Open Mic Nights

Pros and amateurs alike try out new material (and beat old material to death) at the area's open mic nights. Many of these listings do change suddenly, so be sure to call or e-mail to confirm that a show is still running before you go. If you would like to add a listing to this page, e-mail chris@dcstandup.com with the relevant information. Shows are listed by day of the week.

LAST UPDATE: 2/16/13

Sundays

HIGHTOPS BACKSTAGE GRILL in Timonium, Maryland. Every Sunday. "Drink Till We're Funny. Baltimore's Best Open Mic for 5 years running. Free show, big crowds, $2 Beers.There's a paid headliner spot, paid feature and 5-7 open mic slots every Sunday night. Comedians must email in advance for a spot - booking@tbradhudson.com (DO NOT CALL THE VENUE)."
Address: 2306 York Road, Timonium, MD 21093
Online: Drink Till We're Funny site

PENN SOCIAL in Penn Quarter, DC. Sundays at 8. "If you like to laugh, and/or cry for that matter, then the Penn Social Sunday comedy open mic show, 'Comedy on the Corner' should become your favorite place to do BOTH ... with a Draught and/or drink in hand, naturally. $6 Double Sailor Jerry & Cokes starting at 8pm. If you are interested in performing, go to this site."
Address: 801 E Street NW, Washington, DC 20004
Online: Penn Social site

Mondays

SIDEBAR TAVERN in Baltimore. Starting 10/10/2011. Sign up starts at 8 and show starts at 8:30. Organized by Mike Finazzo. First 15 people get time. No advance sign-up. "If anyone has any questions or they can email me at finazzo.comedy@gmail.com. Comics of all experiences are welcome!"
Address: 218 E. Lexington Street, Baltimore, MD 21202
Online: Sidebar Tavern site

FIRE STATION 1 in Silver Spring, MD. Smokin' Hot Comedy, organized by District Comedy. Hosted by Kevin Blackerby every Monday at 8 p.m. You can e-mail signup@districtcomedy.com.
Address: 8131 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910
Online: Firestation site /District Comedy site

TOWNHOUSE TAVERN in Dupont Circle, DC. Every Monday at 8 PM. Sign up at 7:30 or email undergroundcomedydc@gmail.com for a spot.
Address: 1637 R St. NW, Washington, DC

Tuesdays

THE SPEAKEASY, Town Danceboutique, DC. "The Speakeasy" is the second Tuesday of every month, and it's a storytelling open mic with a theme. Doors open 6:30. Show runs 8-10 and admission is $10 at the door. There are two featured tellers and anyone with a story (i.e. not a series of jokes) can sign-up. Performers must use the theme and there is a strict 7-minute time limit (no exceptions). Stories are often funny, but not always, and never offensive (so, if you've got something to say that you wouldn't say in a room full of gays, blacks, jews, homeless people, muslims, women or whoever, don't bother saying it here). It's most important that stories are interesting and compelling. You must see one show before signing up, so you know what to expect. Then click here to find out more and fill out a form.
Address: Town Danceboutique at 2009 8th Street NW, Washington, DC
Online: Speakeasy info

EPICURE CAFE in Fairfax, Virginia. Starting 5/24/11. Show starts at 8. "Epic Comedy Open Mic" is tri-hosted by Adam Belcher, Brandon Fisher and Timothy Trueheart. Sign up at 7:30. Five-minute sets, and material must be PG-13.
Address: 11213-A Lee Highway, Fairfax, VA 22030 (behind the Chilis)
Online: Epicure Cafe site

SOLLY'S in U St. corridor, DC. It's hard to figure out exactly when they do open mics at Solly's, but they do show up on their website calendar.
Address: 1942 11th Street NW, Washington, DC
Online: Solly's web site

BLUE BANANA in Petworth. Every Tuesday. "Right by the Georgia Avenue Metro Station. The show is FREE to attend and in order to sign up for this show e-mail signup@districtcomedy.com."
Address: 3632 Georgia Ave NW Washington, DC 20010
Online: Blue Banana site / District Comedy site

SELEME BAR AND RESTAURANT in Falls Church, Virginia. Open mic comedy organized by Travis Spencer. Free show every Tuesday from 7 to 9. You can sign up to perform on-site or by e-mailing laughingwithtravis44@hotmail.com.
Address: 3825-H South George Mason Drive, Falls Church, VA 22310

