Helium Comedy Club hit with class action over hidden ‘junk fees’

Helium Comedy Club class action overview:

• Who: Four consumers filed a class action lawsuit against Center Stage Comedy L.P.
• Why: The plaintiffs allege the company engaged in drip pricing on its website.
• Where: The Helium Comedy Club class action was filed in Pennsylvania federal court.

AA new class action lawsuit alleges Helium Comedy Club advertised lower prices for its tickets than what consumers actually paid.

Lead plaintiff Grace Jonas filed the class action complaint against Center Stage Comedy L.P. on May 28 in Pennsylvania federal court, alleging violations of state consumer protection laws.

According to the Helium Comedy Club drip pricing class action lawsuit, the company engaged in “drip pricing” by advertising a lower price for tickets and then adding hidden fees at checkout.

Drip pricing is a deceptive practice where a company advertises one price for a product or service and then adds hidden fees at the last stage of the transaction, the plaintiffs explain, adding that the hidden fees make it difficult for consumers to determine the true cost of a purchase until they are about to complete the transaction.

Helium Comedy Club charged ‘service fee’ at checkout, plaintiffs say

The plaintiffs claim they each purchased tickets to comedy shows at one of Helium’s comedy clubs through its website. They allege the prices of these tickets were misleadingly advertised as lower than the total prices they would ultimately pay after Helium added its “junk fees” at checkout.

For example, Jonas says she purchased a ticket for a comedy show at Helium’s Philadelphia club in January. The purchase totaled $102.44, but Helium initially advertised the ticket for $89, she claims.

Jonas argues she was charged a mandatory $8.99 “service charge” that was not initially disclosed, plus $4.45 in taxes.

The plaintiffs claim they relied on the advertised price when deciding to purchase the tickets. They say Helium’s drip pricing made it impossible for them to compare the cost of Helium’s tickets to the cost of attending other events.

The lawsuit asserts claims for violations of Pennsylvania, Missouri and Indiana consumer protection laws and unjust enrichment. The plaintiffs are seeking class certification, damages, restitution and other relief.

In other recent “drip pricing” lawsuits, Tyler Technologies is accused of charging junk fees to reserve campsites at Reserve California, while Lake Compounce allegedly charges hidden fees for its amusement park tickets.

What do you think about the allegations in this Helium Comedy Club class action lawsuit? Join the discussion in the comments.

The plaintiffs are represented by Patrick Howard of Saltz Mongeulzzi & Bendesky P.C., Lynn A. Toops and Ian R. Bensberg of CohenMalad LLP and Christopher D. Jennings and Tyler B. Ewigleben of Jennings & Earley PLLC.

The Helium Comedy Club class action is Jonas, et al. v. Center Stage Comedy L.P., Case No. 2:25-cv-02698, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

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