This is an incomplete review, which I will explain, but I do have enough facts to make it worth your while to read on. First, Blarney is a full bar. They had four TVs going, and the place seats just over 55. The stage is a platform, but easily viewed. Parking is a shared lot with other businesses. Signup is first come first choice. B.J. runs the room and has been doing so for almost 4 years, though the open mic has a longer history with a previous host. Musicians get 20 minutes, including set up. Even though I was there on time, I learned from B.J. that comedians get 5 to 10 minutes, and they go up around midnight (towards the end of the show). B.J. recommended I call or come back around 11 to get a feel for the room, if I should come “that early” because the music was possibly winding down. I said yes, but I ended up not coming back. As the evening progressed I was feeling more and more ill. When I first learned of this venue a couple years ago I found out they had music only. When I checked back a couple months ago, I was told comedy was allowed but that they mostly get music. When I showed up the other night, I learned comedy happens at the end of the evening. Open mic goes till 1am sometimes. I suspect people who are there for music are not going to suddenly bolt if you’re announced as “Our next talent is a comedian….” But because comedians go at the end, it’s a certainty that the audience will be smaller than had the comedian been allowed to be a part of first come first choice. Still, at least they allow comedy. And I will suggest that if B.J. saw enough good talent in comedy, he’d make it a part of his mainstream open mic. Just got that impression from him. The kind of guy who’s open to something new but has to see proof first that it works. My final recommendation is to do this room, just make it the last venue you’re going to do that night.
This is an incomplete review, which I will explain, but I do have enough facts to make it worth your while to read on.
ReplyDeleteFirst, Blarney is a full bar. They had four TVs going, and the place seats just over 55. The stage is a platform, but easily viewed. Parking is a shared lot with other businesses. Signup is first come first choice. B.J. runs the room and has been doing so for almost 4 years, though the open mic has a longer history with a previous host. Musicians get 20 minutes, including set up.
Even though I was there on time, I learned from B.J. that comedians get 5 to 10 minutes, and they go up around midnight (towards the end of the show). B.J. recommended I call or come back around 11 to get a feel for the room, if I should come “that early” because the music was possibly winding down. I said yes, but I ended up not coming back. As the evening progressed I was feeling more and more ill.
When I first learned of this venue a couple years ago I found out they had music only. When I checked back a couple months ago, I was told comedy was allowed but that they mostly get music. When I showed up the other night, I learned comedy happens at the end of the evening. Open mic goes till 1am sometimes. I suspect people who are there for music are not going to suddenly bolt if you’re announced as “Our next talent is a comedian….” But because comedians go at the end, it’s a certainty that the audience will be smaller than had the comedian been allowed to be a part of first come first choice.
Still, at least they allow comedy. And I will suggest that if B.J. saw enough good talent in comedy, he’d make it a part of his mainstream open mic. Just got that impression from him. The kind of guy who’s open to something new but has to see proof first that it works.
My final recommendation is to do this room, just make it the last venue you’re going to do that night.