Wednesdays

RI-RA IRISH PUB in Arlington, Virginia.
Starting in May 2008. Shows run 8 - 10. 3 to 10 minutes stage time. Newbies welcome! $25 cash prize joke contest for non-coms after the show! Metro friendly. Sign-up: e-mail CurtShackelford (at) verizon.net. DON'T CALL RI-RA. For more information, visit Standupcomedytogo.com.
Address: 2915 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA 22201
Online: Ri-Ra site

CADDIES ON CORDELL in Bethesda, Maryland. The second Wednesday of each month. "Bellylaughs in Bethesda" is organized by Wayne Manigo (wmanigo@gmail.com). Booking is done in advance -- e-mail Wayne. The show runs from 8 to 10. You must be over 21 to perform.
Address: 4922 Cordell Ave Bethesda, MD 20814
Online: Caddie's site

POTOMAC GRILL in Rockville, Maryland. Show starts at 8:30. E-mail Rob Maher (robmaher@gmail.com) to get a spot. It's a seafood restaurant.
Address: 1093 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 20852 (Talbott Shopping Center)
Online: The Potomac Grill site

PURE LOUNGE in U St. Corridor, DC. Every third Wednesday of the month, one block Away From U Street Cardoza Metro Station. Show starts at 8 p.m., hosted by Joe Jack. Comedians must e-mail joe_jack2005@yahoo.com to get a spot (we have 8 spots).
Address: 1326 U St. NW, Washington, DC 20009

THE GLASS GRILL in Baltimore. No cover. E-mail glassgrillwednesday@yahoo.com to get on the list early -- first come, first served.
Address:6804 Eastern Ave., Baltimore MD 21224
Online: Glass Grill site

RED HOUSE TAVERN in Baltimore. No cover. Wednesdays at 8:30. Red House Tavern Presents: Red Hot Comedy, 6 slots available with performance times between 6 to 10 mins. Each show closed by a featured comedian. Guest host slots available on certain shows. To sign-up, send an email to: uncledavecomedy@gmail.com.
Address:2239 Essex St., Baltimore, MD 21231

TOUCHDOWN in U St. Corridor DC. Every Wednesday, 8pm, hosted by Hemu Nair, Blake Premer, and Justin Hefter. Please e-mail touchdownopenmic@gmail.com to sign up. Emailers get priority over walk-ins. 5 minute set for e-mailers. 3-4 minute set for walkins (and only if there's room). All levels welcome!
Address: 1334 U St. NW Washington, DC 20009
Online: Touchdown site

RED LOUNGE in U St. Corridor, DC. "Slim's Comedy Show at The Red Lounge" is every week. Doors open at 6, show begins at 8. For more information and to sign up, e-mail Toni at slimscomedyshow@gmail.com.
Address: 2013 14th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
Online: Red Lounge site

BIG HUNT in Dupont Circle, DC. Every Wednesday at 8 PM. Sign up at 7:30 or email undergroundcomedydc@gmail.com for a spot. Begins 2/20/13.
Address: 1345 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC
Online: Big Hunt site

Thursdays

TOPAZ HOTEL in Dupont Circle, DC. Shows run 8 - 10. Lower Level Enlightenment Room. 3 to 10 minutes stage time. Newbies welcome! $25 cash prize joke contest for non-coms after the show! Metro friendly. Sign-up: e-mail CurtShackelford (at) verizon.net. DON'T CALL TOPAZ. For more information, visit Standupcomedytogo.com.
Address: 1733 N Street NW, Washington, DC 20036
Online: Topaz Hotel Web site

MAGOOBY'S JOKE HOUSE in Parkville, Maryland. This "New Talent Night" is usually the second and last Thursday of the month; you can get the sign-up info at the Magooby's site. Twelve comics, followed by the weekend headliner. Winner gets $75 and a paid gig at the club. Admission is $7.
Address: 9603 Deereco Road, Timonium, MD 21093
Online: Magooby's site

THE COMEDY SPOT in Ballston, Virginia. Inside the Ballston Commons Mall, on the Spot's second stage. Sign-ups start at 7, show starts at 7:30. No cover. Pros, amateurs and newcomers are welcome! Sign-up is on site and not in advance. For any other info, e-mail arlingtoncomedy@gmail.com (do not contact the Comedy Spot).
Address: 4238 Wilson Blvd, Arlington VA
Online: Comedy Spot site

