It's NOT free. It cost $2 to get in whether you're performing or not. It's for musicians and comics but they way the list is done you may be the 3rd comic but with the musicians that means you can go on 12th or so.
I went there before, actually it was my first time ever performing comedy. Had a great time. But tonight, it's changed dramatically. No longer can you wait inside, maybe get a drink before it starts, now you have to wait outside. Oh, it STARTS at 8:00pm, the soonest you can line up is 7:30pm. And get as close as possible to the door. I was told to "wait outside" but if you are not at the door at 7:59pm, you are going to be behind all of the Musician Institute bozos that come there. Amazing that you have to pay $2, get something from the bar, and get snuffed by hacks on the list. You are literally paying money to be treated poorly.
If you are starting out, go to a workshop open mic, not this sadness den.
This one has its ups and downs. Sometimes it's packed. Sometimes it's eerily quiet. It costs two bucks plus a drink, so it will be a minimum of five bucks. It includes musicians, which in my opinion is a good thing, because it gives you a chance to work in front of non-comedians. Plus, musicians seem to be better at bringing in guests.
Mike is also a very cool guy, great host and a fantastic musician in his own right.
It starts at 8pm. 7:30 sign up, but get there an hour early or you will be there all night. Parking in Hollywood after 7 is impossible. You have to wait in the parking lot at the back door. Everyone lines up at the door, going down the stairs to the street. It's half comics half musicians. I saw one comic foolishly smoking a bowl in front of everyone during the wait with no attempt to hide it. The guy that runs the open mic refuses to let people waiting in line create their own list so you have to get your place and stay there or you might lose it. I've seen a couple people leave the line and come back and others were cool with it. Door opens around 7:45. You have to pay $2 and buy something at the bar (me thinks the mc is pocketing the door). Musicians 2 songs, comedians only 4 minutes. It's a small back room and you perform in the corner on the floor. Good sound system. MC starts with rules, the first no smoking pot inside the room, then sings 2 songs to start the show. It alternates music/comedy. It's pretty much the same crowd every week so bring new material. It being Hollywood, it attracts some creepy crazy open micers but only a couple. The crowd is nice but for the time commitment and the money you need to spend, a measly 4 minutes doesn't seem worth it. - Brett Gilbert
They upped the price to $5/person. The audience is mostly disinterested though if you do have a GREAT joke you'll get some laughs.
The musical performers and support of the audience are solid, but if you're a bad be prepared to pay $5 per person, not total, even though you take up the same amount of time. Kinda silly really.
Pig N' Shittle. When I started comedy this place was one of the best open mics. I paid $2 then performed to a huge crowd. with no holds barred. Tonight I walked in to Pig with a 5 dollar bill in my hand (which is the new rate) and was met by a 50-year-old fatass who I've never seen in my life. He talked to me as if he had kicked me out of a club 3 days earlier. His tone was extremely abrasive. Him: "You have to throw that away (referring to a can of Coke in my hand). NOW, let's get this straight: NO sexism, NO racism, NO vulgarity, NO--" Me: "Meh. Gone." Him (in the douchiest voice imaginable): "FINE! Buh-bye."
I very rarely even get into material that someone might consider racist, sexist, etc. I walked out because I can't tolerate such restrictions for comics, ESPECIALLY WHEN I AM PAYING TO PERFORM.
LET'S MAKE SOMETHING CLEAR RIGHT HERE AND NOW, YOU FUCKING TWITS WHO FORCE US TO PAY TO PERFORM: that shit DOES NOT stand in almost any other city. It's considered INSULTING in San Diego, Seattle, etc. Now you not only WANT US TO PAY and in some places WANT US TO BRING FRIENDS AND FAMILY (to a fucking open mic), now you want TO LIMIT WHAT WE SAY?
the bottom line with LA is, there are way more people here who want to be music or comedy stars than there are people who want to hear them try. so ya, you pretty much have to pay to perform and not expect any special attention whatsoever.
I like the tone of your review. A couple of morons who are new to the comedy game (I assume) have replied to some of my complaints about disrespectful comics in the more infamous open mics with, "IT'S PROLLY CUZ YOU SUCK DUR DURPY DUR." No.... The older comics tell us that before they stared at phones they stared at notebooks when they were onstage. It dates back decades. But the whole practice of charging people to perform for cunts who are going to ignore you anyway should change. Fuckers are broke.
3 blocks from my place and I've never done this mic. The reviews make me not want to. I'd do an open mic in a morgue if it was 3 blocks from my place and free. And I wouldn't mind at all if all the corpses just stared into their notebooks and cell phones. I go there to work my shit, not to give a fuck about how open mic "audiences" react. If you do you're focused on the wrong thing. Just shut up, go out every night, Grind it out, and after you've earned it and paid your dues, you will get shows. I learned all that by watching the pros n grinders that modeled it for me.
Cool, man. Again, when I perform for the tops of heads for free I couldn't care less. When I'm paying $1 per minute to be on a stage it really hits home.
