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.
Sundays
HIGHTOPS BACKSTAGE GRILL in Timonium, Maryland. Every Sunday. "My new room is up and running. It's called 'Drink Till We're Funny.' I have a paid headliner spot, paid feature and 5-7 open mic slots every Sunday night. Comedians must email me in advance for a spot - tbrad@tbradhudson.com (DO NOT CALL THE VENUE). Shows start March 22."
Address: 2306 York Road, Timonium, MD 21093
Online: Hightops site
Mondays
11TH ST. LOUNGE in Clarendon, Virginia.
This open mic is organized by Lou Giglio. It's in the downstairs room. It's every week EXCEPT the Monday before the second Thursday of the month. To sign up, you can message lougiglio (at) verizon.net. 8 pm showtime; roll call at 7:30. Show generally books 1-2 weeks in advance.
Address: 1041 N. Highland St., Arlington, VA 22201
LOOKING GLASS LOUNGE in Petworth, DC. Every other Monday (1/18, 2/1 ...) "Local comics Reggie Melbrough and Mike Curran host a comedy evening at The Looking Glass Lounge. Sign up is from 7pm to 7:45pm, or you can e-mail lgcomedyshow@gmail.com to sign up. Opening performances by the hosts last until 8pm at which time the rest of the show will kick off, ending at 10pm. Comics will have ten minute sets and yes, there are open mic opportunities for some of you looking for embarrassment! At the end of the show, three people will be selected from the crowd to try their hand at stand-up, one joke a piece. The best joke gets a $25 gift certificate to be used at The Looking Glass Lounge or The Wonderland Ballroom."
Address: 3634 Georgia Ave NW, Washington DC 20010
THE MEETING PLACE in downtown DC. Every other Monday at 7:30, starting July 12. This is part open mic and part showcase. Hosted by Billy McCaleb (billy_mccaleb@yahoo.com). No cover charge, but a two-drink minimum. E-mail Billy if you're interested.
Address: 1707 L St. NW, Washington, DC
Online: Meeting Place web site
Tuesdays
THE SPEAKEASY, Station 9, 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: 1438 U Street NW
Online: Speakeasy info
SOLLY'S TAVERN in U St., DC. "Every Tuesday is Open Mic at Solly's. Doors are at 8pm with the show starting at 8:30." This is open to comedians and musicians, I believe.
Address: 1942 11th St. NW, Washington, DC
Online: Solly's site
WEYONES in Alexandria, Virginia. Doors at 7:30, show from 8-9:30. "Weyone Lounge presents Laughing with Travis Comedy Show starting at 8 p.m. It will have a weekly comedy competition with a cash prize. Sign up by e-mailing Travfg@hotmail.com"
Address: 5801 Duke Street, Alexandria, VA, 22304
ELLIE'S PLACE in Millersville, Maryland. NOTE: This is on hiatus for summer 2010; the plan is for it to return in the fall. Every other Tuesday starting February 9, 2010. Hosted by Jay Miller. The show starts at 8:30pm. E-mail Jay (jaysmiller@yahoo.com) to get a spot or more information.
Address: 8421 Veterans Highway, Millersville, MD
Online: Ellie's Place Facebook page
MARYGOLDS in Lanham, Maryland. "Spoon Fed Tuesdays" hosted by ... Tony Spoon. $5 drink specials all night. No cover charge. If you have questions you can e-mail tony_stewart74@yahoo.com for more information.
Address: 8827 Annapolis Road, Lanham, MD
Online: Marygolds site
PALACE OF WONDERS in H St. Corridor, DC. The first Tuesday of the month. Starting at 8 p.m. Sign-up is on-site. For more information e-mail: districtstandup@gmail.com or check out the Facebook profile *District Stand-up*.
Address: 1210 H St. NE Washington, DC 20002
Online: Palace of Wonders site
BOHEMIAN CAVERNS in U St. Corridor, DC. This is on Tuesdays, running from 6 to 11. Not alot of details about sign-up procedure or what kind of time comics can expect, but the word is that comedy is welcome. If you have more info pass it along.
Address: 2001 11th Street NW, Washington, DC 20001
Online: Bohemian Caverns site
Wednesdays
RI-RA IRISH PUB in Arlington, Virginia.
Starting in May 2008. Shows run 8 - 10. 3 to 10 minutes stage time. Newbies welcome! Free beer for comics. $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
HALFTIME in White Plains, Maryland Show runs from 9 p.m. to 11:30, organized by the Hossman. Sign-up is on-site no later than 8:30. There are two paid spots, and guest spots are welcome. This venues is in Waldorf, located 10 minutes down street from St. Charles Mall. For more info call the Hossman at (240) 605-8972.
Address: 4560 Crain Highway (301 South), White Plains, MD 20695
POTOMAC GRILL in Rockville, Maryland. Show starts at 8:30. E-mail Rob Maher (robmaher@gmail.com) to get a spot. Seems to be a seafood restaurant.
Address: 1093 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 20852 (Talbott Shopping Center)
Online: The Potomac Grill site
HOUSE OF CHANG in Fort Washington, Maryland. Show starts at 8. Tipping for Laughs open mic comedy showcase. Free for ladies, $5 for men. This is organized by Gee Gee the Beautician; for more info (including sign-up procedure) e-mail thebeauticiangg@yahoo.com.
