The host calls it the Open Mic of Love...I beg to differ. It's more like the open mic of local high school comedy club graduates. If they don't know you, they don't laugh...not to mention if you're not one of the first ten up, there's nobody left to try your jokes out on. The room is smaller than my bedroom, and good luck finding parking. Skip it.
The place has a huge stage on the second level, but this weekly event happens in a greenhouse on the roof. When directed by staff to go up the fire escape to get to the show, I said, "this doesn't really grab foot traffic". And a waitress replied, "The comics tend to prefer it that way." Yikes!
A lot of fun. Yeah, the crowd thins out later in the evening, but they are engaged and laugh when warranted. I went up third-to-last but still had a great time. Some non-comics even trickled in and out. Robert and Vance are great hosts, and I dig the musical interludes (Weezer's Blue Album this time) between acts - they keep the mood up. I'll definitely go back.
This can be a really fun room. No charge to play, but you don't always get picked because of the large group of comics which can be frustrating. This isn't a room for new people.
Pretty much all comedian audience. The comedy tends to run on the pedantic side. Didn't have good energy for me, but it draws a lot of comics, so it can't be all bad. The place serves decent beer also.
The comics really do get freaked out when outsiders come to watch. It's a strange group that doesn't seem to want anyone else to see them perform. There is also a group therapy vibe where guys and girls talk about how pathetic their lives are.
"The Open Mic Of Love" has been going on for over 10 years now. Run by Vance Sanders and Robert Yasumura, both very nice guys. It's a lotto with a limited number of 5 minute slots. There is a cut off at 25 I believe. If you didn't make the draw there is a 3 min work in list you can sign up for, and you MIGHT get thrown in between the 5 minuters. For the first few comics you will have to deal with the weekly garbage pick up truck outside the open window (diesel engine, crashing dumpsters and cans, and the beep beep backing up noise) it goes on forever. It's all comedians and has a real melting pot of young and old, new and veterans, alt and hipster. Very tough room. The biggest laughs tend to come from savers, example: "so the bartender says thats not a duck that my wife (silence) .. well that didn't work (big laugh). It almost encourages you to bomb to work on your savers. The room is a full house of comics and one by one they leave after they get on so the last few perform to virtually nobody. It can also be pretty cliquey. I personally don't like making a trek to an open mic where i MIGHT get on, especially with gas prices so high and then pay for parking (meter or garage). It's good to see old friends there and meet some new faces, probably better for networking than getting on. - Brett Gilbert
There are a few bad reviews here. Those are written by unfunny not comics. yes, it can be a hard room. Boo hoo. Grow some balls, write a joke, and shut up.
Certainly some sour grapes on this board. The room is alright. It's not the best but it's not the worst either. It's a lottery for 20-25 five minute slots. Everyone else does three minutes. They also slide a three minute slot between each of the five minute slots. Then when they run out of five minute slots they just fly through the rest of the 3 minute slots. I drew a #14 and went up about two and half hours later. It's a long night but this IS an open mic. The host sat directly in front of the stage at a table with a stop watch and an Ipod for music. I think he didn't have a long enough cord for his ipod. It was strange with him sitting there. It felt like an audition and frequently people would come up and stand over the table trying to read the list. Like most open Mic's the audience is all comedians and there were a few stand outs and a lot of people trying new stuff. The host was super intellectual and threw a few newbies under the bus when they ate shit on stage. But whatever. This room is still decent. There's a mic, it's free, and you can practice your jokes.
I tried to read many people's comments on here but my eyes got tired after I read about ten (I'm just being honest for no reason). But upon reading the comments and thinking about what I think about the place thus far, having been here about a good 6 times over a three year period. I actually like the room! In my humble opinion, I would go out on a limb and say that I found this place a bit intimidating up until recently. Some of the negative things I read comments from I would have to admit that I am not suprised and that I have even noticed such instances as well. I am an aware individual though so maybe that's why. The bright side of this room is that comics have an opportunity to learn to get better at all the things about this room, crowd, clique, and learn how to own the spot light when on stage. Plus, it's a good room to learn how to build on the postive things about your material or about the crowd's receptive level.