Ya you may not need to pay in other shity cities like seassole and fucktardville Alabama but there you have no chance to ever make it out of those towns. Zero. I performed there once and did OK. A few people larfed. I paid the money. The fat asshole was actually cool and got up and told stories. I don't know if next time I go I will get cut off for being sexist or rascist, maybe. Well see. The world of comedy is not waiting for you to welcome you with open arms. Its going to be hard. It will not spoil you and encouredge you like your parents. You probably will also fail and quit. Probably 500 wanabee comics in LA. At any one time, 1 in a thousand will make it. Tuff titty. Take your lumps.
When I post criticism about an L.A. open mic an open micer always lectures me about how comedy "works." If I wanted to know about major league baseball I'm not going to ask a college player about it. My parents never "encouredged" me to do anything even though people "larf" at my comedy. Some of you people need to just accept valid criticism about a place and believe that it's from someone who wants to help the comedy community and either change your behavior OR just stfu.
I performed here a few wednesday's in successions, and the host allowed me multiple stage time in a musically oriented driven open mic that's not specifically curtailed for comics.
My 'white collar' leverage is an opportunistic advantage in the midst of a sensitive driven adult and adolescence medium.
These preconceived notions about the host being abrasive or aggressive, probably stems from his disdain for comics inability to fine tune their content to appeal to a wider demographic, rather than a secluded circle of profanity and social offensiveness.
Regardless, i interacted with the open mic coordinator/host and didn't experience one iota of abrasiveness or condescension.
starts at 8pm, 4 minute set, half music/half comics, $2 and buy a beer. usually is a crowd of real people just because of the musicians.
ReplyDelete90% same comics every week, good comics early, shitty ones at the end. the music is a grabbag, and the musicians are terrified of the comics.
I don't get this place. Large bar and resturaunt,but they stuff you in a small back back room by the toilets.
ReplyDeleteIt's NOT free. It cost $2 to get in whether you're performing or not. It's for musicians and comics but they way the list is done you may be the 3rd comic but with the musicians that means you can go on 12th or so.
ReplyDeleteI went there before, actually it was my first time ever performing comedy. Had a great time. But tonight, it's changed dramatically. No longer can you wait inside, maybe get a drink before it starts, now you have to wait outside. Oh, it STARTS at 8:00pm, the soonest you can line up is 7:30pm. And get as close as possible to the door. I was told to "wait outside" but if you are not at the door at 7:59pm, you are going to be behind all of the Musician Institute bozos that come there. Amazing that you have to pay $2, get something from the bar, and get snuffed by hacks on the list. You are literally paying money to be treated poorly.
ReplyDeleteIf you are starting out, go to a workshop open mic, not this sadness den.
This one has its ups and downs. Sometimes it's packed. Sometimes it's eerily quiet. It costs two bucks plus a drink, so it will be a minimum of five bucks. It includes musicians, which in my opinion is a good thing, because it gives you a chance to work in front of non-comedians. Plus, musicians seem to be better at bringing in guests.
ReplyDeleteMike is also a very cool guy, great host and a fantastic musician in his own right.
It starts at 8pm. 7:30 sign up, but get there an hour early or you will be there all night. Parking in Hollywood after 7 is impossible. You have to wait in the parking lot at the back door. Everyone lines up at the door, going down the stairs to the street. It's half comics half musicians. I saw one comic foolishly smoking a bowl in front of everyone during the wait with no attempt to hide it. The guy that runs the open mic refuses to let people waiting in line create their own list so you have to get your place and stay there or you might lose it. I've seen a couple people leave the line and come back and others were cool with it. Door opens around 7:45. You have to pay $2 and buy something at the bar (me thinks the mc is pocketing the door). Musicians 2 songs, comedians only 4 minutes. It's a small back room and you perform in the corner on the floor. Good sound system. MC starts with rules, the first no smoking pot inside the room, then sings 2 songs to start the show. It alternates music/comedy. It's pretty much the same crowd every week so bring new material. It being Hollywood, it attracts some creepy crazy open micers but only a couple. The crowd is nice but for the time commitment and the money you need to spend, a measly 4 minutes doesn't seem worth it. - Brett Gilbert
ReplyDeleteThe new fee is $5 in cash, (no purchase) which probably accounts for why it went from completely packed to where-the-hell-is-everyone(?).
ReplyDeleteThey upped the price to $5/person. The audience is mostly disinterested though if you do have a GREAT joke you'll get some laughs.
ReplyDeleteThe musical performers and support of the audience are solid, but if you're a bad be prepared to pay $5 per person, not total, even though you take up the same amount of time. Kinda silly really.
Pig N' Shittle.
ReplyDeleteWhen I started comedy this place was one of the best open mics. I paid $2 then performed to a huge crowd. with no holds barred.
