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Open Mic Comedy in London

Uncover London’s open mic comedy scene in this how to guide. From survival gong shows to finding nurturing comedy spots, we’ve got you covered on how to find and book the perfect gig!

Open Mic Nights – The Different Types:

OPEN MIC BRINGER SHOWS:

These are gigs where you need to bring an audience member to earn your spotlight. A friendly environment, but not always the best measure of your material. You will probably have to do these at some point in London to get enough gigs. If you are short of a friend or loved one to bring, there is this group that can help you get some bringer back up: Uk comedy performers + 1

NEW ACT/NEW MATERIAL NIGHTS:

The comedic boot camp for rookies. Test your jokes and experiment with fresh material in a nurturing space. Do as many as you can to refine your craft.

OPEN SPOTS:

The holy grail for up-and-coming comedians. Work your way up by conquering gong shows and bringers to earn your stripes in the clubs. Look out for big ones hosting new material nights.

OPEN MIC GONG SHOWS:

Don’t do these until you have done at least 50 new act open mics. These survival battles are where the audience decides your fate.

Check out famous ones like:

• • • King Gong at the Comedy Store,
    • Beat The Blackout at Up the Creek,
    • The INFAMOUS Ding Dong Gong Show at Big Belly Comedy Club

How to Find Open Mic Nigts In London

Now that you’re familiar with the different types of comedy spots. It’s important you have some SELF AWARENESS. Dont apply for weekend open spots when your only a few weeks in.

Here are some good ways to find comedy open mic gigs:

Networking:

Make friends and get recommendations of other good gigs. Loads of comedians host their own nights across the city. Forge alliances, build relationships, and open doors on the circuit through networking. Sometimes, it’s all about who you know!

Open Mic Finder Websites:

• Open Mic Finder
• Open Comedy

The Stand-Up Comedy Gig Spreadsheet:

Discover London’s comedy underbelly through this colossal resource, available HERE! It lists open mic nights, venues, and contact details, offering a plethora of opportunities to showcase your comedy.

Facebook Groups:

There are a tonne of these out there, you just need to know where to look! Here’s a few to get you started:

• • The Comedy Collective 
  • UK Comedy Performers +1 Exchange
  • COMEDY COLLECTIVE (different to the first one)
  • Facebook Comedy Forum UK
  • UK Comedy Gig List
  • Women In Comedy UK
  • UK Stand Up Comedy Nights
  • UK Comedy Competitions

How to Apply for Open Mic Spots:

Now that you’ve found the open mic spots that make your comedy-loving heart skip a beat, it’s time to master the art of applying:

• Get a Killer Video: Create a 5-minute video showcasing your best material. It’s your comedic passport for promoters to see your talent and potential.
• Flaunt Your Credits: Highlight impressive venues and gong show triumphs. Own your accomplishments and let them work for you.
• Show Respect: Approach clubs and hosts with courtesy and gratitude. Leave a good impression for more opportunities.
• Ring or Email: Politely ask for spots; sometimes going direct works best

Be resilient too! You’ll get more rejections than spots, and a lot of the spots you play in the early days will not be good quality, but learn from them and keep at it.

A big part of comedy is just showing up everyday and grinding. We believe in you.

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