Open mic stand-up comedy links

Over the last 12 months, I have performed at a few venues across London that host open mic stand-up comedy nights, so I have put these useful links together for anyone who is interested in giving stand-up comedy a go.




The Comedy Bin
The Comedy Bin arrange several open mic comedy nights at different venues right across London. It is certainly worth getting in contact with Comedybin Jay on Facebook or following on Twitter for more information on how to get on the mailing list and how to book spots.
- Venues include: The Carnivale, The Alchemist, The Retro Pub, T-Bird, The Bowery, The Old School Yard, Dr Inks, and The Railway.

The Cavendish Arms
Every Monday and Tuesday, the Cavendish Arms host Comedy Virgins. This is where I did my first ever stand-up gig and it is one of the best open mic venues on the circuit. The crowd is really supportive and get behind all of the acts. For more information you can follow on Twitter at @CavendishArms or check out the Facebook group.

The Railway
I have a soft spot for the Open Mic nights at The Railway. This is a fairly new night on the circuit, promoting new comedy and music acts. I was there on the first night and I keep going back. One of the few venues where you'll get more than five minutes as a new comedian. Send Openmic Matt a message on Facebook for more information. UPDATE: This is now part of Comedy Bin.

Dirty Dicks
Open mic comedy in the city every Wednesday night called Toyching Cloth. Check out the Dead Comedian's Sock group on Facebook for more information, or email frank.cassidy@gmail.com with the words "Touching Cloth" in the subject title, your name, the date you would like a spot, and if you would like to be filmed (costs £5).

5 Minutes of Fame
These guys host open mic comedy nights at two venues: Rudy's Revenge in Holborn on Wednesday nights, and the Camden Head in Islington on Thursday nights. To book a spot email 5minutesofcomedy@gmail.com with either Wednesday or Thursday in the subject line.

TNT
Tuesday and Thursday nights of comedy at The Torriano in Kentish Arms. If you want to book a gig then email tntgigs@googlemail.com.

The Laughter Lung
A weekly comedy night at The Kings Head in Clapham. Check out the Facebook group for details of how to book slots.

East Meets Jest
Covent Garden open mic comedy at Belushi's. New acts looking for open mic spots can email eastmeetsjest@googlemail.com.

West End Comedy
Open mic night in Leicester Square, not a stones throw from the legendary Comedy Store. Check out details on Facebook by contacting Paul Laight.

Great Comedy Nights
Organisers of the Golden Jester new comedy competition across the South East.

Lions Den Comedy Club
Open mic comedy in the West End at Bar Rumba every Tuesday.

Comedy Cafe
Now into its 20th year of promoting comedy. Every Wednesday they have a New Act Night.

Hoopla
Hoopla hold open mic nights for people who want to try stand-up for the very first time. Check out Steve Roe on Twitter to find out more.

Is it me or are there some strange folk on this open mic scene...?!

Diary of a stand-up comedian Entry #12
Another good little gig last night, this time in London Bridge at Hoopla. The MC for the night is a guy called Steve Roe, who I happened to be in the year below me at school. We didn't know each other back then but comedy has brought us together.

That sounded a bit gay didn't it?

No matter! I went on first last night, and it was the first gig I have done where as soon as your five minutes is up the lights go down and the mic cuts out. That's one way of letting you know that your time is up! But all in all, it went really well. In fact, there was one bloke at the front who laughed his head off at everything I said, so that was a good sign!

Then again, the same bloke laughed his head off at the next act, and the one after him, and the one after him! Hmmm, there seemed to be a pattern emerging here. By the time it got to the halfway stage and the same audience member was still cracking up at the weirdo who came on and made a dolphin noise for five minutes (I kid you not), I was starting to feel my number one fan might be a little fickle.

Still, I've invited him to come to all of my future gigs!

I just went on, and on, and on, and on...

Diary of a stand-up comedian Entry #10
I've been busy trying to set up more gigs at venues other than The Cavendish Arms or The Railway, because in the last three months I've only done five gigs (including last night)! So in the last couple of weeks I have been busy researching other open mic nights, which basically means friend requesting as many other open mic comedians as possible on Facebook and seeing where they gig!

From that I have found these guys called the Comedy Bin who set up various open mic nights across London and I have a few gigs with them in April. Also through Facebook I have found a guy called Steve Roe, who I went to school with, and runs a comedy night called Hoopla in London Bridge, so he has booked me in to his night as well.

So onto last night. I've watched back the video clip and I just went on and on and on for 15 minutes! I was losing the will to live watching it back so God knows what the audience thought last night! The great thing about performing at The Railway over the last couple of months is that I have been able to try out lots of different material...

Granted most of it has been bloody awful, or at least it certainly needs a lot of work, but I should be able to pull out a decent five minutes of material for the upcoming April gigs... I hope!