Best Open Mics of 2016
Hey, I'm Marty Wurst and I review open mics on my Instagram. Comedy seems to come second.
It's fun to tell my family where I go to open mics.
I get to say I do comedy in gay bars, sports bars, dive bars, rock bars, at the Scientology Celebrity Center, in front of a green screen, at a bagel shop, Chinese restaurants, book stores, art galleries, backyards, record stores, wine bars, a comic book shop, a wine cellar, a grocery store, a bowling alley, a garage IN AN ALLEY, hotels, outside a hot dog joint, inside a hot dog joint, a thrift store, a barbershop, some pizzerias, in a number of coffee shops, comedy clubs, and black box theaters...on a boat, in a cheese shop, and at an AA meeting. Just think about how crazy that sounds. I can't wait to see where I end up this year.
Laundromat, butchershop, nursing home? 101 Freeway mic. Sex shop mic has to happen. How about a D-list celebrity's home? Hang on to the side of a plane on takeoff like Tom Cruise and everyone in the plane can hear you do comedy! Tasty riffs about dying, comedians love that shit!
There were 50 new mics that popped up this year, but I think I made a pretty good dent. ONWARDS!
WINNERS OF 2016
Alright, let me just say up front, I didn't know how to consistently separate these mics into the appropriate categories, whether to include mics that had folded, or write out every single mic into every category- it was too much to wrap my head around. Plus I screwed up a question where you couldn't write in your own answer- the "Best Bucket" mic was limited to 4 answers only, so I apologize. I corrected it, but it probably cost certain mics the winning votes...I'm a dick.
SEE?
This is just for fun. We all have our favorite mics and we're loyal to them. I just thought it'd be cool to show you what mics are out there and maybe you'll consider checking one out some day. Or maybe you'll snub me next time you see me.
"Hey asshole, saw the results. Thanks for leaving my mic off the list ya DOUCHEWURST!"
I hit a lot of these mics only ONCE, so YOUR VOTES will also help me decide whether I should return.
I really want to give all the solid open mics props, I really do. Anyway, I won't muck it up next time. If it makes you feel better, The Joke Gym never gets props.
ON TO THE WINNERS!
BEST FEEDBACK MIC
Comedian's Choice Flappers Burbank
Open Mic Reviews Fanatic Salon
No pictures in this category, sorry!
BEST BUCKET MIC
Comedian's Choice "Mouthypants" at The Other Door
Open Mic Reviews Grounded Cafe
Honorable Mentions BAPS Hollywood Hotel mic TIED with Sabor y Cultura
BUCKET TIME! "Mouthypants" at The Other Door was like the CHEERS of open mics. Meeting with friends, getting drunk, and doing comedy. Kym Kral and Whitney Melton are the biggest sweethearts and made everyone feel welcome. Now the torch has been passed on to Kevin Anderson and Vanessa Gritton, who keep that love going every TUES. Email killermicotherdoor@gmail.com by Monday at 5 PM. 20 names will be chosen at random. Join Killer Mic on Facebook Sign-up for 20 lottery spots starts at 8pm at the show. 10437 Burbank Blvd, North Hollywood.
And now...it's time for a very special presentation of
THE JARED LEVIN AWARDS!
Jared Levin is a comedian in Los Angeles. He's humped over a thousand stools on various stages across the mid-west. You may know Jared as the comic who cleverly uses the mic stand as a semi-automatic weapon, his way of paying tribute to Jeff Carrisalez. That makes him over-qualified to give out awards.
BEST OPEN MIC FOR DEPLORABLE BEHAVIOR
Comedian's Choice Marty's
Open Mic Reviews Blacklight District Lounge (trust me)
Honorable Mention Liquid Zoo
The Blacklight District Lounge in Long Beach is what comic hell is like. I can't recommend it, because you'll hear the darkest, most fucked up depressing shit. I feel like rape jokes were born here. You'll hear N-bombs and misogyny and no one will laugh. All your jokes will get the same reaction. NOTHING. Every once in awhile, a comic may chuckle, but it'll shake you! You do get a nice chunk of time (10-15 minutes) and the hosts are always friendly, but it's a sad place. Bar Rescue couldn't even rescue this place- Blacklight District Lounge rejected them! They said,
"No thanks! We're happy wallowing in shit, now get THE FUCK OUT!"
