Amateur Night: Best Places To Take The Stage
It takes a great deal of courage to get up in front of a crowd of strangers and attempt to entertain them. Whether your forte is comedy, poetry or music, check out some of the best amateur nights in the Twin Cities and brave the stage in front of a live audience (if you dare!).
Acme Comedy Club
708 N. 1st St.
Minneapolis, MN 55401
(612) 338-6393
www.acmecomedycompany.com
Fancy yourself a bit of a comedian? If you think you've got what it takes to tickle a crowd's funnybone, try taking the stage at Acme Comedy Club's open mic night. Every Monday evening, Acme offers the stage up to amateur performers, allowing newcomers three minutes on stage. Sign up in person between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. for your chance to entertain the masses beginning at 8 p.m. Open mic night is free to attend, so if you're not picked to perform, at least you can enjoy the show.
The Coffee Grounds
1579 Hamline Ave. N.
Falcon Heights, MN 55108
(651) 644-9959
www.thecoffeegrounds.net
The Coffee Grounds boasts one of the longest running open mic nights in the Twin Cities, featuring performances by the amateur musician. Sign up for your chance to showcase your talents in front of a crowd on the first and third Sunday of each month. The deadline for signing up each evening for "15 minutes of shame" is 5:30 p.m., so make sure you come early as the show begins at 6 p.m. Sip an energizing coffee while you wait to hit the stage.
Related: Best Music Venues In The Twin Cities
Blue Nile
2027 Franklin Ave. E.
Minneapolis, MN 55404
(612) 338-3000
www.bluenilempls.com
Have some beautiful words that you'd like to share with a crowd? Bring your finest verses to Blue Nile every Tuesday for "The Poet's Groove Open Mic" and share with your poetic peers. Grab a drink to calm your nerves before you hit the stage and stick around for some Ethiopian cuisine.
Chatterbox Pub
2229 E. 35th St.
Minneapolis, MN 55407
(612) 728-9871
www.chatterboxpub.net
The Chatterbox Pub (Minneapolis location) serves up an acoustic open mic night every Tuesday evening. Come for dinner and stay for the show, showcasing your musical stylings before a live audience. The show begins at 8:30 p.m., so arrive early and sign up for your chance to hit the stage. Grab your friends and have a night out on the town.
The Comedy Corner Underground
1501 Washington Ave. S.
Minneapolis, MN 55455
(612) 492-1197
www.comedycornerunderground.com
Many popular comedians got their start by performing at open mic night at the Comedy Corner, with national acts frequently returning to try out new material. Each and every Friday evening is open mic night, so if you think you've got what it takes to leave the crowd in stitches, sign up from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. for your chance at hitting the stage. Only 15 to 20 performers make the stage each time, so if it's your first time, be sure to let Comedy Corner know. The show begins at 10 p.m. and is frequently packed, so make sure you come early and snag yourself a seat.
A Minnesota native that was born and raised Up North, Minneapolis is where Christina Kalinowski currently calls home. Christina appreciates irony, loves bacon, enjoys a hearty libation (drink responsibly, folks), and is an avid proponent of the Swanson Pyramid of Greatness. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.
