Open Mics in New York

by Keith Wagstaff - Citysearch Editor - 216 Reviews - 112 Lists

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Updated: October 15, 2009

So you think you can ___? You know you’re a star; it’s just the casting agents, record producers and literary agents who don’t know it yet. Don’t wait to be discovered! Polish up on your best joke, song or other talent and head to one of these five New York bars, clubs and cafes that offer open mic nights--it just might be your ticket out of waiting tables!

On this page:Recite a Poem, Tell a Joke, Play a Song, Tell a Story, Do Anything.

Recite a Poem

  1. 1 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended Nuyorican Poets Cafe
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    236 E. 3rd Street, New York, NY 10009 (map)

    Every Friday night the Nuyorican Poets Cafe fills up with people looking to hear the city’s most dexterous lyricists compete in the weekly Poetry Slam. After the selected poets finish up (usually around 12:30am), the stage opens up for anyone who wants to read a poem, without judges or the specter of competition. Stick around if you’ve already spent the $10 to get into the Poetry Slam or pay just $5 if you arrive after it’s over.

Tell a Joke

  1. 2 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended Village Lantern
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    167 Bleecker St, New York, NY 10012 (map)

    As one of the most popular comedy spots in a neighborhood saturated with them, the Village Lantern provides a fairly robust audience for would-be comics on the make. Head downstairs on Wednesday nights to hit up one of two open mic slots (8pm and 10:30pm) and finally realize your dream of telling awkward personal anecdotes to a room full of complete strangers.

Play a Song

  1. 3 3.5 Star Rating: Average Bar 4
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    444 7th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11215 (map)

    Bar 4 may just have the best music open mic in the city. That’s partly because the performers are usually local Brooklyn creative types as opposed to the Manhattan fresh-off-the-plane dreamer who has watched “Coyote Ugly” one too many times. Sign up before 7:30pm on Tuesdays and then chill with a beer on the comfy couches before showing off your musical chops.

Tell a Story

  1. 4 5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended Housing Works Used Book Cafe
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    126 Crosby St, New York, NY 10012 (map)

    The Moth StorySLAM is one of the most unique and popular performance events in New York. Although it takes place at a variety of locations (including the aforementioned Nuyorican), our favorite is the monthly Thursday occurrence at this cozy non-profit bookstore. Arrive at 7pm ($7 cover) and enter your name into a hat; if you’re chosen, you’ll get five minutes to impress the crowd and judges with a story pertaining to the month’s theme. Check out www.themoth.org for the complete StorySLAM schedule.

Do Anything

  1. 5 Silk Road Cafe
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    30 Mott St, New York, NY 10013 (map)

    Why limit yourself to just one talent? The Five Points Variety Hour, held in a modest tea shop in Chinatown, lets you perform just about anything you want on Fridays at 8pm ($5 cover). We’re not going to lie; the talent level of the singers, comedians and speakers varies wildly. But hey, at least the place serves tasty sake and bubble tea.