D.C. expanded its humor options yesterday with the opening of Riot Act Comedy Theater in Penn Quarter. It’s the District’s second comedy club — the first being DC Improv on Connecticut Avenue.

Promoter John Xereas used to run Riot Act shows on occasion at the old HR-57 performance space on 14th Street NW, but the new Theater gives the concept a full-time home at the corner of 8th Street and E — and a massive space it is. Xereas is joined by members of the Bedrock Management team, experts of installing entertainment spaces into large basements. (Think Iron Horse Tap Room and Rocket Bar, both located in the neighborhood.) That said, it’s no surprise to find 13,000 square feet in use, including a basement theater space that can seat 330.

Newly renovated, it could stand a heavy injection of character in any form. If there weren’t a comic up front, it would be easy to mistake the theater for a multipurpose convention center room. But there are two bars — one outside the theater and one on the street level by the entrance, a nice place to sit with its floor and ceiling windows. The beer list is very respectable, featuring a 21st Amendment Black IPA, Abita Amber and 6 others on tap.

Admission to shows — which will include local and national headliners on Thursday-Sunday weekends, open mic nights on Tuesdays, and Wednesday theme nights such as “Gay-Larious” and “Geek Comedy Tour” — run between $15 and $20 on average, with a two menu item minimum in the showroom.