If you're a glutton for punishment like I am, come on through!
BEST MIC TO DO YOUR FIRST SET
Comedian's Choice Tribal
Open Mic Reviews Marty's
Honorable Mentions Sal's Comedy Hole, Rockpaper Coffee
Marty's at 7351 Sunset Blvd (entrance on Martel) This is home base for a lot of comics. For good reason. You can do 10-30 minutes between two rooms. Hang out, shoot the shit, have some coffee, order pizza, charge your phone, etc. You might not have an audience. Sometimes you do. Some comics may suggest tags for your bits- they get into it here- finding the funny. It can be lively. People return after years of being away.
It was good for my first mic because I knew in advance that it would be a low pressure environment. Lose my virginity quick and get it over with- done. It wasn't pretty, but I did my first set. Marty is supportive. This is a convenient location for a lot of comics and it's open every day! MON-FRI 5-11pm and SAT-SUN 7-11pm. $5 includes coffee and plenty of stage time.
Just don't bring your girlfriend here, that'll prompt Marty to tell his string of rape/incest jokes.
BEST CHINESE RESTAURANT OPEN MIC
Comedian's Choice The Palace
Open Mic Reviews The Palace
Joe Kardon hosts at The Palace Restaurant in Los Feliz. On some nights, this room can feel as tough as The Comedy Store. A lot of great comics have done their time here. I've always loved Joe's intros. TUES The mic is after the booked show, which starts around 9:50pm. Lottery. 4 minutes.
BEST MIC THAT FOLDED TOO SOON
Comedian's Choice Days Inn
Open Mic Reviews Los Globos
Honorable Mentions Blackbull Chophouse
Nikki Black and Ellie McElvain were behind the Los Globos mic. It started great and they maintained a fun atmosphere in an intimate room. Plus they found a bag of coke on the stage that some band had left from the night before.
BEST B-LINE PAST THE COMEDIAN TO GO TO THE BATHROOM
Comedian's Choice Karma Lounge (beads!!)
Open Mic Reviews Scallywags
"Plan B" open mic at Scallywags barbershop. A great all-comic mic in Fullerton that had the unique sheet metal backdrop/bathroom door directly behind the performer. There's no way you could ignore it and I especially loved when a comic would end their set, then immediately turn around to go to the bathroom. R.I.P. Scallywags!
LOUDEST OPEN MIC
Comedian's Choice Big Wang's
Honorable Mention Wine Bar (Long Beach)
Open Mic Reviews Dog Haus
Honorable Mention Wine Bar (Long Beach)
Alex Duong hosting at Big Wangs in Hollywood. Sure it may be one of the loudest, but Alex said it right, "This is where you get good. If you can be funny here, you can do any room." He hosts "The Best of 3rd Worlds Comedy" with Haiti every MON and they're a riot. Sign up at 10pm, starts at 11. 1-item minimum. 5 minutes.
BEST SAFE SPACE MIC
Comedian's Choice Tao Comedy Studio
Open Mic Reviews Tao Comedy Studio
Honorable Mentions Irvine Improv, The Clown House
Bobby Oliver (not pictured here) runs The Tao Comedy Studio on Beverly Blvd. No malicious content here. As she puts it, "Take your rape jokes to Marty's because I'm too old for this shit!" Supportive and fun. MON at 8pm (women only) and FRI at 8pm. $5 which includes a drink. 5 minutes.
I also got a voicemail from a great comic/friend, Jeanne Whitney. Here's her take on safe space mics.
And now...another installment of the JARED LEVIN AWARDS!
BEST DIVE BAR MIC
Comedian's Choice Liquid Zoo
Honorable Mentions Lexington, M-Bar
Open Mic Reviews M-Bar
Honorable Mentions Lexington, The Blvd
The M Bar in East LA. This is definitely one of those hidden gems in the open mic scene. Steven Moreno and Tony Alfieri host. Great underground vibe, like you're hanging out in somebody's basement. Sometimes Steven brings churros. Hit it up on SUN Sign up 8:30pm, starts at 9. A 1-item minimum gets you 7 minutes!
