Many musicians in the world have emerged from the waters of talented live performances, all thanks to open mic nights. If you are unfamiliar with the term, let us help you. Open mics are events that take place in coffee shops, bars, and pubs, where their stage welcomes unknown performers (musicians, poets, comedians, songwriters, etc.) to take turns and go on the stage to perform their best songs or try out some poetry or jokes.
Open mic in NYC takes place in various spots weekly, monthly, or occasionally. These events are hosted by the venue, thus introducing you to an audience so that you can give it your best shot and receive feedback, and after that, who knows, you might even establish a fanbase.
Let’s scoop out a few open mic spots in NY. The more you know about these places beforehand, the better you can prepare yourself. Remember, a strange venue may look intimidating at first, but open mics are an amazing opportunity for those who are just starting out, and you’ll be more than ready by the time it’s your turn to go on the stage.
Harlem Nights
Address: 2361 Adam Clayton Powell Jr Boulevard, New York, NY 10030, United States
Contact: +1 646-820-4603
When: Weeknights from 5 pm to 2 am and weekends from 5 pm to 4 am
Harlem Nights is a rustic bar in the heart of Harlem that has always been in the news for hosting the best open mic in NYC. It is one of those venues that showcases new talent from emerging artists all week long, who book a show to perform in a relaxed setting.
Their open mic nights currently feature full band Mondays and open mic comedy on Saturdays. Get there early to book a spot as they fill up pretty quickly. Artists should expect to meet a dense crowd at Harlem Nights as it is one of those places that is known for good food and even better music.
The bar posts its weekly agenda on its social media accounts, where it posts details on not just open mic nights and comedy shows but also ladies’ nights, karaoke, game nights, and live music.
Stand Up NY at Café Paradiso
Address: 228 W 47th Street, New York, 10036, United States
Contact: +1 212-840-5000
When: Every Thursday at Hotel Edison Lobby
Sign up: Opens at 12 pm on Tuesdays
Kicks off at: From 5 pm to 6 pm
Located in Times Square, Stand Up NY Comedy club continues to make people laugh since 1986 with the best comedy open mic in the city. Chris Rock and Amy Schumer are only some of the legendary stars that have played on the stage of Stand Up NY Comedy Club.
The club hosts some of the best open mic venues in NYC, and are now housed in their new location, Bond 45 at Hotel Edison Lobby. Every Thursday the show kicks off at 5 pm for which you have to sign up at 12 pm on Tuesdays.
You have to sign up for the shows online at the website for $5. Filled with seasoned and young performers, playing at a place like Stand Up NY can be an amazing chance to get in touch with the right people and build an audience.
Village Underground
Address: 130 W 3rd Street, New York, NY 10012, United States
Contact: +1 212-777-7745
When: Every Sunday night at 9:30 pm
Village Underground is a long-running comedy club in Greenwich Village. It has a good history of hosting well-known stars like Prince, Jamie Foxx, Chaka Khan, and Mariah Carey, who sat in to watch the future stars perform on stage.
Unlike many other open mic spots in NY, Village Underground is known for the expert musicianship presented by the band and hosts. The popular venue, known for its iconic small stage where many aspiring artists and local musicians perform their best, hosts an open mic night in NYC every Sunday.
This prestigious venue has a cover charge of $15 per person. The jam session becomes even more exciting as Ron Grant, with co hosts Melonie Daniels, Cheryl Pepsii Riley, and Mike Davis, who are no strangers to producing successful open mic nights in New York that have earned Village Underground the title of one of the best open mic venues.
The PIT
Address: 154 W 29th Street, New York, NY 10001, United States
Contact: +1 212-244-1722
When: Open mics take place on Mondays, and Ladies Stand Up open mics happen on Saturdays
Monday open mics kicks off at 4:30 pm
Ladies Stand Up open mics take place at 6:30 pm
The PIT, a well-known comedy theater in Chelsea, Midtown West, hosts a range of jam sessions and open mic comedy in New York City.
