Best Open Mic Comedy Shows Near Boston

Open mic nights are designed to make people laugh. Trying out new material on a live audience is intimidating, but there are some venues in and around the Boston area where the quaintness and the host of the show make it a great experience. Performers can jump up on the stage with a live mic and give it their best shot. Every venue has their own set of rules like two-minute, five-minute or untimed sets; some have hosts who do a stand-up routine and others act as hosts only. There are prizes at some venues for the best performance of the night and others just offer the privilege of being on stage in front of a live audience.

The Middle East Corner
472-480 Massachusetts Ave.
Cambridge, MA 02139
(617) 864-3278
www.mideastoffers.com

The Middle East is a great place to start an open mic comedy routine. The open mic comedy host at this venue is Rob Crean, who is a tremendous mentor to young comedians. The Middle East draws a hearty audience and gives the performers a true sense of how it feels to perform in a real-time comedy show. Performers are pre-booked for this 9 p.m. show on Tuesday evenings by contacting the host of the show at rob.crean@gmail.com.

Tavern At The End Of The World
108 Cambridge St.
Charlestown, MA 02129
(617) 241-4999
www.tavernattheendoftheworld.com

This venue has no time limit on the individual performances so up-and-coming comedians have the opportunity to control their Wednesday evening show with regard to timing and content. Tavern At The End Of The World is considered one of the best places to meet fellow aspiring, and some relatively successful, performers. This quaint venue is known for the great variety of beer choices for patrons to enjoy during the shows.

Sally O'Briens
335 Somerville Ave.
Somerville, MA 02143
(617) 666-3589
www.sallyobriensbar.com

The host of the open mic comedy show at Sally O'Brien's is Shawn Carter, who keeps the pace going with each performer getting their two minutes of fame to present their best material. A performance sign-up list is circulated at 7 p.m. on the night of each show and the show starts at 7:30 p.m. on Mondays. This professional/amateur comedy show is fast-paced and ends by 10 p.m. There are prizes awarded for the best amateur performance of the night.

Related: Best Comedy Clubs In Boston

If you head south of the city to Marshfield, MA, about a 45-minute ride, an evening at Raffertys Pub is a great venue for a relaxed performance. Some people have compared it to sitting around in a cozy room and telling a few jokes with the family. The host of the show is Chrissy Kelleher, who does a stand-up routine and then turns it over to the open mic show every other Thursday evening at 8:30 p.m. Contact Chrissy at Chrissykel@comcast.net for more information about signing up to perform. 

The Riot Theater
146A South St.
Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
(617) 942-0294
www.theriottheater.com

The Riot Theater allows a stage for budding comedians to perform in five-minute sets on the last Thursday of every month. The sign-up list to perform is circulated at 9:15 p.m. and the show starts at 9:30 p.m. Sign-up can also be done in advance at standupbreakincomedy@gmail.com.

Related: Boston Area's Best Improv Comedy