BEST NEW OPEN MIC
Comedian's Choice Cask & Hammer, Arlyn Pillay Gallery TIED for 2nd with Scientology Celebrity Center (haha) and Molly Bloom's
Honorable Mention Delicious Vinyl TIED with Meea's Hot Dogs
Open Mic Reviews Free Wifi, Meea's Hot Dogs, The Whisperer
Honorable Mention The Blvd
Free Wifi at The Union House, Downtown LA. Come on, that's a great set-up! Really impressed by this mic; first outdoor night mic I've been to that's really lit well. It's a fun stage and they're energetic hosts: Jessica Dyer, Robbie Bruens, Phillip Maxwell Binder, and Tara McGorry. TUES starts at 8pm, but you can sign up as late as 10! Rolling lottery. $1 for 5 minutes or 3 minutes for free. A bargain!
BEST HECKLERS
Comedian's Choice Liquid Zoo
Honorable Mention Anchor Bar
Open Mic Reviews Anchor Bar
Honorable Mention The Cork Lounge
Ryan Talmo (The Valley Jesus) hosts at the Liquid Zoo in Van Nuys. Alas, the WED mic with Ron Swallow is no more, but you can still get your heckle fix on Sundays with Talmo. I don't know much from experience, but I recall countless posts online about crazy shit that went down at the Zoo. It's a great dive bar and for a 1-item minimum you get 7 minutes. Sign up on SUN at 8:30pm.
BEST OPEN MIC WITHIN A 2-BLOCK RADIUS
Comedian's Choice Venice Grind
Open Mic Reviews Venice Grind
Venice Grind is an impressive mic run by Shannon O' Donnell. It has great atmosphere, feels more like a show, and Shannon is constantly running around to make sure things are going smoothly. Nice to have a host that's an ace with sound too. Great mixed mic option! Sign up Sunday at 5pm, starts at 6. Lottery. 3-5 minutes.
BEST OPEN MIC THAT ENDED IN 2016
Comedian's Choice Echoes Under Sunset, Scallywags, "Mouthypants" at The Other Door
Honorable Mention Main St. Bar and Cabaret
Open Mic Reviews Murder Room, Main St. Bar and Cabaret, Echoes Under Sunset
Honorable Mention Days Inn
Echoes Under Sunset in Echo Park. Lot of great memories for a lot of comics. Another home base. Fantastic space. Christian and Jasmine Chavez were so generous and always friendly. A countless number of shows were produced here. I got to bring Maria Bamford on this stage. It was such a good training ground for new comics, you could volunteer to host. Great hang. Could be a really tough room at times. There were a lot of young guys on stage venting about their worthless lives, but I met some of my favorite people here. Anyone who misses it should go through Christian's amazing album on Facebook-dive into a giant tasty bowl of seasoned chips and go through the memories.
BEST MIXED MIC
Comedian's Choice Tribal Cafe
Honorable Mention Venice Grind
Open Mic Reviews Slip Bar and Eatery
Honorable Mention The Lost Bean
Tribal Cafe in Echo Park! Random hosts, or no host at all, but you can reliably get some time MON-THURS or on SUN. They all start at 6pm. $4 purchase minimum, but the food is grubbin! Another great choice for a first mic; it's low pressure, you will learn to deal with the occasional blender, and you can always ask if they need a host. Get some experience in!
BEST DIY MIC
Comedian's Choice Garage Behind Food 4 Less
Honorable Mention Workout Room in Hollywood
Open Mic Reviews Meea's Hot Dogs
Honorable Mention Holy Grounds and Coffee (love that stage!)
The Garage Behind Food 4 Less in Los Angeles. This is Victor Martinez Jr's creation and it's fucking dope. Longer sets, snacks, beer, you can park right in the alley, and get some decent time. If piss-smelling, trash covered alleys isn't your thing, well you're probably free of STDs, but I dig it!
1717 S Western Ave. SAT starts at 10:30pm First, come, first served. 7-8 minutes.
This shit ain't over...another winner takes it all in the JARED LEVIN AWARDS!
