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

PALACE OF WONDERS in H St. Corridor, DC. Every other Sunday (check the web site for exact dates). The show starts at 9. E-mail Robb Loving (robbloving@gmail.com) to sign up in advance. From Robb: "The lineup will be kept a little shorter than most open mics in the interest of getting the comics more stage time."
Address: 1210 H St. NE Washington, DC 20002
Online: Palace of Wonders site

HIGHTOPS BACKSTAGE GRILL in Timonium, MD. 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. There's an open mic at this venue the first and third Monday of each month; as of January 2008 it's organized by Lou Giglio. To sign up, you can message lougiglio (at) verizon.net.
Address: 1041 N. Highland St., Arlington, VA 22201

PERRY'S RESTAURANT in Odenton, Maryland. Jay Miller organizes this open mic, which will be every other week starting on February 2, 2009. The show begins at 8:30. To sign-up you can e-mail Jay at jaysmiller@yahoo.com.
Address: 1210 Annapolis Road (Rt. 175), Odenton, MD
Online: Jay Miller's MySpace page

THE VIRGINIA BREWING COMPANY in Winchester, VA. "Starting 3/23/09 and will be every first and third Monday of each month. The Virginia Brewing Company is located in the renovated ZeroPak cultural and arts complex in the historic apple district. Sign up is 7-8, the show starts at 8:30. The doors open at 4 for dinner and drinks. Contact Justin Kincaid (jkincaidcomedy@gmail.com) for more info.
Address: 580 N. Cameron Street, Winchester, VA
Online: VBC site

CLUB REALITY in Baltimore, Maryland. The 2nd and 4th Monday of the month (starting 4/27/09) organized by Ricky Bordeaux. Sign-up on site at 7:30, show starts at 8:30. For more information, e-mail rickybordeaux@hotmail.com.
Address: 2625 Washington Blvd, Baltimore MD (formerly the Y Not Bar & Grill)

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

PENGUINS in Arbutus, Maryland. Info posted May 10, 2007. This is open to musicians, poets, rappers, comedians ... everyone. Comedians need to sign up with Zina Davis, and you need to sign up at the venue by 9 p.m.
Address: 1065 Maiden Choice Lane, Arbutus, MD 21229

JOJO in U St. Corridor, DC. Starting August 26, 2008. Show runs from 9 p.m. to midnight, organized by the Hossman. Sign-up is on-site no later than 8:30. Three blocks from the African American Museum subway stop on the green line. For more info call the Hossman at (240) 605-8972.
Address: 1517 U St. NW, Washington, DC 20009

ALL STARS COMEDY CLUB in Arlington, Virginia. Located in Listrani's restaurant. Tuesday and Wednesday are open mike; sign up by 8 pm. Anyone that brings 2 guests is guaranteed a spot, also if a comic shows up an hour early to help promote they will be guaranteed the 3 spot or 6 spot. E-mail allstarscomedy@aol.com for more information.
Address: 2317 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA, 22201
Online: Listrani's site and All Stars site

SOLLY'S TAVERN in U St., DC. "Open Mic Mouth" is held at this dive bar (PBR in a can!), and we gather it will be on the 1st, 3rd and 4th Tuesday of the month. Sign up for artists starts at 7:00pm and the featured artist/band goes on at 8pm. The open mic is 8:30 pm -10pm, with a DJ afterwards.
Address: 1942 11th St. NW, Washington, DC

WEYONES in Alexandria, Virginia. Doors at 7:30, show from 8-9:30. "Build your comedy resume at Weyones. Here you can move up the comedy ranks. Start out with open mic 5-7 mins. Move up to the paid slots MC, featuring and headliner. First Class comedy hosted by Travis Spencer. Sign up on line by emailing Travfg@hotmail.com. Show starts at 8 p.m."
Address: 5801 Duke Street, Alexandria, VA, 22304