Address: 9400 Livingston Road, Fort Washington, MD 20744
NADDS in Baltimore, Maryland. Show starts at 9. Sign-up starts at 8, but the best way to guarantee a spot is to e-mail Ron Singer at rsinger.singers@live.com. All styles of comedy are welcome.
Address: 227 West Chase Street, Baltimore, MD 21201
Online: Nadds of Baltimore site
THE SOUNDRY in Vienna, Virginia. A converted auto shop that now hosts all kinds of performance events. This comedy-only open mic starts March 3, 2010, and is every week. The show stars at 8 p.m. You can sign up in advance through the Web site (link below) or e-mail soundrycomedy@gmail.com.
Address: 316 Dominion Road, Vienna, VA 22180
Online: The Soundry site
CADDIES ON CORDELL in Bethesda, Maryland. The first Wednesday of each month. "Bellylaughs in Bethesda" is organized by Wayne Manigo (wayne@waynemancomedy.com). Booking is done in advance -- e-mail Wayne. The show runs from 8 to 10.
Address: 4922 Cordell Ave Bethesda, MD 20814
Online: Caddie's site
Thursdays
TOPAZ HOTEL in Dupont Circle, DC. Shows run 8 - 10. Lower Level Enlightenment Room. 3 to 10 minutes stage time. Newbies welcome! Free beer for comics. $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
LAUGH OUT LOUD in Temple Hills, Maryland. "DC's Only Urban Comedy Club" has this listed on their web site as being every Thursday at 9 p.m., with a rotating host. $5 admission for guys, and women get in free. There's no indication on their site how to sign up for the open mic, but you can always try to e-mail LaughOutLoudComedy (at) yahoo.com for more information.
Address: 3285 Brinkley Road, Temple Hills, MD 20748
Online: Laugh Out Loud site
MAGOOBY'S JOKE HOUSE in Parkville, Maryland. This "New Talent Night" is once a month; you can get the details at the Magooby's site.
Address: 9306 Harford Road, Parkville, MD 21234
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. "Join us every Thursday night at 8:30 for FREE Open Mic Comedy @ Brittany's!!" If you're interested in performing you can contact the First Laugh guys through their web site.
Address: 12449 Dillingham Square, Woodbridge, VA
Online: Brittany's site
MR. SMITH'S in Georgetown, DC. First and third Thursdays of the month, from 8:30 to 10. Presented by Metro Comedy Connection, in the upstairs room. 10 acts a night with 5 minute sets. E-mail metrocomedygtown@hotmail.com least
a week in advance -- room books quickly. Do not contact Mr. Smith's.
Address: 3104 M Street NW, Washington DC
Online: Facebook page
NcDEVIN'S BAR AND GRILL in Canton, Maryland. Every two weeks, starting 4/8/10. People interested in performing can contact C.J. Stottuth at cjstottuth@yahoo.com. Sign-up will start at 7:30 p.m.
Address: 801 S. Decker Ave, Baltimore, MD 21224
PIZZERIA VENTI in Alexandria, Virginia. The second and fourth Thursday of the month, from 8 to 10. "Laugh Medicine" is hosted by Adaylah Banks. E-mail laugh.medicine@yahoo.com or adaylah.banks@yahoo.com for more information. Sets are 5 minutes long.
Address: 301 John Carlyle St., Alexandria, VA
Online: Pizzeria Venti site
YORKTOWN BISTRO in Arlington, Virginia. Starting 7/8/10, from 7 to 9. Travis Spencer (travfg@hotmail.com) is organizing this open mic.
Address: 5171 Lee Highway, Arlington, VA 22207
RFD in Chinatown, DC. Brad Ryan and Ralph Cooper are organizing this show in the back room of RFD most Thursday nights. Doors open at 7:30, and the show starts at 8:30. Comics get 5-7 minutes. You can sign up on site, or by e-mailing brad@laughingatbrad.com or rcooperiii@gmail.com.
Address: 810 7th Street NW, Washington, DC
Online: RFD site
Fridays
THE SOUNDRY in Vienna, Virginia. A converted auto shop that now hosts all kinds of performance events. This open mic is for all kinds of performers, and it runs from 8-11 every week. You can sign up in advance at this web site.
Address: 316 Dominion Road, Vienna, VA 22180
Online: The Soundry site
SABORES LOUNGE in Cleveland Park, DC. Every other week from 9 to 11. The show runs from 8:45 to 10:30. To sign up e-mail districtstandup@gmail.com. For more information check out the Facebook
profile *District Stand-up*.
Address: 3433 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC
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 Rob Maher, 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
EJ'S LANDING in College Park, Maryland. Shows starts at 9. Open mic is
first Saturday of month. Stage time is between 8 and 10 minutes for those signed up in advance. Second Saturday is the monthly contest. and the final two Saturdays are paid feature shows. You can check the schedule on
Kaleidoscope's MySpace page. To sign up e-mail Kaleidoscopecomedy (at) yahoo.com or call 301-518-9145.
Address: 8601 Baltimore Ave., College Park, MD 20740 (in the College Park Inn)
Online: MySpace page