I’m Kayla, and I chase open mics in LA like it’s my weird little sport. I sing, I tell jokes, I read poems when my voice shakes, and yes, I’ve stood in some long lines. I’ve had great sets and flat ones. I’ve paid for stage time and I’ve waited three hours for three minutes. Was it worth it? Most nights, yeah. For a running scoreboard of practically every open mic in town, I keep an eye on Every Mic Ever—it sorts rooms by neighborhood and vibe.
If you want the blow-by-blow of one especially marathon stretch, I broke it down in this detailed open-mic diary—it’s got the late-night nerves, the parking prayers, and every lukewarm slice of pizza in between.
Let me tell you what felt real, where I went, what I loved, and what made me sigh into my car fries on the drive home.
How I sign up and stay sane
Here’s the thing. Every room has its own way. Some do a bucket. Some do a list. Some take a Google Form at noon and fill up in five minutes. Most announce on Instagram stories the day of. I keep notes in my phone, set alarms, and pack a snack. I also carry five bucks cash. It saves time when the host is juggling twenty things.
We good? Cool. Now the rooms.
Comedy rooms I actually hit
Fourth Wall (Hollywood + NoHo)
- What I did: Paid $5 for 5 minutes. I ran three sets in one night, all within walking distance. It felt like a workout for jokes.
- Vibe: Comics watching comics. Bright light. No fluff. You get up on time. You sit when you’re done.
- My take: It’s not “warm,” but it’s fair. I tried a new closer. It flopped at 6 pm, did okay at 8, and got a real laugh at 10. That’s data.
The Comedy Store Potluck (West Hollywood)
- What I did: Monday night bucket. I waited two months of tries before I got called. When my name hit, my hands shook. Three minutes. One big laugh, one groan, and a weird tag that sort of worked.
- Vibe: Historic and hard. Mostly comics. Staff keeps it tight.
- Tip: Get there early, be chill, and expect not to go up. If you do, celebrate with street tacos after. I did.
For a curated map of post-set eats within stumbling distance of every major mic, swing by To Live and Eat in LA.
Flappers YooHoo Room (Burbank)
- What I did: Lottery mic. Got a spot once around 9:20 pm. Three minutes. Host was sweet, room was mixed—some comics, some dates.
- Vibe: Clean stage, real club sound. Staff treats you like you matter.
- My take: Better for tape than most mics. I clipped a decent crowd laugh here, finally.
HaHa Comedy Club (North Hollywood)
- What I did: Pay mic. I paid at the door, got 4 minutes. Went up twice in one week.
- Vibe: Comfy stage, strong light. Folks chat in the back, but you can win them if you punch fast.
- Note: Parking on Lankershim is chaos. I parked on a side street and said a small prayer.
Lyric Hyperion (Silver Lake)
- What I did: Signed up same day when they posted. List capped at 25 that night. I got 4 minutes. The host remembered my bit about Trader Joe’s cart traffic.
- Vibe: Artsy and kind. People listen. You can get weird here, in a good way.
- My take: I left smiling, even though one joke ate dirt.
Music mics that hugged my voice a little
Hotel Cafe (Hollywood)
- What I did: Monday open mic. Signed up early. I waited a long time and got one song after midnight. I did a soft cover with their piano.
- Vibe: Sound is chef’s kiss. Folks hush when you start. It feels pro.
- Tip: Bring your own cable and a short intro. They move quick.
The Mint (Mid-City)
- What I did: Jam night. Signed up ahead. Sat in with the house band on a slow soul tune. My voice cracked once. The drummer smiled like, “We got you.”
- Vibe: Warm stage lights and a grown-up crowd. Good wings too, if you care (I care).
- My take: If you want a band behind you, this is the shot. If your heart leans more cabaret than club, The Gardenia in West Hollywood just launched a jazz-friendly open mic that the LA Times covered here.
Kulak’s Woodshed (North Hollywood)
- What I did: One-song slot. Donation jar by the door. They stream the show. I played an original and forgot a verse. I laughed, they clapped anyway.
- Vibe: Quiet, church-like, but not stiff. Volunteers run it with heart.
- Tip: Tune before you step in. They want you ready.
Spoken word that shook me a little
Da Poetry Lounge (Fairfax)
- What I did: Tuesday open mic. Lined up early. I read a poem about traffic and a broken sandal. People snapped at the image of the gum on my heel. I almost cried, which… fine.
- Vibe: Very full, very real. The room holds you and also calls you out.
- My take: If you have a truth to say, say it here.
The little things that matter
- Parking: North Hollywood is easier. Sunset is not. I leave 20 extra minutes and a tiny piece of my soul.
- Money: Bring small bills. Many mics are $5. Some ask for a drink or item. I buy water if I’m broke, fries if I’m brave.
- Time: You may wait hours. Pack snacks, a charger, and a light jacket. LA AC does not play.
- Manners: Laugh for others. Don’t run your set in the hallway while someone’s on stage. Thank the host.
- Safety: Walk with a buddy if it’s late. I text my location to my group chat. They roast me if I forget.
Some late-night rooms attract seasoned neighborhood regulars—the kind of confident, quick-witted ladies who’ve seen every punchline and still laugh the loudest. If that vibe appeals to you, take a look at mature women in Los Angeles where you can connect with vibrant, experienced locals who know the best after-show spots and add a little extra spark to the post-mic hang.
If your tour schedule ever detours up to Washington wine country and you’d rather swap the mic list for a dating list, sneak a peek at Speed Dating Walla Walla—the page lays out exactly where and when the rapid-fire meet-ups happen, plus tips for making each eight-minute chat count so you can fit fresh connections between gigs.
Quick picks from my notebook
- Easiest reps: Fourth Wall
- Best sound: Hotel Cafe
- Most heart: Da Poetry Lounge
- Friendliest host I met this year: A comic at Lyric Hyperion who high-fived everyone
- Toughest room but worth it: The Comedy Store Potluck
- Best for a clean tape: Flappers YooHoo
- Best surprise: House band love at The Mint
What changed this year
More mics use forms or same-day posts. Check Instagram by noon. Some shows start late and run later. I’ve had midnight sets on a Wednesday. It’s wild. Also, crowds swing fast. Awards season or a big game? Rooms get thin. I bring two versions of my plan: loud and tight for a small room, loose and chatty for a packed one.
My bottom line
LA open mics are a test and a hug. You’ll bomb. You’ll glow. You’ll meet people who become your people. I did. If you bring real work and real ears, you’ll grow.
Would I go again tomorrow? Yep. I’ve already got a list, a granola bar, and a joke about parking that still hasn’t quite hit. But you know what? It might tonight.