Tonight I walked in to Pig with a 5 dollar bill in my hand (which is the new rate) and was met by a 50-year-old fatass who I've never seen in my life. He talked to me as if he had kicked me out of a club 3 days earlier. His tone was extremely abrasive.
Him: "You have to throw that away (referring to a can of Coke in my hand). NOW, let's get this straight: NO sexism, NO racism, NO vulgarity, NO--"
Me: "Meh. Gone."
Him (in the douchiest voice imaginable): "FINE! Buh-bye."
I very rarely even get into material that someone might consider racist, sexist, etc. I walked out because I can't tolerate such restrictions for comics, ESPECIALLY WHEN I AM PAYING TO PERFORM.
LET'S MAKE SOMETHING CLEAR RIGHT HERE AND NOW, YOU FUCKING TWITS WHO FORCE US TO PAY TO PERFORM: that shit DOES NOT stand in almost any other city. It's considered INSULTING in San Diego, Seattle, etc. Now you not only WANT US TO PAY and in some places WANT US TO BRING FRIENDS AND FAMILY (to a fucking open mic), now you want TO LIMIT WHAT WE SAY?
FUCK. YOU.
Don't patronize such places, brothers.
Thanks for that comment man I was just about to head over there to try to play but reading your experience i think I'll pass.
DeleteGood luck with the comedy
ILLDRUMS
You said "Meh. Gone." No you didn't. Damm. You are my hero. You burned that fatass. I wish I had mad freestyling skills like that.
DeleteI don't know, dude... You might want to just start with learning how to spell "damn." It's actually pretty simple, but...
Deletethe bottom line with LA is, there are way more people here who want to be music or comedy stars than there are people who want to hear them try. so ya, you pretty much have to pay to perform and not expect any special attention whatsoever.
ReplyDeleteI like the tone of your review. A couple of morons who are new to the comedy game (I assume) have replied to some of my complaints about disrespectful comics in the more infamous open mics with, "IT'S PROLLY CUZ YOU SUCK DUR DURPY DUR."
DeleteNo.... The older comics tell us that before they stared at phones they stared at notebooks when they were onstage. It dates back decades. But the whole practice of charging people to perform for cunts who are going to ignore you anyway should change. Fuckers are broke.
3 blocks from my place and I've never done this mic. The reviews make me not want to. I'd do an open mic in a morgue if it was 3 blocks from my place and free. And I wouldn't mind at all if all the corpses just stared into their notebooks and cell phones. I go there to work my shit, not to give a fuck about how open mic "audiences" react. If you do you're focused on the wrong thing. Just shut up, go out every night, Grind it out, and after you've earned it and paid your dues, you will get shows. I learned all that by watching the pros n grinders that modeled it for me.
ReplyDeleteCool, man. Again, when I perform for the tops of heads for free I couldn't care less. When I'm paying $1 per minute to be on a stage it really hits home.
DeleteYa you may not need to pay in other shity cities like seassole and fucktardville Alabama but there you have no chance to ever make it out of those towns. Zero. I performed there once and did OK. A few people larfed. I paid the money. The fat asshole was actually cool and got up and told stories. I don't know if next time I go I will get cut off for being sexist or rascist, maybe. Well see. The world of comedy is not waiting for you to welcome you with open arms. Its going to be hard. It will not spoil you and encouredge you like your parents. You probably will also fail and quit. Probably 500 wanabee comics in LA. At any one time, 1 in a thousand will make it. Tuff titty. Take your lumps.
ReplyDeleteWhen I post criticism about an L.A. open mic an open micer always lectures me about how comedy "works." If I wanted to know about major league baseball I'm not going to ask a college player about it. My parents never "encouredged" me to do anything even though people "larf" at my comedy. Some of you people need to just accept valid criticism about a place and believe that it's from someone who wants to help the comedy community and either change your behavior OR
Deletejust stfu.
I performed here a few wednesday's in successions, and the host allowed me multiple stage time in a musically oriented driven open mic that's not specifically curtailed for comics.
ReplyDeleteMy 'white collar' leverage is an opportunistic advantage in the midst of a sensitive driven adult and adolescence medium.
These preconceived notions about the host being abrasive or aggressive, probably stems from his disdain for comics inability to fine tune their content to appeal to a wider demographic, rather than a secluded circle of profanity and social offensiveness.
Regardless, i interacted with the open mic coordinator/host and didn't experience one iota of abrasiveness or condescension.
Eager to perform here again
Nice Open Mic
Atelston Fitzgerald Holder 1st
Mr Pregnant.....!
www.mrpregnant.com
www.youtube.com/mrpregnant
www.youtube.com/mrpregnantmusic
"that's not specifically curtailed for comics."
DeleteYeeeaaaahhhh. It's time to read a dictionary, bro.
I prefer the guy who misspells every other word to the pretentious guy who misuses words.
Yeah that dictionary thing object book or whatever is a good thing to even just PERUSE every now and again.
ReplyDeletethe guy mike who runs it is a fat asshole and the crowds usually suck.
ReplyDelete