Open Mic Shows
For the uninitiated, open mics are shows where aspiring comics go to practice their material. There are literally dozens of these throughout the week in NYC. The comics will often have to pay $5-$7 (or sometimes buy a drink at the venue) in order to be allowed a relatively short amount of stage time. They are typically only attended by the comics themselves but real audience members are always welcome. Let’s be clear – these are inexperienced comics who are usually working out how best to deliver their jokes, so it will often be very scrappy.
The venues are usually either comedy clubs during off-peak hours (e.g. 5pm) or the backs of pubs during weekdays. If it is a barely-open comedy club, you may find it difficult to buy a drink. Some comedy clubs will include details of the open-mics they host on their website (Westside Comedy Club and The Tiny Cupboard* are good at this). Be wary of Laughing Buddha mics which seem to charge audience entry AND have a one item minimum!
If you’re planning to attend one of these, either to participate or to watch, the resource you need to be aware of is Badslava. One of my favourites used to be the Sunday afternoon mic at Stand NYC, but they started experimenting with a "brunch" show (probably in response to The Cellar doing the same thing) just before they moved location, which meant no more open-mic.
*Their website states "If you're an audience member for the open mics; pleased be advised that it will probably not be good" which is absolutely joyous.
Grisly Pear
The back area of this MacDougal Street pub (yes MacDougal Street AGAIN) was originally mainly used for open-mics. At weekends they would put on a ticketed show, priced at maybe $20 and try to opportunistically mop up some of the punters who had failed to get into the Cellar. During one interaction it took me about 15 seconds to deduce that the performer's credit of "BBC" was more aspirational than factual.
At some point they moved to more regular ticketed gigs and in 2023 they opened an additional location in Midtown. In theory it should merit an entry in the Clubs section. However I'd suggest that anyone planning a visit should tread carefully. To me, the comedy element of this establishment feels secondary to the bar side of things. Perhaps I'm being unfair but I'm not in a hurry to investigate further.
If you are visiting, try using the promo codes "FREETIX" or "SPRINGTIX". You might have some success.
Last visited (via the briefest of drive-bys) Jan 2024
Old Man Hustle Bar
This tiny lower east side bar seats about 14 with maybe another 10 standing. Despite the hilariously small stage at the end of the bar, they have free comedy every night for about an hour (and upto 4 shows at weekends - though the final Sunday one is an open-mic). The crowd is very well-behaved (any chatting would immediately be a problem in a venue this size) and although the acts aren't of a terrifically high standard, this is an interesting place to visit for comedy fans.
There's a one drink minimum during the shows. There are no draft beers but they have around 10 bottles or cans (Lagunitas IPA is $8) and a good range of spirits.
In December 2019 they opened a second location in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. As it's a fully-functioning ticketed comedy club I've listed it separately under the Clubs section.
Note that this bar now appears to be closed. If I can confirm that it will not reopen I will delete this entry. I did walk past it in Jun 2025 and although it looks very much shut, it also hasn't yet become something else.
This is a very odd setup. It's a modestly-sized room on the edge of Chinatown. Normally I'd suggest it was a good distance from any other comedy locations but the now-closed Old Man Hustle Bar (see above) was only 100 yds along the street. It is effectively alcohol-free, in as much as they don't sell booze and you can't BYO. There is a small fridge with energy drinks for sale.
I've only been once and that was for a mid-afternoon open-mic, run by the owner, a pleasant-enough Swedish man called Jonezy. The website often advertises shows that have already happened, which doesn't inspire too much confidence. I've documented it here because it is the epitome of "oddity".
Last visited Oct 2024
This COULD legitimately be listed under Comedy Clubs as it has more than one show every night of the week but it's actually really an independent venue. There are many regular shows running, Frankenstein's Baby (listed on the Weekly/Monthly page) being an example, but those shows don't share the same producers. If you're looking for something interesting or different then its worth a try. AND they have a decent happy hour upstairs from 4-7pm, Monday to Friday.
Last visited Jun 2025
The Olive Tree Cafe
Although you’re already bored hearing about the different venues that are governed by the corporate colossus that is the Comedy Cellar, there’s actually one further location to be aware of (if we ignore their Las Vegas outpost that opened April 2018). The Olive Tree Cafe is a bar/cafe directly above the Comedy Cellar. It’s owned by the same people and shares some of the same facilities. If you go in for a beer or a coffee, there’s an outside chance you might see someone remotely famous. The first time I went in I saw Dave Attell, minding his own business. The next time I saw Amy Schumer getting her hair done prior to some filming in the club. The third time I went I saw feckin nobody, so it’s not all sex and gravy. There’s a table reserved for Comedy Cellar comedians. They will often hang out there between sets.
If you've tried and failed to get into the Comedy Cellar, you can get a sneak peak via the Olive Tree Cafe as it shares toilets with the club downstairs. Ask your server where the restrooms are. They might write down a code on a sheet of paper (usually 232) which you then use to open a door to the back right of the cafe but more usually the door is open. Go down the stairs and turn right and you're in the club itself (but not before paying attention to see if the next comic to come on - waiting at the bottom of the stairs - is someone famous). The toilets are on the right but don't dawdle on your way in as you'll be blocking someone's view!
BYOB Options
Most NYC comedy clubs have a drink or spend minimum. The only exceptions that springs to mind are Stand NYC and The Tiny Cupboard. Bar shows tend to be a bit less prescriptive. 7th Street Comedy was the first "club" with its own physical location that operated a BYO model, but unfortunately they stopped in October 2023. Sesh Comedy (see the entry on the Weekly/Monthly page) seem to be thriving however, and there are a handful of other options you may want to consider.
Don't Tell Comedy sometimes specify that their events are BYO.
Barber Shop Comedy (yes it's really in a barber shop!) seem to have several shows per weekend where you can take your own booze.
Bushwick Comedy Club claim to be "Brooklyn's only BYOB comedy club".