Before I review the open mic, let me just say something first about the business. Hammered Harry’s boasts, for lack of a better word, attitude. We were welcomed to come in, but once we sat down, our server came over and asked what do we “f**kers” want. During our meal, he would ask if “everything was sh**ty.” He stayed in character throughout the evening. Know that it is all done in fun. The business is still in it to make money, so you will get good food and prompt service. But if you have children, it may get awkward. That said, here are the details of the room and the experience of the night. Talent for the open mic get five minutes. Mistress K runs the room, and she lights you at four. There are no language restrictions, as she made that clear when she welcomed everyone and did a few minutes of material. All genres of talent are welcome. Signup is not first come first choice. It’s actually at the discretion of the host, and the open mic portion does not take place till after the showcase, which starts at 8pm, with a veritable potpourri of talent, including a couple comedians, a drag queen, a spoken word rapper, a musician and singers. This went on for about an hour and a half, then the open mic started at 9:34pm. Parking is paid, $4 an hour, and you have to walk about a block’s worth or so to get to the place. We arrived at about 7pm. After we ordered food and drinks, I saw Mistress K dressed as Wonder Woman setting up the stage, which was quite elevated and well lit, and could be seen by everyone sitting in the one hundred seats throughout the large room. I introduced myself and learned from Mistress K the room has been going on a year, and she gave me two slips to fill out our names and what talent we will be doing. On the slip it says Music, Comedy and Karaoke, but if you want to do poetry or something not listed, it’s fine. My friend and I were definitely the first two persons to submit a slip. TVs are on throughout the place, but the one behind the stage is changed to display the room’s logo. On stage is a mic, stand and stool. When the room started at 8:02, I counted 32 people watching the show. Open mic talent are asked to buy one food or drink item to perform, which was not a problem. Their fried chicken is very good. I skipped the beer this night and went with a hard drink on Harry’s specialty cocktails. Prices are about what you would pay at any nice restaurant. Music plays between talent, and Mistress K walks around the room with a second mic when introducing new talent or commenting on the talent just finished. It kept the room lively, even if at 9:10pm attendance had dropped to 23. The open mic portion started with a puppeteer, who I learned was the first puppeteer to ever perform at the show, then my friend went up. I approached Mistress K earlier and asked to be taken off the list. I was tired and didn’t want to go up that late. I thought the mic started at 8pm, remember. Guys, this is a very good room to do. My only suggestion is to come later than we did. Maybe when the show starts is a better time. Shoot, you could even come at 9pm and know you are going up, as the lineup is random. The allotted time for talent during the showcase is way more than five minutes, but it is a variety show, and shows can last an hour and a half. I say, relax, enjoy a cocktail and some good food, all the time watching a free show, and then do your set. And when you leave, thank the staff for the sh**ty service.
Before I review the open mic, let me just say something first about the business. Hammered Harry’s boasts, for lack of a better word, attitude. We were welcomed to come in, but once we sat down, our server came over and asked what do we “f**kers” want. During our meal, he would ask if “everything was sh**ty.” He stayed in character throughout the evening. Know that it is all done in fun. The business is still in it to make money, so you will get good food and prompt service. But if you have children, it may get awkward.
ReplyDeleteThat said, here are the details of the room and the experience of the night. Talent for the open mic get five minutes. Mistress K runs the room, and she lights you at four. There are no language restrictions, as she made that clear when she welcomed everyone and did a few minutes of material. All genres of talent are welcome. Signup is not first come first choice. It’s actually at the discretion of the host, and the open mic portion does not take place till after the showcase, which starts at 8pm, with a veritable potpourri of talent, including a couple comedians, a drag queen, a spoken word rapper, a musician and singers. This went on for about an hour and a half, then the open mic started at 9:34pm.
Parking is paid, $4 an hour, and you have to walk about a block’s worth or so to get to the place. We arrived at about 7pm. After we ordered food and drinks, I saw Mistress K dressed as Wonder Woman setting up the stage, which was quite elevated and well lit, and could be seen by everyone sitting in the one hundred seats throughout the large room. I introduced myself and learned from Mistress K the room has been going on a year, and she gave me two slips to fill out our names and what talent we will be doing. On the slip it says Music, Comedy and Karaoke, but if you want to do poetry or something not listed, it’s fine. My friend and I were definitely the first two persons to submit a slip. TVs are on throughout the place, but the one behind the stage is changed to display the room’s logo. On stage is a mic, stand and stool.
When the room started at 8:02, I counted 32 people watching the show. Open mic talent are asked to buy one food or drink item to perform, which was not a problem. Their fried chicken is very good. I skipped the beer this night and went with a hard drink on Harry’s specialty cocktails. Prices are about what you would pay at any nice restaurant. Music plays between talent, and Mistress K walks around the room with a second mic when introducing new talent or commenting on the talent just finished. It kept the room lively, even if at 9:10pm attendance had dropped to 23.
The open mic portion started with a puppeteer, who I learned was the first puppeteer to ever perform at the show, then my friend went up. I approached Mistress K earlier and asked to be taken off the list. I was tired and didn’t want to go up that late. I thought the mic started at 8pm, remember.
Guys, this is a very good room to do. My only suggestion is to come later than we did. Maybe when the show starts is a better time. Shoot, you could even come at 9pm and know you are going up, as the lineup is random. The allotted time for talent during the showcase is way more than five minutes, but it is a variety show, and shows can last an hour and a half. I say, relax, enjoy a cocktail and some good food, all the time watching a free show, and then do your set.
And when you leave, thank the staff for the sh**ty service.