The layout of The Steel House is mostly conducive for an open mic. The platform that composed the stage was in one corner, farthest from the entrance. Wherever you sat you had a view. To get to the bathroom, though, you had to cross the stage, but even that was not that distracting. Also, they have a DJ, escorting the comedians up and down the stage with his music. The Steel House itself is a full bar with 3 muted TVs on. They serve some food like fries and poppers, but nothing more than finger food. A woman named Jessica ran the room the night I went. Typically, the room is run by a gentleman named Johnnie Flowers. Talent gets 5 minutes, the light at 4. Although in “important” info. it says all talent are welcome, the night I was there the room had only comedians. It followed a show of booked comedians. Maybe over time it became a hot spot for comedy only. There are no language restrictions. The bar itself can seat 75 comfortably. Attending that night. . .12. We arrived around 9pm, believing signup started at 9:30, show at 10. Well, yes and no. Jessica told me when Johnnie runs the room, those times apply. But when there is a guest host, mostly Jessica, the show can start much earlier. The room was very casually run. I came with two other comedians, putting our names back to back, and even the host brought talent up at her discretion, not following the lineup. We didn’t mind. It’s not like there were a lot of people there. Jessica informed me that when Johnnie promotes the show, when he is the host, the turnout can be tremendous. When not as heavily promoted, well, again, there were 12 people at its peak. I have to report the experience I had, but I think this room does rock when it is packed. I could see it in my mind. Everyone had a view of the stage. Comedy all night. Full bar. My suggestion would be to call ahead and ask if open mic was being hosted by Johnnie or not. As for my experience, it was good. If it had been packed with talent, I might have objected had my name not been called when it should have. But it was such a lax night, it was fine that Jessica kept it loose. It fit the room that night. Comedians went up, did their set, got some laughs at times. We drank, talked to each other. It was a supportive room. Give it a try. No matter who hosts, I think you’ll have a good experience. Jessica was a fun emcee, and I hear Johnnie rocks the room.
The layout of The Steel House is mostly conducive for an open mic. The platform that composed the stage was in one corner, farthest from the entrance. Wherever you sat you had a view. To get to the bathroom, though, you had to cross the stage, but even that was not that distracting. Also, they have a DJ, escorting the comedians up and down the stage with his music. The Steel House itself is a full bar with 3 muted TVs on. They serve some food like fries and poppers, but nothing more than finger food.
ReplyDeleteA woman named Jessica ran the room the night I went. Typically, the room is run by a gentleman named Johnnie Flowers. Talent gets 5 minutes, the light at 4. Although in “important” info. it says all talent are welcome, the night I was there the room had only comedians. It followed a show of booked comedians. Maybe over time it became a hot spot for comedy only. There are no language restrictions. The bar itself can seat 75 comfortably. Attending that night. . .12.
We arrived around 9pm, believing signup started at 9:30, show at 10. Well, yes and no. Jessica told me when Johnnie runs the room, those times apply. But when there is a guest host, mostly Jessica, the show can start much earlier. The room was very casually run. I came with two other comedians, putting our names back to back, and even the host brought talent up at her discretion, not following the lineup. We didn’t mind. It’s not like there were a lot of people there. Jessica informed me that when Johnnie promotes the show, when he is the host, the turnout can be tremendous. When not as heavily promoted, well, again, there were 12 people at its peak.
I have to report the experience I had, but I think this room does rock when it is packed. I could see it in my mind. Everyone had a view of the stage. Comedy all night. Full bar. My suggestion would be to call ahead and ask if open mic was being hosted by Johnnie or not.
As for my experience, it was good. If it had been packed with talent, I might have objected had my name not been called when it should have. But it was such a lax night, it was fine that Jessica kept it loose. It fit the room that night. Comedians went up, did their set, got some laughs at times. We drank, talked to each other. It was a supportive room. Give it a try. No matter who hosts, I think you’ll have a good experience. Jessica was a fun emcee, and I hear Johnnie rocks the room.