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If you know for a fact that a listing is out of date, don't hesitate to let us know! E-mail chris@pastandup.com with any updates or corrections. You can also add new listings the same way. Shows are listed by day of the week.

Sundays

THE LICKETY SPLIT in South Philadelphia. Upstairs, starting sometime after 9:30. The sign-up is 8:30 to 9. You must be 21 to attend. Damon D hosts. E-mail weironourown (at) hotmail.com with the subject as "Sunday comedy" for more information.
Address: 401 South St. Philadelphia, PA 19147
Online: MySpace page

Mondays

FINN McCOOL'S in Center City. Open mic comedy every Monday from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. No cover.
Address: 118 S. 12th St., Philadelphia, PA 19107
Online: Venue info

THE TROCADERO in Center City. Notebooks 2.0 -- an open mic featuring local comedians, poets, rappers, & confessions -- is on the second Monday of each month. Free admission, doors at 10. 5 minute sets. Hosted by Danny Ozark (from the Kidd Chris show on 94WYSP). E-mail him at dannyozark1506 (at) yahoo.com to get on the list.
Address: 1003 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA (Center City)
Online: Trocadero site

THE FIRE in Northern Liberties. Music and comedy. Sign up at 8:30, show at 9. No cover. From Danny Ozark, 8/9/05: "A bar with a seperate area for the stage. It is a predominately music club in a rough but lovably gruff section of Philly. The host of the event is a nice guy named Nate Ferrar. While the open mic is mostly musicians, comics are welcome. Last night I attended the event with Pat Kelly. It was an enjoyable low key time and the crowd seemed stunned that they were getting a variance on what normally goes on. There was a lot of strange people there and it came off like a poor man's Doc Watson's if you can believe that, but the overall experience was that I would not hesitate to go back. I can't see myself going back every week, but as there is a void right now for a Monday open mic in comedy ... this is an acceptable alternative. You can work on new material since this place is so off the radar."
Address: 412 West Girard Ave Philadelphia, PA 19123
Online: Fire site

Tuesdays

HELIUM COMEDY CLUB in Center City. Sign up from 6 to 7 or until the spots have been filled. That night's lineup will be posted at 7:15. The show runs 8-10, with about 20 spots available in 3, 5, 7 and 10 minute sets. You can call 215-496-9001 or e-mail newtalent (at) heliumcomedy.com for more information.
Address: 2031 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, PA
Online: Helium site

TORI'S in South Philadelphia. Show starts at 9:30. Sign-up is in advance, by e-mailing Sergio Santana at sergiosantan (at) gmail.com. From the listing at gigglechick: "This open mic is a mix of stand-up and sketch comedy.There really isn't any show or open mic like it in Philly.It features the best up and coming local comics and sketch comedy by Comic Energy. Hosted by Philly favorite Sun 752 and produced by Comic Sergio Santana."
Address: 119 South Street, Philadelphia, PA
Online: Tori's site

KILDARE'S PUB in Manayunk. Music and comedy. 10 p.m. on the second floor. Their web site has no information. If you have more details, e-mail chris@pastandup.com.
Address: 4417 Main Street, Manayunk, PA 19127
Online: Kildare's site

CRAZY CARL'S in Schwenksville, Pennsylvania. Music and comedy. "It's music open mic but they are really into comedy there. It is a young, friendly rock and roll crowd. I would say get there around 9 to sign up. J.R. is the guy that runs it." (quoted from Pat Kelly, 5/9/05)
Address: 1005 Gravel Pike, Schwenksville, PA 19473 (Montgomery County)
Online: Crazy Carl's site

Wednesdays

COMEDY CABARET in Northeast. This is the at the Travelodge Philadelphia Northeast, starting at 8:30. "Sign up there at 7. Or you can call the hotel at 7 at 215-464-9500 and ask for the bar. Just say you would like to sign up for open mic." (Vince Cummings, comedianvinniec (at) yahoo.com) 5 minute sets. Free parking. Free admission to comics, $5 to guests. Club Line: (215)676-5653.
Address: 11580 Roosevelt Blvd., Philadelphia, PA
Online: Comedy Cabaret site

LAFF HOUSE in South Philadelphia. 8:30 PM, sign up 7:30 - 8. Age 18 or over. No onsite parking. 3-5 minute sets. ; No "excessive cursing". Free to comics, $5 to guests. Here's a notice sent along 1/22/08: "Check out the Laff House Open Mic this week. It's all new because its now being fully run by comics. What a democratic situation. The list is a random drawing (first 20 names pulled from a hat) and each week a different performer gets to witness the list being prepared."
Address: 221 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Online: Laff House site