BRITTANY'S in Woodbridge, Virginia. Presented by First Laugh Entertainment. Thursday Night open mic at 9pm and monthly weekend showcases. Booked by Paul Simpson and Jim Pate. E-mail BrittanysComedy@gmail.com.
Address: 12449 Dillingham Square, Woodbridge, VA
Online: Brittany's site

RFD in Chinatown, DC. District Comedy runs this show in the back room of RFD every Thursday. Doors open at 7:30, and the show starts at 8:30. Comics get 5-7 minutes. E-mail signup@districtcomedy.com.
Address: 810 7th Street NW, Washington, DC
Online: RFD site / District Comedy site

TAYLOR MADE CAFE in Baltimore. "Last Comic Standing" open mic comedy. First and third Thursday of every month, from 8 to 11. $10 at the door. Interested comedians can contact Daryell at 443-877-0877 or Nick at 443-983-8325.
Address: 6 South Poppleton St., Baltimore, MD

THE MILL STEAKHOUSE TAVERN in Baltimore. Every Thursday starting at 8, it's the Stiletto Show.
Address: 1520 Clipper Rd Baltimore MD 21211
Online: Mill site

TABAQ BISTRO in U St. Corridor, DC. Homegrown Hilarity (Russ Green, Rallo Boykins and Keith Correy) host this show, starting at 8 p.m. with sign-up on arrival. Comics will be perform 5 minutes sets.
Address: 1336 U St NW, DC 20009
Online: Tabaq site

FAST EDDIE'S in Alexandria, Virginia. Every Thursday Sho Nuff Funny Entertainment presents Traumatic Thursday Open Mic at Fast Eddie's in Alexandria, Virginia . Comedians must email in advance for a spot at traumaticthursday@yahoo.com or call (571) 269-3477 (please do not call the venue).
Address: 6220 Richmond Hwy, Alexandria, VA 22303

Fridays

BUSBOYS AND POETS in Shirlington, Virginia. Last Friday of the month. "Offers a platform for ALL PERFORMERS - not just poets! Whether you are a musician, comedian, dancer, actor/actress, magician, or any other type of performer - we want to see what you've got. Come showcase your talent!" Sign-up list opens at 10 p.m., but you have to pay $5 to get on stage.
Address: 4251 South Campbell Ave., Arlington, VA 22206

BRASS MONKEY in Adams Morgan, DC. A weekly show hosted by Martin Amini. Comedians on the list in advance get 7-10 minutes, walk-ins get 5 minutes. To sign up e-mail SilverCityProd@me.com.
Address: 2317 18th St NW, Washington, DC 20009

Saturdays

HYATT REGENCY in Bethesda, Maryland. Shows run 8 - 10 PM. 7-30 minutes stage time. Newbies welcome! $25 cash prize joke contest for non-coms after the show! ALL COMICS PAID. Metro friendly! Sign-up, e-mail CurtShackelford (at) verizon.net. DON'T CALL THE HYATT. For more information, visit Standupcomedytogo.com.
Address: 7400 Wisconsin Ave, Bethesda, MD 20814
Online: Hyatt Web site

OLD ARLINGTON GRILL in Arlington, Virginia. Starting at 10:30, organized by Andy Kline and Randolph T. This is a restaurant off the lobby of the Arlington Cinema Drafthouse. Each show features up to 15 comics and admission is free. You can sign up by e-mailing drafthousecomedy@gmail.com.
Address: 2903 Columbia Pike, Arlington, VA
Online: Arlington Drafthouse site

VARSITY LOUNGE in College Park, Maryland. Shows starts at 9. Doors open at 8:30. Show is booked in advance, only four openings for guest spots. Booked Headliner each show. Stage time is between 8 and 10 minutes for those signed up in advance. You can check the schedule on Kaleidoscope's web site. To sign up e-mail Kaleidoscopecomedy (at) yahoo.com.
Address: 8601 Baltimore Ave., College Park, MD 20740 (in the College Park Inn)
Online: Kaleidoscope website

CLUB DYNASTY in U St. Corridor, DC. Any comics who are interested can e-mail Delanta at tay@entertainmentnonstop.com or call 301.536.3929. Hosted by Dingbat.
Address: 2210 14st NW, Washington, DC 20009 Washington, DC
Online: Arlington Drafthouse site