Project Overview
For its reopening, Louisville Comedy Club turned to Louisville Custom Signs with a clear objective: to introduce two standout exterior signs — one for the club itself, and one for its adjacent venue, the Barrel Bar. Both signs needed to command attention, visually unify the brand, and be mounted on glass — a challenge that eliminated traditional installation methods from the outset.
Adding to the complexity, the project also involved a redesign of the club’s logo, which had to be optimized for fabrication without compromising the original design intent.
Challenges
Glass Mounting Constraints:
Glass does not allow for direct mounting of channel letters due to its fragility and lack of structural support. The signage required a floating design approach to prevent stress on the glass surface.
Logo Design & Fabrication Conflicts:
The original Barrel Bar logo featured fine lines that were incompatible with standard channel letter construction, which requires a minimum stroke width to accommodate returns, trim caps, and internal LED components.
Design & Engineering Solution
The team proposed two primary solutions:
1. Ceiling-Suspended Mounting System
To eliminate stress on the glass façade, both signs were suspended from the ceiling using precision-mounted aluminum support posts. This approach ensured clear visibility through the window while maintaining structural stability.
2. Push-Through Acrylic Box Construction
Instead of conventional channel letters, the signs were fabricated as push-through acrylic boxes. This method:
Preserved the design integrity of both logos
Enhanced finish quality and edge illumination
Eliminated the need for a backer panel, which would have been required for channel letters
Technical Breakdown
Louisville Comedy Club Sign:
Dimensions: 75.1” W x 48” H
Total Area: 25.03 sq ft
Construction: Illuminated aluminum box with individual lit boxes for “COMEDY”
Letter Details: ½” acrylic push-through letters with colored vinyl
Mounting: Suspended from aluminum beams secured to existing structural elements
Barrel Bar Sign:
Dimensions: 123” W x 48” H
Total Area: 40.95 sq ft
Construction: Single push-through acrylic logo within an illuminated aluminum box
Finish: Combination of white, black, and wood-tone vinyl
Mounting: Ceiling-suspended via aluminum pipe framework
Outcome
The completed signage system is bold, modern, and built to last. Both signs are UL listed, internally illuminated with LEDs, and installed using a non-invasive system that avoids compromising the glass façade. The final result delivers consistent visual branding for both venues and strengthens Louisville Comedy Club’s presence in the city’s entertainment district.
This project demonstrates how thoughtful fabrication and mounting strategies can turn architectural challenges into high-impact signage opportunities.
