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

DAMON'S GRILL in Hunt Valley, Maryland. From 9 to 11:30. Sign-up is in advance by e-mailing tbrad@tbradhudson.com. There's also a paid headliner on this show.
Address: 111 Shawan Rd. Hunt Valley, MD 21030
Online: Damon's site

IRISH CHANNEL PUB in Gambrills, Maryland. Starting at 8 on the fourth Sunday of each month (effective April 2008). Sign up in advance by e-mailing mudrickoneproductions (at) gmail.com.
Address: 1053 Maryland Rte 3 North, Gambrills, MD 21054
Online: Irish Channel site

Mondays

CHIEF IKE'S MAMBO ROOM in Adams Morgan, DC. Starting in Nov. 2007 a weekly open mic kicked off at this dance hall. It's a dive, but we mean that in the best way possible -- the place is oozing character and has a long history of live performance. Definitely worth checking out. The open mic is organized by DC Comedy 4 Now. The show starts at 7:30 and sign-up is on-site starting at 7.
Address: 1723 Columbia Road NW, DC 20009
Online: Chief Ike's site

SPY LOUNGE in Adams Morgan, DC. Tyler Richards and Eli Sairs are running this open mic (which started December 2007). Arrival time for comics is 7:30, show runs from 8 to 10. Sign-up is on premises. For more info you can e-mail devohaven (at) gmail.com.
Address: 2406 18th St. NW, DC 20009
Online: Spy Lounge site

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 and Naomi Johnson. To sign up, you can message lougiglio (at) verizon.net, gumbo_30 (at) hotmail.com or aka.gnome (at) hotmail.com.
Address: 1041 N. Highland St., Arlington, VA 22201

Tuesdays

THE SPEAKEASY, various locations. "The Speakeasy" is the second Tuesday of every month, and it's a storytelling open mic with a theme. Doors open 7 (sells out fast). 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: Check Web site for location
Online: Speakeasy info

BRITTANY'S in Woodbridge, Virginia. Organized by Jim Pate every week (effective May 2008) starting at 8:30. Brittany's is a sports bar, with the comedy shows in a separate room set off from the restaurant/bar area. It seats about 110 and shows have been running since Jan. 2007.
Address: 12449 Dillingham Square, Woodbridge, VA 22192
Online: Restaurant site

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

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

WISEACRES in Tyson's Corner, Virginia. The Wiseacres open mic runs on Wednesdays. Starting at 8, organized by the Wiseacres staff. Sign-up is in person, and shows usually fill up a few weeks in advance. 12 to 15 slots available.
Address: 8401 Westpark Drive, McLean, VA (Westpark Hotel)
Online: More on Wiseacres

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. Hosted by Sariel Lehyani, this brand new open mic is sure to be totally awesome." Shows started in July 2006 and as of December 2007 they are still going strong. First and third Thursday of the month, starting at 9. To sign up e-mail perk (at) palindromestudios.net.
Address: 9078 Baltimore Avenue, College Park, MD 20740
Online: College Perk site

MACKEY'S AMERICAN PUB in Manassas, Virginia. Every other week (March 13, 2008, and so on). The show starts at 9:30. Comedians get about 10 minutes each. You can sign up by e-mailing ericp_blue (at) yahoo.com or calling (571) 217-9491 (Eric Patrick).
Address: 9412 Main St., Manassas, VA 20110
Online: Mackey's 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.

BEST WESTERN CAPITOL SKYLINE in Southwest, DC. Organized by Ian Salmon. Showtime is 8:30; sign-up is on-site at 8. Once a month there will also be a big show in the ballroom with paid spots. (Posted 5/08)
Address: 10 I St. SW, Washington, DC 20024

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

On Hiatus

BISTRO EUROPA in Alexandria, Virginia. We're told this open mic (once on Sundays) will be back. We're just not sure what day yet. Once we know we'll post it. Every week, with hosting duties alternating between Keith Irvin and Lance Smith. Sign-up is in advance by e-mailing Lance Smith (lance@lancesmithcomedy.com).
Address: 715 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
Online: Bistro site

READING ROOM: On occasion we get humor pieces from comedians -- you can find them all archived in our Reading Room.