I got up here last week for the first time and I'll definitely be back regularly. The lottery system is fair and after they pick your name you actually get to sign up on the list in the earliest spot possible, or latest if you're a foolish coward. The host Vance Sanders was cool and a lot of the comics there seemed to be regulars. You're not going to get any courtesy laughs, but it's better that way and that's how I prefer it.
1) Honest hosts - The drawing is done randomly and you sign your own name and very rarely if ever get bumped to later.
2) Fun vibe...from the hosts...ONLY - The crowd of comedians is either socially awkward or just disgusted by newcomers. However, if you go up and deliver some funny jokes when you get off stage people will talk to you. It's weird. It's like they just don't want to waste their time on some idiot from out of town....on the one hand I kinda agree :-P
3) Almost impossible for shy comics - This is not the type of room to go meet people or get feedback on your material if you are a shy. To get a laugh here you must have the confidence you'd need to perform at a club. That being said about 50% of the audience actually pays attention, which is a HUGE improvement from most mics where almost nobody is paying attention. So if you tell a good joke you'll get a laugh.
4) Parking is a nightmare. It's Westwood, what do you expect? Nothing the hosts could do about it.
5) Due to it's popularity it's very hard to get up - Actually a refreshing change from being hard to get up because you didn't bring people or you don't know the host.
6) One last note: Off the cuff jokes kill - If you make a decent joke about some of the other performers that went before you or the crowd you'll get a nice response. Just don't do it in a negative tone like "you idiots aren't paying attention", in fact, never do that, anywhere.
Worth checking out especially for an aspiring comedian that might not be ready to go up yet but wants to see some developing pros work out material in the beginning stages.
The above post nails it on the head. Though understates the parking. If you do not want to pay for parking expect to drive around for an hour or park a mile away and walk. Obviously there's nothing Brew Co. could do about it, but it's something very important to consider.
The first time I tried to do this mic I drove around for an hour, missed sign up and just watched for a bit before heading home. Don't be me, leave yourself time :-P
Waste of time! Not that bad of a room, overall, but host (Robert) was a turbo douche with an inferiority complex. The earlier host, Vance, wasn't bad. Was #18 on the list, sat around for 2 hours and 45 minutes while that little bitter depressed half excuse for a man/host called all his buddies up that weren't on the list of 20 randomly drawn names, then finally left, seeing as how the 3 names on the list before me had yet to be called. Quick tip for the host: If you are going to sit in the front row 2 feet from the comics, maybe don't sit there loudly tearing page after page out of your "joke" book the entire time someone's doing a set; oh, and if no one laughs at your jokes when you go up, maybe you shouldn't be shit talking the other comics jokes who do get laughs. Whats the point of having a sign-up list if you aren't going to adhere to it?
Thanks, guys. I've been in the game for almost 3 years, but I've never performed here. These comments were very helpful, especially ^ the most recent comment. I HATE hosts who bump more than one or two people, so will bear it in mind as I'm selecting which mic I'll perform at tonight.
This bar is CLOSED. I emailed badslava about it. I don't know when it happened. Was about to go tonight, was looking for directions when this came up: http://www.yelp.com/biz/westwood-brewing-company-los-angeles
Nice, supportive room. The host is great, clever, and strikes the right balance of snarky and sweet.
ReplyDeleteThe host calls it the Open Mic of Love...I beg to differ. It's more like the open mic of local high school comedy club graduates. If they don't know you, they don't laugh...not to mention if you're not one of the first ten up, there's nobody left to try your jokes out on. The room is smaller than my bedroom, and good luck finding parking. Skip it.