BEST MIC TO GET BAKED
Comedian's Choice Garage Behind Food 4 Less
Honorable Mention Sunday BOMB Open Mic Brunch
Open Mic Reviews Boat Mic
Honorable Mention Rafa's Lounge
If you ever see Boat Mic pop up on The Comedy Bureau again, find a way to get on it! Tim Spencer is a gracious host and puttering around Marina del Rey is a wonderful way to spend a night. Can't imagine a better place getting high either...you're one with nature broooooo.
BEST COFFEE SHOP MIC
Comedian's Choice Sabor y Cultura
Honorable Mentions The Library, Solar de Cahuenga
Open Mic Reviews Grounded Cafe
Honorable Mentions Coffee+Food, The Library
Sabor y Cultura mic with The Martin Duprass. They were kick ass hosts that kept it energetic and fun. They gave out prizes, used clappers, and made you feel okay about waiting around for a couple hours. Anyway, they just recently passed the torch over to Bryan Vokey and Christian Pieper- very funny guys. Sabor has a great menu, plenty of space and there's people all over the place, which makes it kind of fun. Like two sets of audiences to play to. FRI Sign up at 8pm. Lottery. 3 minutes.
BEST FOOD
Comedian's Choice Karma Lounge
Open Mic Reviews Karma Lounge
Honorable Mention Tribal Cafe (over 100 items on their menu! Great grub.)
Karma Lounge makes the best sliders I've ever had. Truffle fries are outrageous too. I had these two nights ago and I forgot to take my own picture!
BEST LATE NIGHT OPTION
Comedian's Choice Flappers Bar (Burbank)
Honorable Mention Mel's Drive-In
Open Mic Reviews Flappers (Claremont)
Honorable Mention Hooters
Claremont Flappers won me over. Every time I've gone, there has been a solid audience. Flappers Yoo-Hoo room in Burbank is a great late night option too- they had a great audience, but Claremont was even better. When there are more customers in the audience than comics waiting to go up, that's saying something. It's definitely clicky here, but it's worth it for the audience. THURS Sign up at 9-9:30pm. Starts at 10. First come, first served. 3 minutes.
BEST ALL-COMIC AUDIENCE
Comedian's Choice The Clubhouse
Honorable Mentions Max Bloom's TIED for 2nd with Murder Room, and Hyperion Tavern TIED for 3rd with Pig N' Whistle
Open Mic Reviews Grounded Cafe
Honorable Mentions Murder Room, T&L Pollo's
The Clubhouse in Los Feliz. You wouldn't know that there's a ton of great comedy going on next to Jons in an ugly strip mall. Another hidden gem for the comedy nerds. The Clubhouse has multiple rooms with a sweet MST3K mural out front. Open mic is FRI Sign up at 6pm. 6:30 start. Lottery. 3 minutes. Jace Avery and Connor McNutt host.
Who will win next in the JARED LEVIN AWARDS?
BEST CROWD
Comedian's Choice Anchor Bar
Honorable Mention Irvine Improv
Open Mic Reviews Anchor Bar
Honorable Mention Hooters
This is the best way to show you what the Anchor Bar experience is like. A picture won't capture it. Take a look at Duke Fightmaster's fantastic ongoing series and tell me you don't want to be a part of it! Even when it's really late, there's usually a few die-hard comedy fans that stick it out.
BEST MIC FOR LONGER SETS
Comedian's Choice Paladino's (8 minutes)
Honorable Mention M-Bar (7-8 minutes)
Open Mic Reviews Doll Hut (10 minutes)
Honorable Mention The Nectar Lounge (8 minutes)
The Doll Hut is an awesome punk bar in Anaheim. There's just something about this room that's FUN. Joshua Waldrop hosts and produces the Red Guerrilla Funhouse show on the 2nd Wednesday of every month- the open mic follows it. Even on slow nights it's a great hang. Joshua is a great dude and will always get you up. This is my home base! 10 minute sets.