MARATHON GRILL (MarBar) in University City. On the second floor. Meters are free after 8. The show is from 8:45 to 11:00 PM. Sign-up is at 8:15. All comedians get one free drink and tips from customers. University of Pennsylvania crowd. Contact Sharpshire to reserve your spot at 610-394-6333. (Info proviede by Conrad Lawson, April 17 2006.)
Address: 40th and Walnut Streets in Philadelphia, PA
Online: Marathon Grill site

THE STRESS FACTORY in New Brunswick, New Jersey. Signup 7:30, show starts 8:15 PM, $5 cover. Call ahead 732-545-4242. 5 minutes stage time.
Address: 90 Church Street, New Brunswick NJ 08901
Online: Stress Factory site

GRAPE STREET in Manayunk. Music and comedy. Hosted by JD Malone. "Mostly music acts but comics have always been well-received. Sign-up is 7:30, show starts at 8:30." (Danny Ozark, 7/20/06) For more info call (215) 483-7084.
Address: 4100 Main Street, Philadelphia, PA 19127
Online: Grape Street site

CUE CLUB II in Delran, New Jersey. Music and comedy. Starting at 6:30, sign-up is on-site at the front door as early at 6. "We will be charging a small fee for sound but this could be the best sounding open mic around. Everyone and every style are welcome. Bring fans, entertain people and you could find yourself with a paying gig next time you come through the door. Comedians come and impress and be featured on a Sat. night in future. CD's Will be available of your performance." Quoted from Ian, haddonband (at) yahoo.com. April 24 2007.
Address: 1060 Chester Ave., Delran, NJ 08075
Online: Cue Club 2 Myspace page

BERWYN TAVERN in Berwyn, Pennsylvania. Music and comedy. Starting at 9. "Mostly music, but they are looking for new and different acts. There have been pretty good crowds the last couple of times I've been there, with drunk girls dancing on bars, pool tables, and alcohol. It's a great room, plus the R-5 stops at the Berwyn Train Station right next door." (Alex Pearlman, 9/13/05)
Address: 625 Lancaster Avenue, Berwyn, PA 19312
Online: Berwyn Tavern site

STONEY'S PUB in Wilmington, Delaware. Music and comedy. 9 p.m., sign up at 8:00. Sets about 7-8 minutes, (302) 477-9740.
Address: 3007 Concord Pike, Wilmington DE 19803
Online: Stoney's site

GENERAL LAFAYETTE INN in Lafayette Hill, Pennsylvania. Music and comedy. "Sign up at 9. Mostly music, but they would love to have more comedians. Guy who runs it is Ty Smith, (e-mail is tysmith (at) tysmith.net). Talk to Jamie for more information. Call 610-941-0600."
Address: 646 Germantown Pike, Lafayette Hill, PA 19444
Online: Inn site

Thursdays

BARRINGTON COFFEE HOUSE in Barrington, New Jersey. Music and comedy. 8:00 PM, Sign Up 7:30, E-mail scott (at) scotrif.com for advance sign-up, or call (856) 573-7800 for info.
Address: 131 Clements Bridge Road, Barrington NJ 08007
Online: Barrington Coffee site

Saturdays

VALLEY FORGE BEEF AND ALE in Audubon, Pennsylvania. A new talent showcase starting at 9:45. The phone is (610) 666-1520. Call to reserve stage time or e-mail Bruce Larkin at funnybruce (at) aol.com. 10 minute sets. $5 cover charge for noncomics; comics get 2 comps. "No really dirty or offensive stuff."
Address: 827 Trooper Rd., Audubon PA 19403 (Montgomery County)
Online: Chuckles site

Floating Open Mics

SOUR GRAPES. "Sour Grapes is a roving, theraputic party held at many of the East Coast's hottest spots and billed as The After-Work Un-Happy Hour. Perfect for everyday citizens willing to air their grievances, dislikes, gripes, diatribes, frustrations, issues, calamities, slanderous and libelious spewings and overall disenchantment with this ridiculous, overwhelming and pointless thing called life. So feel free to take the mic to 'hate on' landlords, ex-paramours, jerky bosses, loud pets, spoiled kids, cheap friends and shitty existences." You can check the Myspace page for the date of the next show or to contact the organizers about hosting an event.
Online: Sour Grapes Myspace page