ReplyDeleteThe place has a huge stage on the second level, but this weekly event happens in a greenhouse on the roof. When directed by staff to go up the fire escape to get to the show, I said, "this doesn't really grab foot traffic". And a waitress replied, "The comics tend to prefer it that way." Yikes!
ReplyDeleteA lot of fun. Yeah, the crowd thins out later in the evening, but they are engaged and laugh when warranted. I went up third-to-last but still had a great time. Some non-comics even trickled in and out. Robert and Vance are great hosts, and I dig the musical interludes (Weezer's Blue Album this time) between acts - they keep the mood up. I'll definitely go back.
ReplyDeleteIt felt like I was sitting in an attic with a bunch of creepy men. Was this a support group or an open mic for comedy?
ReplyDeleteThis can be a really fun room. No charge to play, but you don't always get picked because of the large group of comics which can be frustrating. This isn't a room for new people.
ReplyDeletePretty much all comedian audience. The comedy tends to run on the pedantic side. Didn't have good energy for me, but it draws a lot of comics, so it can't be all bad. The place serves decent beer also.
ReplyDeleteThe host was cool but there was a showcase so it took forever but as long as you don't go towards the end you will get a decent crowd.
ReplyDeleteThe comics really do get freaked out when outsiders come to watch. It's a strange group that doesn't seem to want anyone else to see them perform. There is also a group therapy vibe where guys and girls talk about how pathetic their lives are.
ReplyDeleteNo one from this mic will ever go anywhere in the comedy world. Ever.
ReplyDeleteIf you are not in with their little click don't expect to get picked either.
They are a bunch of racist, rigged hosts that run this thing. Don't waste your time. You'd have a better audience performing in a cemetery.
"The Open Mic Of Love" has been going on for over 10 years now. Run by Vance Sanders and Robert Yasumura, both very nice guys. It's a lotto with a limited number of 5 minute slots. There is a cut off at 25 I believe. If you didn't make the draw there is a 3 min work in list you can sign up for, and you MIGHT get thrown in between the 5 minuters. For the first few comics you will have to deal with the weekly garbage pick up truck outside the open window (diesel engine, crashing dumpsters and cans, and the beep beep backing up noise) it goes on forever. It's all comedians and has a real melting pot of young and old, new and veterans, alt and hipster. Very tough room. The biggest laughs tend to come from savers, example: "so the bartender says thats not a duck that my wife (silence) .. well that didn't work (big laugh). It almost encourages you to bomb to work on your savers. The room is a full house of comics and one by one they leave after they get on so the last few perform to virtually nobody. It can also be pretty cliquey. I personally don't like making a trek to an open mic where i MIGHT get on, especially with gas prices so high and then pay for parking (meter or garage). It's good to see old friends there and meet some new faces, probably better for networking than getting on. - Brett Gilbert
ReplyDeleteThere are a few bad reviews here. Those are written by unfunny not comics. yes, it can be a hard room. Boo hoo. Grow some balls, write a joke, and shut up.
ReplyDeleteCertainly some sour grapes on this board. The room is alright. It's not the best but it's not the worst either. It's a lottery for 20-25 five minute slots. Everyone else does three minutes. They also slide a three minute slot between each of the five minute slots. Then when they run out of five minute slots they just fly through the rest of the 3 minute slots. I drew a #14 and went up about two and half hours later. It's a long night but this IS an open mic. The host sat directly in front of the stage at a table with a stop watch and an Ipod for music. I think he didn't have a long enough cord for his ipod. It was strange with him sitting there. It felt like an audition and frequently people would come up and stand over the table trying to read the list. Like most open Mic's the audience is all comedians and there were a few stand outs and a lot of people trying new stuff. The host was super intellectual and threw a few newbies under the bus when they ate shit on stage. But whatever. This room is still decent. There's a mic, it's free, and you can practice your jokes.