BEST MIC TO PERFORM 3 MINUTES
Comedian's Choice The Lab at The Hollywood Improv
Honorable Mention Comedy Store Potluck
Open Mic Reviews Anchor Bar
Honorable Mention Westside Comedy Theater
Ken Garr and Avery Pearson hosting at The Lab. There is definitely an energy in this room and it always feels like a privilege to perform here. Always a great mix of people in the crowd. Plus Ken and Avery are great- total professionals. There's two different mics and they're both great. You'll like being on that stage so much, it'll burn your ass if they don't draw your name, especially after 2 hours. TUE Sign up at 5:45pm or SUN Sign up at 9:30pm
BEST COMEDY CLUB OPEN MIC
Comedian's Choice The Lab at The Improv
Open Mic Reviews Comedy Store Potluck
The Comedy Store Potluck is on MON sign up at 6pm. Results are posted around 6:45 on the window. 3 minutes. I always think of it as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, "I GOT THE GOL-DEN TI-CKET!!!" It's always a long shot, but man it's pretty great when you strike it rich. Tough ass room with all that history. Nothing like it.
BEST OUTDOOR MIC
Comedian's Choice Workout Room in Hollywood
Honorable Mention Sunday BOMB Open Mic Brunch
Open Mic Reviews Yardwork Mic
Honorable Mention Meea's Hot Dogs
The Workout Room in Hollywood. Simon Gibson, Megan Rice, Jeff Sewing, Greg Edwards, Doug Dixon, and Leah Kayajanian host this great outdoor mic. Free beer, pizza, and a warm fire. Donate and help them keep it going, it's a supportive all-comic mic. 1243 N. Gower FRI Sign up at 7:30pm, starts at 8. Some 7 minute spots, then 3.
BEST HOST TO HANDLE HECKLERS
Comedian's Choice Evan Cassidy
Honorable Mention Erik Marino
Open Mic Reviews Evan Cassidy
Honorable Mention Vanessa Gritton
As a last minute addition, I found a great example of Evan working his magic at The Anchor Bar, courtesy of Duke Fightmaster!
BEST $5 MIC
Comedian's Choice Marty's
Honorable Mention Tao Comedy Studio
Open Mic Reviews El Cid
Honorable Mention Pig N' Whistle
El Cid on Sunset Blvd in Los Angeles. I just love the variety show feel with the list of performers posted backstage. It feels like I'm in the cast of The Muppet Show. Jugglers, musicians, magicians and comics. The room looks like a 16th century tavern. It's pretty damn fun for an open mic, I would try it! MON Sign up at 7:30pm. $5 entry. 4 minutes.
Before the big winners, we have the final, highly coveted, JARED LEVIN AWARD!
BEST OVERALL OPEN MIC
Comedian's Choice Anchor Bar, The Other Door, Comedy Store Potluck
Honorable Mention Brix
Open Mic Reviews Brix, Anchor Bar, Yardwork
Honorable Mention Doll Hut
Brix in Sunset Beach. Love the audience of locals and tourists. It's right by the ocean and there's great food. Plus John is one of the nicest guys on the scene. It's a win-win. Join Sunset Beast/Brix Comedy on Facebook. WED Show starts at 8pm, open mic follows. 16635 Pacific Coast Highway, Sunset Beach
BEST OPEN MIC HOST
Comedian's Choice Evan Cassidy (Anchor Bar), John Silver (Brix), Ryan Talmo(Liquid Zoo)
Honorable Mention Vanessa Gritton and Kevin Anderson (The Other Door)
Open Mic Reviews Brian Biancardi (Murder Room), Evan Cassidy (Anchor Bar) The Martin Duprass (Sabor y Cultura)
Honorable Mention Kristal "The Pistol" at The Short Stop. She hosted half of the mic, but she cranked it up to 11. Force to reckon with.
Brian Biancardi is a delightful human being. He really got the room fired up with chants of "MURD-DER" while flooding the room with multi-colored lights. It sounds stupid as I'm writing this, but you had to be there. One of the great all-comic open mics to go to. I'm just sorry I never came through for the setup outside- totally missed out. R.I.P. Murder Room.
OKAY, that's pretty much it, but I have one more guest contributor, Chad who was kind enough to take time out of his epic schedule to leave me a voicemail.
Thanks Bro. You can check out more Chad here.
Special shout out to Nolan at Dromebox Labs, which is also a fantastic mic that everyone should check out. Just a great creative atmosphere to be around.
Dromebox Labs puts out new content daily. Go to the open mic, get involved, guest on someone's show! Click the link I left above for more info, or join their Facebook page.