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

ALL STARS COMEDY CLUB in Arlington, Virginia. Located in Listrani's restaurant. Tuesday and Wednesday are open mike; sign up by 8 pm. Anyone that brings 2 guests is guaranteed a spot, also if a comic shows up an hour early to help promote they will be guaranteed the 3 spot or 6 spot. E-mail allstarscomedy@aol.com for more information.
Address: 2317 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA, 22201
Online: Listrani's site and All Stars site

THE MADHATTER in Dupont Circle, DC. "The first show will be Wednesday, November 8, 9-11pm. Winning comics, as determined by who gets the most votes (so bring your friends to vote for you), will get 25 and 50 dollars for 2nd and 1st. Comics can sign up starting as early as 5:30 with me, Ben, as I will be bartending from then until close and hosting the show. Contact Ben Long at benlong10@yahoo.com for info if need be."
Address: 1831 M St. NW, Washington, DC 20009
Online: Madhatter 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

THE SIDEBAR TAVERN in Baltimore, Maryland Starting at 9 p.m. "Located minutes away from Baltimore's red light district, the Sidebar Tavern will now have monthly comedy shows. The first show is Feb. 25. Comics interested in performing should contact Justin Jones. The only way to get a spot on this show is to e-mail Justin Jones; his e-mail address is thejustinjones@gmail.com. Please do not contact The Sidebar Tavern.
Address: 218 E. Lexington Street, Baltimore, MD 21202
Online: Sidebar Tavern site

TOM TOM in Adams Morgan, DC. Show starts at 9. Organized by Robb Loving. Sign-up either through e-mail (robbloving@gmail.com) or on-site.
Address: 2333 18th St NW, Washington, DC 20009

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

INDULJ in the U St. Corridor. Starting May 19, 2009. Show runs from 8:30 p.m. to 11, organized by the Tashya T. Sign-up is on-site no later than 8:30. Located across from Ben's Chili Bowl, same block as the African American Museum subway stop on the green line. For more info, e-mail Tashya T at tashyatummings@gmail.com
Address: 1208 U St NW, Washington, DC 20009
Online: Indulj 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

COLLEGE PERK COFFEEHOUSE in College Park, Maryland. "College Perk Coffeehouse is famous for both its hip, college crowd and its liquor license." NOTE: No idea if this is running. Their MySpace page indicates they have a comedy open mic, but not until June 2009. Your guess is as good as ours.
Address: 9078 Baltimore Avenue, College Park, MD 20740
Online: College Perk MySpace

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. Starting 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

JAXX NIGHTCLUB in Springfield, Virginia. The first and third Thursday of each month. Doors open at 7, show at 8. All levels of comedians are welcome. To sign-up e-mail Justin Kincaid at jkincaidcomedy@gmail.com (do not contact the venue).
Address: 6355 Rolling Road, West Springfield, VA 22152
Online: Jaxx site

BOSSA in Adams Morgan, DC. "Comedy night is back at Bossa Bistro in Adams Morgan. It will be produced by Carlos Murphy and hosted by Seaton Smith. The show starts at 9, sign up at 8:30. Great audiance with a great vibe. Meal specials for audience members. The weekend starts on Thursdays at Bossa."
Address: 2463 18th st. NW, Washington, DC 20009
Online: Bossa 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

UPTOWN TAVERN in Cleveland Park, DC. Every other week from 9 to 11. Organized by Kyle Martin. There are some booked spots as well. New comics are welcome to sign up by e-mailing: uptownhappyhour (at) gmail.com
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. Starting March 15, 2008. You can sign up by e-mailing any of those guys: rhmaher (at) aol.com, heisfunny (at) yahoo.com, Apkline (at) aol.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 and third Saturday of month. Stage time is between 8 and 10 minutes for those signed up in advance. Second Saturday is a booked feature show with three paid features and three guest spots, and the fourth Saturday is a comedy contest with cash prizes based on audience vote. 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

THE GREAT BLUE in Shady Side, Maryland. Every other week, hosted by Kevin Lee; to sign up talk to Kevin when you get there. For more on the venue call 443.607.6066 or e-mail mhallana@yahoo.com.
Address: 6127 Shady Side Road, Shady Side, MD 20764
Online: Great Blue site