Hey Dave – I have performed terribly at three open-mics in Kentucky. Could you point me in the direction of a “lower end” establishment in Ohio? I’m looking for a place that does not require you to bring five friends. I don’t know five people. Thanks, J.
Come’on in – please!!
Hey J – Thanks for thinking of me when it comes to “lower end” establishments. Maybe I should start calling this the Blue Collar Comedy Column – but let’s not go there. Instead of chasing a “higher end” reputation, let’s focus on what you really need: stage time.
First, about the whole bring-five-friends thing…
Open mics that aren’t at established comedy clubs tend to come and go quickly. Most are in bars, restaurants, or small venues. If the owner is making money on comedy night, it keeps going. If not, they swap the mic for a giant TV and start packing the place for football season.
That’s why you see so many “bringer” shows. It’s a simple business deal:
- You bring paying customers.
- They give you stage time to get experience and improve.
From their perspective, everybody wins.
Stage time!
Now, back when I started in this crazy business, we performed at open-mics in NYC that always had an audience – no bringer requirement. But times have changed. Today, getting stage time often means convincing friends to pay a cover and buy a couple drinks.
Chris Murphy, a comedy coach in NYC, shared some great tips on beating the bringer system in my book Comedy FAQs and Answers. Check your library or grab a copy online if you want the full story.
But let’s get back to your real question – where to find open-mics.
Here’s the deal: open-mic lists get outdated fast. I used to hand them out in my workshops, but by the next session, half the places had shut down or switched to karaoke. The smarter approach is:
- Research – Google comedy clubs in your area (Ohio in your case). Most legit clubs post open-mic info on their websites because it’s free promotion.
- Call – If there’s no info online, call the club. You’ll probably talk to a staffer, not the owner, so don’t worry about annoying the wrong person. Fun fact: many people answering phones at comedy clubs are aspiring comics themselves.
Even if the club doesn’t have an open mic, ask if they know of any. Comics tend to know where stage time is happening.
Once you find one open-mic, go there. Perform, hang out, and start talking to other comics. That’s networking – and it’s the real key to finding stage time. Comics share info, recommend each other, and build local comedy scenes together.
A few tips:
- Be supportive. Watch other comics. Don’t just do your set and leave.
- Share open-mic info when you find it.
- Avoid being “that guy” who only takes and never gives back.
And yes, you’ll meet a few jerks along the way. Every business has them. Ignore the negativity and focus on improving and building connections.
The bottom line:
Once you are part of a local comedy scene, you’ll hear about open-mics before they’re even posted online. The more supportive you are, the more stage time opportunities will come your way.
Simple? From what I’ve seen, it usually is.
Thanks for reading and as always – keep laughing!
For details about September 2025 stand-up comedy workshop at The Cleveland Funny Bone check out this LINK!
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