Open mics in New York City that won’t destroy you, probably (and how to find them)
Open mics have been described to me as scrimmages (for the non-athletic: play rehearsals) used to practice and improve before a real game (paid gigs). They are where you go to find your sea legs as a comedian, dump out your ideas, and fine-tune them before a show with an actual audience expecting to laugh. They are essential for any comedian starting out.
The problem? Open mics in most U.S. cities are full of angry swamp monsters. The crowd can be homogenous and unhappy to see you (or anyone new, especially a non-white dude) try stand-up comedy.
I have curated this list of supportive open mics in NYC (sorry other cities, it’s the only place I know). Although you have to know there’s no such thing as a 100% “safe space” in comedy (or the planet), there are pockets in the community where people’s instincts are to not tear you down.
Monday
Location: The Standing Room (LIC, Queens)
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Sign Up: Bucket (The first 5 to arrive get to perform in the first group)
Minutes: 4
Fee: Free
Description: Dudes primarily attend this mic, but the host creates a supportive vibe. Plus, the room is intimate, making it difficult for the other open mic-ers to ignore you. It’s a great mic to try out new material, and I feel safe bombing there because the scale makes it feel inconsequential.
Location: The Platform (Bushwick, Brooklyn)
Time: 8:30 PM
Sign Up: List (Get there early!)
Minutes: 4
Fee: Free
Description: Again, this is a mic that is attended by mostly dudes (and offensive ones at that). However, it’s hosted by someone who creates a supportive room. Plus, there are often real audience members watching. If a joke is funny, it will work here.
Location: Legion Bar (Bushwick, Brooklyn)
Fee: Free
Sign Up: Bucket
Minutes: 3
Description: This mic is hot and cold in terms of support (because it’s a last-stop mic in a comic’s day, and they’re all out of patience for a premise that is perhaps overdone or bizarre). However, it is run by two female comics and attracts an almost equal male-to-female ratio. What’s more, the mic is in an intimate, enclosed room so everyone is forced to listen, allowing you a decent read on your jokes.
Tuesday
Location: Precious Metal Bar (Bushwick, Brooklyn)
Time: 6:00 PM
Fee: Free
Sign Up: Bucket
Minutes: 3
Description: This mic could be intimidating for newcomers, because so many talented up-and-coming comics try their new jokes out here. However, the hosts create a supportive room, and there’s always a solid turnout of female comics. This mic is not diverse in age (everyone is in their 20s and 30s/tragically hip).
Location: Peaches Shrimp and Crab (Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn)
Time: 6:00 PM
Fee: Free
Sign Up: List
Minutes: 5
Description: This mic is hosted by two supportive, welcoming women. The audience doesn’t always listen, but it’s a great place to try new jokes or run a chunk of a longer set. The turnout is sparse, but is typically diverse, and because it’s at a restaurant (not a bar), anyone of any age can sign up.
Location: Creek and The Cave (Long Island City, Queens)
Time: 8:00 PM
Fee: Free
Sign Up: supopenmic@gmail.com
Minutes: 4-7
Description: This mic is specifically for women, queer, and gender-non-conforming folks. It is advertised as a “fun, cool mic with no bad vibes.” That’s as supportive as it gets!
Location: 61 Local (Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn)
Time: 9:00 PM
Fee: Free
Minutes: 3
Description: Probably my favorite in NYC, the “Moon Babies” open mic has a consistently fun, mixed turnout. There’s a positive energy to the room. The only downside is that it’s really popular; you might be waiting 2 hours to go up, performing for the five people that stick around until the end.
Wednesday
Location: The Duplex (West Village, Manhattan)
Time: 7:00 PM
Fee: 2 Drink Minimums
Sign Up: List
Minutes: 5
Description: You have to get to the mic incredibly early to sign up, and it’s quite expensive. However, it’s the only open mic I see older comics attend, the turnout is always diverse, and the host treats it like a show and has great energy.
Location: Halyards (Gowanus, Brooklyn)
Time: 7:00 PM
Fee: Free
Sign Up: List
Minutes: 4
Description: All open mics at Halyards are diverse and supportive. It’s a good place to go to get an honest read on jokes.
Thursday
Location: The PIT (Midtown Manhattan)
Time: 7:00 PM
Fee: $5
Sign Up: List
Minutes: 5
Description: An all-ladies mic, the room is supportive and is a good place to try new material. No more than 10 people are usually in attendance.
Friday
Location: Halyards (Gowanus, Brooklyn)
Time: 7:00 PM
Fee: Free
Sign Up: List
Minutes: 4
Description: Same vibe as the Wednesday mic. Great host!
Saturday
Location: The Village Lantern (West Village, Manhattan)
Time: 6:30 PM
Fee: 1 item minimum
Sign Up: List
Minutes: 5
Description: Again, an all-ladies mic. This one is sparsely attended, but is a great place to meet people when you’re starting out.It’s unintimidating and a solid place to learn how to get comfortable on stage.
Location: Cantina Royal (Williamsburg, Brooklyn)
Time: 6:00 PM
Fee: Free
Sign Up: Bucket
Minutes: 4
Description: It’s not the most diverse mic, but the vibe is welcoming and supportive. It’s your best mic option on a Saturday.
Sunday
Location: Precious Metal Bar (Bushwick, Brooklyn)
Time: 7:30 PM
Fee: Free
Sign Up: Bucket
Minutes: 3
Description: Same vibe as the Tuesday Precious Metal mic, but a little more laid-back.
Location: South 4th Bar (Williamsburg, Brooklyn)
Time: 8:00 PM
Fee: 1 Drink Minimum
Sign Up: Bucket
Minutes: 3:30
Description: This mic is run by two female comics and is generally supportive. The comics might be in the back of the room talking, but everyone is friendly. It’s a good place to meet people.
Location: Carmine Comics (West Village, Manhattan)
Time: 10:00 PM
Fee: $1
Sign Up: Bucket
Minutes: 3:30
Description: This mic is run by sweet-boy comic book nerds. It’s incredibly tiny, but a fun, non-intimidating space to try jokes.
PLUS
ANY mic at … (look at their calendars):
QED (Astoria, Queens).
Klimat Lounge (East Village, Manhattan)(Caveat: these mics are expensive, most of the other open mic-ers are new too, and the hosts will try to get you to sign up for comedy classes and bringers. Ignore these factors and Laughing Buddha mics are productive and incredibly supportive). .
UCB East (East Village, Manhattan).
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BLAIR DAWSON (intern, workshops) is a standup comic and improvisor who produces and co-hosts a monthly storytelling and stand-up show sponsored by Babeland called “U Up?” @UrGirlBlair