Each week, ArtsATL delivers a critic’s short list of the shows, exhibitions, concerts and events we recommend for the coming weeks within one discipline or venue type in the kaleidoscope of Atlanta arts and culture. This week is a little different, as we take a look at places where independent aspiring musicians, comedians, storytellers and poets can share their work — and patrons can catch a rising star. This is just a small sampling of the many open mic nights in and around Atlanta. There’s probably one near you.
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Apache (393 Marietta St. NW) offers many opportunities for artists to showcase their talents. Among them are Bye Felicia! Friday Comedy and Hip Hop Open Mic on July 18, Da Function: Indie Artist Open Mic on July 23 and Waffles & Whiskey Presents The Waffle Houze Cypher Open Mic on July 29. Check out their website for a full list of open mic nights.
Napoleon’s (2836 Lavista Road, Decatur) is another spot that offers many regular open mic opportunities for local musicians, inclunding a jazz jam led by Joe Gransden every Monday night, a blues jam with Sandra Senn from Blue Velvet Atlanta on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month and an acoustic open mic with Bill Sheffield and Spencer L. Kirkpatrick on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month.
This cozy coffee shop and performance space (240 DeKalb Industrial Way, Decatur), situated just down the street from Your DeKalb Farmers Market, hosts an open mic night on the first Tuesday of every month. The next one is scheduled for 7 p.m. on August 5.
This residence, production facility, art and music venue and community hub (1467 Oxford Road NE) near Emory University hosts an open mic on the first Monday of every month. The next one happens at 8 p.m. on August 4.
Located in East Atlanta Village, Southern Feedstore (1245 Glenwood Ave. SE, Suite 6) offers a weekly open mic night every Tuesday at 8 p.m.
Charis’ Cliterati open mic takes place both in person at Charis (184 S. Candler St., Decatur) and virtually on Crowdcast, Charis’ virtual event platform. Of course, to participate, you’ll have to be there in person, but you can watch the event from anywhere. The next one happens at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 17.
Urban Grind (962 Marietta St. NW) holds an open mic poetry night every Thursday, with signup beginning at 7 p.m. and showtime at 7:30 p.m.
Red Light Cafe (553-1 Amsterdam Ave. NE) offers a variety of open mic nights for musicians, poets and storytellers to take center stage. The first Tuesday of the month is a comedy open mic, every Wednesday there’s a jazz jam with the Gordon Vernick Quartet and on the third Tuesday they offer a storytelling open mic.
Kat’s Cafe (970 Piedmont Ave. NE) hosts an open mic stand-up comedy night every Tuesday, presented by the Atlanta House of Comedy.
This Saturday, July 19, is the 56th Bi-Annual Open Mic Shootout. Yes, it’s been going on for more than a quarter-century. Every other Monday night, Eddie’s Attic (515 North McDonough St., Decatur) provides an open mic forum for aspiring performing songwriters, with the winners moving on to the bi-annual competition. Past winners include John Mayer, Clay Cook, Uncle Mark Reynolds and Jennifer Nettles.
Socially Awkward Comedy is an open mic hosted by Amber Ritchie, Clifton Taylor and Shannon Kelly at Boggs Social & Supply (1310 White St. SW) every other Tuesday, with the next one scheduled for July 29. Signup is at 7 p.m., with showtime at 7:30 p.m.
Downwind Restaurant and Lounge
Mary Lou Davidson hosts a songwriters’ open mic on the first Monday of the month at Downwind (2000 Airport Road, Chamblee) at the DeKalb-Peachtree Airport.
Snith’s Olde Bar (1578 Piedmont Ave. NE) offers two weekly chances to get behind the mic. On Mondays, Gio Yaquinto and his band host a live music open mic. On Wednesday, comedians are in the spotlight as Lisandra Vázquez and Marietta Mendler host an open mic.
Blues and barbecue come together at the weekly Fran’s Jam open mic night at Fat Matt’s (1811 Piedmont Ave. NE).