ReplyDeleteI tried to read many people's comments on here but my eyes got tired after I read about ten (I'm just being honest for no reason). But upon reading the comments and thinking about what I think about the place thus far, having been here about a good 6 times over a three year period. I actually like the room! In my humble opinion, I would go out on a limb and say that I found this place a bit intimidating up until recently. Some of the negative things I read comments from I would have to admit that I am not suprised and that I have even noticed such instances as well. I am an aware individual though so maybe that's why. The bright side of this room is that comics have an opportunity to learn to get better at all the things about this room, crowd, clique, and learn how to own the spot light when on stage. Plus, it's a good room to learn how to build on the postive things about your material or about the crowd's receptive level.
ReplyDeleteI got up here last week for the first time and I'll definitely be back regularly. The lottery system is fair and after they pick your name you actually get to sign up on the list in the earliest spot possible, or latest if you're a foolish coward. The host Vance Sanders was cool and a lot of the comics there seemed to be regulars. You're not going to get any courtesy laughs, but it's better that way and that's how I prefer it.
ReplyDelete1) Honest hosts - The drawing is done randomly and you sign your own name and very rarely if ever get bumped to later.
ReplyDelete2) Fun vibe...from the hosts...ONLY - The crowd of comedians is either socially awkward or just disgusted by newcomers. However, if you go up and deliver some funny jokes when you get off stage people will talk to you. It's weird. It's like they just don't want to waste their time on some idiot from out of town....on the one hand I kinda agree :-P
3) Almost impossible for shy comics - This is not the type of room to go meet people or get feedback on your material if you are a shy. To get a laugh here you must have the confidence you'd need to perform at a club. That being said about 50% of the audience actually pays attention, which is a HUGE improvement from most mics where almost nobody is paying attention. So if you tell a good joke you'll get a laugh.
4) Parking is a nightmare. It's Westwood, what do you expect? Nothing the hosts could do about it.
5) Due to it's popularity it's very hard to get up - Actually a refreshing change from being hard to get up because you didn't bring people or you don't know the host.
6) One last note: Off the cuff jokes kill - If you make a decent joke about some of the other performers that went before you or the crowd you'll get a nice response. Just don't do it in a negative tone like "you idiots aren't paying attention", in fact, never do that, anywhere.
Worth checking out especially for an aspiring comedian that might not be ready to go up yet but wants to see some developing pros work out material in the beginning stages.
The above post nails it on the head. Though understates the parking. If you do not want to pay for parking expect to drive around for an hour or park a mile away and walk. Obviously there's nothing Brew Co. could do about it, but it's something very important to consider.
ReplyDeleteThe first time I tried to do this mic I drove around for an hour, missed sign up and just watched for a bit before heading home. Don't be me, leave yourself time :-P
Waste of time! Not that bad of a room, overall, but host (Robert) was a turbo douche with an inferiority complex. The earlier host, Vance, wasn't bad. Was #18 on the list, sat around for 2 hours and 45 minutes while that little bitter depressed half excuse for a man/host called all his buddies up that weren't on the list of 20 randomly drawn names, then finally left, seeing as how the 3 names on the list before me had yet to be called.
ReplyDeleteQuick tip for the host: If you are going to sit in the front row 2 feet from the comics, maybe don't sit there loudly tearing page after page out of your "joke" book the entire time someone's doing a set; oh, and if no one laughs at your jokes when you go up, maybe you shouldn't be shit talking the other comics jokes who do get laughs. Whats the point of having a sign-up list if you aren't going to adhere to it?
Thanks, guys.
ReplyDeleteI've been in the game for almost 3 years, but I've never performed here. These comments were very helpful, especially ^ the most recent comment.
I HATE hosts who bump more than one or two people, so will bear it in mind as I'm selecting which mic I'll perform at tonight.
This bar is CLOSED. I emailed badslava about it. I don't know when it happened. Was about to go tonight, was looking for directions when this came up: http://www.yelp.com/biz/westwood-brewing-company-los-angeles
ReplyDelete