The Ladies Stand Up comedy open mic, hosted by Ava Whiteley, is an inclusive and snug event taking place every Saturday where the ladies shine, and men sit down to laugh it up in the relaxed environment. The Monday open mics with Matt Higgins happen every Monday, giving you an hour to practice your jokes and materials while the stage and audience get ready for your laughter session.
These NYC open mics give you 1 hour (for Ladies Stand Up) and 90 minutes (for Monday open mics) to showcase your skills and charge $5 cash.
Paddy Reilly’s Music Bar
Address: 519 2nd Avenue, New York, NY 10016, United States
Contact: +1 917-261-2113
When: Every Tuesday
Sign up: Starts at 6:00 pm
Kicks off: Anywhere close to 6:30 pm
Paddy Reilly’s Music Bar is an awesome opportunity to immerse yourself in a community of performers from all talent levels. Their open mic nights in NYC, taking place every Tuesday, demands no cover and comes with buying just a pint.
Seize the opportunity to experience the best Irish pub happy hour available 7 days a week. Paddy Reilly’s Music Bar serves the best liquor and beer selection. You can enjoy as many as you like with the happy hour deals.
Grab your pints as you listen to live music, also present 7 days a week, or watch your favorite sports on the multiple screens that broadcast soccer and football in a cozy atmosphere.
Freddy’s Bar
Address: 627 5th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11215, United States
Contact: +1 718-768-0131
When: Various comedy open mics take place on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays of the month
Boasting an iconic location in the South Slope, Freddy’s Bar is interesting in so many ways. With its free, world-class live music, friendly atmosphere, endless drinks, red Mahogany bar, bar stools and carved booths, this place has raised standards of its kind in so many ways.
One of the reasons why it is always flooded with an energetic crowd is its comedy open mics. There is more than one open mic comedy event that welcomes you to join other artists in the backroom.
The Fun Mic – Alex’s comedy open mic takes place every Monday from 7 pm to 8 pm. Asif’s comedy open mic is open on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month, from 7 pm to 9 pm. The comedy open mic also happens every second Saturday and Wednesday, from 5 pm to 7: 30 pm on Saturdays and from 7 pm to 9 pm on Wednesdays. The booking requests go through the link on their website, and it is where all upcoming events at Freddy’s Bar are listed.
Freda
Address: 801 Seneca Avenue, Queens, NY 11385, United States
When: Every Monday
Sign up at: 7:30 pm
Kicks off at: 8 pm
There’s no better place to showcase your talent than The Underground open mic at Freda Bar. The performances are free to attend, and the open mic nights take place every Monday.
So, what have you got? Poetry? There is a crowd eager to listen to your verses. Music? A supportive band is ready to go. Comedy? Who can say no to a few good jokes? The best part is that Freda Bar is one of those open mic spots in NY that are free to perform and attend.
Bring the best of your performances at this cool bar in Ridgewood, New York, you will get approximately 8 minutes to show what you have got. And keep up with their Instagram account – it is where The Underground Open Mic is most active and posts regular updates on their events and open mic nights.
Otto’s Shrunken Head
Address: 538 E 14th Street, New York, NY 10009, United States
Contact: +1 212-228-2240
When: Every Wednesday
Sign up at: 5 pm
Kicks off at: 6 pm
This offbeat tiki bar isn’t only known for their tropical cocktails and quirky setting. Throughout the week, it proves that it is one of the best open mic venues in New York. They host a variety of open mic events but the ones taking place on Wednesday happen every week.
The Ottos’ Wednesday Jam is an open mic followed by an open jam. People start filling up the space before 6 pm so we suggest that you reach the spot at 5 to secure a decent place on the signup sheet.
Otto has every bit of a laid-back island vibe that is native to the South Pacific. With its mix of traditional Tiki décor, live bands, rum based beverages and DJs, it has become a prominent place on the calendars of singers, songwriters, and acoustics looking for good open mic spots in NY.
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