I know this post is long enough, but I'd like to include some of the generous responses I got from a handful of great comedians I reached out to. Here are some of their favorite mics:
Ali Macofsky- Sabor y Cultura, Anchor Bar, Grounded (R.I.P.)
Anne Flagg- The Hideaway Cafe, Cask & Hammer
Seth Woodward- T&L Pollo's, Max Bloom's, Arlyn Pillay Gallery
Charles Mockler- Meea's Hot Dogs, Tribal Cafe, Free Wifi at Union House
Meea's Hot Dogs in Eagle Rock keeps coming up, so here it is. It's one of the best open mics going now, so check it out! TUES Sign up at 5:30pm. Starts at 6. 5 minutes. Hosted by Vince Caldera and Luis Lemus (pictured above)
Rachel Mac- The Good Nite, Chatterbox, Lyric Hyperion Theater SAT 3pm.
Chatterbox in Covina. It'll put my mind at ease to include this open mic. I get the sense that it's in the top 5, but it barely got any love in this post. I just haven't been around in awhile. THURS Starts at 8pm, so get your name in the hat- STAT! 5 minutes.
Jonathan Green- Marty's, Comedy Store Potluck, Big Wangs, The Next Stage, "Trapped With Comics" at The Lexington SUN Sign up at 5pm.
Chris Dunham- Anchor Bar, Robin Hood British Pub, Fourth Wall (favorite all-comic audience), Hooters (best crowd)
Spencer Kalendar- Pig N' Whistle, Cahuenga General Store (great food too)
Courtney Banks- Sunday Bomb Open Mic Brunch at 1pm, TUES at the Improv, Solar de Cahuenga (most supportive) Lexington "Trapped w/ Comics"
Solar de Cahuenga in Hollywood. TUES Sign up at 7:30pm Starts at 8. Lottery mixed in with booked spots. 4 minutes. Hosted by Chris Sanders and Cooper Lee (pictured above)
Robbie Goodwin- Meltdown, Karma Lounge "Bunney Ranch" THURS 6:15pm (message Jacob Bunney in advance and add Bunney Ranch on Facebook)
Sami Sutker- Karma Lounge and "Let's Get Weird" at The Hollywood Hotel. THURS 7:30pm Lottery. 1-item min. 4 minutes. Hosted By Dave Cerwonka.
Mr. Goodnight- "I'd give Grandview Market Best Open Mic in a Grocery Store!"
Grandview Market in Mar Vista. I wish I got the angle with the actual store part of it, it's pretty funny that people are shopping. Solid mic though. 12210 Venice Blvd. WED sign up at 6:30pm, starts at 7. 4 minutes.
Sorry if your mic didn't get a mention. It doesn't mean it sucks, there are so many damn mics! There are a ton of mics that are run well, but maybe they don't necessarily stick out yet. I'm not putting out a worst-of-list. I think we know which ones suck. I'd rather not talk about those. Besides, someone else might like it, why dump on it?
Oh all right. Good riddance to THIS MIC!
Ali giving it her all at The Man Cave in Universal City. There were more than 40 televisions in this fucking place. Takes a real genius to think that this would make a great setting for an open mic. This is just one little corner of an obnoxious sports bar from hell. I'm so glad it got buried.
Big thanks to Jake Kroeger of The Comedy Bureau. Always on top of his shit every freakin day and providing us with the essential open mic/show guide. Drop him a donation!
Matt Cole for his awesome OC open mic list!
He runs the Cask & Hammer mic and it's another favorite- check that out too!
Openmikes.org, Badslava, and anyone who has ever told me about a random mic, or had nice things to say about "open mic reviews," it means a lot to know you're checking it out. If I was a better comedian, my reviews would really hold weight!
Shout out to all the awesome people that run open mics outside of California!
Thank you for all your votes and indulging me on this, now back to actual work.
Thank you Jared Levin, Jeanne Whitney, and Tom Allen for your guest contributions!
To see all the results from the poll yourself, click here
You can read my open mic reviews for individual open mics here
Okay, it's almost 7am. I lost enough sleep over this.
It's the Good Nite mic in NOHO! Wakka wakka! MON sign up at 7pm. Lottery 3-5 minutes. All right, good night.