Guys, I must confess: this is not going to be the most thorough review, mostly because I did this room as a last-minute drop in, and even then, I came late. I didn’t learn all that I wanted to learn. But here is what I know, and what I know that happened. Laughs Comedy Club is just that, a comedy club. Of course, there are no language restrictions, and it is comedy only; no other genres of talent. Comedians get four minutes, the light at three. Some talent definitely got more than four minutes, but they are featured artists or headliners, I am told, and may get more time. At times. A gentleman named David runs the place. While open mic at Laughs has been going on for years, at its current location, it has been happening just over a year. Another gentleman named Skippy is the permanent weekly host. It was almost 8:30pm when I arrived. There was an indication that comedians who brought peeps go up for certain, and I believe comedians signed up on Facebook a day or so before to get stage time. I felt defeated in that I had no peeps and I did not sign up in advance. I introduced myself to David and said I was visiting from Los Angeles and wondered how open mic works. He said he would put me up and gave me the 15th spot. (I think there are 25 total.) David told me anyone from out of state -- even next door Idaho -- if they drop in, he’ll put them up. The room goes till the last signup has gone up. The business serves beer, wine and mostly they have a full bar. No blended drinks. To eat, they serve salads, burgers, appetizers, typical comfort food. Where the show takes place, of course, they have a nice stage. The room seats, I don’t know, over 150. A single mic and stool was all a comedian needs. Parking is on the street, and I strongly recommend giving yourself extra time just to find a place to park. When I walked into the room, I was amazed at the turnout. Because it’s an open mic, there is no admission fee, but there is a two-drink minimum. I did a rough headcount and when the evening began at 8:30pm there were 90 people in the room. By 9:10pm there were over a hundred people. When I went up about 9:40pm attendance had peaked at about 120. This was an exception, I learned, as one comedian who has a huge following, “brought” 50 people with her. Otherwise, on a good week this room attracts 30 to 40 people. I was fortunate to go up when I did. Though it was only four minutes, it was one of the best four minutes I have ever had. Much like sex. I had a great set. The audience was on board with my act, and even the emcee congratulated me at the end of the evening. A couple comedians whose names were called were no shows, so one or two comedians on standby got to go up. However, as packed as the room was, attendance dropped drastically, especially when the comedian who brought so many people went up and then later left, followed by her following. By 10:40pm, the room held 35 people. That dropped to 18 five minutes later. The last comedian went up just after 11pm, playing to an audience of 15. Guys, this is a very good room. People are primed and ready for comedy. I do recommend, however, contacting them through their FB account and arranging a time to perform on a date you’re visiting Seattle. I was fortunate to get the spot I did because of a cancellation. Had the lineup been full, and David was still good enough to put me at the end, the difference in the number of people you’re performing for can matter.
Guys, I must confess: this is not going to be the most thorough review, mostly because I did this room as a last-minute drop in, and even then, I came late. I didn’t learn all that I wanted to learn. But here is what I know, and what I know that happened.
ReplyDeleteLaughs Comedy Club is just that, a comedy club. Of course, there are no language restrictions, and it is comedy only; no other genres of talent. Comedians get four minutes, the light at three. Some talent definitely got more than four minutes, but they are featured artists or headliners, I am told, and may get more time. At times.
A gentleman named David runs the place. While open mic at Laughs has been going on for years, at its current location, it has been happening just over a year. Another gentleman named Skippy is the permanent weekly host.
It was almost 8:30pm when I arrived. There was an indication that comedians who brought peeps go up for certain, and I believe comedians signed up on Facebook a day or so before to get stage time. I felt defeated in that I had no peeps and I did not sign up in advance. I introduced myself to David and said I was visiting from Los Angeles and wondered how open mic works. He said he would put me up and gave me the 15th spot. (I think there are 25 total.) David told me anyone from out of state -- even next door Idaho -- if they drop in, he’ll put them up. The room goes till the last signup has gone up.
The business serves beer, wine and mostly they have a full bar. No blended drinks. To eat, they serve salads, burgers, appetizers, typical comfort food. Where the show takes place, of course, they have a nice stage. The room seats, I don’t know, over 150. A single mic and stool was all a comedian needs. Parking is on the street, and I strongly recommend giving yourself extra time just to find a place to park.
When I walked into the room, I was amazed at the turnout. Because it’s an open mic, there is no admission fee, but there is a two-drink minimum. I did a rough headcount and when the evening began at 8:30pm there were 90 people in the room. By 9:10pm there were over a hundred people. When I went up about 9:40pm attendance had peaked at about 120. This was an exception, I learned, as one comedian who has a huge following, “brought” 50 people with her. Otherwise, on a good week this room attracts 30 to 40 people.
I was fortunate to go up when I did. Though it was only four minutes, it was one of the best four minutes I have ever had. Much like sex. I had a great set. The audience was on board with my act, and even the emcee congratulated me at the end of the evening. A couple comedians whose names were called were no shows, so one or two comedians on standby got to go up. However, as packed as the room was, attendance dropped drastically, especially when the comedian who brought so many people went up and then later left, followed by her following. By 10:40pm, the room held 35 people. That dropped to 18 five minutes later. The last comedian went up just after 11pm, playing to an audience of 15.
Guys, this is a very good room. People are primed and ready for comedy. I do recommend, however, contacting them through their FB account and arranging a time to perform on a date you’re visiting Seattle. I was fortunate to get the spot I did because of a cancellation. Had the lineup been full, and David was still good enough to put me at the end, the difference in the number of people you’re performing for can matter.