yourself with smart voices and stay open.